About
"[Earl Hamner] and I were raised in very like periods and 'The Waltons' was just like putting on an old pair of shoes."
In his four-hour interview, Ralph Senensky recalls his childhood in Iowa and his early experiences directing community theater in his home state. He describes his move to Los Angeles, directing at the Pasadena Playhouse, and getting his first job in television at CBS' Playhouse 90. He reflects on what he learned from watching established Playhouse 90 directors Franklin J. Schaffner, John Frankenheimer, and George Roy Hill, and shares how he was asked to begin directing the medical drama Dr. Kildare. Senensky then comments on several series he directed for, including Mission: Impossible, The Fugitive, The Partridge Family, and The Wild, Wild West. He details directing memorable episodes of Star Trek, including "Metamorphosis" and "Obsession"; discusses directing episodes of The F.B.I., and speaks at length about directing The Waltons. He also talks about his contributions to Dallas. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview on August 23, 2011 in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA.
Highlights
Ralph Senensky on meeting Norman Felton and how he got his first directing assignment - for Dr. Kildare
Ralph Senensky on directing the "Metamorphosis" episode of Star Trek
Ralph Senensky on Ron Howard guest-starring on the episode "The Gift" on The Waltons
Ralph Senensky on directing the "Grandma Comes Home" episode of The Waltons
Ralph Senensky on directing four episodes of The Fugitive starring David Janssen
Ralph Senensky on advice to aspiring directors
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on playing piano and being the director's assistant in a high school play in Iowa and falling in love with directing; on serving in World War II; on his favorite movies; on directing community theater in Iowa; on his first professional directing job in Chicago and moving to Los Angeles
On television shows he watched when he was young; on working at the Pasadena Playhouse; on working for CBS radio and transitioning to television; on CBS' Television City; on his first job at Playhouse 90; on the Playhouse 90 production of "The Death of Manolette"; on his on-the-job training at Playhouse 90 and the production process
On difficulties of live production at Playhouse 90; on Playhouse 90 producers Martin Manulis, John Houseman, Herbert Brodkin, and Fred Coe; on learning from directors Franklin J. Schaffner, John Frankenheimer, and George Roy Hill; on the legacy of Playhouse 90
On becoming production supervisor on soap opera Full Circle; on working for game shows; on on meeting Norman Felton and how he got his first directing assignment - for Dr. Kildare
Chapter 2
On directing Dr. Kildare; on working with Richard Chamberlain; on being an "actor's director"; on what he learned from the crew of Dr. Kildare; on directing an hour-long episode of The Twilight Zone; on working with Norman Felton; on the editing room of Dr. Kildare
On directing Burgess Meredith in "The Printer's Devil" episode of The Twilight Zone; on different lighting setups for the episode; on Rod Serling; on producer Herbert Hirschman getting him the job on The Twilight Zone; on directing Route 66 and Naked City; on directing Breaking Point and "The Bull Roarer" episode in which a young man thinks he might be gay
On directing Arrest and Trial starring Ben Gazarra and Chuck Connors; on directing Barbara Stanwyck in The Big Valley; on Stanwyck being a class act; on directing Westerns; on directing four episodes of The Fugitive starring David Janssen; on the success of The Fugitive; on directing sixteen episodes of The F.B.I. starring Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.
Chapter 3
On actual F.B.I. input on The F.B.I.; on Bette Davis not getting approved by the F.B.I. to appear on The F.B.I.; on sponsor Ford Motor Cars; on specific episodes of the show: "The Death Wind" and "The Assassin"
On his experiences with McCarthyism and the Blacklist; on directing The Wild, Wild West starring Robert Conrad; on shooting in color on The Wild, Wild West; on directing Raymond Burr in Ironside; on Universal wanting people to be loyal to the studio
On the difficulty of directing Mission: Impossible; on directing Star Trek episodes "This Side of Paradise", "Metamorphosis", "Obsession", "Return to Tomorrow", "Bread and Circuses", "Is There No Truth in Beauty? and "The Tholian Web"; on getting fired from Star Trek
On directing the cast of Star Trek; on the legacy of the show
Chapter 4
On directing The Courtship of Eddie's Father; on directing several episodes of The Bill Cosby Show and The Partridge Family on Playhouse 90 and how to direct comedies and dramas; on directing The Waltons; on Ron Howard guest-starring on the episode "The Gift" on The Waltons; on "The Conflict," "The Marathon," "The Pony Cart," and "Grandma Comes Home" episodes of The Waltons
On changing the "Goodnight, John Boy" ending in the "Grandma Comes Home" episode of The Waltons; on directing Buddy Ebsen in Barnaby Jones; on the death of Eight Is Enough's Diana Hyland; on directing Ed Asner in Lou Grant; on directing several episodes of Insight, shot on tape; on the chemistry between leads Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers on Hart to Hart
On his role in the creation of Dynasty; on George Peppard being the original "Blake Carrington" on Dynasty; on his short tenure with the show
On directing The Paper Chase on Showtime; on how technology has influenced his directing; on his proudest achievement; on advice to aspiring directors; on how he'd like to be remembered
Shows
Arrest and Trial
Ralph Senensky on directing Arrest and Trial starring Ben Gazarra and Chuck Connors
Ralph Senensky on a story from directing Arrest and Trial
Barnaby Jones
Ralph Senensky on directing Buddy Ebsen in Barnaby Jones
Big Valley, The
Ralph Senensky on directing Barbara Stanwyck in The Big Valley
Bill Cosby Show, The
Ralph Senensky on directing several episodes of The Bill Cosby Show
Breaking Point
Ralph Senensky on directing Breaking Point and "The Bull Roarer" episode in which a young man thinks he might be gay
Ralph Senensky on directing Breaking Point and "The Bull Roarer" episode in which a young man thinks he might be gay
Courtship of Eddie's Father, The
Ralph Senensky on directing The Courtship of Eddie's Father
Dr. Kildare
Ralph Senensky on meeting Norman Felton and how he got his first directing assignment - for Dr. Kildare
Ralph Senensky on directing Dr. Kildare
Ralph Senensky on the editing room of Dr. Kildare
Ralph Senensky on directing Carolyn Jones and building a relationship with James Komack that led to directing The Courtship of Eddie's Father
Dynasty
Ralph Senensky on his role in the creation of Dynasty
Eight Is Enough
Ralph Senensky on the death of Eight Is Enough's Diana Hyland
Family
Ralph Senensky on actors winning Emmys for the episode of Family he directed
FBI, The
Ralph Senensky on directing sixteen episodes of The F.B.I. starring Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.
Ralph Senensky on actual F.B.I. input on The F.B.I.; on sponsor Ford Motor Cars; on specific episodes of the show: "The Death Wind", and "The Assassin"
Fugitive, The
Ralph Senensky on directing four episodes of The Fugitive starring David Janssen and the success of the series
Hart to Hart
Ralph Senensky on the chemistry between leads Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers on Hart to Hart
Insight
Ralph Senensky on directing several episodes of Insight, shot on tape
Ironside
Ralph Senensky on directing Raymond Burr in Ironside
Lou Grant
Ralph Senensky on directing Ed Asner in Lou Grant
Mission: Impossible
Ralph Senensky on the difficulty of directing Mission: Impossible; on working with the stars of the show
Naked City
Ralph Senensky on directing Naked City
Nanny and the Professor
Ralph Senensky on directing The Partridge Family and Nanny and the Professor
Paper Chase, The
Ralph Senensky on directing The Paper Chase on Showtime
Partridge Family, The
Ralph Senensky on directing The Partridge Family
Playhouse 90
Ralph Senensky on his first job at Playhouse 90 and becoming Production Supervisor
Ralph Senensky on the Playhouse 90 production of "The Death of Manolete"
Ralph Senensky on his on-the-job training at Playhouse 90 and the production process
Ralph Senensky on difficulties on a production of "Last Clear Chance" on Playhouse 90
Ralph Senensky on the legacy of Playhouse 90
Ralph Senensky on Playhouse 90 and how to direct comedies and dramas
Playhouse 90: "The Death of Manolete"
Ralph Senensky on the Playhouse 90 production of "The Death of Manolete"
Route 66
Ralph Senensky on directing Route 66; on shooting on location
Star Trek
Ralph Senensky on directing six episodes of Star Trek
Ralph Senensky on directing the "Metamorphosis" episode of Star Trek
Ralph Senensky on directing the "Obsession" episode of Star Trek
Ralph Senensky on directing the "Return to Tomorrow" episode of Star Trek
Ralph Senensky on directing the "Bread and Circuses" episode of Star Trek
Ralph Senensky on controversy over a prop when directing the "Is There No Truth in Beauty?" episode of Star Trek
Ralph Senensky on directing "The Tholian Web" episode of Star Trek
Ralph Senensky on directing the cast of Star Trek; on the legacy of the show
Star Trek: "Metamorphosis"
Ralph Senensky on directing the "Metamorphosis" episode of Star Trek
Star Trek: "This Side of Paradise"
Ralph Senensky on directing "This Side of Paradise" episode of Star Trek
Twilight Zone, The
Ralph Senensky on directing Burgess Meredith in "The Printer's Devil" episode of The Twilight Zone
Ralph Senensky on directing Burgess Meredith in the "Printer's Devil" episode of The Twilight Zone
Waltons, The
Ralph Senensky on directing "The Gift," "The Conflict," "The Marathon," "The Pony Cart" episodes of The Waltons
Ralph Senensky on directing "Grandma Comes Home" episodes of The Waltons; on changing the "Goodnight, John Boy" ending in the "Grandma Comes Home" episode of The Waltons
Wild Wild West, The
Ralph Senensky on directing The Wild, Wild West starring Robert Conrad
Topics
Anthology Drama
Ralph Senensky on working on Playhouse 90
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Ralph Senensky on censorship when directing Breaking Point and "The Bull Roarer" episode in which a young man thinks he might be gay
Historic Events and Social Change
Ralph Senensky on serving in World War II
Ralph Senensky on an episode of Arrest and Trial shutting down because of JFK's assassination
Hollywood Blacklist
Ralph Senensky on his experiences with McCarthyism and the Blacklist
JFK Assassination and Funeral
Ralph Senensky on an episode of Arrest and Trial shutting down because of JFK's assassination
LGBTQIA+
Ralph Senensky on directing Breaking Point and "The Bull Roarer" episode in which a young man thinks he might be gay
Representation on Television
Ralph Senensky on censorship when directing Breaking Point and "The Bull Roarer" episode in which a young man thinks he might be gay
Technological Innovation
Ralph Senensky on shooting in color on The Wild, Wild West
Ralph Senensky on how technology has influenced his directing
Television Industry
Ralph Senensky on censorship when directing Breaking Point and "The Bull Roarer" episode in which a young man thinks he might be gay
TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)
Ralph Senensky on working on Playhouse 90
War
Ralph Senensky on serving in World War II
We Cried
Ralph Senensky on directing the "Grandma Comes Home" episode of The Waltons
World War II
Ralph Senensky on serving in World War II
Professions
Directors
Ralph Senensky on being the director's assistant in a high school play in Iowa and falling in love with directing
Ralph Senensky on how he got his first directing assignment - for Dr. Kildare
Ralph Senensky on advice to aspiring directors
Genres
Adventure/Espionage Series
Ralph Senensky on the difficulty of directing Mission: Impossible; on working with the stars of the show
Ralph Senensky on actual F.B.I. input on The F.B.I.; on sponsor Ford Motor Cars; on specific episodes of the show: "The Death Wind", and "The Assassin"
Classic Anthology Series
Ralph Senensky on working on Playhouse 90
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
Ralph Senensky on directing four episodes of The Fugitive starring David Janssen and the success of the series
Daytime/Primetime Serials
Ralph Senensky on his role in the creation of Dynasty
Drama Series
Ralph Senensky on directing Raymond Burr in Ironside
Ralph Senensky on directing several episodes of The Waltons
Medical Dramas
Ralph Senensky on directing Dr. Kildare
Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series
Ralph Senensky on directing Star Trek, working with the actors, and the enduring nature of the show
Western Series
Ralph Senensky on directing The Wild, Wild West starring Robert Conrad
People
Alan A. Armer
Ralph Senensky on Alan Armer's contributions to the success of The Fugitive
Edward Asner
Ralph Senensky on directing Ed Asner in Lou Grant
Ed Begley
Ralph Senensky on directing Route 66
Bill Bixby
Ralph Senensky on directing Bill Bixby and Brandon Cruz on The Courtship of Eddie's Father
Herbert Brodkin
Ralph Senensky on Playhouse 90 producer Herbert Brodkin
Raymond Burr
Ralph Senensky on directing Raymond Burr in Ironside
David Cassidy
Ralph Senensky on directing the musical numbers on The Partridge Family
Richard Chamberlain
Ralph Senensky on working with Richard Chamberlain on Dr. Kildare
Fred Coe
Ralph Senensky on Playhouse 90 producer Fred Coe
Chuck Connors
Ralph Senensky on directing Arrest and Trial starring Ben Gazarra and Chuck Connors
Robert Conrad
Ralph Senensky on directing The Wild, Wild West starring Robert Conrad
Gene Coon
Ralph Senensky on directing Star Trek
Ralph Senensky on directing the "Metamorphosis" episode of Star Trek
Ralph Senensky on the enduring nature of Star Trek
Ellen Corby
Ralph Senensky on directing the "Grandma Comes Home" episode of The Waltons
Bill Cosby
Ralph Senensky on directing several episodes of The Bill Cosby Show
Douglas S. Cramer
Ralph Senensky on directing "The Tholian Web" episode of Star Trek and getting fired
Brandon Cruz
Ralph Senensky on directing Bill Bixby and Brandon Cruz on The Courtship of Eddie's Father
Bette Davis
Ralph Senensky on Bette Davis not getting approved by the F.B.I. to appear on The F.B.I.
James Doohan
Ralph Senensky on directing the cast of Star Trek
Buddy Ebsen
Ralph Senensky on directing Buddy Ebsen in Barnaby Jones
Norman Felton
Ralph Senensky on meeting Norman Felton and how he got his first directing assignment - for Dr. Kildare
Ralph Senensky on working with Norman Felton
John Forsythe
Ralph Senensky on John Forsythe replacing George Peppard as "Blake Carrington" on Dynasty
John Frankenheimer
Ralph Senensky on the Playhouse 90 production of "The Death of Manolete"
Ralph Senensky on learning from Playhouse 90 director John Frankenheimer
Ben Gazzara
Ralph Senensky on directing Arrest and Trial starring Ben Gazarra and Chuck Connors
Earl Hamner, Jr.
Ralph Senensky on directing The Waltons
George Roy Hill
Ralph Senensky on difficulties on a production of "Last Clear Chance" on Playhouse 90
Ralph Senensky on learning from Playhouse 90 director George Roy Hill
Steven Hill
Ralph Senensky on directing the cast (Steven Hill, Martin Landau) on Mission: Impossible
Herbert Hirschman
Ralph Senensky on producer Herbert Hirschman getting him the job on The Twilight Zone
J. Edgar Hoover
Ralph Senensky on actual F.B.I. input on The F.B.I.
John Houseman
Ralph Senensky on Playhouse 90 producer John Houseman
Ralph Senensky on directing The Paper Chase on Showtime
Ron Howard
Ralph Senensky on Ron Howard guest-starring on the episode "The Gift" on The Waltons
Diana Hyland
Ralph Senensky on the death of Eight Is Enough's Diana Hyland
Dean Jagger
Ralph Senensky on "The Assassin" episode of The F.B.I.
David Janssen
Ralph Senensky on directing four episodes of The Fugitive starring David Janssen
Carolyn Jones
Ralph Senensky on directing Carolyn Jones and building a relationship with James Komack that led to directing The Courtship of Eddie's Father
Shirley Jones
Ralph Senensky on directing the musical numbers on The Partridge Family
Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.
Ralph Senensky on directing sixteen episodes of The F.B.I. starring Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.
Ralph Senensky on "The Death Wind", "The Assassin" episode of The F.B.I.
DeForest Kelley
Ralph Senensky on directing the cast of Star Trek
James Komack
Ralph Senensky on directing Carolyn Jones and building a relationship with James Komack that led to directing The Courtship of Eddie's Father
Martin Landau
Ralph Senensky on directing the cast (Steven Hill, Martin Landau) on Mission: Impossible
Al Lewis
Ralph Senensky on his experiences with McCarthyism and the Blacklist
Ida Lupino
Ralph Senensky on directing an episode of The Wild, Wild West with Ida Lupino
Delbert Mann
Ralph Senensky on Playhouse 90 producer Fred Coe and Delbert Mann
Martin Manulis
Ralph Senensky on difficulties on a production of "Last Clear Chance" on Playhouse 90
Ralph Senensky on Playhouse 90 producer Martin Manulis
Quinn Martin
Ralph Senensky on Quinn Martin's contributions to the success of The Fugitive
Burgess Meredith
Ralph Senensky on directing Burgess Meredith in the "Printer's Devil" episode of The Twilight Zone
Paul Muni
Ralph Senensky on difficulties on a production of "Last Clear Chance" on Playhouse 90
Leonard Nimoy
Ralph Senensky on directing "This Side of Paradise" episode of Star Trek
Ralph Senensky on controversy over a prop when directing the "Is There No Truth in Beauty?" episode of Star Trek
Ralph Senensky on directing the cast of Star Trek
George Peppard
Ralph Senensky on George Peppard being the original "Blake Carrington" on Dynasty
Stefanie Powers
Ralph Senensky on the chemistry between leads Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers on Hart to Hart
Robert Redford
Ralph Senensky on Robert Redford being the first choice for the psychiatrist in "The Bull Roarer" episode of Breaking Point
Gene Roddenberry
Ralph Senensky on controversy over a prop when directing the "Is There No Truth in Beauty?" episode of Star Trek
Ruth Roman
Ralph Senensky on directing Route 66
Mickey Rooney
Ralph Senensky on an episode of Arrest and Trial shutting down because of JFK's assassination
Meta Rosenberg
Ralph Senensky on directing Breaking Point and "The Bull Roarer" episode in which a young man thinks he might be gay
Franklin J. Schaffner
Ralph Senensky on learning from Playhouse 90 director Franklin J. Schaffner
Rod Serling
Ralph Senensky on Rod Serling
Esther Shapiro
Ralph Senensky on his role in the creation of Dynasty
Richard Shapiro
Ralph Senensky on his role in the creation of Dynasty
William Shatner
Ralph Senensky on controversy over a prop when directing the "Is There No Truth in Beauty?" episode of Star Trek
Ralph Senensky on directing "The Tholian Web" episode of Star Trek and getting fired
Ralph Senensky on directing the cast of Star Trek
Ralph Senensky on William Shatner controversy on Star Trek
Herbert F. Solow
Ralph Senensky on directing the "Obsession" episode of Star Trek and Herb Solow adjusting Senensky's schedule for Jewish holidays
Ralph Senensky on directing "The Tholian Web" episode of Star Trek and getting fired
Barbara Stanwyck
Ralph Senensky on directing Barbara Stanwyck in The Big Valley; on how she was a class act
George Takei
Ralph Senensky on directing the cast of Star Trek
Robert Wagner
Ralph Senensky on the chemistry between leads Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers on Hart to Hart