“Find what you're interested in and go for it, you can't fail. I've been so lucky. I can't believe how these wonderful big people took an interest and helped me.”

    About This Interview

    In his three-and-a-half-hour interview, Haskell "Buzz" Boggs (1908-2003) talks about his early years and his early interest in photography. He describes moving to Los Angeles and working for Paramount Pictures, where he befriended Carole Lombard while acting as a camera operator on her film True Confession. He discusses working on several other features as a cameraman, and working with stars like Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and others. He recounts becoming director of photography for Bonanza, the first regularly broadcast series to be in color. Boggs recalls the cast of Bonanza, including Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, Pernell Roberts, and Michael Landon. He discusses acting as director of photography on several of Landon's shows, including Little House on the Prairie, Father Murphy, and Highway to Heaven. He concludes by talking about his legacy in television, and discusses both his daughter and his wife, Evelyn. Kent McCray conducted the first part of the interview on June 25, 1997 in Los Angeles, CA. Sunny Parich conducted part two of the interview on March 25, 1998 in Los Angeles, CA.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Haskell Boggs

    Haskell Boggs on becoming a camera operator in 1942

    00:46
    Thumbnail of Haskell Boggs

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for Little House on the Prairie

    04:44
    Thumbnail of Haskell Boggs

    Haskell Boggs on the directors of Bonanza, and on what makes a good television director

    07:26
    Thumbnail of Haskell Boggs

    Haskell Boggs on working with Michael Landon on a pilot while Landon was sick

    02:17
    Thumbnail of Haskell Boggs

    Haskell Boggs on Bonanza shooting on location and shooting on the stages of Paramount

    03:33
    Thumbnail of Haskell Boggs

    Haskell Boggs on his nickname, "Buzzy"

    00:43
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his early life and influences; on his early interest in photography; on moving to Los Angeles in 1934 and going to work for Paramount

    11:06

    On working on the feature "True Confession," starring Carole Lombard and on various other features; on his earliest dealings with television; on becoming a camera operator in 1942 and his activities during World War II

    09:53

    On acting as camera operator for Bob Hope on the feature "Sorrowful Jones," and on various other features; on becoming a director of photography in 1955 and on being director of photography on various feature films; on acting as director of photography for Bonanza

    07:22

    Chapter 2

    On how the major studios felt about television at its inception; on acting as director of photography on Bonanza; on acting as director of photography on 3-D feature films in the 1950s

    06:54

    On his work week on Bonanza and working with Dan Blocker who played "Hoss Cartwright" on the show; on new filming techniques that came about during the run of Bonanza and filming the episode "The Artist"; on location shooting on the show

    11:29

    On working with an "alternate cinematographer" on Bonanza, and on the episode "Bushwhacked"; on dealing with the weather and daylight when working on location on Bonanza; on how cinematography techniques changed during his time on Bonanza and moving to the Warner Bros. set; on the death of Dan Blocker and departure of Pernell Roberts from the show

    10:41

    Chapter 3

    On working with the cast of Bonanza; on the technical aspects of shooting Bonanza; on the directors of Bonanza, and on what makes a good television director

    14:50

    On acting as director or photography on The High Chaparral; on working with Michael Landon as a director on Bonanza; on acting as director of photography for Little House on the Prairie, Father Murphy, and Highway to Heaven

    13:39

    Chapter 4

    On acting as director of photography for Highway to Heaven; on acting as director of photography on Where Pigeons Go to Die; on working with Michael Landon on a pilot while Landon was sick

    08:11

    On acting as director of photography for Bonanza: The Return; on the number of hours of television he's worked on in his career; on the American Society of Cinematographers

    04:35

    On winning various awards including the Emmy Award and highlights of his career; on his legacy in television; on his daughter

    04:58

    On various people he's worked with in his career

    10:34

    Chapter 5

    On his wife, Evelyn; on his cars

    08:42

    On b-roll pictures from Haskell Boggs' career- with a camera in 1931; on a movie set in 1936; with Bob Hope; with Bing Crosby; on the set of Teacher's Pet with Clark Gable; with Jerry Lewis; on the set in 1955; Michael Landon with his daughter Debbie; with his wife Evelyn

    08:00

    Chapter 6

    On his nickname, "Buzzy"; on his early interest in photography and cameras; on working for Ramsey Productions

    10:32

    On his early duties at Paramount; on camera equipment in the 1940s; on seeing an early television test by Klaus Landsberg and shooting a feature film in 3-D

    12:26

    On his impressions of early television and the advent of color television, pioneered by David Sarnoff, and Thomas W. Sarnoff's work on Bonanza

    05:44

    Chapter 7

    On working on a color VistaVision feature; on Bonanza being in color to sell color television sets for RCA and on moving into television; on Thomas W. Sarnoff and his involvement in Bonanza, and on Bonanza creator David Dortort

    07:43

    On the difference between acting as director of photography for features and acting as director of photography for Bonanza; on creating his own lighting techniques for Bonanza, and on working with Michael Landon on Highway to Heaven; on his camera operators and crew he worked with in his career

    06:11

    On shooting on videotape as opposed to film; on mishaps and close calls during his time as a director of photography; on the differences between shooting for television and shooting features, and on working with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope

    04:44

    On advice to aspiring directors of photography and on his friendship with Clark Gable; on various people he worked with in his career

    07:21

    Bonanza

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for Bonanza

    01:42

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography on Bonanza

    04:26

    Haskell Boggs on his workweek on Bonanza and working with Dan Blocker who played "Hoss Cartwright" on the show

    02:28

    Haskell Boggs on new filming techniques that came about during the run of Bonanza

    01:14

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for the Bonanza episode "The Artist" and on the interior shots of the show

    02:34

    Haskell Boggs on learning to deal with the smaller sized television screen during his time as director of photography on Bonanza

    01:45

    Haskell Boggs on Bonanza shooting on location and shooting on the stages of Paramount

    03:22

    Haskell Boggs on working with an "alternate cinematographer" on Bonanza

    02:11

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for the Bonanza episode "Bushwhacked," and on the importance of a director of photography knowing the script

    03:31

    Haskell Boggs on dealing with the weather and daylight when working on location on Bonanza

    01:49

    Haskell Boggs on how cinematography techniques changed during his time on Bonanza, and moving to the Warner Bros. set

    01:22

    Haskell Boggs on the death of Dan Blocker who played "Hoss Cartwright" on Bonanza and the loss of Pernell Roberts as "Adam Cartwright" on the show

    01:44

    Haskell Boggs on Pernell Roberts as "Adam Cartwright" on Bonanza

    02:41

    Haskell Boggs on working with Lorne Greene as "Ben Cartwright" on Bonanza

    00:57

    Haskell Boggs on working with Dan Blocker as "Hoss Cartwright" on Bonanza

    01:03

    Haskell Boggs on working with Michael Landon as "Joe Cartwright" on Bonanza

    00:37

    Haskell Boggs on the technical aspects of shooting Bonanza

    02:06

    Haskell Boggs on the directors of Bonanza, and on what makes a good television director

    07:26

    Haskell Boggs on working with Michael Landon as a director on Bonanza

    02:48

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for Bonanza: The Return

    00:52

    Haskell Boggs on Bonanza being in color to sell color television sets for RCA and on moving into television

    01:38

    Haskell Boggs on the difference between acting as director of photography for features and acting as director of photography for Bonanza

    01:41

    Haskell Boggs on creating his own lighting techniques for Bonanza and on working with Michael Landon

    02:51

    Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

    Haskell Boggs on winning various awards -- including the Emmy -- and highlights of his career

    02:01

    High Chaparral, The

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director or photography on The High Chapparal 

    01:21

    Highway to Heaven

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for Father Murphy and Highway to Heaven

    04:46

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for Highway to Heaven

    01:36

    Little House on the Prairie

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for Little House on the Prairie

    04:44

    Advice

    Haskell Boggs on advice to aspiring directors of photography

    02:21

    Bloopers

    Haskell Boggs on mishaps and close calls during his time as a director of photography

    00:41

    Emmy Awards

    Haskell Boggs on winning various awards -- including the Emmy -- and the highlight of his career

    02:01

    Historic Events and Social Change

    Haskell Boggs on his activities during World War II

    03:06

    Technological Innovation

    Haskell Boggs on his impressions of early television and the advent of color television, pioneered by David and Tom Sarnoff

    05:44

    Television Industry

    Haskell Boggs on advice to aspiring directors of photography

    02:21

    War

    Haskell Boggs on his activities during World War II

    03:06

    World War II

    Haskell Boggs on his activities during World War II

    03:06

    Cinematographer

    Haskell Boggs on new filming techniques that came about during the run of Bonanza

    01:14

    Haskell Boggs on learning to deal with the smaller sized television screen during his time was director of photography on Bonanza

    01:45

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for the Bonanza episode "Bushwhacked," and on the importance of a director of photography knowing the script

    03:31

    Haskell Boggs on dealing with the weather and daylight when working on location on Bonanza

    01:49

    Haskell Boggs on how cinematography techniques changed during his time on Bonanza and moving to the Warner Bros. set

    01:23

    Haskell Boggs on the differences between shooting for television and shooting features and on working with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope

    02:57

    Haskell Boggs on advice to aspiring directors of photography

    02:21

    Production Professionals

    Haskell Boggs on new filming techniques that came about during the run of Bonanza

    01:14

    Haskell Boggs on learning to deal with the smaller sized television screen during his time was director of photography on Bonanza

    01:45

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for the Bonanza episode "Bushwhacked, and on the importance of a director of photography knowing the script

    03:31

    Haskell Boggs on dealing with the weather and daylight when working on location on Bonanza

    01:49

    Haskell Boggs on how cinematography techniques changed during his time on Bonanza and moving to the Warner Bros. set

    01:23

    Haskell Boggs on the differences between shooting for television and shooting features and on working with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope

    02:57

    Haskell Boggs on advice to aspiring directors of photography

    02:21

    Drama Series

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for Little House on the Prairie

    04:44

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for Father Murphy and Highway to Heaven

    04:46

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for Highway to Heaven

    01:36

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for Bonanza and on working with Michael Landon on Highway to Heaven

    12:16

    TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for Where Pigeons Go to Die

    04:16

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for Bonanza: The Return

    00:52

    Western Series

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for Bonanza

    01:42

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography on Bonanza

    27:41

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography on Bonanza

    14:50

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director or photography on The High Chaparral

    01:21

    Haskell Boggs on acting as director of photography for Bonanza and on working with Michael Landon on Highway to Heaven

    12:16

    Robert Altman

    Haskell Boggs on various people he's worked with in his career: Robert Altman

    01:19

    Jack Benny

    Haskell Boggs on working on the feature "Man About Town" starring Jack Benny

    01:04

    Dan Blocker

    Haskell Boggs on his workweek on Bonanza and working with Dan Blocker who played "Hoss Cartwright" on the show

    02:28

    Haskell Boggs on the death of Dan Blocker who played "Hoss Cartwright" on Bonanza and the loss of Pernell Roberts as "Adam Cartwright" on the show

    01:46

    Haskell Boggs on working with Dan Blocker as "Hoss Cartwright" on Bonanza

    01:03

    Bing Crosby

    Haskell Boggs on the differences between shooting for television and shooting features, and on working with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope

    02:57

    Cecil B. DeMille

    Haskell Boggs on working with Cecil B. DeMille and other directors at Paramount

    02:01

    David Dortort

    Haskell Boggs on various people he's worked with in his career: David Dortort

    01:42

    Haskell Boggs on Bonanza creator David Dortort 

    02:20

    Clark Gable

    Haskell Boggs on his friendship with Clark Gable

    02:48

    Lorne Greene

    Haskell Boggs on working with Lorne Greene as "Ben Cartwright" on Bonanza

    00:57

    Bob Hope

    Haskell Boggs on the differences between shooting for television, and shooting features, and on working with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope

    02:57

    Michael Landon

    Haskell Boggs on working with Michael Landon as "Joe Cartwright" on Bonanza

    00:37

    Klaus Landsberg

    Haskell Boggs on seeing an early television test by Klaus Landsberg and shooting a feature film in 3-D

    05:37

    Pernell Roberts

    Haskell Boggs on the death of Dan Blocker who played "Hoss Cartwright" on Bonanza and the loss of Pernell Roberts as "Adam Cartwright" on the show

    01:44

    Haskell Boggs on Pernell Roberts as "Adam Cartwright" on Bonanza

    02:40

    David Sarnoff

    Haskell Boggs on his impressions of early television and the advent of color television, pioneered by David Sarnoff, and Thomas W. Sarnoff's work on Bonanza

    05:44

    Thomas W. Sarnoff

    Haskell Boggs on various people he's worked with in his career: Thomas W. Sarnoff

    00:33

    Haskell Boggs on his impressions of early television and the advent of color television, pioneered by David Sarnoff, and Thomas W. Sarnoff's work on Bonanza

    05:44

    Haskell Boggs on Thomas W. Sarnoff Sarnoff and his involvement in Bonanza

    01:27

    David Victor

    Haskell Boggs on various people he's worked with in his career: David Victor

    01:42

    All Interviews

    Loading Interviews...