About
"The script is clearly the most significant element of any film. Everything else is important, but if the story doesn't work, all of the charisma of the star, the talent of the director, the skills of everybody associated with it are for naught."
In his six-hour interview, Del Reisman (1924-2011) looks back on growing up as a "studio brat," observing his mother at work as a secretary at Universal Studios in the 1930s. He describes his entry into television as a reader on the anthology series Four Star Playhouse. He details his most prolific period in television as an associate producer/story editor on television series including the "live," daily color anthology Matinee Theater, the prestigious ninety-minute anthology Playhouse 90, the classic filmed anthology The Twilight Zone, the popular crime series The Untouchables, the Western series Rawhide and the drama The Man and the City. He discusses his work as story consultant on the nighttime soap opera Peyton Place, for which he wrote the cliffhanging final episode (the series was canceled without a finale). He also talks about his later work as a freelance writer of 1970s series including The Streets of San Francisco and Little House on the Prairie. Finally, Reisman describes his long service to the Writers Guild of America West for which he ultimately served as president from 1991-93. Other subjects he discusses include the Hollywood Blacklist and the McCarthy era, as well as his work (at the WGA) to restore the credits of blacklisted writers of feature films made in the 1950s and '60s. Gary Rutkowski conducted the interview on October 28, 2003 at the Writers Guild of America West in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Del Reisman on NBC broadcasting NBC Matinee Theater in color
Del Reisman on working with Rod Serling on Playhouse 90, and how censorship there led to his creation of The Twilight Zone
Del Reisman on Playhouse 90 director John Frankenheimer
Del Reisman on the Playhouse 90 episode "The Miracle Worker"
Del Reisman on shooting The Twilight Zone on the MGM backlot, and on the episode "Time Enough at Last," starring Burgess Meredith
Del Reisman on the use of "fronts" to get around the Hollywood Blacklist
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on movies he watched while growing up; on his service during World War II, and on his education
On his first job after college, at the "Los Angeles Daily News"; on the first time he saw television, and on the Kathy Fiscus story; on deciding to write stories for movies
Chapter 2
On his writing influences; on his duties at the "Los Angeles Daily News"; on breaking into television
On working on Four Star Playhouse; on working on NBC Matinee Theater
On working with Albert McCleery on NBC Matinee Theater; on NBC broadcasting NBC Matinee Theater in color; on the types of productions done on NBC Matinee Theater
Chapter 3
On the production details of NBC Matinee Theater; on a typical workweek on NBC Matinee Theater; on the various actors who appeared on NBC Matinee Theater over the years
On the challenge of holding the viewer's attention for NBC Matinee Theater; on the writers of NBC Matinee Theater, and on the show adapting from many sources; on the most memorable NBC Matinee Theater episodes, and on the death of Albert McCleery
Chapter 4
On working with NBC Matinee Theater producer Albert McCleery; on his family during the time he was story editing NBC Matinee Theater; on the advent of the Hollywood Blacklist, and on being asked to sign a "loyalty oath" for NBC
On getting an internal memo from CBS with names of writers and actors they were forbidden to hire because of their blacklisted status; on the Screenwriters Guild participation in the Hollywood Blacklist; on the use of "fronts" to get around the Hollywood Blacklist
Chapter 5
On how the Hollywood Blacklist impacted him, and on the end of the blacklist era; on leaving NBC Matinee Theater and going to Playhouse 90; on interviewing with Martin Manulis to be story editor for Playhouse 90
On working with Martin Manulis personally and professionally on Playhouse 90; on finding material as story editor for Playhouse 90, and on the duties of the story editor
On a typical workweek for him as story editor of Playhouse 90; on working with writer James P. Cavanagh on Playhouse 90; on working with writer Elick Moll on the show
Chapter 6
On Playhouse 90 writers Tad Mosel and Paul Monash; on working with Rod Serling on Playhouse 90, and how censorship there led to his creation of The Twilight Zone; on how CBS Standards & Practices influenced or shaped the content of Playhouse 90
On Playhouse 90 writer David Shaw; on Playhouse 90 writer Leonard Spigelgass; on Playhouse 90 writer Leslie Stevens
On Playhouse 90 writer Robert Allan Arthur; on the particular challenges of writing for Playhouse 90; on the kinds of source material used for Playhouse 90, and on portraying real-life people on the show
Chapter 7
On the Playhouse 90 introductions; on Playhouse 90 directors Franklin J. Schaffner and John Frankenheimer; on Playhouse 90 casting director Ethel Winant
On the Playhouse 90 episodes "Requiem for a Heavyweight," "Eloise," and "The Miracle Worker"; on the Playhouse 90 episodes "Winter Dreams" and "The Death of Manolete"; on the Playhouse 90 episodes "The Great Gatsby" and "The Comedian"
On leaving Playhouse 90, and on the legacy of the show; on Hotel De Paree; on how he came to be involved as a producer with Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone
Chapter 8
On working with Rod Sterling on The Twilight Zone; on what makes a good Twilight Zone episode, and where they found stories for the show; on working with Rod Serling on the episodes of The Twilight Zone that Serling wrote
On working with various Twilight Zone writers including Charles Beaumont, Richard Matheson, Earl Hamner, Jr., and George Clayton Johnson; on Rod Serling's on-camera introductions for The Twilight Zone; on shooting The Twilight Zone on the MGM backlot
On The Twilight Zone cinematographer George T. Clemens; on various specific episodes of The Twilight Zone; on recurring themes in Rod Serling's work, and on Serling's celebrity
Chapter 9
On The Twilight Zone episode "The Odyssey of Flight 33"; on the title "The Twilight Zone," and on the use of mirrors on the show; on popular and critical reaction to the original Twilight Zone series, and on its Emmy Awards
On the sponsors of The Twilight Zone; on joining The Untouchables as producer, and on the violence on the show; on The Untouchables being based on historical fact
On Leonard Freeman, producer of The Untouchables, and on the writers of the show; on the guest-stars of The Untouchables, including Barbara Stanwyck and Patricia Neal; on the experience of producing The Untouchables, and on working with Robert Stack as "Elliott Ness"
Chapter 10
On Robert Stack as "Elliott Ness" on The Untouchables, and on the violence of the show; on working on The Lieutenant, and on producer Gene Roddenberry
On working on Rawhide during its last years; on being associate producer on Peyton Place for executive producer Paul Monash
On the storylines and cast of Peyton Place, including Mia Farrow; on writing the final episode of Peyton Place; on working on the presentation for the network version of Peyton Place
Chapter 11
On writing the network presentation for the daytime version of Peyton Place, and on the show bible; on working on Bracken's World, and on bringing Leslie Nielsen to the series; on working with Anthony Quinn on the series The Man in the City
On doing freelance writing in the 1970s for shows like The Streets of San Francisco; on freelance writing for various shows including Cannon and Banacek; on writing the feature film "The Take," starring Billy Dee Williams
On writing some episodes of Little House on the Prairie, starring Michael Landon, Harry O, and Charlie's Angels; on writing episodes of Lou Grant and Cagney & Lacey; on the craft of writing episodic television, and on his association with Writers Guild of America West
Chapter 12
On his involvement with Writers Guild of America West; on the Writers Guild strike of 1988; on the Writers Guild getting restitution for formerly blacklisted writers
On getting the Morgan Cox Award from the Writers Guild for his service to them; on then-recent projects
On career achievements and regrets; on advice to aspiring writers; on how he would like to be remembered
On b-roll pictures from his career- Playhouse 90 crew; on the set of The Untouchables; with the cast of Peyton Place; getting the Morgan Cox Award; as President of the Writers Guild of America West
Shows
Banacek
Del Reisman on freelance writing for various shows including Cannon and Banacek
Bracken's World
Del Reisman on working on Bracken's World, and on bringing Leslie Nielsen to the series
Del Reisman on the guest-stars of Bracken's World, including Edward G. Robinson
Cagney & Lacey
Del Reisman on writing episodes of Lou Grant and Cagney & Lacey
Cannon
Del Reisman on freelance writing for various shows including Cannon and Banacek
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Del Reisman on popular and critical reaction to the original Twilight Zone series, and on its Emmy wins
Four Star Playhouse
Del Reisman on working on Four Star Playhouse
Hotel De Paree
Del Reisman on Hotel De Paree
Lieutenant, The
Del Reisman on working on The Lieutenant, and on producer Gene Roddenberry
Little House on the Prairie
Del Reisman on writing some episodes of Little House on the Prairie, starring Michael Landon, Harry O and Charlie's Angels
Lou Grant
Del Reisman on writing episodes of Lou Grant and Cagney & Lacey
NBC Matinee Theater
Del Reisman on working on NBC Matinee Theater
Del Reisman on working with Albert McCleery on NBC Matinee Theater
Del Reisman on NBC broadcasting NBC Matinee Theater in color
Del Reisman on the types of productions done on NBC Matinee Theater
Del Reisman on the production details of NBC Matinee Theater
Del Reisman on a typical workweek on NBC Matinee Theater
Del Reisman on the various actors who appeared on NBC Matinee Theater over the years, including Wendy Hiller and Sarah Churchill
Del Reisman on the challenge of holding the viewer's attention for NBC Matinee Theater
Del Reisman on Steve McQueen appearing on NBC Matinee Theater
Del Reisman on the writers of NBC Matinee Theater, and on the show adapting from many sources
Del Reisman on the most memorable NBC Matinee Theater episodes, and on the death of Albert McCleery
Del Reisman on working with NBC Matinee Theater producer Albert McCleery
Del Reisman on his family during the time he was story editing NBC Matinee Theater
Del Reisman on leaving NBC Matinee Theater and going to Playhouse 90
Peyton Place
Del Reisman on being associate producer on Peyton Place for executive producer Paul Monash
Del Reisman on the storylines and cast of Peyton Place, including Mia Farrow
Del Reisman on writing the final episode of Peyton Place
Del Reisman on working on the presentation for the daytime version of Peyton Place
Del Reisman on writing the network presentation for the daytime version of Peyton Place, and on the show bible
Playhouse 90
Del Reisman on leaving NBC Matinee Theater and going to Playhouse 90
Del Reisman on interviewing with Martin Manulis to be story editor for Playhouse 90
Del Reisman on working with Martin Manulis personally and professionally on Playhouse 90
Del Reisman on finding material as story editor for Playhouse 90, and on the duties of the story editor
Del Reisman on a typical workweek for him as story editor of Playhouse 90, and on how original material got to him
Del Reisman on working with writer James P. Cavanagh on Playhouse 90
Del Reisman on working with writer Elick Moll on Playhouse 90
Del Reisman on Playhouse 90 writers Tad Mosel and Paul Monash
Del Reisman on working with Rod Serling on Playhouse 90, and how censorship there led to his creation of The Twilight Zone
Del Reisman on how CBS standards and practices influenced or shaped the content of Playhouse 90
Del Reisman on Playhouse 90 writer David Shaw
Del Reisman on Playhouse 90 writer Leonard Spigelgass
Del Reisman on Playhouse 90 writer Leslie Stevens
Del Reisman on Playhouse 90 writer Robert Allan Arthur
Del Reisman on the particular challenges of writing for Playhouse 90
Del Reisman on the kinds of source material used for Playhouse 90, and on portraying real-life people on the show
Del Reisman on the Playhouse 90 on-air introductions
Del Reisman on Playhouse 90 director Franklin J. Schaffner
Del Reisman on Playhouse 90 director John Frankenheimer
Del Reisman on Playhouse 90 casting director Ethel Winant
Del Reisman on the Playhouse 90 episode "Requiem for a Heavyweight"
Del Reisman on the Playhouse 90 episode "Eloise"
Del Reisman on the Playhouse 90 episode "The Miracle Worker"
Del Reisman on the Playhouse 90 episodes "Winter Dreams" and "The Death of Manolete"
Del Reisman on the Playhouse 90 episodes "The Great Gatsby" and "The Comedian"
Del Reisman on the Playhouse 90 episode "Turn Left at Mount Everest"
Del Reisman on leaving Playhouse 90, and on the legacy of the show
Playhouse 90: "Requiem for a Heavyweight"
Del Reisman on the Playhouse 90 episode "Requiem for a Heavyweight"
Playhouse 90: "The Miracle Worker"
Del Reisman on the Playhouse 90 episode "The Miracle Worker"
Rawhide
Del Reisman on working on Rawhide during its last years
Streets of San Francisco, The
Del Reisman on doing freelance writing in the 1970s for shows like The Streets of San Francisco
Twilight Zone, The
Del Reisman on working with Rod Serling on Playhouse 90, and how censorship there led to his creation of The Twilight Zone
Del Reisman on how he came to be involved as a producer with Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone
Del Reisman on working with Rod Sterling on The Twilight Zone
Del Reisman on what makes a good Twilight Zone episode, and where they found stories for the show
Del Reisman on working with Rod Serling on the episodes of The Twilight Zone that Serling wrote
Del Reisman on The Twilight Zone writer Charles Beaumont
Del Reisman on The Twilight Zone writer Richard Matheson
Del Reisman on The Twilight Zone writer Earl Hamner, Jr.
Del Reisman on The Twilight Zone writer George Clayton Johnson
Del Reisman on Rod Serling's on-camera introductions for The Twilight Zone
Del Reisman on shooting The Twilight Zone on the MGM backlot, and on the episode "Time Enough at Last," starring Burgess Meredith
Del Reisman on The Twilight Zone cinematographer George T. Clemens
Del Reisman on being on set for the filming of The Twilight Zone episodes "The Invaders" and "Eye of the Beholder"
Del Reisman on various specific episodes of The Twilight Zone
Del Reisman on the recurring themes in Rod Serling's writing on The Twilight Zone and other shows
Del Reisman on the impact World War II had on Rod Serling's writing, and on Serling's celebrity
Del Reisman on The Twilight Zone episode "The Odyssey of Flight 33"
Del Reisman on the title "The Twilight Zone," and on the use of mirrors on the show
Del Reisman on popular and critical reaction to the original Twilight Zone series, and on its Emmy Awards
Del Reisman on the sponsors of The Twilight Zone
Twilight Zone, The: "Eye of the Beholder"
Del Reisman on being on set for the filming of The Twilight Zone episodes "The Invaders" and "Eye of the Beholder"
Untouchables, The
Del Reisman on joining The Untouchables as producer, and on the violence on the show
Del Reisman on The Untouchables being based on historical fact
Del Reisman on Leonard Freeman, producer of The Untouchables, and on the writers of the show
Del Reisman on the guest-stars of The Untouchables, including Barbara Stanwyck and Patricia Neal
Del Reisman on the experience of producing The Untouchables, and on working with Robert Stack as "Elliott Ness"
Del Reisman on Robert Stack as "Elliott Ness" on The Untouchables, and on the violence of the show
Topics
Advice
Del Reisman on advice to aspiring writers
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Del Reisman on working with Rod Serling on Playhouse 90, and how censorship there led to his creation of The Twilight Zone
Del Reisman on how CBS Standards & Practices influenced or shaped the content of Playhouse 90
Characters & Catchphrases
Del Reisman on Rod Serling's on-camera introductions for The Twilight Zone
Classic TV Series Episodes
Del Reisman on being on set for the filming of The Twilight Zone episodes "The Invaders" and "Eye of the Beholder"
Criticism of TV
Del Reisman on Newton N. Minow's "vast wasteland" speech
Del Reisman on Robert Stack as "Elliott Ness" on The Untouchables, and on the violence of the show
Fame and Celebrity
Del Reisman on Rod Serling's celebrity
Historic Events and Social Change
Del Reisman on his service during World War II, and on his education
Del Reisman on the impact World War II had on Rod Serling's writing, and on Serling's celebrity, brought about by The Twilight Zone
Hollywood Blacklist
Del Reisman on the advent of the Hollywood Blacklist, and on being asked to sign a "loyalty oath" for NBC
Del Reisman on getting an internal memo from CBS with names of writers and actors they were forbidden to hire because of their blacklisted status
Del Reisman on the Screenwriters Guild's participation in the Hollywood Blacklist
Del Reisman on the use of "fronts" to get around the Hollywood Blacklist
Del Reisman on how the Hollywood Blacklist impacted him, and on the end of the blacklist era
Del Reisman on the Writers Guild getting restitution for formerly blacklisted writers
Industry Crossroads
Del Reisman on the advent of the Hollywood Blacklist, and on being asked to sign a "loyalty oath" for NBC
Del Reisman on getting an internal memo from CBS with names of writers and actors they were forbidden to hire because of their blacklisted status
Del Reisman on the Screenwriters Guild's participation in the Hollywood Blacklist
Del Reisman on the use of "fronts" to get around the Hollywood Blacklist
Del Reisman on how the Hollywood Blacklist impacted him, and on the end of the blacklist era
Del Reisman on his association with the Writers Guild of America West
Del Reisman on the Writers Guild strike of 1988
Del Reisman on the Writers Guild getting restitution for formerly blacklisted writers
Industry Strikes
Del Reisman on his association with the Writers Guild of America West
Del Reisman on the Writers Guild strike of 1988
Pop Culture
Del Reisman on Rod Serling's celebrity
Del Reisman on Rod Serling's on-camera introductions for The Twilight Zone
Del Reisman on being on set for the filming of The Twilight Zone episodes "The Invaders" and "Eye of the Beholder"
Sex & Violence
Del Reisman on Robert Stack as "Elliott Ness" on The Untouchables, and on the violence of the show
Television Industry
Del Reisman on breaking into television
Del Reisman on the advent of the Hollywood Blacklist, and on being asked to sign a "loyalty oath" for NBC
Del Reisman on getting an internal memo from CBS with names of writers and actors they were forbidden to hire because of their blacklisted status
Del Reisman on the Screenwriters Guild's participation in the Hollywood Blacklist
Del Reisman on the use of "fronts" to get around the Hollywood Blacklist
Del Reisman on how the Hollywood Blacklist impacted him, and on the end of the blacklist era
Del Reisman on working with Rod Serling on Playhouse 90, and how censorship there led to his creation of The Twilight Zone
Del Reisman on how CBS Standards & Practices influenced or shaped the content of Playhouse 90
Del Reisman on Newton N. Minow's "vast wasteland" speech
Del Reisman on Robert Stack as "Elliott Ness" on The Untouchables, and on the violence of the show
Del Reisman on his association with the Writers Guild of America West
Del Reisman on his involvement with Writers Guild of America West
Del Reisman on the Writers Guild strike of 1988
Del Reisman on the Writers Guild getting restitution for formerly blacklisted writers
Del Reisman on advice to aspiring writers
War
Del Reisman on his service during World War II, and on his education
Del Reisman on the impact World War II had on Rod Serling's writing, and on Serling's celebrity, brought about by The Twilight Zone
World War II
Del Reisman on his service during World War II, and on his education
Del Reisman on the impact World War II had on Rod Serling's writing, and on Serling's celebrity, brought about by The Twilight Zone
Professions
Producers
Del Reisman on the experience of producing The Untouchables, and on working with Robert Stack as "Elliott Ness"
Writers
Del Reisman on finding material as story editor for Playhouse 90, and on the duties of the story editor
Del Reisman on the craft of writing episodic television
Del Reisman on the process of editing scripts
Del Reisman on advice to aspiring writers
Del Reisman on how he would like to be remembered
Genres
Classic Anthology Series
Del Reisman on being the story editor for NBC Matinee Theater
Del Reisman on working on NBC Matinee Theater
Del Reisman on story editing Playhouse 90
Del Reisman on story editing for Playhouse 90
Del Reisman on Playhouse 90
Del Reisman on how he came to be involved as a producer with Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone
Del Reisman on associate producing The Twilight Zone
Del Reisman on working on The Twilight Zone
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
Del Reisman on producing The Untouchables
Del Reisman on Robert Stack as "Elliott Ness" on The Untouchables, and on the violence of the show
Del Reisman on working on The Lieutenant, and on producer Gene Roddenberry
Del Reisman on doing freelance writing in the 1970s for shows like The Streets of San Francisco, Cannon, Banacek, Little House on the Prairie, Lou Grant, and Cagney & Lacey
Daytime/Primetime Serials
Del Reisman on being associate producer on Peyton Place
Del Reisman on writing the network presentation for the daytime version of Peyton Place, and on the show bible
Drama Series
Del Reisman on working on Bracken's World
Del Reisman on working with Anthony Quinn on the series The Man in the City
Del Reisman on doing freelance writing in the 1970s for shows like The Streets of San Francisco, Cannon, Banacek, Little House on the Prairie, Lou Grant, and Cagney & Lacey
Western Series
Del Reisman on Hotel De Paree
Del Reisman on working on Rawhide during its last years
People
Robert Alan Aurthur
Del Reisman on Playhouse 90 writer Robert Allan Arthur
Charles Beaumont
Del Reisman on The Twilight Zone writer Charles Beaumont
Sarah Churchill
Del Reisman on the various actors who appeared on NBC Matinee Theater over the years, including Wendy Hiller and Sarah Churchill
Mia Farrow
Del Reisman on the storylines and cast of Peyton Place, including Mia Farrow
John Frankenheimer
Del Reisman on Playhouse 90 director John Frankenheimer
Earl Hamner, Jr.
Del Reisman on The Twilight Zone writer Earl Hamner, Jr.
George Clayton Johnson
Del Reisman on The Twilight Zone writer George Clayton Johnson
Michael Landon
Del Reisman on writing two episodes of Little House on the Prairie and his experience working with Michael Landon
Martin Manulis
Del Reisman on interviewing with Martin Manulis to be story editor for Playhouse 90
Del Reisman on working with Martin Manulis personally and professionally on Playhouse 90
Richard Matheson
Del Reisman on The Twilight Zone writer Richard Matheson
Albert McCleery
Del Reisman on working with Albert McCleery on NBC Matinee Theatre
Del Reisman on working with NBC Matinee Theater producer Albert McCleery
Steve McQueen
Del Reisman on Steve McQueen appearing on NBC Matinee Theater
Burgess Meredith
Del Reisman on shooting The Twilight Zone on the MGM backlot, and on the episode "Time Enough at Last," starring Burgess Meredith
Newton N. Minow
Del Reisman on Newton N. Minow's "vast wasteland" speech
Paul Monash
Del Reisman on Playhouse 90 writers Tad Mosel and Paul Monash
Del Reisman on being associate producer on Peyton Place for executive producer Paul Monash
Tad Mosel
Del Reisman on Playhouse 90 writers Tad Mosel and Paul Monash
Patricia Neal
Del Reisman on the guest-stars of The Untouchables, including Barbara Stanwyck and Patricia Neal
Gene Roddenberry
Del Reisman on working on The Lieutenant, and on producer Gene Roddenberry
Franklin J. Schaffner
Del Reisman on Playhouse 90 director Franklin J. Schaffner
Rod Serling
Del Reisman on working with Rod Serling on Playhouse 90, and how censorship there led to his creation of The Twilight Zone
Del Reisman on how he came to be involved as a producer with Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone
Del Reisman on working with Rod Sterling on The Twilight Zone
Del Reisman on working with Rod Serling on the episodes of The Twilight Zone that Serling wrote
Del Reisman on Rod Serling's on-camera introductions for The Twilight Zone
Del Reisman on the recurring themes in Rod Serling's writing on The Twilight Zone and other shows
Del Reisman on the impact World War II had on Rod Serling's writing, and on Serling's celebrity
David Shaw
Del Reisman on Playhouse 90 writer David Shaw
Robert Stack
Del Reisman on the experience of producing The Untouchables, and on working with Robert Stack as "Elliott Ness"
Del Reisman on Robert Stack as Elliott Ness on The Untouchables, and on the violence of the show
Barbara Stanwyck
Del Reisman on the guest-stars of The Untouchables, including Barbara Stanwyck and Patricia Neal
Billy Dee Williams
Del Reisman on writing the feature film "The Take," starring Billy Dee Williams
Ethel Winant
Del Reisman on Playhouse 90 casting director Ethel Winant