About
"I adore the decent handling of people and I do that. Mostly they respond, sometimes they don't. But I give them a good shake, and I'm rewarded in that. One actor said to me, 'one of the greatest gifts is the way you handle people.' And I like that and find that kind of comforting."
In his five-hour interview, Robert Butler (1927-2023) describes breaking into the business as an usher at CBS. He speaks of his experiences in various behind-the-scenes capacities on classic "live" anthology series Climax! and Playhouse 90. He discusses his first break in television directing on the comedy/drama series Hennesey. Butler then details his varied assignments in series television in the 1960s on The Detectives, Bonanza, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Dr. Kildare, Gunsmoke, The Defenders, The Fugitive, Hogan's Heroes, The Twilight Zone, Batman, and Star Trek. He recalls his work in the 1970s on television movies (such as Columbo Movies of the Week and James Dean) and on feature films. He then outlines his groundbreaking work on the look of Hill Street Blues, for which he directed several of the initial episodes (including the pilot). He talks about his later work on Remington Steele, Moonlighting, Out on a Limb, Midnight Caller (which he also executive-produced), Sisters, and Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview on January 14, 2004 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Robert Butler on directing the original pilot of Star Trek ("The Cage")
Robert Butler on the look of Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on working with Cybill Shepherd on the Moonlighting pilot telefilm
Robert Butler on advice to aspiring directors
Robert Butler on his proudest achievement
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on his interest in jazz; on attending UCLA
On becoming an usher at CBS and working his way up the ranks to become a stage manager; on being an associate director on Playhouse 90 and Climax!
Chapter 2
On Playhouse 90 and Climax! teleplays that he worked on as an assistant director (AD); on the effect of the Blacklist; on wanting to become a director
On his first directing job on Hennesey; on directing Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Have Gun, Will Travel, The Untouchables, and The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor
Chapter 3
On directing episodes of Bonanza, Shane, and Dr. Kildare
On directing Stoney Burke, Ben Case, and The Richard Boone Show
On directing The Defenders and The Fugitive
Chapter 4
On directing black and white and color episodes of The Fugitive; on directing The Fugitive episode "Corner of Hell"
On directing the pilot of Hogan's Heroes; on controversial elements of the show and establishing the tone of the series
On directing several episodes of The Twilight Zone
Chapter 5
On directing The Twilight Zone teleplay "Caesar and Me" starring Jackie Cooper
On directing the pilot and a few other Batman episodes; on the crazy elements on the show; on working with the cast and with guest stars
On the comic book elements on Batman; on lighting challenges on the show and working with Frank Gorshin ("The Riddler") and Burgess Meredith ("The Penguin")
Chapter 6
On directing the original Star Trek pilot
On directing episodes of The Invaders, Ironside, I Spy, and Mission: Impossible
On directing Kung Fu and The Waltons
Chapter 7
On directing Columbo
On directing feature films for Disney and Wonderful World of Disney shows including Kilroy
On directing television movies-of-the-week and their lack of specificity compared to series television
On directing the miniseries The Blue Knight (1975) starring William Holden
On directing the TV movie A Strange New World
On directing the TV movie James Dean (1976)
On becoming involved in directing Hill Street Blues
Chapter 8
On the casting and the gritty style of Hill Street Blues
On network and audience reaction to Hill Street Blues; on his directing style and trademark elements on the show; on the theme song and opening sequence
On the structure of storylines on Hill Street Blues; on the show's color scheme and working with Steven Bochco and Michael Kozoll
Chapter 9
On working with the cast of Hill Street Blues; on why he stayed as a regular director on Hill Street Blues
On co-creating and casting Remington Steele
On directing the pilot of Moonlighting
On directing Shirley MacLaine in Out on a Limb
Chapter 10
On executive producing Midnight Caller; on directing the pilot of Sisters and directing Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
On his directing style; on his work with the Directors Guild of America; on then-current projects; on how he'd like to be remembered
Shows
Batman
Robert Butler on directing the pilot and a few other Batman episodes
Robert Butler on Bill Dozier setting the tone of Batman and working with Adam West
Robert Butler on some of the fun and crazy elements on Batman; on the "dynamic duo"
Robert Butler on the guest stars on Batman
Robert Butler on the fight scenes and comic book elements on Batman
Robert Butler on the two episode structure and cliffhangers often used on Batman
Robert Butler on lighting challenges on Batman
Robert Butler on the camp nature of Batman
Robert Butler on the titles of Batman episodes and working with Frank Gorshin ("The Riddler") on Batman
Robert Butler on episodes 3 and 4 of Batman featuring Burgess Meredith as "The Penguin"
Ben Casey
Robert Butler on directing episodes of Ben Casey
Blue Knight, The
Robert Butler on directing the miniseries The Blue Knight (1975) starring William Holden
Bonanza
Robert Butler on directing an episode of Bonanza, "Broken Ballad" (airdate: October 29, 1961) where the cast gave him a difficult time (Note: interviewer mistakenly calls Lorne Greene "Lorne Michaels")
Climax!
Robert Butler on working with composer Jerry Goldsmith and director Buzz Kulik on Climax!
Robert Butler on the concept of Climax!
Columbo
Robert Butler on directing Columbo
Defenders, The
Robert Butler on directing a Defenders episode where an actor was deemed "unacceptable" due to the Blacklist
Robert Butler on directing a Defenders episode where an actor was deemed "unacceptable" due to the Blacklist
Robert Butler on directing episodes of and rehearsals on The Defenders
Detectives, The
Robert Butler on directing The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor
Dick Powell Show, The
Robert Butler on directing The Dick Powell Show and anothologies in general
Dick Van Dyke Show, The
Robert Butler on directing The Dick Van Dyke Show
Dr. Kildare
Robert Butler on directing Dr. Kildare
Fugitive, The
Robert Butler on directing episodes of The Fugitive
Robert Butler on directing black and white and color episodes of The Fugitive
Robert Butler on directing The Fugitive episode "Corner of Hell"
Gunsmoke
Robert Butler on directing episodes of Gunsmoke
Have Gun - Will Travel
Robert Butler on directing one episode of Have Gun, Will Travel
Hennesey
Robert Butler on his first directing job on Hennesey
Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on becoming involved in directing Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on casting Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on the look of Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on network reaction to the gritty style of Hill Street Blues and Grant Tinker protecting the show
Robert Butler on audience reaction to Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on the ensemble nature of storytelling and shooting on Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on his approach to directing episodes of Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on some of the trademark elements of Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on the theme song to Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on the opening sequence of Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on the structure of the storylines on Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on the harsh language and realism on Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on the color scheme on Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on not revealing the location of Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on working with show creators Steven Bochco and Mike Kozoll on Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on working with the cast of Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on why he stayed as a regular director on Hill Street Blues
Hogan's Heroes
Robert Butler on directing the pilot of Hogan's Heroes
Robert Butler on establishing the tone of Hogan's Heroes
Robert Butler on enjoying directing Hogan's Heroes when he hadn't enjoyed directing comedies before; on differences between single camera and multi-camera productions
Robert Butler on directing the pilot and several episodes of Hogan's Heroes
I Spy
Robert Butler on directing I Spy
Invaders, The
Robert Butler on directing episodes of The Invaders
Ironside
Robert Butler on directing Ironside
James Dean
Robert Butler on directing the TV movie James Dean (1976)
Kung Fu
Robert Butler on directing Kung Fu; on cheating shots
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Robert Butler on directing Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, The
Robert Butler on mishaps directing Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
Midnight Caller
Robert Butler on executive producing Midnight Caller
Mission: Impossible
Robert Butler on feeling constrained as a director on Mission: Impossible; on directing suspense
Moonlighting
Robert Butler on Moonlighting creator Glenn Gordon Caron's sensibilities, and the pilots the two worked on before Butler directed the Moonlighting pilot telefilm
Robert Butler on the casting of Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis (and Willis' screen test) for Moonlighting [the telefilm pilot of which Butler directed]
Robert Butler on the pace of the dialogue for the pilot telefilm of Moonlighting
Robert Butler on Moonlighting creator Glenn Gordon Caron
Robert Butler on working with Cybill Shepherd on the Moonlighting pilot telefilm
Robert Butler on working with Bruce Willis on the Moonlighting pilot telefilm
Robert Butler on only directing the pilot of Moonlighting
Out on a Limb
Robert Butler on directing Shirley MacLaine in Out on a Limb
Playhouse 90
Robert Butler on being an associate director/AD on Playhouse 90
Robert Butler on being an associate director/AD on specific productions of Playhouse 90 penned by Reginald Rose, including "A Quiet Game of Cards"
Robert Butler on various Playhouse 90 teleplays that were not always successful
Remington Steele
Robert Butler on co-creating Remington Steele
Robert Butler on co-creating and casting Remington Steele
Richard Boone Show, The
Robert Butler on directing teleplays of The Richard Boone Show
Shane
Robert Butler on directing an episode of Shane
Sisters
Robert Butler on directing the pilot of Sisters
Robert Butler on the creativity in shooting Sisters
Star Trek
Robert Butler on directing the original pilot of Star Trek ("The Cage")
Stoney Burke
Robert Butler on directing Jack Lord on Stoney Burke
Twilight Zone, The
Robert Butler on directing several episodes of The Twilight Zone
Robert Butler on directing The Twilight Zone teleplay "Caesar and Me" starring Jackie Cooper
Untouchables, The
Robert Butler on directing The Untouchables
Waltons, The
Robert Butler on filters used while directing The Waltons
Robert Butler on directing The Waltons (including the episode "Airmail Man")
Wonderful World of Disney, The aka Magical World of Disney, The
Robert Butler on directing Wonderful World of Disney shows including Kilroy
Topics
Advice
Robert Butler on advice to aspiring directors
Characters & Catchphrases
Robert Butler on directing Columbo
Classic TV Series Episodes
Robert Butler on directing the original pilot of Star Trek ("The Cage")
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Robert Butler on his mentors and people he's mentored
Hollywood Blacklist
Robert Butler on directing a Defenders episode where an actor was deemed "unacceptable" due to the Blacklist
Industry Crossroads
Robert Butler on directing a Defenders episode where an actor was deemed "unacceptable" due to the Blacklist
Pop Culture
Robert Butler on directing the original pilot of Star Trek ("The Cage")
Robert Butler on the theme song to Hill Street Blues
Television Industry
Robert Butler on directing a Defenders episode where an actor was deemed "unacceptable" due to the Blacklist
Robert Butler on advice to aspiring directors
Robert Butler on directing the pilot of Sisters
TV Theme Songs
Robert Butler on the theme song to Hill Street Blues
Professions
Directors
Robert Butler on wanting to be a director
Robert Butler on differences between directing live television and filmed single camera television
Robert Butler on his directing style
Robert Butler on directing actors
Robert Butler on his work with the Directors Guild of America and why it's important to directors
Robert Butler on advice to aspiring directors
Genres
Adventure/Espionage Series
Robert Butler on directing the pilot and several episodes of Batman
Robert Butler on directing Mission: Impossible; on directing suspense
Robert Butler on co-creating Remington Steele
Classic Anthology Series
Robert Butler on being an associate director/AD on Playhouse 90 and Climax!
Robert Butler on directing several episodes of The Twilight Zone
Comedy Series
Robert Butler on directing the pilot of Hogan's Heroes; on controversial elements of the show and establishing the tone of the series
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
Robert Butler on directing black and white and color episodes of The Fugitive; on directing The Fugitive episode "Corner of Hell"
Robert Butler on directing several episodes of The Twilight Zone
Robert Butler on directing Columbo
Robert Butler on directing and creating the trademark style elements of Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on working with the cast of Hill Street Blues; on why he stayed as a regular director on Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on directing the pilot of Moonlighting
Drama Series
Robert Butler on directing the pilot of Moonlighting
Legal Dramas
Robert Butler on directing episodes of The Defenders
Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series
Robert Butler on directing the original pilot of Star Trek ("The Cage")
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Robert Butler on directing television movies-of-the-week and their lack of specificity compared to series television
People
James Arness
Robert Butler on directing episodes of Gunsmoke
Barbara Barrie
Robert Butler on directing episodes of The Invaders
Robert Blake
Robert Butler on directing Robert Blake on a Richard Boone anthology series
Steven Bochco
Robert Butler on working with show creator Steven Bochco on Hill Street Blues
Richard Boone
Robert Butler on directing Have Gun, Will Travel
Herbert Brodkin
Robert Butler on directing a Defenders episode where an actor was deemed "unacceptable" due to the Blacklist
Robert Butler on directing episodes of The Defenders
Pierce Brosnan
Robert Butler on casting Remington Steele
Raymond Burr
Robert Butler on directing episodes of Ironside
Dean Cain
Robert Butler on directing Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Glenn Gordon Caron
Robert Butler on Moonlighting creator Glenn Gordon Caron's sensibilities, and the pilots the two worked on before Butler directed the Moonlighting pilot telefilm
Robert Butler on Moonlighting creator Glenn Gordon Caron
Jack Cassidy
Robert Butler on directing Columbo
Michael Conrad
Robert Butler on working with the cast of Hill Street Blues - Michael Conrad
Fielder Cook
Robert Butler on Fielder Cook directing episodes of The Waltons
Jackie Cooper
Robert Butler on directing The Twilight Zone teleplay "Caesar and Me" starring Jackie Cooper
Bill Cosby
Robert Butler on directing Bill Cosby and Robert Culp on I Spy
Robert Culp
Robert Butler on directing Bill Cosby and Robert Culp on I Spy
David Dortort
Robert Butler on directing an episode of Bonanza, "Broken Ballad" (airdate: October 29, 1961) where the cast gave him a difficult time (Correction: interviewer mistakenly calls Lorne Greene "Lorne Michaels")
Bill Dozier
Robert Butler on directing the pilot and a few other Batman episodes
Robert Butler on Bill Dozier setting the tone of Batman
Peter Falk
Robert Butler on directing Peter Falk on Columbo
William Froug
Robert Butler on getting hired by William Froug to direct several episodes of The Twilight Zone
Michael Gleason
Robert Butler on co-creating Remington Steele
Jerry Goldsmith
Robert Butler on working with composer Jerry Goldsmith and director Buzz Kulik on Climax!
Frank Gorshin
Robert Butler on working with Frank Gorshin ("The Riddler") on Batman
Robert Butler on working with Frank Gorshin ("The Riddler") on Batman
Charles Haid
Robert Butler on working with the cast of Hill Street Blues - Charles Haid
Veronica Hamel
Robert Butler on casting Veronica Hamel on Hill Street Blues
Neil Hamilton
Robert Butler on some of the fun and crazy elements on Batman
Earl Hamner, Jr.
Robert Butler on directing The Waltons (including the episode "Airmail Man")
Teri Hatcher
Robert Butler on directing Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
William Holden
Robert Butler on directing the miniseries The Blue Knight (1975) starring William Holden
David Janssen
Robert Butler on directing episodes of The Fugitive
Jill St. John
Robert Butler on directing Jill St. John in a Batman episode
Bob Kane
Robert Butler on creator Bob Kane not being around when he directed Batman
Michael Kozoll
Robert Butler on working with show creator Steven Michael Kozoll on Hill Street Blues
Buzz Kulik
Robert Butler on working with director Buzz Kulik
Martin Landau
Robert Butler on directing Martin Landau on Columbo
Jack Lord
Robert Butler on directing Jack Lord on Stoney Burke
Shirley MacLaine
Robert Butler on directing Shirley MacLaine in Out on a Limb
Quinn Martin
Robert Butler on directing episodes of The Fugitive
Kiel Martin
Robert Butler on casting Kiel Martin on Hill Street Blues
Raymond Massey
Robert Butler on directing Dr. Kildare
Burgess Meredith
Robert Butler on episodes 3 and 4 of Batman featuring Burgess Meredith as "The Penguin"
Alan Napier
Robert Butler on some of the fun and crazy elements on Batman
Carroll O'Connor
Robert Butler on directing Carroll O'Connor on I Spy
Frank Pierson
Robert Butler on directing Have Gun, Will Travel
Mike Post
Robert Butler on the theme song to Hill Street Blues
Carl Reiner
Robert Butler on directing The Dick Van Dyke Show and working with Carl Reiner
Gene Roddenberry
Robert Butler on directing the original pilot of Star Trek
Reginald Rose
Robert Butler on being an associate director/AD on specific productions of Playhouse 90 penned by Reginald Rose, including "A Quiet Game of Cards"
Robert Butler on directing episodes of The Defenders
Alex Segal
Robert Butler on working with director Alex Segal
Lorenzo Semple, Jr.
Robert Butler on directing the pilot and a few other Batman episodes
Robert Butler on some of the fun and crazy elements on Batman
Rod Serling
Robert Butler on directing Rod Serling on The Twilight Zone
Cybill Shepherd
Robert Butler on the casting of Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis (and Willis' screen test) for Moonlighting [the telefilm pilot of which Butler directed]
Robert Butler on working with Cybill Shepherd on the Moonlighting pilot telefilm
James Sikking
Robert Butler on working with the cast of Hill Street Blues - James Sikking
Robert Stack
Robert Butler on working with Robert Stack when directing The Untouchables
Robert Taylor
Robert Butler on directing The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor
Roy Thinnes
Robert Butler on directing episodes of The Invaders
Betty Thomas
Robert Butler on working with Betty Thomas on Hill Street Blues
Grant Tinker
Robert Butler on becoming involved in directing Hill Street Blues
Robert Butler on network reaction to the gritty style of Hill Street Blues and Grant Tinker protecting the show
Daniel J. Travanti
Robert Butler on working with the cast of Hill Street Blues - Daniel J. Travanti
Burt Ward
Robert Butler on the dynamic duo played by Adam West and Burt Ward on Batman
Bruce Weitz
Robert Butler on casting Bruce Weitz on Hill Street Blues
Adam West
Robert Butler on working with Adam West on Batman
Robert Butler on the dynamic duo played by Adam West and Burt Ward on Batman
Robert Butler on Adam West's demeanor on Batman
Bruce Willis
Robert Butler on the casting of Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis (and Willis' screen test) for Moonlighting [the telefilm pilot of which Butler directed]
Robert Butler on working with Bruce Willis on the Moonlighting pilot telefilm
Stephanie Zimbalist
Robert Butler on casting Stephanie Zimbalist in Remington Steele