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Cliff Robertson

Actor

"Willy Loman's wife had that line in that wonderful Arthur Miller play, 'Death of a Salesman': 'Attention must be paid.' I think our attention span in this business is so short. We're worried about some little starlet temporarily on all the covers of all the magazines. That's kind of shallow. Attention must be paid to those talents that are real, that are viable, that are lasting." 

About This Interview

In his two-and-a-half hour Archive interview, Cliff Robertson (1923-2011) talks about his training at the Actors Studio and his early career on the New York stage. He talks about working in anthology series during the "live" television era of the 1950s. He discusses his role as mentally disabled "Charlie Gordon" in both television (The U.S. Steel Hour's "The Two Worlds of Charlie Gordon") and film (Charly, which earned him an Oscar for Best Actor).  He speaks in great detail about his work with director John Frankenheimer on the Playhouse 90 show "The Days of Wine and Roses." Robertson talks about being personally selected by President John F. Kennedy to play him in the feature film PT109.  He describes his two appearances on the classic anthology series The Twilight Zone and spoke about series creator Rod Serling. Robertson discusses his blacklisting by the industry following "Hollywoodgate," in which he accused Columbia Pictures head David Begelman of forging a check. Robertson speaks about several of his television movie appearances as well as such television series as Rod Brown and the Rocket Rangers and Batman. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview in Los Angeles, CA on March 1, 2005.

Related To This Video

  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Professions

Shows

  • Ben Casey
  • Hallmark Hall of Fame
  • Outer Limits, The (1963-65, ABC)
  • Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse
  • Playhouse 90
  • Playhouse 90: "The Days of Wine and Roses"
  • Robert Montgomery Presents
  • Twilight Zone, The
  • U.S. Steel Hour, The
  • Untouchables, The
  • Wagon Train

People

  • Dominick Dunne
  • John Frankenheimer
  • Piper Laurie
  • Jack Lemmon
  • JP Miller
  • Rod Serling
  • Robert Vaughn

Topics

  • Advice
  • Classic TV series episodes
  • Creative Influences and Inspiration
  • Drama
  • Hollywood Blacklist (ca. 1950s)
  • Industry Crossroads
  • Pivotal Career Moments
  • Pop Culture
  • TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)
  • Television Industry

Professions

  • Performers

Featured Content

Video: Watch a clip of Cliff Robertson in The Twilight Zone episode "The Dummy":
YouTube video player - HTML5 compatible.
  • Highlights
  • Interview
  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
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Highlights

  • Cliff Robertson on being selected by John F. Kennedy to play JFK in the film "PT 109"Cliff Robertson on being selected by John F. Kennedy to play JFK in the film "PT 109"
    Clip begins at: 17:44, Duration: 03m 50s
  • Cliff Robertson on the premise of the <i gx_name="i" class="gx_element gx_inline gx_name_i">Playhouse 90</i> production of "The Days of Wine and Roses" <br _moz_dirty="" id="anonymous_element_1268"/>Cliff Robertson on the premise of the Playhouse 90 production of "The Days of Wine and Roses"
    Clip begins at: 06:58, Duration: 01m 55s
  • On his blacklisting by the industry following "Hollywoodgate," in which he accused Columbia Pictures head David Begelman of forging a checkOn his blacklisting by the industry following "Hollywoodgate," in which he accused Columbia Pictures head David Begelman of forging a check
    Clip begins at: 14:02, Duration: 05m 10s
  • Cliff Robertson on <i gx_name="i" class="gx_element gx_inline gx_name_i">The U.S. Steel Hour's</i>  "The Two Worlds of Charly Gordon" and the feature film "Charly"Cliff Robertson on The U.S. Steel Hour's  "The Two Worlds of Charly Gordon" and the feature film "Charly"
    Clip begins at: 23:45, Duration: 06m 07s
  • Cliff Robertson on appearing on <i gx_name="i" class="gx_element gx_inline gx_name_i">The Twilight Zone</i> episode "The Dummy"<br _moz_dirty="" id="anonymous_element_1288"/>Cliff Robertson on appearing on The Twilight Zone episode "The Dummy"
    Clip begins at: 23:34, Duration: 05m 19s

Interview

  • Part 1
  • On his early years and influences; on being raised by his grandmother; on his interest in aviation; on his talent for journalism and his start in acting in New York
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On his formal acting training at The Actors Studio; on his acting style
    Clip begins at: 10:39
  • On being cast to star in the feature film "PT 109"; on meeting John F. Kennedy
    Clip begins at: 17:44
  • On moving to New York; on his first television work in dramatic anthologies
    Clip begins at: 23:03
  • Part 2
  • On working on Robert Montgomery Presents; on his predilection for live television when he was younger
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On starring in the Playhouse 90 production of "The Days of Wine and Roses"
    Clip begins at: 04:04
  • On the ensemble feeling of working in live anthology dramas and the prestige level of television in the early 1950s; on encouragement he received from Bosley Crowther
    Clip begins at: 17:20
  • On U.S. Steel Hour's "The Secret World of Charly Gordon" and the film version of "Charly"
    Clip begins at: 23:26
  • Part 3
  • On his involvement with William Goldman's first movie; on winning an Oscar for the film version of "Charly" but not being allowed to attend the ceremony
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On his work on Philco Television Playhouse and Hallmark Hall of Fame; on the writers for the classic anthology series, including Rod Serling
    Clip begins at: 09:31
  • On on appearing on The Twilight Zone episode "The Dummy"
    Clip begins at: 23:34
  • Part 4
  • On his two appearances on The Twilight Zone and on series creator Rod Serling; on appearances on shows including The Outer Limits and Rod Brown of the Rocket Rangers
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On his blacklisting by the industry following "Hollywoodgate," in which he accused Columbia Pictures head David Begelman of forging a check
    Clip begins at: 13:15
  • On going back and forth between film and television; on differences between production on feature films and classic TV anthology dramas
    Clip begins at: 19:12
  • On the possibility of a sequel to "Charly"; on his guest appearances on The Untouchables, Wagon Train, and Ben Casey
    Clip begins at: 21:32
  • Part 5
  • On his fun experience on Batman; on guest-starring on Falcon Crest; on his appearances in television movies including "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" and "Henry Ford, the Man and the Machine"
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On being a spokesperson for AT&T; on advice to aspiring actors; on then-current projects and voiceover work
    Clip begins at: 09:02
  • On his proudest career achievement and his biggest career regret; on the best advice he's ever received; on how he'd like to be remembered
    Clip begins at: 14:22

Shows

  • Ben Casey
    • Cliff Robertson on appearing on Ben Casey
      Clip begins at: 26:04, Duration: 02m 59s
  • Hallmark Hall of Fame
    • Cliff Robertson on his work on Hallmark Hall of Fame
      Clip begins at: 10:25, Duration: 01m 06s
    • Cliff Robertson on his work on a production for Hallmark Hall of Fame
      Clip begins at: 12:01, Duration: 02m 10s
  • Outer Limits, The (1963-65, ABC)
    • Cliff Robertson on appearing on The Outer Limits
      Clip begins at: 05:06, Duration: 03m 35s
  • Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse
    • Cliff Robertson on his work on Philco Television Playhouse  
      Clip begins at: 10:05, Duration: 00m 20s
  • Playhouse 90
    • Cliff Robertson on starring in the Playhouse 90 live production of "The Days of Wine and Roses" 
      Clip begins at: 04:04, Duration: 13m 16s
    • Cliff Robertson on the premise of the Playhouse 90 production of "The Days of Wine and Roses"
      Clip begins at: 06:58, Duration: 01m 55s
    • Cliff Robertson on his character and the importance of the Playhouse 90 production of "The Days of Wine and Roses"
      Clip begins at: 12:00, Duration: 03m 12s
    • Cliff Robertson on John Frankenheimer's directing process on the Playhouse 90 production of "The Days of Wine and Roses"
      Clip begins at: 15:12, Duration: 02m 08s
  • Playhouse 90: "The Days of Wine and Roses"
    • Cliff Robertson on starring in the Playhouse 90 live production of "The Days of Wine and Roses" 
      Clip begins at: 04:04, Duration: 13m 16s
    • Cliff Robertson on the premise of the Playhouse 90 production of "The Days of Wine and Roses"
      Clip begins at: 06:58, Duration: 01m 55s
    • Cliff Robertson on his character and the importance of the Playhouse 90 production of "The Days of Wine and Roses"
      Clip begins at: 12:00, Duration: 03m 12s
    • Cliff Robertson on John Frankenheimer's directing process on the Playhouse 90 production of "The Days of Wine and Roses"
      Clip begins at: 15:12, Duration: 02m 08s
  • Robert Montgomery Presents
    • Cliff Robertson on acting in live Robert Montgomery Presents productions
      Clip begins at: 00:01, Duration: 03m 30s
    • Cliff Robertson on his work on Robert Montgomery Presents
      Clip begins at: 11:31, Duration: 00m 30s
  • Rod Brown of the Rocket Rangers
    • Cliff Robertson on appearing on Rod Brown of the Rocket Rangers
      Clip begins at: 08:42, Duration: 04m 33s
  • Twilight Zone, The
    • Cliff Robertson on appearing on The Twilight Zone
      Clip begins at: 18:58, Duration: 02m 14s
    • Cliff Robertson on appearing on The Twilight Zone episode "The Dummy"
      Clip begins at: 23:34, Duration: 05m 19s
    • Cliff Robertson on the classic Twilight Zone episode "The Dummy" (SPOILERS!)
      Clip begins at: 03:59, Duration: 01m 07s
  • U.S. Steel Hour, The
    • Cliff Robertson on The U.S. Steel Hour's   "The Two Worlds of Charly Gordon" and the feature film "Charly"
      Clip begins at: 23:45, Duration: 06m 08s
    • Cliff Robertson on being nominated for an Emmy for The U.S. Steel Hour production of "Charly" and why he wanted to make a film version of "Charly"
      Clip begins at: 05:16, Duration: 04m 15s
  • Untouchables, The
    • Cliff Robertson on appearing on The Untouchables
      Clip begins at: 23:38, Duration: 02m 26s
  • Wagon Train
    • Cliff Robertson on appearing on Wagon Train
      Clip begins at: 22:20, Duration: 00m 40s

People

  • David Begelman
    • On his blacklisting by the industry following "Hollywoodgate," in which he accused Columbia Pictures head David Begelman of forging a check
      Clip begins at: 14:02, Duration: 05m 10s
  • Michael Caine
    • Cliff Robertson on winning an Oscar for the film version of "Charly" but not being allowed to attend the ceremony
      Clip begins at: 06:58, Duration: 02m 33s
  • Bosley Crowther
    • Cliff Robertson on receiving encouragement from Bosley Crowther
      Clip begins at: 20:24, Duration: 02m 55s
  • Bill Dozier
    •  Cliff Robertson on appearing on Rod Brown of the Rocket Rangers thanks to Bill Dozier
      Clip begins at: 08:42, Duration: 01m 58s
  • Dominick Dunne
    • Cliff Robertson on acting in live Robert Montgomery Presents productions
      Clip begins at: 00:01, Duration: 03m 30s
  • John F. Kennedy
    • Cliff Robertson on meeting John F. Kennedy
      Clip begins at: 21:34, Duration: 01m 29s
    • Cliff Robertson on being selected by John F. Kennedy to play JFK in the film "PT 109"
      Clip begins at: 17:44, Duration: 03m 50s
  • John Frankenheimer
    • Cliff Robertson on his character and the importance of the Playhouse 90 production of "The Days of Wine and Roses"
      Clip begins at: 12:28, Duration: 02m 44s
    • Cliff Robertson on John Frankenheimer's directing process on the Playhouse 90 production of "The Days of Wine and Roses"
      Clip begins at: 15:12, Duration: 02m 08s
    • Cliff Robertson on starring in the Playhouse 90 production of "The Days of Wine and Roses" 
      Clip begins at: 04:04, Duration: 12m 07s
  • William Goldman
    • Cliff Robertson on his involvement with William Goldman's first movie and asking him to write the film version of "Charly"
      Clip begins at: 00:00, Duration: 05m 16s
  • Buck Houghton
    • Cliff Robertson on working with Buck Houghton
      Clip begins at: 23:14, Duration: 00m 20s
  • Piper Laurie
    • Cliff Robertson on his co-stars in the Playhouse 90 production of "The Days of Wine and Roses"
      Clip begins at: 11:24, Duration: 00m 36s
  • Jack Lemmon
    • Cliff Robertson on Jack Lemmon starring in the film version of "The Days of Wine and Roses"
      Clip begins at: 05:22, Duration: 01m 36s
  • JP Miller
    • Cliff Robertson on meeting with writer JP miller when working on the Playhouse 90 production of "The Days of Wine and Roses"
      Clip begins at: 10:59, Duration: 00m 24s
  • Elizabeth Montgomery
    • Cliff Robertson on acting with Robert Montgomery's daughter, Elizabeth Montgomery
      Clip begins at: 02:39, Duration: 00m 45s
  • Sydney Pollack
    • Cliff Robertson on appearing on Ben Casey and working with Sydney Pollack
      Clip begins at: 26:04, Duration: 02m 59s
  • Rod Serling
    • Cliff Robertson on working with writer Rod Serling and appearing on The Twilight Zone
      Clip begins at: 15:19, Duration: 07m 55s
  • Kim Stanley
    • Cliff Robertson on acting in live Robert Montgomery Presents productions
      Clip begins at: 01:11, Duration: 00m 44s
  • Robert Vaughn
    • Cliff Robertson on a stunt gone wrong with Robert Vaughn
      Clip begins at: 28:26, Duration: 00m 32s

Topics


    • Clip begins at: 00:00
  • Creative Influences and Inspiration
    • Cliff Robertson on receiving encouragement from Bosley Crowther
      Clip begins at: 20:24, Duration: 02m 55s
  • Pivotal Career Moments
    • Cliff Robertson on receiving encouragement from Bosley Crowther
      Clip begins at: 20:24, Duration: 02m 55s
    • Cliff Robertson on receiving encouragement from Bosley Crowther
      Clip begins at: 20:24, Duration: 02m 55s
  • Pop Culture
    • Cliff Robertson on the classic Twilight Zone episode "The Dummy" (SPOILERS!)
      Clip begins at: 03:59, Duration: 01m 07s
  • Pop Culture > Classic TV series episodes
    • Cliff Robertson on the classic Twilight Zone episode "The Dummy" (SPOILERS!)
      Clip begins at: 03:59, Duration: 01m 07s
  • Pop Culture > Classic TV series episodes > Drama
    • Cliff Robertson on the classic Twilight Zone episode "The Dummy" (SPOILERS!)
      Clip begins at: 03:59, Duration: 01m 07s
  • TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)
    • Cliff Robertson on starring in the Playhouse 90 live production of "The Days of Wine and Roses"
      Clip begins at: 04:04, Duration: 13m 16s
    • Cliff Robertson on The U.S. Steel Hour's   "The Two Worlds of Charly Gordon" and the feature film "Charly"
      Clip begins at: 23:45, Duration: 06m 07s
  • TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s) > Drama
    • Cliff Robertson on starring in the Playhouse 90 live production of "The Days of Wine and Roses"
      Clip begins at: 04:04, Duration: 13m 16s
    • Cliff Robertson on The U.S. Steel Hour's   "The Two Worlds of Charly Gordon" and the feature film "Charly"
      Clip begins at: 23:45, Duration: 06m 07s
  • Television Industry
    • Cliff Robertson on his recollections of The Hollywood Blacklist
      Clip begins at: 13:15, Duration: 00m 47s
    • Cliff Robertson on advice to aspiring actors
      Clip begins at: 11:08, Duration: 01m 58s
  • Television Industry > Advice
    • Cliff Robertson on advice to aspiring actors
      Clip begins at: 11:08, Duration: 01m 58s
  • Television Industry > Industry Crossroads
    • Cliff Robertson on his recollections of The Hollywood Blacklist
      Clip begins at: 13:15, Duration: 00m 47s
  • Television Industry > Industry Crossroads > Hollywood Blacklist (ca. 1950s)
    • Cliff Robertson on his recollections of The Hollywood Blacklist
      Clip begins at: 13:15, Duration: 00m 47s

Genres

  • Classic Anthology Series
    • Cliff Robertson on his involvement with the early television anthology dramas
      Clip begins at: 26:02, Duration: 02m 58s
    • Cliff Robertson on the ensemble feeling of working in live anthology dramas and the prestige of television in the early 1950s
      Clip begins at: 17:20, Duration: 02m 53s
    • Cliff Robertson on starring in the Playhouse 90 live production of "The Days of Wine and Roses"
      Clip begins at: 04:04, Duration: 13m 16s
    • Cliff Robertson on The U.S. Steel Hour's   "The Two Worlds of Charly Gordon" and the feature film "Charly"
      Clip begins at: 23:45, Duration: 06m 07s
    • Cliff Robertson on the writers for the classic anthology series
      Clip begins at: 14:11, Duration: 01m 08s
    • Cliff Robertson on being nominated for an Emmy for The U.S. Steel Hour production of "Charly" and why he wanted to make a film version of "Charly"
      Clip begins at: 05:16, Duration: 04m 15s
  • Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series
    • Cliff Robertson on appearing on The Twilight Zone episode "The Dummy"
      Clip begins at: 23:34, Duration: 05m 19s

Professions

  • Performers
    • Cliff Robertson on his formal acting training at The Actors Studio
      Clip begins at: 10:39, Duration: 03m 36s
    • Cliff Robertson on actors who inspired him
      Clip begins at: 14:15, Duration: 00m 48s
    • Cliff Robertson on his acting style
      Clip begins at: 15:15, Duration: 01m 22s
    • Cliff Robertson on advice to aspiring actors
      Clip begins at: 11:08, Duration: 01m 58s
  • Performers > Actor
    • Cliff Robertson on his formal acting training at The Actors Studio
      Clip begins at: 10:39, Duration: 03m 36s
    • Cliff Robertson on actors who inspired him
      Clip begins at: 14:15, Duration: 00m 48s
    • Cliff Robertson on his acting style
      Clip begins at: 15:03, Duration: 01m 34s
    • Cliff Robertson on advice to aspiring actors
      Clip begins at: 11:08, Duration: 01m 58s
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Submitted by jarry on Fri, 2012-02-10 07:20.
Besides an active big screen career robertson was a regular fixture status for facebook on television.

Submitted by rayalvarado2010 on Wed, 2011-06-15 07:49.
Watch his episode of 'The Twilight Zone.' Not only was that show genius, many of the episodes were beautiful and could make you kinda choke up at the end if you truly saw the beauty in them.

Submitted by bloodhoun138 on Sun, 2011-05-15 07:14.
He did a great job playing as Charlie.

Submitted by MsNiceone911 on Wed, 2011-05-11 21:58.
i LOVE THIS GUY for being CHarlie!!! great actor!!!right now its 2011 he said he was born in 1923 that me at this current moment he is 88 years old WOW!!!! soooo the charlie movie was out in 1968nsooo at 43 is when he was really ingaging in acting soooo ya prettty amazing!!!

Submitted by YourFaceWillDie468 on Wed, 2011-04-20 17:07.
@toothbrush55 Robertson's or the interviewer's?

Submitted by JellyiceProductions on Tue, 2011-03-22 22:39.
haha, i love him as uncle ben :P

Submitted by willstevegold on Wed, 2011-01-26 19:24.
I hope to see him again at EAA AirVenture 2011 in Oshkosh this coming July. He always reads his poetry there. He's cool.

Submitted by jacqueshauer on Wed, 2011-01-26 06:17.
@macflyfilm Voight more

Submitted by Bridgie217 on Wed, 2010-12-01 03:45.
I loved him as Charlie Gordon, he is very talented

Submitted by Karen41872 on Sun, 2010-08-08 23:47.
He's a fantastic actor ... He's my favorite. I've seen every one of his films.

Submitted by mrnaughtycat on Thu, 2010-07-22 16:45.
they made him look so youthfull in the 13th child movie amazing

Submitted by toothbrush55 on Tue, 2010-07-20 08:59.
His voice is infuriatingly slow and soft!

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