Author Archives: Ralph

Special Delivery

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Ralph

Filmed December 1965 It was early December when I drove out to Warner Bros. Studio and entered the gate on Barham Boulevard for the first time. Warner Bros. was the only lot of Hollywood’s seven major studios where I had … Continue reading →

Posted in The FBI | 2 Comments

By Fires Unseen

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Ralph

Filmed October 1965 “Missy. Call me Missy.” That was the insistent request from Barbara Stanwyck when I introduced myself to her on the set of THE BIG VALLEY and addressed her as Miss Stanwyck. Although she was  5’5”, she seemed … Continue reading →

Posted in The Big Valley | 26 Comments

The Hero

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Ralph

Filmed April 1965 I have chosen to group together the episodes of a series like chapters in a section of a book, to combine them and give the illusion of one extended project. That was the way I thought of … Continue reading →

Posted in 12 O'Clock High | 16 Comments

The Threat

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Ralph

Filmed February 1965 THE THREAT was another change of pace for me. It was the first time I was to direct a Hitchcockian suspense thriller. Unhappily it was also the last time. The script followed the Hitchcock formula. Take an … Continue reading →

Posted in 12 O'Clock High | 7 Comments

The Trap

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Ralph

Filmed January 1965 Having resolved the editing room impasse, I reported to the Fox Western lot just before Christmas to prepare THE TRAP, my second 12 O’CLOCK HIGH. Whereas my first show spent a great deal of time in the … Continue reading →

Posted in 12 O'Clock High | 10 Comments

To Heinie, With Love

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Ralph

Filmed December 1964 It was off the road and into the air force. A month following completion of my second THE FUGITIVE (DETOUR ON A ROAD GOING NOWHERE) I reported to 20th Century Fox to direct my first 12 O’CLOCK … Continue reading →

Posted in 12 O'Clock High | 7 Comments

When The Wind Blows

Posted on August 13, 2011 by Ralph

Filmed August 1965 In early sixties television there were no large writing staffs such as existed later. The producer and story editor of a dramatic series were the ones responsible for delivering scripts. They interviewed freelance writers who came in … Continue reading →

Posted in The Fugitive | 42 Comments

An Apple A Day

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Ralph

Filmed July 1965 I can’t be totally positive, I’m just 99% sure that THE FUGITIVE was the only Quinn Martin series that used a climactic scene from late in the show for its teaser. Oddly, this was a rare episode … Continue reading →

Posted in The Fugitive | 6 Comments

Detour On A Road Going Nowhere

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Ralph

Filmed October 1964 Don’t touch that dial! By 1964 that could have been the mantra of the three television networks. You see television had become BIG BUSINESS. High ratings meant higher advertising rates, which translated into higher earnings. Since all … Continue reading →

Posted in The Fugitive | 10 Comments

When The Bough Breaks

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Ralph

Filmed July 1964 When the 1964-65 season started, I was booked to return to MGM to direct my fourth DR. KILDARE (MAYBE LOVE WILL SAVE MY APARTMENT HOUSE), and then an episode of a new half hour series starring Dennis … Continue reading →

Posted in The Fugitive | 18 Comments