About
"We make all these jokes about every waiter and waitress in L.A. is an actor. They have to be waiters and waitresses, they have to make a living so they can follow their dream. My advice to them is: if you want to do it this badly hang in there, but make sure you can pay the rent."
In his three-and-a-half-hour interview, Richard Crenna (1926-2003) talks about his early years as a busy radio actor in Hollywood. He speaks fondly about the radio community and his work with some of the top comic talents of the era. Crenna lists his various regular roles in radio including teenager "Oogie Pringle" in A Date with Judy, which he demonstrates briefly. He describes developing a sense of comic rhythm in radio that influenced his later work as an actor and director in television. He discusses in great detail his appearance as "Walter Denton" in the sitcom Our Miss Brooks, "Luke McCoy" in the rural sitcom The Real McCoys, and "James Slattery" in the political drama Slattery's People. Crenna also speaks of his work as a director, notably helming episodes of The Andy Griffith Show. He describes his later television work executive-producing Make Room for Granddaddy, and appearing in the miniseries Centennial, the sitcom All's Fair, the sitcom It Takes Two, and the telefilm The Rape of Richard Beck, the latter of which won him an Emmy award. He also talks about his feature films, working with director Robert Wise in The Sand Pebbles and director Lawrence Kasdan in Body Heat. He then talks about playing the role for which he is most identified, "Colonel Trautman" in the Rambo movies. Finally, he briefly discusses his recurring character on the television drama series Judging Amy. Henry Colman conducted the interview on April 3, 2002 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Richard Crenna on the writers of The Real McCoys, and on his character "Luke McCoy"
Richard Crenna on directing Jim Nabors on The Andy Griffith Show
Richard Crenna on acting in Centennial
Richard Crenna on starring in the short-lived Norman Lear sitcom All's Fair with Bernadette Peters
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on realizing he wanted to be an actor; on his activities during World War II
On appearing on various radio shows while he was in college; on appearing on the radio show "A Date with Judy"; on appearing on George Burns and Gracie Allen's radio show, and on working with Lionel Barrymore in radio
On working with Mickey Rooney on the radio show "The Hardy Family"; on Hollywood in the 1940s
Chapter 2
On playing "Walter Denton" on Our Miss Brooks starring Eve Arden, and on appearing on I Love Lucy; on working with, and learning from Eve Arden on Our Miss Brooks; on the show being produced by Desilu
On specific episodes of Our Miss Brooks, and on what the show was about; on leaving Our Miss Brooks, and on the end of the series
On being cast by Sheldon Leonard as "Luke McCoy" on The Real McCoys, and on working with Walter Brennan; on the format and story of The Real McCoys, and on the writing of the show
Chapter 3
On the writers of The Real McCoys, and on his character "Luke McCoy"; on the end of The Real McCoys; on specific episodes of The Real McCoys
On the production of The Real McCoys, and on directing episodes; on Danny Thomas producing The Real McCoys
On the Hollywood Blacklist; on directing The Andy Griffith Show, specifically the classic episode "Opie the Birdman," which featured Ron Howard as "Opie Taylor"
Chapter 4
On directing Jim Nabors on The Andy Griffith Show; on playing James Slattery on Slattery's People; on working with Ed Asner on Slattery's People, and on the end of the show
On directing Wendy and Me, produced by George Burns and starring Connie Stevens; on directing No Time for Sergeants, and on working with producer Bill Orr; on directing Lou Grant, starring Ed Asner
On directing The Rockford Files, starring James Garner and guest-starring Rita Moreno; on directing a pilot for Marie Osmond; on directing pilots for series, and on the craft of directing for television
Chapter 5
On producing Make Room for Granddaddy, starring Danny Thomas; on Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. guest-starring on Make Room for Granddaddy, and on previous experiences with the two men; on directing Turnabout
On juggling being a producer, actor, and director; on appearing in the made-for-television movies Thief, Footsteps, and Double Indemnity
On appearing on The Lily Tomlin Comedy Hour; on appearing in several made-for-television movies
Chapter 6
On acting in Centennial; on starring in the short-lived Norman Lear sitcom All's Fair with Bernadette Peters
On starring in It Takes Two with Patty Duke; on his philosophy of acting, and on the cast of It Takes Two; on working with Steve McQueen in the feature "The Sand Pebbles," and on appearing in the feature "Body Heat"
Chapter 7
On appearing in the feature film "Rambo" with Sylvester Stallone; on appearing in the feature film "Hot Shots Part Deux"; on appearing in the "Frank Janek" series of made-for-television movies
On directing a pilot with Andy Griffith; on starring in The Rape of Richard Beck; on playing H. Ross Perot in On Wings of Eagles
On appearing in Gabriel's Fire, and on playing Ronald Reagan; on appearing in Judging Amy with Tyne Daly; on advice to aspiring actors
Shows
All's Fair
Richard Crenna on starring in the short-lived Norman Lear sitcom All's Fair with Bernadette Peters
Andy Griffith Show, The
Richard Crenna on directing The Andy Griffith Show, specifically the classic episode "Opie the Birdman," which featured Ron Howard as "Opie Taylor"
Richard Crenna on directing Jim Nabors on The Andy Griffith Show
Centennial
Richard Crenna on acting in Centennial
Double Indemnity
Richard Crenna on starring in a television remake of Double Indemnity
Double Solitaire
Richard Crenna on appearing in Double Solitaire
Footsteps
Richard Crenna on starring in the made-for-television movie Footsteps
Girl Named Sooner, A
Richard Crenna on appearing in A Girl Named Sooner, directed by Delbert Mann
Honky Tonk
Richard Crenna on appearing in Honky Tonk
I Love Lucy
Richard Crenna on playing "Walter Denton" on Our Miss Brooks starring Eve Arden, and on appearing on I Love Lucy
It Takes Two
Richard Crenna on starring in It Takes Two with Patty Duke
Richard Crenna on working with Helen Hunt and Anthony Edwards on It Takes Two, and on the end of the show
Richard Crenna on working with Patty Duke on It Takes Two
Judging Amy
Richard Crenna on appearing in Judging Amy with Tyne Daly
Lily Tomlin Comedy Hour
Richard Crenna on appearing on The Lily Tomlin Comedy Hour with Richard Pryor
Lou Grant
Richard Crenna on directing Lou Grant, starring Ed Asner
Make Room for Granddaddy
Richard Crenna on producing Make Room for Granddaddy, starring Danny Thomas
Richard Crenna on Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. guest-starring on Make Room for Granddaddy, and on previous experiences with the two men
Nightmare
Richard Crenna on appearing in Nightmare with Patty Duke
On Wings of Eagles
Richard Crenna on playing H. Ross Perot in On Wings of Eagles
Our Miss Brooks
Richard Crenna on playing "Walter Denton" on Our Miss Brooks starring Eve Arden, and on appearing on I Love Lucy
Richard Crenna on working with, and learning from Eve Arden on Our Miss Brooks
Richard Crenna on Desilu producing Our Miss Brooks
Richard Crenna on specific episodes of Our Miss Brooks, and on what the show was about
Richard Crenna on leaving Our Miss Brooks, and on the end of the series
Rape of Richard Beck, The
Richard Crenna on starring in The Rape of Richard Beck
Real McCoys, The
Richard Crenna on being cast by Sheldon Leonard as "Luke McCoy" on The Real McCoys, and on working with Walter Brennan
Richard Crenna on the format and story of The Real McCoys, and on the writing of the show
Richard Crenna on the writers of The Real McCoys, and on his character "Luke McCoy"
Richard Crenna on the family dynamic of The Real McCoys, and on the death of Kate McCoy, played by Kathleen Nolan, on the show
Richard Crenna on the end of The Real McCoys
Richard Crenna on specific episodes of The Real McCoys
Richard Crenna on the production of The Real McCoys, and on directing episodes
Richard Crenna on Danny Thomas producing The Real McCoys
Rockford Files, The
Richard Crenna on directing The Rockford Files, starring James Garner and guest-starring Rita Moreno
Shootout in a One Dog Town
Richard Crenna on appearing in Shootout in a One Dog Town
Slattery's People
Richard Crenna on playing James Slattery on Slattery's People
Richard Crenna on working with Ed Asner on Slattery's People, and on the stories on the show
Richard Crenna on the cancellation of Slattery's People
Thief
Richard Crenna on starring in the made-for-television movie Thief with Angie Dickinson
Turnabout
Richard Crenna on directing Turnabout
United States Steel Hour, The: "No Time for Sergeants"
Richard Crenna on directing No Time for Sergeants (misidentified here as "No Room for Sergeants"), and on working with producer Bill Orr
Wendy and Me
Richard Crenna on directing Wendy and Me, produced by George Burns and starring Connie Stevens
Topics
Advice
Richard Crenna on advice to aspiring actors
Historic Events and Social Change
Richard Crenna on his activities during World War II
Hollywood Blacklist
Richard Crenna on the Hollywood Blacklist
Industry Crossroads
Richard Crenna on the Hollywood Blacklist
Television Industry
Richard Crenna on the Hollywood Blacklist
Richard Crenna on advice to aspiring actors
War
Richard Crenna on his activities during World War II
World War II
Richard Crenna on his activities during World War II
Professions
Actor
Richard Crenna on his philosophy of acting
Richard Crenna on advice to aspiring actors
Directors
Richard Crenna on directing pilots for series
Richard Crenna on the craft of directing for television
Performers
Richard Crenna on his philosophy of acting
Richard Crenna on advice to aspiring actors
Genres
Comedy Series
Richard Crenna on playing "Walter Denton" on Our Miss Brooks
Richard Crenna on directing The Andy Griffith Show, specifically the classic episode "Opie the Birdman," which featured Ron Howard as "Opie Taylor"
Richard Crenna on directing Wendy and Me, produced by George Burns and starring Connie Stevens
Richard Crenna on directing No Time for Sergeants (misidentified here as "No Room for Sergeants"), and on working with producer Bill Orr
Richard Crenna on producing Make Room for Granddaddy, starring Danny Thomas
Richard Crenna on directing Turnabout
Richard Crenna on starring in the short-lived Norman Lear sitcom All's Fair with Bernadette Peters
Richard Crenna on It Takes Two
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
Richard Crenna on directing The Rockford Files, starring James Garner and guest-starring Rita Moreno
Drama Series
Richard Crenna on playing James Slattery on Slattery's People
Richard Crenna on directing Lou Grant, starring Ed Asner
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Richard Crenna on appearing on The Lily Tomlin Comedy Hour with Richard Pryor
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Richard Crenna on starring in the made-for-television movie Thief with Angie Dickinson
Richard Crenna on starring in the made-for-television movie Footsteps
Richard Crenna on starring in a television remake of Double Indemnity
Richard Crenna on appearing in Nightmare with Patty Duke
Richard Crenna on appearing in Shootout in a One Dog Town
Richard Crenna on appearing in Honky Tonk
Richard Crenna on appearing in Double Solitaire
Richard Crenna on appearing in A Girl Named Sooner, directed by Delbert Mann
Richard Crenna on appearing in the "Frank Janek" series of made-for-television movies
Western Series
Richard Crenna on playing "Luke McCoy" on The Real McCoys
Richard Crenna on playing "Luke McCoy" on The Real McCoys
People
Gracie Allen
Richard Crenna on appearing on George Burns and Gracie Allen's radio show, and on working with Lionel Barrymore in radio
Eve Arden
Richard Crenna on playing "Walter Denton" on Our Miss Brooks starring Eve Arden, and on appearing on I Love Lucy
Richard Crenna on working with, and learning from Eve Arden on Our Miss Brooks
Edward Asner
Richard Crenna on working with Ed Asner on Slattery's People, and on the stories on the show
Richard Crenna on directing Lou Grant starring Ed Asner
Walter Brennan
Richard Crenna on being cast by Sheldon Leonard as "Luke McCoy" on The Real McCoys, and on working with Walter Brennan
George Burns
Richard Crenna on appearing on George Burns and Gracie Allen's radio show, and on working with Lionel Barrymore in radio
Richard Crenna on directing Wendy and Me, produced by George Burns and starring Connie Stevens
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Richard Crenna on Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. guest-starring on Make Room for Granddaddy, and on previous experiences with the two men
Patty Duke
Richard Crenna on appearing in Nightmare with Patty Duke
Richard Crenna on working with Patty Duke on It Takes Two
James Garner
Richard Crenna on directing The Rockford Files starring James Garner and guest-starring Rita Moreno
Andy Griffith
Richard Crenna on directing The Andy Griffith Show, specifically the classic episode "Opie the Birdman," which featured Ron Howard as "Opie Taylor"
Richard Crenna on directing a pilot with Andy Griffith
Ron Howard
Richard Crenna on directing The Andy Griffith Show, specifically the classic episode "Opie the Birdman," which featured Ron Howard as "Opie Taylor"
Helen Hunt
Richard Crenna on working with Helen Hunt and Anthony Edwards on It Takes Two, and on the end of the show
Norman Lear
Richard Crenna on starring in the short-lived Norman Lear sitcom All's Fair with Bernadette Peters
Sheldon Leonard
Richard Crenna on being cast by Sheldon Leonard as "Luke McCoy" on The Real McCoys, and on working with Walter Brennan
Delbert Mann
Richard Crenna on appearing in A Girl Named Sooner, directed by Delbert Mann
Rita Moreno
Richard Crenna on directing The Rockford Files starring James Garner and guest-starring Rita Moreno
Jim Nabors
Richard Crenna on directing Jim Nabors on The Andy Griffith Show
Marie Osmond
Richard Crenna on directing a pilot for Marie Osmond
Bernadette Peters
Richard Crenna on starring in the short-lived Norman Lear sitcom All's Fair with Bernadette Peters
Richard Pryor
Richard Crenna on appearing on The Lily Tomlin Comedy Hour with Richard Pryor
Ronald Reagan
Richard Crenna on playing Ronald Reagan
Mickey Rooney
Richard Crenna on working with Mickey Rooney on the radio show "The Hardy Family"
Frank Sinatra
Richard Crenna on Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. guest-starring on Make Room for Granddaddy, and on previous experiences with the two men
Sylvester Stallone
Richard Crenna on appearing in the feature film "Rambo" with Sylvester Stallone
Danny Thomas
Richard Crenna on Danny Thomas producing The Real McCoys
Richard Crenna on forming a production company with Danny Thomas and doing the pilot Captain Newman, M.D
Richard Crenna on producing Make Room for Granddaddy, starring Danny Thomas
Lily Tomlin
Richard Crenna on appearing on The Lily Tomlin Comedy Hour with Richard Pryor