Interview Esme Chandlee In her two-hour interview, Esme Chandlee (1918-2012) discusses her first job at MGM working in the fan mail department and how this led to her role as the head of the script department on the lot. She then discusses her move to the studio's publicity department and details what led to her becoming...
Interview Beatrice Arthur Beatrice Arthur (1922-2009) declares her higher ideals for television: "I was bringing my theater training to television. I remember somebody said— and it's true— that I was trying to turn sitcom into an art form." In her over two-hour interview, Arthur relates the origins of her stage name and...
Interview Fred Silverman Fred Silverman (1937-2020), who served as the programming head at ABC, CBS, and NBC, attests to the quirks of inspiration in developing television programs: "I had always thought that kids in a haunted house would be a big hit, played for laughs, in animation. And [I] developed a show with Hanna-...
Interview William Self In his three-hour interview, William Self (1921-2010) discusses his early career acting in movies and his friendship with Spencer Tracy, which led to his television producing career. He talks about producing the series Schlitz Playhouse of Stars , The Frank Sinatra Show , and the pilot of The...
Interview Herschel Burke Gilbert In his two-and-a-half-hour interview, Hershel Burke Gilbert (1918-2003) talks about his early interest in music and his studies in college (including eventually studying conducting and composing at Julliard), and his part in a local dance band. He talks about becoming an arranger for Harry James...
Interview Warren Cowan In his nearly two-hour interview, Warren Cowan (1921-2008) recalls his entry into entertainment publicity working for Alan Gordon and Associates, and later for Henry Rogers. He also speaks about his transition to partner in the renamed Rogers and Cowan. Cowan talks about working with many well-...
