Colleagues, Co-stars and Career-starters
By the time my father was 40 years old, he had been blacklisted three times in three different countries for three different reasons.
You say ‘impossible’!…. Well, not impossible but certainly shocking.
He was an outspoken anti-Nazi and refused to sign with the National Socialist Actors’ Guild so couldn’t work in German speaking countries after of 1936.
He was an Austrian working in England after 1939 and so considered an Enemy Alien First Class.
And although he went on the Bond Tours raising money for the War effort, participated in the VICTORY CARAVAN, attended events in Roosevelt’s and Truman’s Washington, performed in numerous radio broadcasts including WE WILL NEVER DIE…
…became a US Citizen in 1945 and was part of the COMMITTEE FOR THE FIRST AMENDMENT, he was blacklisted as a result of the back-lash from the House Un-American Activities Committee hearings.
At this time, my father was not contracted to a studio. He was an independent artist. He had nowhere to go, no safety net. He couldn’t believe that this could happen, not only for the third time, but in “the land of the free and the brave.”
So what to do? … How does a man deal with these shocking blows to his concept of self? … his driving need to take care of his responsibilities? … his family? … his life’s work?
With the unending optimism of his wife, my mother Lisl, and a few friends who did not desert him, he started a second career which included writing, producing and directing. At the beginning, a few projects included and sometimes hinged on his also starring in the films. These were the not ‘A’ films he was accustomed to but rather what my father called “popcorn pictures”. He was smart and a quick study so through these experiences he learned about deal making and so kept us consistently beautifully clothed, deliciously fed and well traveled.
Eventually this led to directing seven feature films and lots and lots of television including G.E THEATER, SCHLITZ PLAYHOUSE, ALCOA and GOODYEAR THEATRES, THE DUPONT SHOW, 29 episodes of ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS …
…where he enjoyed hiring his old friends BETTE DAVIS and PETER LORRE – and ironically at least one episode of almost every Western on TV between 1958 and 1968…including 9 episodes of BARBARA STANWYCK’S THE BIG VALLEY….
…a total of over 300 episodes of television. He retired after directing his old pal, ANTHONY QUINN, in four episodes of THE MAN AND THE CITY in 1971.
There are still quite a few wonderful colleagues with us … some were co-stars, some were actors he directed early in their careers. I look forward to interviewing them and bringing you their insights and recollections of working with my father. I have already heard some of their stories …. delightful, informative, inspiring and one … a little naughty.
Let’s see what they have to say …
Richard Chamberlain … The Madwoman of Chaillot … 1969
Robert Clary … The Thief of Damascus … 1952
Barbara Cook … Alfred Hitchcock Presents … 1957
Angie Dickinson … The Man and The City … 1971
Richard Dreyfuss … The Big Valley … 1967
Linda Evans … The Big Valley … 1965-68
Mike Farrell … The Man and The City … 1971
John Gavin … The Madwoman of Chaillot … 1969
Clu Gulager … The Virginian … 1966
George Hamilton … Double Image … 1970
Darby Hiinton … The Big Valley … 1967
Kathleen Hughes … For Men Only … 1952
Will Hutchins … Sugarfoot … 1966
Anne Jackson … So Young So Bad … 1950
Karen Sharpe Kramer … Johnny Ringo
Diane Ladd … The Big Valley … 1967
Norman Lear … purchased home … 1972
Norman Lloyd … Alfred Hitchcock Presents …numerous
Lee Majors … The Big Valley … 1965-68
Diane McBain … Maverick … 1959
Vera Miles … For Men Only … 1952
Rita Moreno … So Young So Bad … 1950
Mary Tyler Moore … Johnny Staccato … 1960
Robert Morse … Alfred Hitchcock Presents … 1960
Noreen Nash … Schlitz Playhouse … 1957
Margaret O’Brien… The DuPont Show … 1960
Gigi Perreau … Song of Love … 1947
Burt Reynolds … Hawk … 1966
Tom Selleck … Bracken’s World … 1969-70
Jill St. John … Holiday For Lovers … 1959
Connie Stevens … Cheyenne … 1959
Dean Stockwell … Alfred Hitchcock Presents … 1959
Elena Verdugo … Thief of Damascus … 1952
RJ Wagner … It Takes a Thief … 1969
Clint Walker … Cheyenne … 1959
Karen Sharpe Kramer … Johnny Ringo … 1960