Lamont Johnson

Director


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his four-and-a-half-hour interview, Lamont Johnson (1922-2010) describes his work as an actor in network radio, which led to a career as an actor in television on series including Hallmark Hall of Fame in the 1950s. He discusses his period of being blacklisted from the industry, until producer Albert McCleery cast him. He speaks in great detail about the ambitious, daily, color "live" NBC television series Matinee Theater (1955-58) on which he appeared as an actor and directed dozens of productions. Johnson discusses his continued work in filmed television on series including Peter Gunn, Naked City, Dr. Kildare, Profiles in Courage, and The Twilight Zone (for which he directed such classic episodes as "Five Characters in Search of an Exit," "Nothing in the Dark," and "Kick the Can"). He describes his later work on the groundbreaking Levinson and Link television movies My Sweet Charlie (1970), That Certain Summer (1972), and The Execution of Private Slovik (1974), as well as the miniseries Wallenberg: A Hero's Story (1985) and Gore Vidal's Lincoln (1988), both of which won Johnson Emmy awards for directing. Karen Herman conducted the interview on June 10, 2003 in Monterey, CA.

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

"I think the most important center for me has been to be able to do work about things that mattered. Things that had something to do with the real world, that bring the crisis in somebody's life where they make a fateful choice. Sometimes a fatal choice."

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Lamont Johnson on acting in the Playhouse 90 episode "Forbidden Area"
03:26
Lamont Johnson on casting for NBC Matinee Theater, and on working with Zsa Zsa Gabor
04:34
Lamont Johnson on being on the Hollywood Blacklist, and on producer Albert McCleery disregarding it to hire him
03:48
Lamont Johnson on his winning an Emmy for Wallenberg: A Hero's Story
03:33
Lamont Johnson on the challenges of directing live broadcasts of NBC Matinee Theater, and on appearing in early televised Shakespeare adaptations
07:37
Lamont Johnson on how he'd like to be remembered
02:29
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his early life and influences; on the first time he heard the radio, and on acting on network radio; on his early television work as an actor
On playing "Ishmael" in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of "Moby Dick"; on acting opposite Ethel Barrymore on Climax!; on appearing as an actor on NBC Matinee Theater, and on making the transition from acting to directing

Chapter 2

On the process and limitations of the kinescope; on the challenges of directing live broadcasts of NBC Matinee Theater, and on appearing in early televised Shakespeare adaptations; on directing John Carradine in the NBC Matinee Theater production of "Dracula"
On the quick costume changes and makeup needed for live productions of NBC Matinee Theater; on selecting material to adapt for NBC Matinee Theater, and on the music and casting of the show
On casting for NBC Matinee Theater, on working with Zsa Zsa Gabor on the show, and on working with actors as a director; on various actors he directed; on the Hollywood Blacklist

Chapter 3

On being on the Hollywood Blacklist, and on producer Albert McCleery disregarding it to hire him; on directing the blacklist drama Fear on Trial; on dealing with the Hollywood Blacklist, and later directing many issue-oriented shows like My Sweet Charlie
On directing the groundbreaking gay drama That Certain Summer; on directing The Execution of Private Slovik; on directing Crisis at Central High
On dealing with the Hollywood Blacklist in regards to NBC Matinee Theater; on NBC Matinee Theater host John Conte, and on the sponsors and intended audience of the show

Chapter 4

On the curtain calls and end credits of NBC Matinee Theater, and on the show being in color; on working with actress Sarah Churchill on NBC Matinee Theater; on the producers and budget of NBC Matinee Theater
On directing Profiles in Courage, and on meeting with Robert F. Kennedy; on leaving NBC Matinee Theater to work on the Berlin Festival, and on directing Thornton Wilder as the "Stage Manager" in a production of "Our Town"; on directing several episodes of Have Gun - Will Travel and Naked City

Chapter 5

On acting in the Playhouse 90 episode "Forbidden Area"; on directing Peter Gunn, and on working with show creator Blake Edwards; on directing various western series and features
On directing Dr. Kildare, starring Richard Chamberlin, and The Execution of Private Slovik; on directing Judd for the Defense, and directing The Defenders for producer Herb Brodkin; on working with editors

Chapter 6

On directing The Twilight Zone episode "Five Characters in Search of an Exit," and on directing an episode of Felicity; on being brought in to direct The Twilight Zone, and on directing the episode "Kick the Can"; on working with Rod Serling on The Twilight Zone, and on Serling's vision for the show
On working with producer Buck Houghton and cinematographer George T. Clemens on The Twilight Zone; on working with makeup artists William J. Tuttle on The Twilight Zone, and the actor Andy Devine; on directing various The Twilight Zone episodes, including "Nothing in the Dark" with Robert Redford

Chapter 7

On directing various Twilight Zone episodes; on working with Bert Granet, and various other producers; on directing Crash Landing: The Rescue of Flight 232
On directing Wallenberg: A Hero's Story, starring Richard Chamberlin, and on winning an Emmy Award for it; on directing Gore Vidal's Lincoln; on directing Paul's Case and Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter

Chapter 8

On directing Unnatural Causes and The Kennedys of Massachusetts; on directing Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase and The Broken Chain; on then-recent projects including several feature films
On the importance to continuing to work later in life, and on taking chances in his career; on advice to an aspiring director
On his directing style; on advice to an aspiring actor; on career highlights and regrets

Chapter 9

On how he'd like to be remembered
On b-roll footage from his career- on the set of NBC Matinee Theater; control booth of NBC Matinee Theater; on the set of NBC Matinee Theater; set of NBC Matinee Theater; backstage at NBC Matinee Theater; biblical set of NBC Matinee Theater; with Sarah Churchill on the set of Hallmark Hall of Fame; acting on NBC Matinee Theater; with Sarah Churchill; note giving session for NBC Matinee Theater; with Joseph Cotten and Carroll O'Connor on the set of Profiles in Courage; cast and crew of Have Gun, Will Travel; with Diana Lynn on the set; filming Losers Weepers in Watts; on set set of Losers Weepers; on the set of The Kennedys of Massachusetts; a card for a child; filming on location in Stockton, California; with Patty Duke and John Astin; the set of Paul's Case; getting an award; Directors Guild luncheon; DGA Awards; on the set of Fear on Trial; on the set of Felicity; on the set of Felicity; with Keri Russell on the set of Felicity; on the set of NBC Matinee Theater; relaxing outdoors
Shows

Broken Chain, The

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Lamont Johnson on directing The Broken Chain
00:51

Cameo Theatre

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Lamont Johnson on his early television work as an actor
02:37

Climax!

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Lamont Johnson on acting opposite Ethel Barrymore on Climax! in "The Thirteenth Chair"
04:49

Crash Landing: The Rescue of Flight 232

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Lamont Johnson on directing Crash Landing: The Rescue of Flight 232 starring Charlton Heston
09:26

Crisis at Central High

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Lamont Johnson on directing Crisis at Central High
04:24

Defenders, The

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Lamont Johnson on directing Judd for the Defense, and directing The Defenders for producer Herb Brodkin
05:58

Dr. Kildare

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Lamont Johnson on directing Dr. Kildare, starring Richard Chamberlin, and The Execution of Private Slovik
09:09

Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

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Lamont Johnson on his winning an Emmy for Wallenberg: A Hero's Story
03:33
Lamont Johnson on directing The Kennedys of Massachusetts, for which he won an Emmy
03:25

Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter

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Lamont Johnson on directing Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter
01:45

Execution of Private Slovik, The

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Lamont Johnson on directing The Execution of Private Slovik
03:21
Lamont Johnson on directing Dr. Kildare, starring Richard Chamberlin, and The Execution of Private Slovik
09:09

Fear on Trial

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Lamont Johnson on breaking the Hollywood Blacklist, and on the blacklist drama Fear on Trial
03:44

Gore Vidal's Lincoln

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Lamont Johnson on directing Gore Vidal's Lincoln
02:23

Hallmark Hall of Fame

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Lamont Johnson on his early television work as an actor
02:37
Lamont Johnson on playing "Ishmael" in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of "Moby Dick"
01:02

Have Gun - Will Travel

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Lamont Johnson on directing several episodes of Have Gun - Will Travel and Naked City
02:16

Judd for the Defense

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Lamont Johnson on directing Judd for the Defense, and directing The Defenders for producer Herb Brodkin
05:58

Kennedys of Massachusetts, The

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Lamont Johnson on directing The Kennedys of Massachusetts, for which he won an Emmy Award
03:25

My Sweet Charlie

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Lamont Johnson on dealing with the Hollywood Blacklist, and later directing many issue-oriented shows like My Sweet Charlie
03:04

NBC Matinee Theater

View Show Page
Lamont Johnson on the kinds of roles he got as an actor, and on working with producer Albert McCleery on NBC Matinee Theater
04:51
Lamont Johnson on the challenges of directing live broadcasts of NBC Matinee Theater, and on appearing in early televised Shakespeare adaptations
07:37
Lamont Johnson on directing John Carradine in the NBC Matinee Theater production of "Dracula"
01:38
Lamont Johnson on the quick costume changes and makeup needed for live productions of NBC Matinee Theater
02:54
Lamont Johnson on selecting material to adapt for NBC Matinee Theater, and on the music and casting of the show
04:22
Lamont Johnson on casting for NBC Matinee Theater, and on working with Zsa Zsa Gabor
04:34
Lamont Johnson on being on the Hollywood Blacklist, and on producer Albert McCleery disregarding it to hire him
03:48
Lamont Johnson on dealing with the Hollywood Blacklist in regards to NBC Matinee Theater
01:56
Lamont Johnson on NBC Matinee Theater host John Conte, and on the sponsors and intended audience of the show
04:30
Lamont Johnson on the curtain calls and end credits of NBC Matinee Theater, and on the show being in color
04:01
Lamont Johnson on working with actress Sarah Churchill on NBC Matinee Theater
03:09
Lamont Johnson on the producers and budget of NBC Matinee Theater
03:00
Lamont Johnson on leaving NBC Matinee Theater to work on the Berlin Festival, and on directing Thornton Wilder as the "Stage Manager" in a production of "Our Town"
06:26

Naked City

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Lamont Johnson on directing several episodes of Have Gun - Will Travel and Naked City
02:16

Paul's Case

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Lamont Johnson on directing Paul's Case
03:20

Peter Gunn

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Lamont Johnson on directing Peter Gunn, and on working with show creator Blake Edwards
04:30

Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse

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Lamont Johnson on his early television work as an actor
02:37

Playhouse 90

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Lamont Johnson on acting in the Playhouse 90 episode "Forbidden Area"
03:26

Profiles in Courage

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Lamont Johnson on directing Profiles in Courage, and on meeting with Robert F. Kennedy
06:02
Lamont Johnson on the episodes of Profiles in Courage
03:16

Studio One

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Lamont Johnson on his early television work as an actor
02:37

That Certain Summer

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Lamont Johnson on directing the groundbreaking drama That Certain Summer, starring Martin Sheen and Hal Holbrook
03:53

Twilight Zone, The

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Lamont Johnson on directing The Twilight Zone episode "Five Characters in Search of an Exit," and on directing an episode of Felicity in the style of that episode at the request of J.J. Abrams
07:57
Lamont Johnson on being brought in to direct The Twilight Zone, and on directing the episode "Kick the Can"
03:49
Lamont Johnson on working with Rod Serling on The Twilight Zone, and on his vision for the show
02:39
Lamont Johnson on working with producer Buck Houghton and cinematographer George T. Clemens on The Twilight Zone
03:42
Lamont Johnson on working with the makeup artists on The Twilight Zone, and the actors Andy Devine, Ed Wynn, and Boris Karloff
05:19
Lamont Johnson on directing various The Twilight Zone episodes, including "Nothing in the Dark" with Robert Redford
05:59
Lamont Johnson on directing various Twilight Zone episodes
02:27

Unnatural Causes

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Lamont Johnson on directing Unnatural Causes
03:21

Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase

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Lamont Johnson on directing Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase
01:43

Wallenberg: A Hero's Story

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Lamont Johnson on directing Wallenberg: A Hero's Story starring Richard Chamberlin
04:15
Lamont Johnson on his winning an Emmy for Wallenberg: A Hero's Story
03:33
Topics

Advice

View Topic
Lamont Johnson on advice to an aspiring director
01:22
Lamont Johnson on advice to an aspiring actor
00:57

Anthology Drama

View Topic
Lamont Johnson on directing NBC Matinee Theater
22:47

Bloopers

View Topic
Lamont Johnson on acting opposite Ethel Barrymore on Climax!
04:49
Lamont Johnson on the challenges of directing live broadcasts of NBC Matinee Theater, and on appearing in early televised Shakespeare adaptations
07:37
Lamont Johnson on directing John Carradine in the NBC Matinee Theater production of "Dracula"
01:38

Civil Rights Movement

View Topic
Lamont Johnson on directing Crisis at Central High
04:24

Emmy Awards

View Topic
Lamont Johnson on his winning an Emmy for Wallenberg: A Hero's Story
03:33
Lamont Johnson on directing The Kennedys of Massachusetts, for which he won an Emmy
03:25

Historic Events and Social Change

View Topic
Lamont Johnson on directing Crisis at Central High
04:24
Lamont Johnson on directing the groundbreaking drama That Certain Summer, starring Martin Sheen and Hal Holbrook
03:53

Hollywood Blacklist

View Topic
Lamont Johnson on working with Fay Wray, and on the Hollywood Blacklist
02:25
Lamont Johnson on being on the Hollywood Blacklist, and on producer Albert McCleery disregarding it to hire him
07:32
Lamont Johnson on dealing with the Hollywood Blacklist, and later directing many issue-oriented shows like My Sweet Charlie
03:04

Industry Crossroads

View Topic
Lamont Johnson on working with Fay Wray, and on the Hollywood Blacklist
02:25
Lamont Johnson on being on the Hollywood Blacklist, and on producer Albert McCleery disregarding it to hire him
07:32
Lamont Johnson on dealing with the Hollywood Blacklist, and later directing many issue-oriented shows like My Sweet Charlie
03:04

LGBTQIA+

View Topic
Lamont Johnson on directing the groundbreaking drama That Certain Summer, starring Martin Sheen and Hal Holbrook
03:53

Representation on Television

View Topic
Lamont Johnson on directing the groundbreaking drama That Certain Summer, starring Martin Sheen and Hal Holbrook
03:53

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

View Topic
Lamont Johnson on directing NBC Matinee Theater
22:47

Technological Innovation

View Topic
Lamont Johnson on the process and limitations of the kinescope
01:42
Lamont Johnson on the curtain calls and end credits of NBC Matinee Theater, and on the show being in color
04:10

Television Industry

View Topic
Lamont Johnson on working with Fay Wray, and on the Hollywood Blacklist
02:25
Lamont Johnson on being on the Hollywood Blacklist, and on producer Albert McCleery disregarding it to hire him
07:32
Lamont Johnson on dealing with the Hollywood Blacklist, and later directing many issue-oriented shows like My Sweet Charlie
03:04
Lamont Johnson on advice to an aspiring director
01:22
Lamont Johnson on advice to an aspiring actor
00:57
Professions

Actor

View Profession
Lamont Johnson on advice to an aspiring actor
00:57

Directors

View Profession
Lamont Johnson on casting for NBC Matinee Theater, on working with Zsa Zsa Gabor on the show, and on working with actors as a director
04:34
Lamont Johnson on working with editors
00:52
Lamont Johnson on advice to an aspiring director
01:22
Lamont Johnson on his directing style
01:28

Performers

View Profession
Lamont Johnson on advice to an aspiring actor
00:57
Genres

Classic Anthology Series

View Genre
Lamont Johnson on playing "Ishmael" in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of "Moby Dick'
01:02
Lamont Johnson on acting opposite Ethel Barrymore on Climax!
04:49
Lamont Johnson on the kinds of roles he got as an actor, and on working with producer Albert McCleery on NBC Matinee Theater
04:51
Lamont Johnson on directing NBC Matinee Theater
22:47
Lamont Johnson on directing NBC Matinee Theater
06:26
Lamont Johnson on directing NBC Matinee Theater
10:11
Lamont Johnson on directing Profiles in Courage
06:02
Lamont Johnson on directing The Twilight Zone
29:25

Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

View Genre
Lamont Johnson on directing several episodes of Have Gun - Will Travel and Naked City
06:26
Lamont Johnson on directing Peter Gunn, and on working with show creator Blake Edwards
04:30

Legal Dramas

View Genre
Lamont Johnson on directing Judd for the Defense, and directing The Defenders for producer Herb Brodkin
05:58

Medical Dramas

View Genre
Lamont Johnson on directing Dr. Kildare, starring Richard Chamberlin, and The Execution of Private Slovik
09:09

TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

View Genre
Lamont Johnson on breaking the Hollywood Blacklist, and on the blacklist drama Fear on Trial
03:44
Lamont Johnson on directing the groundbreaking gay drama That Certain Summer, starring Martin Sheen and Hal Holbrook
03:53
Lamont Johnson on directing The Execution of Private Slovik
03:21
Lamont Johnson on directing Crisis at Central High
04:24
Lamont Johnson on directing Dr. Kildare, starring Richard Chamberlin, and The Execution of Private Slovik
09:09
Lamont Johnson on directing Unnatural Causes
03:21
Lamont Johnson on directing The Kennedys of Massachusetts
03:25
Lamont Johnson on directing Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase
01:43
Lamont Johnson on directing The Broken Chain
00:51

Western Series

View Genre
Lamont Johnson on directing several episodes of Have Gun - Will Travel and Naked City
06:26
Lamont Johnson on directing various western series and features
04:41
People

Morey Amsterdam

View Person Page
Lamont Johnson on working with Morey Amsterdam
00:37

Ethel Barrymore

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Lamont Johnson on acting opposite Ethel Barrymore on Climax!
04:49

Herschel Bernardi

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Lamont Johnson on breaking the Hollywood Blacklist to hire actor Herschel Bernardi, and on the blacklist drama Fear on Trial
03:44

Herbert Brodkin

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Lamont Johnson on directing Judd for the Defense, and directing The Defenders for producer Herb Brodkin
05:58

John Carradine

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Lamont Johnson on directing John Carradine in the NBC Matinee Theater production of "Dracula"
01:38

Richard Chamberlain

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Lamont Johnson on directing Dr. Kildare, starring Richard Chamberlin, and The Execution of Private Slovik
09:09
Lamont Johnson on directing Wallenberg: A Hero's Story starring Richard Chamberlin
04:15

Sarah Churchill

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Lamont Johnson on working with actress Sarah Churchill on NBC Matinee Theater
03:09

John Conte

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Lamont Johnson on NBC Matinee Theater host John Conte, and on the sponsors of the show
04:30

Blake Edwards

View Person Page
Lamont Johnson on directing Peter Gunn, and on working with show creator Blake Edwards
04:30

Zsa Zsa Gabor

View Person Page
Lamont Johnson on casting for NBC Matinee Theater, on working with Zsa Zsa Gabor on the show, and on working with actors as a director
04:34

Bert Granet

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Lamont Johnson on working with Bert Granet, and various other producers
01:19

Hal Holbrook

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Lamont Johnson on directing the groundbreaking gay drama That Certain Summer, starring Martin Sheen and Hal Holbrook
03:53

Buck Houghton

View Person Page
Lamont Johnson on working with producer Buck Houghton and cinematographer George T. Clemens on The Twilight Zone
03:42

Robert F. Kennedy

View Person Page
Lamont Johnson on directing Profiles in Courage, and on meeting with Robert F. Kennedy
06:02

Albert McCleery

View Person Page
Lamont Johnson on the kinds of roles he got as an actor, and on working with producer Albert McCleery on NBC Matinee Theater
04:51
Lamont Johnson on being on the Hollywood Blacklist, and on producer Albert McCleery disregarding it to hire him
03:48

Robert Redford

View Person Page
Lamont Johnson on directing various The Twilight Zone episodes, including "Nothing in the Dark" with Robert Redford
05:59

Rod Serling

View Person Page
Lamont Johnson on working with Rod Serling on The Twilight Zone, and on his vision for the show
02:39

Martin Sheen

View Person Page
Lamont Johnson on directing the groundbreaking gay drama That Certain Summer, starring Martin Sheen and Hal Holbrook
03:53

All Interviews

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