About
"My biggest regret? That I found television and films so easy, I didn't stick with writing novels. On the other hand, I might not have written the novels anyway."
In his three-and-a-half-hour interview, Paul Monash (1917-2003) speaks about his writing career that began in the 1950s and included such acclaimed series as Playhouse 90. He discusses in great detail the 1960s series Peyton Place, which he created and executive-produced. He then talks about his work in feature films and television movies including Carrie, Salem's Lot, Stalin, Kingfish, and George Wallace. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview on October 2, 2002 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Paul Monash on casting Mia Farrow as "Alison MacKenzie" on Peyton Place
Paul Monash on producing "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and various other features
Paul Monash on the cast of Peyton Place
Paul Monash on working with John Frankenheimer on the Playhouse 90 episode "The Death of Manolete"
Paul Monash on the end of Peyton Place, and on the legacy of the show
Paul Monash on his proudest career achievements and regrets
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early years and influences; on his experience during World War II
On the first time he saw television, and on his early interest in writing; on writing Foreign Intrigue, his first writing job for television; on writing Atom Squad
Chapter 2
On writing for Atom Squad, and on writing features; on writing "The Singing Idol" for Kraft Television Theatre; on writing "The Lonely Wizard" for Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
On writing Playhouse 90, and on working with Martin Manulis; on writing "Bailout at 43,000 Feet" for Climax!; on working with John Frankenheimer on the Playhouse 90 episode "The Death of Manolete"
On other writers of Playhouse 90, including Rod Serling; on writing for Westingtonhouse Desilu Playhouse
Chapter 3
On writing for Desilu, and on writing "The Scarface Mob," the pilot for The Untouchables; on his time as an executive at MGM and CBS; on how he got work as a freelance writer in the 1950s, and on the challenge of writing for live television
On the Hollywood Blacklist; on producing a number of feature films, and on getting involved in casting; on writing Cain's Hundred
Chapter 4
On creating Peyton Place for television; on casting Mia Farrow as "Alison MacKenzie" on Peyton Place; on declining to bring Irna Phillips on to Peyton Place
On Peyton Place being groundbreaking in terms of being the first nighttime serial; on the subject matter of Peyton Place; on the casting of the show, and on losing Mia Farrow
On initial reaction to Peyton Place, and on the budget of the show; on trying new things later in the run of Peyton Place, and on the production process of the show; on the cast of the show
Chapter 5
On juggling several characters on Peyton Place, and on later additions to the cast; on dealing with Standards & Practices, and on planning the stories of the show; on the end of Peyton Place, and on the legacy of the show
On creating Judd for the Defense; on his writing style, and on his writing process; on working with an agent
Chapter 6
On being a producer; on how producing feature films and television was different; on producing the feature films "Carrie," "Salem's Lot," and various other feature films
On producing "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and various other features; on writing and/or producing several made-for-television movies
On producing Stalin; on producing Kingfish; on writing and producing George Wallace
Chapter 7
On summing up; on his advice to aspiring writers; on his opinion of modern television; on how he would like to be remembered
Shows
All Quiet On The Western Front
Paul Monash on writing and/or producing several made-for-television movies, including All Quiet on the Western Front
Atom Squad
Paul Monash on writing Atom Squad
Paul Monash on writing for Atom Squad, and on writing features
Cain's Hundred
Paul Monash on creating Cain's Hundred
Climax!
Paul Monash on writing "Bailout at 43,000 Feet" for Climax!
Foreign Intrigue
Paul Monash on writing Foreign Intrigue, his first writing job for television
George Wallace
Paul Monash on writing and producing George Wallace
Judd for the Defense
Paul Monash on creating Judd for the Defense
Kraft Television Theatre
Paul Monash on writing "The Singing Idol" for Kraft Television Theatre
Peyton Place
Paul Monash on creating Peyton Place for television
Paul Monash on casting Mia Farrow as "Alison MacKenzie" on Peyton Place, and on the concept of the show
Paul Monash on declining to bring Irna Phillips on to Peyton Place
Paul Monash on Peyton Place being groundbreaking in terms of being the first nighttime serial
Paul Monash on the subject matter of Peyton Place
Paul Monash on the casting of Peyton Place, and on losing Mia Farrow
Paul Monash on initial reaction to Peyton Place, and on the budget of the show
Paul Monash on trying new things later in the run of Peyton Place, and on the production process of the show
Paul Monash on the cast of Peyton Place
Paul Monash on juggling several characters on Peyton Place, and on later additions to the cast
Paul Monash on dealing with Standards & Practices on Peyton Place, and on planning the stories of the show
Paul Monash on the end of Peyton Place, and on the legacy of the show
Playhouse 90
Paul Monash on writing Playhouse 90, and on working with Martin Manulis
Paul Monash on working with John Frankenheimer on the Playhouse 90 episode "The Death of Manolete"
Paul Monash on writing various episodes of Playhouse 90, and on working with various directors
Paul Monash on other writers of Playhouse 90, including Rod Serling
Playhouse 90: "The Death of Manolete"
Paul Monash on working with John Frankenheimer on the Playhouse 90 episode "The Death of Manolete"
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars aka Celebrity Playhouse
Paul Monash on writing "The Lonely Wizard" for Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Untouchables, The
Paul Monash on writing for Desilu, and on writing "The Scarface Mob," the pilot for The Untouchables
Paul Monash on writing "The Scarface Mob," the pilot for The Untouchables
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
Paul Monash on writing for Westingtonhouse Desilu Playhouse
Topics
Advice
Paul Monash on advice to aspiring television writers
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Paul Monash on dealing with Standards & Practices on Peyton Place, and on planning the stories of the show
Historic Events and Social Change
Paul Monash on his experience during World War II
Hollywood Blacklist
Paul Monash on the Hollywood Blacklist
Industry Crossroads
Paul Monash on the Hollywood Blacklist
Television Industry
Paul Monash on the Hollywood Blacklist
Paul Monash on dealing with Standards & Practices on Peyton Place, and on planning the stories of the show
Paul Monash on advice to aspiring television writers
War
Paul Monash on his experience during World War III
World War II
Paul Monash on his experience during World War II
Professions
Producers
Paul Monash on working with an agent, and on taking on the role of producer
Paul Monash on being a producer
Paul Monash on how producing feature films and television was different
Writers
Paul Monash on how he got work as a freelance writer in the 1950s, and on the challenge of writing for live television
Paul Monash on his writing style, and on his writing process
Paul Monash on working with an agent, and on taking on the role of producer
Paul Monash on advice to aspiring television writers
Genres
Children's Programming
Paul Monash on writing Atom Squad
Paul Monash on writing for Atom Squad, and on writing features
Classic Anthology Series
Paul Monash on writing "The Singing Idol" for Kraft Television Theatre
Paul Monash on writing "The Lonely Wizard" for Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Paul Monash on writing for Playhouse 90 and Climax!
Paul Monash on writing for Westingtonhouse Desilu Playhouse
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
Paul Monash on writing Foreign Intrigue, his first writing job for television
Paul Monash on writing for Desilu, and on writing "The Scarface Mob," the pilot for The Untouchables
Paul Monash on writing "The Scarface Mob," the pilot for The Untouchables
Paul Monash on writing Cain's Hundred
Daytime/Primetime Serials
Paul Monash on creating Peyton Place
Paul Monash on creating and writing Peyton Place
Legal Dramas
Paul Monash on creating Judd for the Defense
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Paul Monash on producing Stalin
Paul Monash on producing Kingfish
Paul Monash on writing and producing George Wallace
People
Mia Farrow
Paul Monash on casting Mia Farrow as "Alison MacKenzie" on Peyton Place
Paul Monash on the casting of Peyton Place, and on losing Mia Farrow
John Frankenheimer
Paul Monash on working with John Frankenheimer on the Playhouse 90 episode "The Death of Manolete"
Martin Manulis
Paul Monash on writing Playhouse 90, and on working with Martin Manulis
Irna Phillips
Paul Monash on declining to bring Irna Phillips on to Peyton Place
Rod Serling
Paul Monash on other writers of Playhouse 90, including Rod Serling