"Omnibus" and "M*A*S*H" Director Charles S. Dubin's Interview is Now Online

This video is Part 2 of Charles S. Dubin's 7-part interview. In this segment, he talks about his work on the 1950s cultural anthology series Omnibus. Click here to access all Charles Dubin interview segments. (Remember, if you'd like to watch the interview in the order in which it was conducted, select the parts in order (1,2,3...).

Charles Dubin directed more episodes of the landmark sitcom M*A*S*H than any other single director!

Interview Description:

Dubin begins by describing his lengthy career as a television director, which began in 1950 when he was hired at ABC as an associate director, and culminated in his long association with M*A*S*H. Dubin details his early work in “live” television for such series as Pulitizer Prize Playhouse (1950-52) and Opera Vs. Jazz (1953). He speaks in great detail about the over twenty segments of Omnibus (1955-58) that he directed, including celebrated pieces with choreographer Agnes DeMille and conductor/ composer Leonard Bernstein. It was his association with Bernstein in this capacity which led to his directing of the first three of the “Young People’s Concerts” which Dubin then talks about. Additionally, Dubin discusses his work as a director on the quiz show series Twenty-One, which became the center of the quiz show scandal, although Dubin was at the time unaware of the backstage practices that led to the show’s demise. Dubin discusses his appearance before the House Un-American Activities Committee, in which he plead the Fifth and was blacklisted from the industry for five years. He describes his later work, directing multiple episodes of The Defenders, Kojak, Ironside, Hawaii Five-O, and the Father Dowling Mysteries. The interview was conducted by Gary Rutkowski on September 9, 2003.