Arthur Hiller

Arthur Hiller was interviewed (in two sessions) for four-and-a-half hours in Beverly Hills, CA.  Hiller spoke about his extensive career as a director of theater, film, and television.  He described his early years in television working at the CBC in his native Canada.  He discussed his work in television in the United States that began on the “live” anthology shows Matinee Theater and Playhouse 90.  For each series, he described the production and memorable episodes he directed.  He described filmed series he directed in the 1950s and 60s including The Rifleman, The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor, and Naked City.  He discussed his work in feature films and briefly mentioned several of the classic films he helmed.  Finally, he talked about his long association with the Directors Guild of America.  The two-part interview was conducted by Stephen J. Abramson on August 15 and 23, 2003.