Gene Reynolds

Director / Producer

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his five-and-a-half-hour interview, Gene Reynolds (1923-2020) speaks of his early work as a child star in many films. He discusses how he became an actor on live television and recounts making the transition to casting director on programs like Peter Gunn and Matinee Theatre. He then talks about directing for television on series including My Three Sons and Hogan's Heroes. Reynolds discusses how he became a producer, describes producing The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and producing and directing Room 222 and M*A*S*H. He then talks about producing Lou Grant and numerous TV movies after leaving M*A*S*H. Henry Colman conducted the interview on August 22, 2000 in Los Angeles, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"In directing, I'm always looking for the little humane touch. Something that is real. It could be very, very small. It could be a hand on the shoulder. It could be just an extra lingering look on somebody you care about and so forth, for just a fraction. It could be a reaction from somebody....I'm looking for humanity, really. And that goes with comedy or drama."

People Talking About ...

Highlights

Gene Reynolds on Fred MacMurray's unusual production schedule for My Three Sons

01:36

Gene Reynolds on casting Alan Alda as "Hawkeye Pierce" on M*A*S*H

04:56

Gene Reynolds on the theme song to M*A*S*H, "Suicide is Painless"

01:58

Gene Reynolds on the final episode of M*A*S*H

02:35

Gene Reynolds on his style of directing

04:42

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his early life and influences; on attending the MGM Studio School and his early interest in comedy; on appearing as an extra in "Babes in Toyland" and in plays at the Pasadena Playhouse

On being under contract to MGM; on appearing in various MGM films; on enlisting in the Navy for World War II

Chapter 2

On the first time he saw television; on working in live television in the '50s; on acting on the Westerns The Long Ranger and Annie Oakley

On acting on I Love Lucy; on casting NBC Matinee Theater , Peter Gunn, and Bonanza

Chapter 3

On working with Henry Mancini on Peter Gunn; on directing Hennesey; on the Hollywood Blacklist

On how foreign films affect his directing style; on the M*A*S*H episode "Point of View"; on his directing style

Chapter 4

On choosing scripts to direct; on planning out scenes to direct; on the duties of a director; on his philosophy as a director

On keeping the audience in mind as a director and his philosophy as a director; on directing various comedies; on directing My Three Sons

Chapter 5

On the premise of My Three Sons; on Fred MacMurray as "Steve Douglas"; on the cast and popularity of the show

On directing Hogan's Heroes; on directing Ghost and Mrs. Muir

Chapter 6

On the premise of Ghost and Mrs. Muir; on directing Room 222; on difficult topics covered on Room 222

On the depiction of African-Americans on Room 222; on how M*A*S*H came about as a series

Chapter 7

On Alan Alda as "Hawkeye Pierce" on M*A*S*H; on the premise of M*A*S*H; on doing research for the show and the characters

On Wayne Rodgers as "Trapper John" on M*A*S*H; on the characters of M*A*S*H; on the death of "Henry Blake" on the show

Chapter 8

On the cast of M*A*S*H; on shooting the pilot for M*A*S*H; on the theme song and the show's writing team

On the directors of M*A*S*H; on executive producing M*A*S*H; on classic episodes of the show and the lack of official military involvement with the show

Chapter 9

On the M*A*S*H episode "Sometimes You Hear The Bullet"; on the popularity of M*A*S*H; on After MASH

On the legacy of M*A*S*H; on being hired for Lou Grant; on doing research for Lou Grant

Chapter 10

On James L. Brooks' and Allan Burns' contributions to Lou Grant; on the cast of Lou Grant; on shooting the pilot and the look of the show

On specific episodes of Lou Grant; on his favorite episodes of Lou Grant; on the cancellation of Lou Grant

Chapter 11

On the classic M*A*S*H episode "The Interview"; on various post-Lou Grant directing jobs; on his television mentors and being head of the Directors Guild of America

On how he'd like to be remembered; on then-current projects; on various people he worked with in his career

Shows

AfterMASH

Gene Reynolds on After MASH

01:14

Alfred Hitchcock Presents aka The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

Gene Reynolds on directing Alfred Hitchcock Presents

01:03

Andy Griffith Show, The

Gene Reynolds on directing The Andy Griffith Show

01:54

Anna and the King

Gene Reynolds on directing Anna and the King

01:07

Annie Oakley

Gene Reynolds on acting on the Westerns The Long Ranger and Annie Oakley

02:48

Armstrong Circle Theatre

Gene Reynolds on mishaps during live television

01:15

Bonanza

Gene Reynolds on casting Bonanza

01:01

Gene Reynolds on the beginning of the series Bonzana when he was a casting director how he became a director on Hennesey

05:56

Farmer's Daughter, The

Gene Reynolds on directing Farmer's Daughter

00:29

Ghost & Mrs. Muir, The

Gene Reynolds on directing The Ghost & Mrs. Muir

04:52

Gene Reynolds on the premise of The Ghost & Mrs. Muir

06:05

Hennesey

Gene Reynolds on the beginning of the series Bonzana when he was a casting director how he became a director on Hennesey

05:56

Gene Reynolds on preparing to direct his first episode of Hennesey

03:42

Gene Reynolds on directing Hennesey and his directing style

03:14

Hogan's Heroes

Gene Reynolds on directing Hogan's Heroes

08:20

Gene Reynolds on working with Ivan Dixon on Hogan's Heroes

01:02

I Love Lucy

Gene Reynolds on acting on I Love Lucy

03:03

In the Heat of the Night

Gene Reynolds on directing In the Heat of the Night with Carroll O'Connor

03:25

Karen

Gene Reynolds on producing the series Karen

01:23

Kraft Television Theatre

Gene Reynolds on appearing on Robert Montgomery Presents and Kraft Television Theater

01:49

Leave it to Beaver

Gene Reynolds on directing Leave it to Beaver and Pete and Gladys

01:54

Lone Ranger, The

Gene Reynolds on acting on the Westerns The Long Ranger and Annie Oakley

02:48

Lou Grant

Gene Reynolds on becoming involved with Lou Grant and the pilot episode

02:11

Gene Reynolds on putting "Lou Grant" in a dramatic setting on Lou Grant

03:49

Gene Reynolds on doing research for Lou Grant

01:05

Gene Reynolds on Nancy Marchand playing "Mrs. Pynchon" on Lou Grant

00:40

Gene Reynolds on James L. Brooks and Allan Burns' contributions to Lou Grant

02:52

Gene Reynolds on Edward Asner as "Lou Grant" on Lou Grant and the rest of the cast

05:50

Gene Reynolds on shooting the pilot of Lou Grant and shooting the show

02:41

Gene Reynolds on the directors of Lou Grant

01:55

Gene Reynolds on the ratings of Lou Grant

00:30

Gene Reynolds on the look of Lou Grant

01:28

Gene Reynolds on specific episodes of Lou Grant

06:50

Gene Reynolds on his favorite episodes of Lou Grant

03:52

Gene Reynolds on the cancellation of Lou Grant

02:13

MAS*H

Gene Reynolds on the M*A*S*H episode "Point of View"

01:26

Gene Reynolds on how M*A*S*H came about as a TV series

03:22

Gene Reynolds on casting Alan Alda as "Hawkeye Pierce" on M*A*S*H

04:56

Gene Reynolds on casting M*A*S*H with Bert Metcalf

01:24

Gene Reynolds on the premise of M*A*S*H

05:22

Gene Reynolds on traveling to Korea with Larry Gelbart to do research for M*A*S*H

01:46

Gene Reynolds on the characters of M*A*S*H

03:21

Gene Reynolds on Wayne Rogers as "Trapper John" on M*A*S*H

00:50

Gene Reynolds on Loretta Swit as "Margaret Houlihan" on M*A*S*H

01:57

Gene Reynolds on Gary Burghoff as "Radar O'Reilly" on M*A*S*H

00:38

Gene Reynolds on McLean Stevenson as "Henry Blake" on M*A*S*H

01:40

Gene Reynolds on killing off "Henry Blake" on M*A*S*H

04:53

Gene Reynolds on William Christopher as "Father Mulcahy" on M*A*S*H

00:54

Gene Reynolds on the casting of Jamie Farr as "Max Klinger" on M*A*S*H

02:58

Gene Reynolds on Harry Morgan as "Sherman T. Potter" on M*A*S*H

01:21

Gene Reynolds on Mike Farrell as "BJ Hunnicut" on M*A*S*H

00:21

Gene Reynolds on dropping certain characters on M*A*S*H

01:00

Gene Reynolds on shooting the pilot of M*A*S*H

02:39

Gene Reynolds on the early ratings for M*A*S*H

00:42

Gene Reynolds on the theme song to M*A*S*H, "Suicide is Painless"

01:58

Gene Reynolds on the writing team of M*A*S*H

03:12

Gene Reynolds on Alan Alda writing for M*A*S*H

01:20

Gene Reynolds on a typical production week for M*A*S*H

01:12

Gene Reynolds on the directors of M*A*S*H

01:12

Gene Reynolds on Bert Metcalf as showrunner on M*A*S*H

01:18

Gene Reynolds on executive producing M*A*S*H

01:11

Gene Reynolds on using the laugh track for M*A*S*H

01:30

Gene Reynolds on the M*A*S*H episode "Adam's Ribs"

00:52

Gene Reynolds on classic M*A*S*H episodes

03:01

Gene Reynolds on what Alan Alda brought to M*A*S*H

00:55

Gene Reynolds on the lack of official military involvement with M*A*S*H

00:59

Gene Reynolds on the M*A*S*H episode "Sometimes You Hear The Bullet"

04:00

Gene Reynolds on the popularity of M*A*S*H

02:06

Gene Reynolds on M*A*S*H in regards to Vietnam

01:57

Gene Reynolds on balancing the comedy and the drama on M*A*S*H

01:34

Gene Reynolds on leaving M*A*S*H

01:31

Gene Reynolds on the final episode of M*A*S*H

02:35

Gene Reynolds on the legacy of M*A*S*H

02:06

Gene Reynolds on classic M*A*S*H episode "The Interview"

04:45

MAS*H: "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"

Gene Reynolds on the final episode of M*A*S*H

02:35

MAS*H: "The Interview"

Gene Reynolds on classic M*A*S*H episode "The Interview"

04:45

Munsters, The

Gene Reynolds on working with Fred Gwynne on The Munsters

00:35

My Three Sons

Gene Reynolds on directing My Three Sons

05:49

Gene Reynolds on the premise of My Three Sons

04:23

Gene Reynolds on Fred MacMurray as "Steve Douglas" on My Three Sons

03:13

Gene Reynolds on the child actors on My Three Sons

02:19

Gene Reynolds on Fred MacMurray's unusual production schedule for My Three Sons

01:36

Gene Reynolds on the popularity of My Three Sons

00:52

Gene Reynolds on working with Don Fedderson on My Three Sons

00:16

NBC Matinee Theater

Gene Reynolds on being a casting director for NBC Matinee Theater

09:21

Gene Reynolds on the Hollywood Blacklist

03:40

Pete and Gladys

Gene Reynolds on directing Leave it to Beaver and Pete and Gladys

01:54

Peter Gunn

Gene Reynolds on casting Peter Gunn

01:43

Gene Reynolds on working with Henry Mancini who wrote the Peter Gunn theme

01:38

Robert Montgomery Presents

Gene Reynolds on appearing on Robert Montgomery Presents and Kraft Television Theater

01:49

Roll Out!

Gene Reynolds on producing the series Roll Out

01:01

Room 222

Gene Reynolds on directing Room 222

07:39

Gene Reynolds on some of the difficult topics covered on Room 222

01:11

Gene Reynolds on being fired from Room 222

02:08

Gene Reynolds on the controversial topics covered on Room 222

02:56

Gene Reynolds on how African-Americans were depicted on Room 222

02:36

Topics

Anthology Drama

Gene Reynolds on working in live television in the '50s

02:56

Bloopers

Gene Reynolds on mishaps during live television

01:15

Gene Reynolds on mishaps during live television

01:15

Characters & Catchphrases

Gene Reynolds on casting Alan Alda as "Hawkeye Pierce" on M*A*S*H

04:56

Classic TV series episodes

Gene Reynolds on the M*A*S*H episode "Point of View"

01:26

Gene Reynolds on killing off "Henry Blake" on M*A*S*H

04:53

Gene Reynolds on the M*A*S*H episode "Sometimes You Hear The Bullet"

04:00

Producer Gene Reynolds on the classic M*A*S*H episode "The Interview"

04:39

Comedy

Gene Reynolds on the M*A*S*H episode "Sometimes You Hear The Bullet"

04:00

Producer Gene Reynolds on the classic M*A*S*H episode "The Interview"

04:39

Comedy-Variety

Gene Reynolds on the M*A*S*H episode "Point of View"

01:26

Gene Reynolds on killing off "Henry Blake" on M*A*S*H

04:53

Creative Influences and Inspiration

Gene Reynolds on his mentors in television

00:40

Historic Events and Social Change

Gene Reynolds on his service in the Navy in World War II

00:55

Gene Reynolds on how African-Americans were depicted on Room 222

02:36

Gene Reynolds on M*A*S*H in regards to Vietnam

01:57

Hollywood Blacklist

Gene Reynolds on the Hollywood Blacklist

03:40

Industry Crossroads

Gene Reynolds on the Hollywood Blacklist

03:40

Korean War

Gene Reynolds on M*A*S*H in regards to Vietnam

01:57

Pop Culture

Gene Reynolds on the M*A*S*H episode "Point of View"

01:26

Gene Reynolds on casting Alan Alda as "Hawkeye Pierce" on M*A*S*H

04:56

Gene Reynolds on killing off "Henry Blake" on M*A*S*H

04:53

Gene Reynolds on the theme song to M*A*S*H, "Suicide is Painless"

01:58

Gene Reynolds on the M*A*S*H episode "Sometimes You Hear The Bullet"

04:00

Producer Gene Reynolds on the classic M*A*S*H episode "The Interview"

04:39

Representation on Television

Gene Reynolds on how African-Americans were depicted on Room 222

02:36

TV Theme Songs

Gene Reynolds on the theme song to M*A*S*H, "Suicide is Painless"

01:58

TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)

Gene Reynolds on working in live television in the '50s

02:56

Television Industry

Gene Reynolds on the Hollywood Blacklist

03:40

Underrepresented Voices

Gene Reynolds on how African-Americans were depicted on Room 222

02:36

Vietnam War

Gene Reynolds on M*A*S*H in regards to Vietnam

01:57

War

Gene Reynolds on his service in the Navy in World War II

00:55

Gene Reynolds on M*A*S*H in regards to Vietnam

01:57

World War II

Gene Reynolds on his service in the Navy in World War II

00:55

Professions

Directors

View Profession

Gene Reynolds on his style of directing

04:42

Gene Reynolds on planning out scenes

01:11

Gene Reynolds on the duties of a director

04:49

Gene Reynolds on his philosophy of directing

02:19

Genres

Comedy Series

Gene Reynolds on directing My Three Sons (Part 1)

05:49

Gene Reynolds on directing My Three Sons (Part 2)

14:53

Gene Reynolds on directing Hogan's Heroes

08:20

Gene Reynolds on directing Ghost and Mrs. Muir

04:52

Gene Reynolds on directing Ghost and Mrs. Muir (Part 2) (Part 1)

06:05

Gene Reynolds on directing Room 222

16:30

Gene Reynolds on producing M*A*S*H (Part 1)

03:22

Gene Reynolds on producing M*A*S*H (Part 2)

28:07

Gene Reynolds on producing M*A*S*H (Part 3)

28:50

Gene Reynolds on producing M*A*S*H (Part 4)

17:03

Drama Series

Gene Reynolds on producing Lou Grant (Part 1)

07:45

Gene Reynolds on producing Lou Grant (Part 2)

28:12

People

Alan Alda

View Interview Page

Gene Reynolds on casting Alan Alda as "Hawkeye Pierce" on M*A*S*H

04:56

Gene Reynolds on what Alan Alda brought to M*A*S*H

00:55

Albert McCleery

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on being a casting director for NBC Matinee Theater

09:21

Allan Burns

View Interview Page

Gene Reynolds on James L. Brooks' and Allan Burns' contributions to Lou Grant

02:52

Andy Griffith

View Interview Page

Gene Reynolds on directing The Andy Griffith Show

01:54

Billy Dee Williams

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on directing Room 222

07:39

Carroll O'Connor

View Interview Page

Gene Reynolds on directing In the Heat of the Night with Carroll O'Connor

03:25

Don Fedderson

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on working with Don Fedderson on My Three Sons

00:16

Edward Asner

View Interview Page

Gene Reynolds on Edward Asner as "Lou Grant" on Lou Grant and the rest of the cast

05:50

Everett Greenbaum

View Interview Page

Gene Reynolds on working with Everett Greenbaum and Jim Fritzell

01:39

Fred Gwynne

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on working with Fred Gwynne on The Munsters

00:35

Fred MacMurray

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on directing My Three Sons

05:49

Gene Reynolds on Fred MacMurray as "Steve Douglas" on My Three Sons

03:13

Gary Burghoff

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on Gary Burghoff as "Radar O'Reilly" on M*A*S*H

00:38

George Burns

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on directing Wendy and Me with George Burns

01:04

Grant Tinker

View Interview Page

Gene Reynolds on working with Grant Tinker

01:00

Harry Morgan

View Interview Page

Gene Reynolds on Harry Morgan as "Sherman T. Potter" on M*A*S*H

01:21

Henry Mancini

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on working with Henry Mancini who wrote the Peter Gunn theme

01:38

Jackie Cooper

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on working with Jackie Cooper

02:12

Gene Reynolds on working with Jackie Cooper

01:00

James L. Brooks

View Interview Page

Gene Reynolds on James L. Brooks' and Allan Burns' contributions to Lou Grant

02:52

Jamie Farr

View Interview Page

Gene Reynolds on the casting of Jamie Farr as "Max Klinger" on M*A*S*H

02:58

Jim Fritzell

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on working with Everett Greenbaum and Jim Fritzell

01:39

Judy Garland

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on appearing in films with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland

01:06

Lucille Ball

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on acting on I Love Lucy

03:03

McLean Stevenson

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on McLean Stevenson as "Henry Blake" on M*A*S*H

01:40

Gene Reynolds on killing off "Henry Blake" on M*A*S*H

04:53

Mickey Rooney

View Interview Page

Gene Reynolds on appearing in films with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland

01:06

Mike Farrell

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on Mike Farrell as "BJ Hunnicut" on M*A*S*H

00:21

Nancy Marchand

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on Nancy Marchand playing "Mrs. Pynchon" on Lou Grant

00:40

Sheldon Leonard

View Interview Page

Gene Reynolds on working with Sheldon Leonard

01:26

Shirley Temple

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on working with Shirley Temple

00:29

Spencer Tracy

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on appearing in the feature film "Edison, the Man" with Spencer Tracy

00:36

Wayne Rogers

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on Wayne Rogers as "Trapper John" on M*A*S*H

00:50

William Christopher

View Person Page

Gene Reynolds on William Christopher as "Father Mulcahy" on M*A*S*H

00:54