About
"We had a working relationship with everybody who worked with us. There was nothing imperial about it. We would always work hand in hand with everybody."
In his one-and-a-half-hour interview, Arthur Gardner (1910-2014) talks about how he got his start in the entertainment industry working as an extra at Universal and landing a role in the acclaimed film, All Quiet on the Western Front. He discusses working at the Hal Roach Studio with the First Motion Picture Unit during World War II and later forming Levy-Gardner-Laven Productions with two friends he met through the First Motion Picture Unit. He then elaborates on the many classic TV series he produced in the 1950s and '60s, including The Rifleman, The Detectives and The Big Valley. Gardner also recounts memories of working on films with both John Wayne and Elvis Presley and shares his reflections on the longevity of his producing career in Hollywood. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview on December 3, 2009 in North Hollywood, CA.
Highlights
Arthur Gardner on his reflections about his life and how he would like to be remembered
Arthur Gardner on the longevity and legacy of The Rifleman
Arthur Gardner on why The Rifleman first aired as a pilot for the Zane Grey Theater
Arthur Gardner on advice he would give to producers today
Arthur Gardner on the movie Clambake with Elvis Presley
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his first acting job at Universal as an extra; on how the studio system operated; on working as an actor on All Quiet On The Western Front; on working at the Hal Roach Studio with The First Motion Picture Unit during World War II; on forming Levy-Gardner-Laven Productions and the projects they produced
On producing the TV show The Rifleman; on the production schedule for The Rifleman; on working with the cast of The Rifleman; on his close working relationship with ABC
On the experience of The Rifleman winning an Emmy Award; on the longevity and legacy of The Rifleman; on the depiction of Native Americans in television in the 1950's; on his memories of The Red Scare and the Blacklist; on the decision-making process for producing The Rifleman; on casting Chuck Connors as "The Rifleman"
On producing the show The Detective; on his involvement in the TV show The Big Valley; on Barbara Stanwyck's role on The Big Valley; on the production schedule for The Big Valley; on the writers and directors of The Big Valley
On the movie Clambake with Elvis Presley; on working with John Wayne on several films
Chapter 2
On his memories and impression of people within the TV and film industry including studio heads and stars; on his partnership with Jules Levy and Arnold Laven; on the meaning of the title of his autobiography
On what makes a successful production; on his thoughts about his longevity in show business; on advice he would give to producers today; on his philosophy about ambition; on the legacy of his company, Levy-Gardner-Laven; on his reflections about his life; on how he would like to be remembered
Shows
Big Valley, The
Arthur Gardner on The Big Valley star Barbara Stanwyck
Arthur Gardner on the number of episodes and production schedule of The Big Valley
Arthur Gardner on his busy schedule producing feature films and television shows simultaneously, such as The Big Valley
Arthur Gardner on the premise for the TV show The Big Valley
Detectives, The
Arthur Gardner on producing The Detective s starring Robert Taylor
Rifleman, The
Arthur Gardner on his involvement in The Rifleman
Topics
Characters & Catchphrases
Arthur Gardner on why Chuck Connors was the perfect actor to play "The Rifleman"
Emmy Awards
Arthur Gardner on the experience of winning an Emmy for The Rifleman
Hollywood Blacklist
Arthur Gardner on his memories of working during The Red Scare and the Blacklist
Underrepresented Voices
Arthur Gardner on the depiction of Native Americans in television in the 1950's
Professions
Producers
Arthur Gardner on his busy schedule producing feature films and television shows simultaneously, such as The Big Valley
Arthur Gardner on the legacy of his company, Levy-Gardner-Laven
Genres
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
Arthur Gardner on producing The Detective s starring Robert Taylor
Western Series
Arthur Gardner on the genre of Westerns in the late 50's
Arthur Gardner on the number of episodes and production schedule of The Big Valley
Arthur Gardner on his involvement in the TV show The Rifleman
People
Candice Bergen
Arthur Gardner on his impressions of Candice Bergen
Harry Cohn
Arthur Gardner on his memories of Harry Cohn as head of Columbia Studios
Chuck Connors
Arthur Gardner on The Rifleman star Chuck Connors
Arthur Gardner on working with Chuck Connors on The Rifleman
Arthur Gardner on why Chuck Connors was the perfect actor to play "The Rifleman"
Johnny Crawford
Arthur Gardner on working with Johnny Crawford on The Rifleman
George Cukor
Arthur Gardner on working with George Cukor on All Quiet On The Western Front
Shelley Fabares
Arthur Gardner on his impressions of Shelley Fabares and Elvis Presley working together on Clambake
Clark Gable
Arthur Gardner on his recollections of fellow actors, William Holden, Clark Gable and Ronald Regan
William Holden
Arthur Gardner on his recollections of fellow actors, William Holden, Clark Gable and Ronald Regan
James Wong Howe
Arthur Gardner on his impressions of cameraman, James Wong Howe
Carl Laemmle
Arthur Gardner on his first meeting with Carl Laemmle
Arnold Laven
Arthur Gardner on working with Arnold Laven
Arthur Gardner on his business partners Jules Levy and Arnold Laven, and the naming of their production company
Jules Levy
Arthur Gardner on working with Jules Levy
Arthur Gardner on his business partners Jules Levy and Arnold Laven, and the naming of their production company
Lee Majors
Arthur Gardner on his memories of Lee Majors on The Big Valley
Hal Needham
Arthur Gardner on his memories of stuntman Hal Needham
Sam Peckinpah
Arthur Gardner on working with Sam Peckinpah on The Rifleman
Dick Powell
Arthur Gardner on working with Dick Powell at Four Star Revue
Elvis Presley
Arthur Gardner on his interactions with Elvis Presley on the movie Clambake
Ronald Reagan
Arthur Gardner on his recollections of fellow actors, William Holden, Clark Gable and Ronald Regan
Burt Reynolds
Arthur Gardner on working on films with Burt Reynolds
Lalo Schifrin
Arthur Gardner on his impression of composer, Lalo Schifrin
Barbara Stanwyck
Arthur Gardner on The Big Valley star Barbara Stanwyck
Arthur Gardner on what it was like working with Barbara Stanwyck on The Big Valley
Robert Taylor
Arthur Gardner on producing The Detectives starring Robert Taylor
John Wayne
Arthur Gardner on his impressions of John Wayne