About
"As a director, I try to do what the writers had in mind. What did the writers want the audience to know and how do I do that with the picture, the sound effects, the props, the costumes. I think that anything that's seen on that screen should be from the director and writer's point of view. That's, I think, the best way I can put it."
In his three-and-a-half-hour interview, Charles S. Dubin (1919-2011) describes his lengthy career as a television director, which began in 1950 when he was hired at ABC as an associate director and culminated in his long association with M*A*S*H, for which he directed more episodes than any other individual director. Dubin details his early work in "live" television for such series as Pulitzer Prize Playhouse and Opera vs. Jazz. He speaks in great detail about the over twenty segments of Omnibus that he directed, including celebrated pieces with choreographer Agnes de Mille and conductor/composer Leonard Bernstein. Dubin then talks about how his association with Bernstein in this capacity led to his directing the first three concerts of the New York Philharmonic Young People's Concert. Additionally, Dubin discusses his work as a director on the quiz show series Twenty-One, which became the center of the Quiz Show Scandals, although Dubin was at the time unaware of the backstage practices that led to the show's demise. He discusses his appearance before the House of Un-American Activities Committee, at which he plead the Fifth and was blacklisted from the industry for five years. He describes his later work, directing multiple episodes of The Defenders, Kojak, Ironside, Hawaii Five-O, and the Father Dowling Mysteries. Gary Rutkowski conducted the interview on September 9, 2003 in Brentwood, CA.
Highlights
Charles S. Dubin on being called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee and being blacklisted for five years
Charles S. Dubin on Omnibus executive producer Robert Saudek
Charles S. Dubin on directing Twenty One, produced by Dan Enright just before the Quiz Show Scandals broke, and on being called to testify about it
Charles S. Dubin on directing Cinderella, starring Lesley Ann Warren
Charles S. Dubin on the popularity of M*A*S*H, and on the end of the series and its legacy
Charles S. Dubin on going to work for ABC in 1950 as an assistant director
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on getting into acting, and learning to act and direct from Sanford Meisner; on the first time he saw television
On going to work for ABC in 1950 as an assistant director; on becoming a full-fledged director at ABC, and directing Pulitzer Prize Playhouse with actors like Sidney Poitier; on directing live television in the 1950s and on directing Opera vs. Jazz
Chapter 2
On Omnibus executive producer Robert Saudek; on directing the Omnibus episodes "Jack Be Normal" and "The Azuma Kabuki Dancers"; on directing the Omnibus episodes "The Better Half" and "Plays of the Irish Renaissance"
On the technical aspects of Omnibus; on directing several classic episodes of Omnibus
On Omnibus host Alistair Cooke, and choreographer Agnes De Mille; on working with Leonard Bernstein on several Omnibus episodes
Chapter 3
On the legacy of Omnibus; on directing the New York Philharmonic Young People's Concert and on directing Producers' Showcase; on directing Twenty One, produced by Dan Enright just before the Quiz Show Scandals broke, and on being called to testify
On being called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee and being blacklisted for five years; on directing The Defenders, produced by Herbert Brodkin; on working with E.G. Marshall and Robert Reed on The Defenders, and on directing specific episodes of the series
Chapter 4
On directing episodes of The Defenders; on directing "Judy and Her Guests, Phil Silvers and Robert Goulet," the 1963 special that served as the pilot for The Judy Garland Show; on directing various series, made-for television movies, and specials
On directing Medical Center, and on directing Ironside, starring Raymond Burr; on directing Hawaii Five-O, starring Jack Lord; on directing Kojak, starring Telly Savalas
Chapter 5
On directing The New People, Room 222, Of Men and Women, Sanford and Son, and The 10th Level; on how he came to direct M*A*S*H; on a typical workweek directing an episode of M*A*S*H, and on the research involved in making the series
On directing Alan Alda as "Hawkeye Pierce" on M*A*S*H; on directing Harry Morgan as "Sherman T. Potter" on M*A*S*H; on directing Gary Burghoff as "Radar O'Reilly" on M*A*S*H
On directing Loretta Swit as "Margaret Houlihan" on M*A*S*H; on directing William Christopher as "Father Mulcahy," Jamie Farr as "Max Klinger," Larry Linville as "Frank Burns," Mike Farrell as "B.J. Hunnicutt," and David Ogden Stiers as "Charles Winchester" on M*A*S*H; on the episode "Point of View"
Chapter 6
On directing the M*A*S*H episode "Point of View"; on working with Burt Metcalfe and Gene Reynolds on M*A*S*H, and on where the show was shot; on problems Standards and Practices had with M*A*S*H and on the use of the laugh track on the show, and on the end of the series
On his style of directing and how he works with actors; on directing Lou Grant with Ed Asner and Nancy Marchand; on directing The Belle of Amherst, starring Julie Harris
On directing various series including Charlie's Angles, Trapper John, MD, and Supertrain; on directing Roots: The Next Generations, and on working with Henry Fonda on that show
Chapter 7
On directing the cast of Roots: The Next Generations, and on dealing with the subject matter; on directing Telly Savalas for the American Playhouse production of "My Palikari"; on directing Jennifer Slept Here, Amanda's, The Four Seasons, Murder, She Wrote, and Hotel
On directing The Masterpiece of Murder, starring Bob Hope; on directing Matlock, Starman, Square One, and Father Dowling Mysteries; on summing up his career including proudest achievement, advice, collaborating with writers, mentors, and how he'd like to be remembered
On b-roll pictures from his career- newspaper clipping about the Roxy Theater in New York City; on the set of Hawaii Five-O with Jack Lord; drawing by Jack Lord; with Alan Alda on the set of M*A*S*H; with Mike Farrell and Alan Alda on the set of M*A*S*H; on the set of M*A*S*H with the actors and President Ford; Agnes de Mille with the cast of M*A*S*H; the cast and the producers of M*A*S*H throwing a party for Charles S. Dubin; Waiting for Godot; The Gathering Part II; with his wife Mary Lou; headshot of Charles S. Dubin
Shows
Amanda's
Charles S. Dubin on directing Jennifer Slept Here, Amanda's, The Four Seasons, Murder, She Wrote, and Hotel
American Playhouse
Charles S. Dubin on directing Telly Savalas for the American Playhouse production of "My Palikari"
Big Valley, The
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The Virginian, The Meanest Man in the West, Tarzan, and The Big Valley
Charlie's Angels
Charles S. Dubin on directing various series including Charlie's Angles, Trapper John, MD, and Supertrain
Cinderella (1965)
Charles S. Dubin on directing Cinderella, starring Lesley Ann Warren
Defenders, The
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Defenders, produced by Herbert Brodkin
Charles S. Dubin on working with E.G. Marshall and Robert Reed on The Defenders, and on directing specific episodes of the series
Charles S. Dubin on directing episodes of The Defenders
Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The Virginian, The Meanest Man in the West, Tarzan, and The Big Valley
Father Dowling Mysteries
Charles S. Dubin on directing Matlock, Starman, Square One, and Father Dowling Mysteries
Hawaii Five-O
Charles S. Dubin on directing Hawaii Five-O, starring Jack Lord
Hotel
Charles S. Dubin on directing Jennifer Slept Here, Amanda's, The Four Seasons, Murder, She Wrote, and Hotel
Ironside
Charles S. Dubin on directing Medical Center, Ironside, starring Raymond Burr
Jennifer Slept Here
Charles S. Dubin on directing Jennifer Slept Here, Amanda's, The Four Seasons, Murder, She Wrote, and Hotel
Judy Garland Show, The
Charles S. Dubin on directing "Judy and Her Guests, Phil Silvers and Robert Goulet," the 1963 special that served as the pilot for The Judy Garland Show
Kojak
Charles S. Dubin on directing Kojak, starring Telly Savalas
Lou Grant
Charles S. Dubin on directing Lou Grant with Ed Asner and Nancy Marchand
M*A*S*H
Charles S. Dubin on how he came to direct M*A*S*H
Charles S. Dubin on a typical workweek directing an episode of M*A*S*H, and on the research involved in making the series
Charles S. Dubin on directing Alan Alda as "Hawkeye Pierce" on M*A*S*H
Charles S. Dubin on directing Harry Morgan as "Sherman T. Potter" on M*A*S*H
Charles S. Dubin on directing Gary Burghoff as "Radar O'Reilly" on M*A*S*H
Charles S. Dubin on directing Loretta Swit as "Margaret Houlihan" on M*A*S*H
Charles S. Dubin on directing William Christopher as "Father Mulcahy," Jamie Farr as "Max Klinger," Larry Linville as "Frank Burns," Mike Farrell as "B.J. Hunnicutt," and David Ogden Stiers as "Charles Winchester" on M*A*S*H
Charles S. Dubin on directing the M*A*S*H episode "Point of View"
Charles S. Dubin on directing the M*A*S*H episode "Point of View"
Charles S. Dubin on working with Burt Metcalfe and Gene Reynolds on M*A*S*H
Charles S. Dubin on where M*A*S*H was shot
Charles S. Dubin on problems Standards and Practices had with M*A*S*H and on the use of the laugh track on the show
Charles S. Dubin on the popularity of M*A*S*H, and on the end of the series and its legacy
Masterpiece of Murder, A
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Masterpiece of Murder starring Bob Hope
Matlock
Charles S. Dubin on directing Matlock, Starman, Square One, and Father Dowling Mysteries
Medical Center
Charles S. Dubin on directing Medical Center, and on directing Ironside, starring Raymond Burr
Murder, She Wrote
Charles S. Dubin on directing Jennifer Slept Here, Amanda's, The Four Seasons, Murder, She Wrote, and Hotel
New People, The
Charles S. Dubin on directing The New People, Room 222, Of Men and Women, Sanford and Son, and The 10th Level
New York Philharmonic Young People's Concert
Charles S. Dubin on directing the New York Philharmonic Young People's Concert
Nurses, The
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Nurses
Omnibus
Charles S. Dubin on Omnibus executive producer Robert Saudek
Charles S. Dubin on directing the Omnibus episodes "Jack Be Normal" and "The Azuma Kabuki Dancers"
Charles S. Dubin on directing the Omnibus episodes "The Better Half" and "Plays of the Irish Renaissance"
Charles S. Dubin on the technical aspects of Omnibus
Charles S. Dubin on directing several Omnibus episodes, including "Comedy and Song," "The Spirit of Freedom," "The Bigger Wheel," "The Ballad of Baby Doe," "Baptiste," "Children of Paradise," "And Joy is My Company," and "My Hearts in the Highlands"
Charles S. Dubin on Omnibus host Alistair Cooke, and choreographer Agnes De Mille
Charles S. Dubin on working with Leonard Bernstein on several Omnibus episodes
Charles S. Dubin on the legacy of Omnibus
Producers' Showcase
Charles S. Dubin on directing Producers' Showcase
Pulitzer Prize Playhouse
Charles S. Dubin on becoming a full-fledged director at ABC, and directing Pulitzer Prize Playhouse with actors like Sidney Poitier
Room 222
Charles S. Dubin on directing The New People, Room 222, Of Men and Women, Sanford and Son, and The 10th Level
Roots: The Next Generations
Charles S. Dubin on directing Roots: The Next Generations, and on working with Henry Fonda on that show
Charles S. Dubin on directing the cast of Roots: The Next Generations, and on dealing with the subject matter
Sanford and Son
Charles S. Dubin on directing The New People, Room 222, Of Men and Women, Sanford and Son, and The 10th Level
Square One TV
Charles S. Dubin on directing Matlock, Starman, Square One, and Father Dowling Mysteries
Starman
Charles S. Dubin on directing Matlock, Starman, Square One, and Father Dowling Mysteries
Supertrain
Charles S. Dubin on directing various series including Charlie's Angles, Trapper John, MD, and Supertrain
Tarzan
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The Virginian, The Meanest Man in the West, Tarzan, and The Big Valley
Trapper John, M. D.
Charles S. Dubin on directing various series including Charlie's Angles, Trapper John, MD, and Supertrain
Twenty One
Charles S. Dubin on directing Twenty One, produced by Dan Enright just before the Quiz Show Scandals broke, and on being called to testify about it
Virginian, The
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The Virginian, The Meanest Man in the West, Tarzan, and The Big Valley
Topics
Advice
Charles S. Dubin on summing up his career including proudest achievement, advice, collaborating with writers, mentors, and how he'd like to be remembered
Hollywood Blacklist
Charles S. Dubin on being called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee and being blacklisted for five years
Industry Crossroads
Charles S. Dubin on being called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee and being blacklisted for five years
Charles S. Dubin on directing Twenty One produced by Dan Enright just before the Quiz Show Scandals broke, and on being called to testify about it
Quiz Show Scandals
Charles S. Dubin on directing Twenty One produced by Dan Enright just before the Quiz Show Scandals broke, and on being called to testify about it
Television Industry
Charles S. Dubin on being called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee and being blacklisted for five years
Charles S. Dubin on directing Twenty One produced by Dan Enright just before the Quiz Show Scandals broke, and on being called to testify about it
Charles S. Dubin on summing up his career including proudest achievement, advice, collaborating with writers, mentors, and how he'd like to be remembered
TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)
Charles S. Dubin on directing live television in the 1950s
Professions
Directors
Charles S. Dubin on his style of directing and how he works with actors
Charles S. Dubin on knowing where to place the camera as a director
Charles S. Dubin on what makes a good script to direct, and on chemistry and actors
Charles S. Dubin on summing up his career including proudest achievement, advice, collaborating with writers, mentors, and how he'd like to be remembered
Genres
Classic Anthology Series
Charles S. Dubin on directing Omnibus
Charles S. Dubin on directing Telly Savalas for the American Playhouse production of "My Palikari"
Comedy Series
Charles S. Dubin on directing The New People, Room 222, Of Men and Women, Sanford and Son, and The 10th Level
Charles S. Dubin on directing M*A*S*H
Charles S. Dubin on directing M*A*S*H
Charles S. Dubin on directing Jennifer Slept Here, Amanda's, The Four Seasons, Murder, She Wrote, and Hotel
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
Charles S. Dubin on directing Medical Center, and on directing Ironside, starring Raymond Burr
Charles S. Dubin on directing Hawaii Five-O, starring Jack Lord
Charles S. Dubin on directing Kojak, starring Telly Savalas
Drama Series
Charles S. Dubin on directing The New People, Room 222, Of Men and Women, Sanford and Son, and The 10th Level
Charles S. Dubin on directing Lou Grant with Ed Asner and Nancy Marchand
Charles S. Dubin on directing various series including Charlie's Angles, Trapper John, MD, and Supertrain
Charles S. Dubin on directing Jennifer Slept Here, Amanda's, The Four Seasons, Murder, She Wrote, and Hotel
Charles S. Dubin on directing Matlock, Starman, Square One, and Father Dowling Mysteries
Game Shows
Charles S. Dubin on directing Twenty One, produced by Dan Enright just before the Quiz Show Scandals broke, and on being called to testify about it
Legal Dramas
Charles S. Dubin on directing episodes of The Defenders
Charles S. Dubin on directing Matlock, Starman, Square One, and Father Dowling Mysteries
Medical Dramas
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Nurses
Charles S. Dubin on directing Medical Center, and on directing Ironside, starring Raymond Burr
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Charles S. Dubin on directing "Judy and Her Guests, Phil Silvers and Robert Goulet," the 1963 special that served as the pilot for The Judy Garland Show
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The Virginian, The Meanest Man in the West, Tarzan, and The Big Valley
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The Virginian, The Meanest Man in the West, Tarzan, and The Big Valley
Charles S. Dubin on directing Cinderella, starring Lesley Ann Warren
Charles S. Dubin on directing Roots: The Next Generations, and on working with Henry Fonda on that show
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Masterpiece of Murder starring Bob Hope
Western Series
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The Virginian, The Meanest Man in the West, Tarzan, and The Big Valley
People
Alan Alda
Charles S. Dubin on directing Alan Alda as "Hawkeye Pierce" on M*A*S*H
Edward Asner
Charles S. Dubin on directing Lou Grant with Ed Asner and Nancy Marchand
Leonard Bernstein
Charles S. Dubin on working with Leonard Bernstein on several Omnibus episodes
Herbert Brodkin
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Defenders, produced by Herbert Brodkin
Gary Burghoff
Charles S. Dubin on directing Gary Burghoff as "Radar O'Reilly" on M*A*S*H
William Christopher
Charles S. Dubin on directing William Christopher as "Father Mulcahy," Jamie Farr as "Max Klinger," Larry Linville as "Frank Burns," Mike Farrell as "B.J. Hunnicutt," and David Ogden Stiers as "Charles Winchester" on M*A*S*H
Alistair Cooke
Charles S. Dubin on Omnibus host Alistair Cooke, and choreographer Agnes De Mille
Agnes De Mille
Charles S. Dubin on Omnibus host Alistair Cooke, and choreographer Agnes De Mille
Dan Enright
Charles S. Dubin on directing Twenty One, produced by Dan Enright just before the Quiz Show Scandals broke, and on being called to testify about it
Jamie Farr
Charles S. Dubin on directing William Christopher as "Father Mulcahy," Jamie Farr as "Max Klinger," Larry Linville as "Frank Burns," Mike Farrell as "B.J. Hunnicutt," and David Ogden Stiers as "Charles Winchester" on M*A*S*H
Mike Farrell
Charles S. Dubin on directing William Christopher as "Father Mulcahy," Jamie Farr as "Max Klinger," Larry Linville as "Frank Burns," Mike Farrell as "B.J. Hunnicutt," and David Ogden Stiers as "Charles Winchester" on M*A*S*H
Henry Fonda
Charles S. Dubin on directing Roots: The Next Generations, and on working with Henry Fonda on that show
Judy Garland
Charles S. Dubin on directing "Judy and Her Guests, Phil Silvers and Robert Goulet," the 1963 special that served as the pilot for The Judy Garland Show
Julie Harris
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Belle of Amherst, starring Julie Harris
Larry Linville
Charles S. Dubin on directing William Christopher as "Father Mulcahy," Jamie Farr as "Max Klinger," Larry Linville as "Frank Burns," Mike Farrell as "B.J. Hunnicutt," and David Ogden Stiers as "Charles Winchester" on M*A*S*H
Nancy Marchand
Charles S. Dubin on directing Lou Grant with Ed Asner and Nancy Marchand
E. G. Marshall
Charles S. Dubin on working with E.G. Marshall and Robert Reed on The Defenders, and on directing specific episodes of the series
Sanford Meisner
Charles S. Dubin on getting into acting, and learning to act and direct from Sanford Meisner, and on appearing as an actor in several Broadway productions
Burt Metcalfe
Charles S. Dubin on working with Burt Metcalfe and Gene Reynolds on M*A*S*H
Harry Morgan
Charles S. Dubin on directing Harry Morgan as "Sherman T. Potter" on M*A*S*H
Robert Reed
Charles S. Dubin on working with E.G. Marshall and Robert Reed on The Defenders, and on directing specific episodes of the series
Gene Reynolds
Charles S. Dubin on working with Burt Metcalfe and Gene Reynolds on M*A*S*H
Robert Saudek
Charles S. Dubin on Omnibus executive producer Robert Saudek
Telly Savalas
Charles S. Dubin on directing Telly Savalas for the American Playhouse production of "My Palikari"
David Ogden Stiers
Charles S. Dubin on directing William Christopher as "Father Mulcahy," Jamie Farr as "Max Klinger," Larry Linville as "Frank Burns," Mike Farrell as "B.J. Hunnicutt," and David Ogden Stiers as "Charles Winchester" on M*A*S*H
Loretta Swit
Charles S. Dubin on directing Loretta Swit as "Margaret Houlihan" on M*A*S*H
Linda Bloodworth Thomason
Charles S. Dubin on directing Dribble, an unsold pilot written by Linda Bloodworth Thomason
Lesley Ann Warren
Charles S. Dubin on directing Cinderella, starring Lesley Ann Warren