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Norman Felton

Director/ Producer

"I wanted to do a medical show. I hadn't been able to do it because CBS said, as the other networks did, 'who wants to go to a hospital?  That's the last place....a person comes home from their job and they're going to turn on television and see sick people?' But in radio, I did plenty of them."

About This Interview

Norman Felton (1913-2012) was interviewed for four-and-a-half hours in Woodland Hills, CA. Felton discusses his role in radio and in early television in Chicago, as part of the distinguished "Chicago School of Television" with Charlie Andrews and Paul Rhymer. He describes directing live dramas for Robert Montgomery Presents and producing shows for Studio One. He talks extensively about his role as executive producer on the hit series Dr. Kildare and The Man From U.N.C.L.E., and the formation of his production company, Arena Productions. Felton also shares his thoughts on colleagues Gene Roddenberry, Sam Rolfe, Grant Tinker and many others. Lee Goldberg conducted the interview on November 12, 1997.

Related To This Video

  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Professions

Shows

  • Dr. Kildare
  • Eleventh Hour, The
  • Garroway-at-Large
  • Girl From U.N.C.L.E., The
  • Hawkins
  • Lieutenant, The
  • Man From U.N.C.L.E., The
  • Playhouse 90
  • Pursuit
  • Robert Montgomery Presents
  • Robert Montgomery Presents: "Kitty Foyle"
  • Studio One
  • Studs' Place
  • These Are My Children
  • U.S. Steel Hour, The
  • Vic and Sade

People

  • Charlie Andrews
  • Bob Banner
  • Richard Chamberlain
  • Bob Finkel
  • Jerry Goldsmith
  • Sidney Lumet
  • Gene Roddenberry
  • Frank Stanton
  • Studs Terkel
  • Grant Tinker
  • Robert Vaughn
  • Ethel Winant

Topics

  • 'The Idiot Box'
  • Censorship / Standards & Practices
  • Characters & Catchphrases
  • Drama
  • Emmy Awards
  • Hollywood Blacklist (ca. 1950s)
  • TV's Golden Age (1940s & ‘50s)
  • Technological Innovation

Professions

  • Director
  • Producer
  • Writers & Show Creators

Featured Content

Video clip: Opening sequences from 1960s Dr. Kildare episodes

YouTube video player - HTML5 compatible.
  • Highlights
  • Interview
  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
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  • Professions

Highlights

  • Director Norman Felton on the "Chicago School" of TelevisionDirector Norman Felton on the "Chicago School" of Television
    Clip begins at: 15:09, Duration: 02m 34s
  • Norman Felton on censorship on 
        <i>Playhouse 90's</i>"Judgment at Nuremberg"Norman Felton on censorship on Playhouse 90's"Judgment at Nuremberg"
    Clip begins at: 10:14, Duration: 03m 06s
  • Norman Felton on going to the University of Iowa with classmate Tennessee WilliamsNorman Felton on going to the University of Iowa with classmate Tennessee Williams
    Clip begins at: 26:46, Duration: 01m 57s
  • Norman Felton on Ian Fleming coming up with the name "Napoleon Solo" for 
        <i>The Man from U.N.C.L.E.</i>Norman Felton on Ian Fleming coming up with the name "Napoleon Solo" for The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
    Clip begins at: 17:34, Duration: 00m 42s

Interview

  • Part 1
  • On his childhood and early influences; on growing up in London; on regular trips to the library on Saturdays; on leaving school at 13 to go to work; on moving to America when he was 15 and the various jobs and experiences he had as a teenager
    Clip begins at: 0:52
  • On his start in radio KJR and theater productions in Seattle; on joining the Teamsters and getting into scenery work; on his big break writing plays and going to the University of Iowa with classmate Tennessee Williams
    Clip begins at: 16:01
  • Part 2
  • On the Living Newspaper he worked on at the University of Iowa; on directing the St. Paul Civic Theater; on moving to Chicago; on arena theater and getting into NBC radio; on directing "Office Playhouse" on the radio
    Clip begins at: 0:52
  • On troubles working with advertising agencies; on taking a leave of absence to pursue television; on going to New York to direct television; on directing a painting show
    Clip begins at: 13:19
  • Part 3
  • On the first television program he directed; on joining the Directors Guild
    Clip begins at: 0:46
  • On the "Chicago School" of Television - Garroway-at-Large, Stud's Place; on TV's first soap opera These Are My Children; on Crisis
    Clip begins at: 15:09
  • Part 4
  • On his long association with Robert Montgomery Presents; on the show's format; on the writing on the show; on studio space for Robert Montgomery Presents
    Clip begins at: 0:73
  • On directing his first episode of Robert Montgomery Presents: "The Letter"
    Clip begins at: 19:41
  • Part 5
  • On the "Kitty Foyle" episode of Robert Montgomery Presents; on an actress getting sick on live television 
    Clip begins at: 0:43
  • On network and sponsor involvement on Robert Montgomery Presents; on the Hollywood Blacklist; on Robert Montgomery Presents winning its first Emmy
    Clip begins at: 09:44
  • On leaving Robert Montgomery Presents; on directing and becoming associate producer on Studio One
    Clip begins at: 22:04
  • Part 6
  • On Studio One writers and the show moving from New York to Hollywood; on going from live to video tape; on becoming Executive Producer of Playhouse 90
    Clip begins at: 0:306
  • On working for CBS; on producing Pursuit; on working for MGM Television and forming his own production company; on executive producing Dr. Kildare;  on casting Raymond Massey and Richard Chamberlain for Dr. Kildare
    Clip begins at: 14:19
  • Part 7
  • On NBC Executive David Levy approving Dr. Kildare; on doing a spinoff of Dr. Kildare; on The Lieutenant with Gene Roddenberry
    Clip begins at: 0:45
  • On executive producing The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and its spin-off, The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.; on working in British television
    Clip begins at: 07:44
  • Part 8
  • On leaving MGM Television and setting up Arena Productions at Universal; on working with Steven Spielberg; on the series Hawkins;  on a TV movie of The Man From U.N.C.L.E.; on joining the writer's strike, against himself
    Clip begins at: 0:44
  • On the creation of the Norman Felton Television Producer of the Year Award; on media literacy
    Clip begins at: 15:41
  • On colleagues Jerry Goldsmith, Sam Rolfe and Grant Tinker
    Clip begins at: 23:38
  • Part 9
  • On people with whom he's worked; on photographs of productions on which he's worked; on a photograph of his lovely wife
    Clip begins at: 0:44

Shows

  • Dr. Kildare
    • Norman Felton on executive producing Dr. Kildare
      Clip begins at: 21:31, Duration: 08m 29s
    • Norman Felton on executive producing Dr. Kildare
      Clip begins at: 00:45, Duration: 04m 42s
  • Eleventh Hour, The
    • Norman Felton on executive producing Dr. Kildare and its spinoff The Eleventh Hour
      Clip begins at: 00:45, Duration: 04m 42s
  • Garroway-at-Large
    • Director Norman Felton on the "Chicago School" of Broadcasting, which included shows Garroway-at-Large and Studs' Place, crediting the philosophy to writers Charlie Andrews and Paul Rhymer
      Clip begins at: 15:09, Duration: 02m 34s
    • Director Norman Felton on Garroway-at-Large
      Clip begins at: 12:36, Duration: 00m 54s
  • Girl From U.N.C.L.E., The
    • Norman Felton on the spin-off of The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.
      Clip begins at: 21:23, Duration: 05m 11s
  • Hawkins
    • Norman Felton on getting Jimmy Stewart to play the lead in the series Hawkins
      Clip begins at: 10:15, Duration: 02m 41s
  • Lieutenant, The
    • Norman Felton on executive producing The Lieutenant,  created by Gene Roddenberry
      Clip begins at: 05:27, Duration: 02m 17s
    • Norman Felton on a photo from The Lieutenant
      Clip begins at: 09:52, Duration: 01m 26s
  • Man From U.N.C.L.E., The
    • Norman Felton on executive producing The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
      Clip begins at: 07:44, Duration: 18m 50s
    • Norman Felton on a TV movie of The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
      Clip begins at: 12:56, Duration: 01m 36s
    • Norman Felton on a photo from The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
      Clip begins at: 08:28, Duration: 00m 42s
  • Playhouse 90
    • Norman Felton on becoming Executive Producer of Playhouse 90
      Clip begins at: 10:14, Duration: 04m 05s
  • Pursuit
    • Norman Felton on producing Pursuit
      Clip begins at: 15:49, Duration: 01m 56s
  • Robert Montgomery Presents
    • Director Norman Felton on his long association with Robert Montgomery Presents [Part 1]
      Clip begins at: 01:13, Duration: 26m 52s
    • Director Norman Felton on his long association with Robert Montgomery Presents  
      Clip begins at: 00:43, Duration: 22m 36s
    • Director Norman Felton on the "Kitty Foyle" episode of Robert Montgomery Presents  
      Clip begins at: 00:43, Duration: 02m 01s
    • Norman Felton on a photo of Helen Hayes in a production of Robert Montgomery Presents
      Clip begins at: 12:04, Duration: 01m 18s
  • Robert Montgomery Presents: "Kitty Foyle"
    • Director Norman Felton on the "Kitty Foyle" episode of Robert Montgomery Presents  
      Clip begins at: 00:43, Duration: 02m 01s
  • Studio One
    • Director Norman Felton on directing and becoming associate producer on Studio One
      Clip begins at: 24:41, Duration: 04m 28s
    • Norman Felton on Studio One writers and the show moving from New York to Hollywood; on going from live to video tape
      Clip begins at: 09:22, Duration: 00m 52s
    • Norman Felton on a photo from Studio One
      Clip begins at: 14:27, Duration: 00m 43s
  • Studs' Place
    • Director Norman Felton on the "Chicago School" of Broadcasting, which included shows Garroway-at-Large and Studs' Place, crediting the philosophy to writers Charlie Andrews and Paul Rhymer
      Clip begins at: 15:09, Duration: 02m 34s
  • These Are My Children
    • Director Norman Felton on bringing These Are My Children to television- TV's first soap opera - with creator Irna Phillips
      Clip begins at: 22:18, Duration: 02m 21s
  • U.S. Steel Hour, The
    • Director Norman Felton on working on The U.S. Steel Hour
      Clip begins at: 22:36, Duration: 02m 05s
  • Vic and Sade
    • Director Norman Felton on bringing Paul Rhymer's Vic and Sade to television
      Clip begins at: 17:43, Duration: 01m 23s

People

  • Charlie Andrews
    • Director Norman Felton on the "Chicago School" of Broadcasting, which included shows Garroway-at-Large and Studs' Place, crediting the philosophy to writers Charlie Andrews and Paul Rhymer
      Clip begins at: 15:09, Duration: 02m 34s
  • Bob Banner
    • Director Norman Felton on working with Ted Mills and Bob Banner in Chicago television
      Clip begins at: 10:05, Duration: 02m 19s
  • Herbert Brodkin
    • Director Norman Felton on working with Herbert Brodkin and becoming a producer
      Clip begins at: 22:36, Duration: 03m 23s
    • Norman Felton on censorship on Playhouse 90's "Judgment at Nuremberg"
      Clip begins at: 10:14, Duration: 03m 06s
    • Norman Felton on working with Herb Brodkin
      Clip begins at: 03:26, Duration: 00m 08s
    • Norman Felton on a photo with Herb Brodkin
      Clip begins at: 11:18, Duration: 00m 46s
  • Richard Chamberlain
    • Norman Felton on casting Raymond Massey and Richard Chamberlain for Dr. Kildare
      Clip begins at: 27:36, Duration: 02m 24s
    • Norman Felton on working with Richard Chamberlain
      Clip begins at: 03:42, Duration: 00m 08s
  • Fred Coe
    • Director Norman Felton on Fred Coe's response to the "Kitty Foyle" episode of Robert Montgomery Presents  
      Clip begins at: 00:43, Duration: 02m 01s
  • Bob Finkel
    • Norman Felton on working with Bob Finkel
      Clip begins at: 03:34, Duration: 00m 08s
  • Ian Fleming
    • Norman Felton on meeting with Ian Fleming and executive producing The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
      Clip begins at: 07:44, Duration: 10m 30s
  • Dave Garroway
    • Director Norman Felton on the "Chicago School" of Broadcasting, which included shows Garroway-at-Large and Studs' Place, crediting the philosophy to writers Charlie Andrews and Paul Rhymer
      Clip begins at: 15:09, Duration: 02m 34s
    • Director Norman Felton on Garroway-at-Large
      Clip begins at: 12:36, Duration: 00m 54s
  • Jerry Goldsmith
    • Norman Felton on working with composr Jerry Goldsmith at Universal
      Clip begins at: 23:38, Duration: 01m 56s
  • Helen Hayes
    • Norman Felton on a photo of Helen Hayes in a production of Robert Montgomery Presents
      Clip begins at: 12:04, Duration: 01m 18s
  • David Karp
    • Norman Felton on writer David Karp's series Hawkins
      Clip begins at: 10:15, Duration: 02m 41s
  • Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver
    • Director Norman Felton on meeting Pat Weaver
      Clip begins at: 09:51, Duration: 01m 07s
  • David Levy
    • Norman Felton on showing David Levy, NBC's head of programming, dailies for Dr. Kildare
      Clip begins at: 28:16, Duration: 01m 44s
    • Norman Felton on David Levy watching dailies of Dr. Kildare
      Clip begins at: 00:45, Duration: 00m 47s
    • Norman Felton on working with David Levy
      Clip begins at: 05:14, Duration: 00m 07s
  • Sidney Lumet
    • Norman Felton on working with Sidney Lumet
      Clip begins at: 02:11, Duration: 00m 07s
  • Raymond Massey
    • Norman Felton on casting Raymond Massey and Richard Chamberlain for Dr. Kildare
      Clip begins at: 27:36, Duration: 02m 24s
  • David McCallum
    • Norman Felton on casting two short men as the leads in The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
      Clip begins at: 25:17, Duration: 01m 17s
  • Ted Mills
    • Norman Felton on working with Ted Mills
      Clip begins at: 01:06, Duration: 00m 06s
    • Director Norman Felton on working with Ted Mills in Chicago television
      Clip begins at: 04:55, Duration: 00m 33s
    • Director Norman Felton on working with Ted Mills and Bob Banner in Chicago television
      Clip begins at: 10:05, Duration: 02m 19s
  • Robert Montgomery
    • Director Norman Felton on his long association with Robert Montgomery Presents; on working with Robery Montgomery
      Clip begins at: 01:13, Duration: 26m 52s
    • Director Norman Felton on his long association with Robert Montgomery Presents  
      Clip begins at: 00:43, Duration: 21m 53s
    • Norman Felton on working with Robert Montgomery
      Clip begins at: 01:12, Duration: 00m 19s
  • Daniel Petrie Sr.
    • Norman Felton on working with Dan Petrie
      Clip begins at: 02:32, Duration: 00m 15s
  • Irna Phillips
    • Director Norman Felton on bringing These Are My Children to television- TV's first soap opera - with creator Irna Phillips; on working in radio 
      Clip begins at: 22:18, Duration: 02m 21s
  • Paul Rhymer
    • Director Norman Felton on bringing Paul Rhymer's Vic and Sade to television and crafting the Chicago School
      Clip begins at: 17:43, Duration: 02m 34s
    • Director Norman Felton on the "Chicago School" of Broadcasting, which included shows Garroway-at-Large and Studs' Place, crediting the philosophy to writers Charlie Andrews and Paul Rhymer
      Clip begins at: 15:09, Duration: 02m 34s
  • Gene Roddenberry
    • Norman Felton on executive producing The Lieutenant,  created by Gene Roddenberry
      Clip begins at: 05:27, Duration: 02m 17s
    • Norman Felton on working with Gene Roddenberry
      Clip begins at: 03:12, Duration: 00m 14s
  • Sam Rolfe
    • Norman Felton on Sam Rolfe coming up with the premise for The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
      Clip begins at: 18:14, Duration: 08m 20s
    • Norman Felton on working with Sam Rolfe
      Clip begins at: 25:34, Duration: 01m 16s
    • Norman Felton on a photo with Sam Rolfe
      Clip begins at: 15:10, Duration: 00m 42s
  • William S. Paley
    • Norman Felton on working with Bill Paley
      Clip begins at: 01:31, Duration: 00m 07s
  • David Sarnoff
    • Norman Felton on working with David Sarnoff
      Clip begins at: 00:57, Duration: 00m 09s
  • Steven Spielberg
    • Norman Felton on executive producing The Psychiatrist, with episodes directed by Steven Spielberg
      Clip begins at: 05:18, Duration: 01m 30s
  • Frank Stanton
    • Norman Felton on working with Frank Stanton
      Clip begins at: 01:38, Duration: 00m 08s
  • Jimmy Stewart
    • Norman Felton on getting Jimmy Stewart to play the lead in the series Hawkins
      Clip begins at: 10:15, Duration: 02m 41s
  • Studs Terkel
    • Director Norman Felton on getting Studs Terkel onto television
      Clip begins at: 13:30, Duration: 00m 51s
  • Grant Tinker
    • Norman Felton on working with Grant Tinker at MGM
      Clip begins at: 26:50, Duration: 02m 21s
  • Robert Vaughn
    • Norman Felton on casting two short men as the leads in The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
      Clip begins at: 25:17, Duration: 01m 17s
    • Norman Felton on working with Robert Vaughn
      Clip begins at: 04:05, Duration: 00m 06s
    • Norman Felton on a photo from The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
      Clip begins at: 08:28, Duration: 00m 42s
  • Tennessee Williams
    • Norman Felton on going to the University of Iowa with classmate Tennessee Williams
      Clip begins at: 26:46, Duration: 01m 57s
    • Norman Felton on the newspaper he worked on at the University of Iowa
      Clip begins at: 00:51, Duration: 04m 12s
  • Ethel Winant
    • Norman Felton on working with Ethel Winant
      Clip begins at: 02:03, Duration: 00m 08s

Topics

  • Emmy Awards
    • Director Norman Felton on Robert Montgomery Presents winning its first Emmy
      Clip begins at: 20:35, Duration: 01m 29s
  • Pop Culture > Characters & Catchphrases
    • Norman Felton on Ian Fleming coming up with the name "Napoleon Solo" for The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
      Clip begins at: 17:34, Duration: 00m 42s
  • TV's Golden Age (1940s & ‘50s)
    • Director Norman Felton on the "Chicago School" of Broadcasting, which included shows Garroway-at-Large and Studs' Place, crediting the philosophy to writers Charlie Andrews and Paul Rhymer
      Clip begins at: 15:09, Duration: 02m 34s
  • TV's Golden Age (1940s & ‘50s) > Drama
    • Director Norman Felton on his long association with Robert Montgomery Presents [Part 1]
      Clip begins at: 01:13, Duration: 26m 52s
  • Technological Innovation
    • Norman Felton on Studio One going from live to video tape and live television falling out of favor
      Clip begins at: 07:55, Duration: 02m 19s
  • Television Industry > Censorship / Standards & Practices
    • Norman Felton on his experiences with sponsor censorship on Robert Montgomery Presents  
      Clip begins at: 10:03, Duration: 02m 32s
    • Norman Felton on censorship on Playhouse 90's "Judgment at Nuremberg"
      Clip begins at: 10:14, Duration: 03m 06s
  • Television Industry > Criticism of TV > 'The Idiot Box'
    • Norman Felton on the need for media literacy
      Clip begins at: 17:20, Duration: 06m 18s
  • Television Industry > Industry Crossroads > Hollywood Blacklist (ca. 1950s)
    • Norman Felton on his experiences with the Blacklist
      Clip begins at: 12:35, Duration: 08m 00s

Genres

  • Classic Anthology Series
    • Director Norman Felton on his long association with Robert Montgomery Presents [Part 1]
      Clip begins at: 01:13, Duration: 26m 52s
    • Director Norman Felton on his long association with Robert Montgomery Presents  
      Clip begins at: 00:43, Duration: 22m 36s
    • Director Norman Felton on directing and becoming associate producer on Studio One
      Clip begins at: 24:41, Duration: 04m 28s
  • Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
    • Norman Felton on executive producing The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
      Clip begins at: 07:44, Duration: 18m 50s
  • Daytime/Primetime Serials
    • Director Norman Felton on bringing These Are My Children to television- TV's first soap opera - with creator Irna Phillips; on working in radio 
      Clip begins at: 22:18, Duration: 02m 21s
  • Medical Dramas
    • Norman Felton on executive producing Dr. Kildare
      Clip begins at: 21:31, Duration: 08m 29s

Professions

  • Director
    • Norman Felton on transitioning from playwriting to directing
      Clip begins at: 05:03, Duration: 01m 42s
  • Producer
    • Norman Felton on his duties as a producer on Studio One
      Clip begins at: 27:27, Duration: 00m 37s
  • Writers & Show Creators > Writer
    • Norman Felton on his big break writing plays
      Clip begins at: 24:35, Duration: 02m 02s
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Submitted by dadlfxt on Tue, 2010-10-05 00:47.

I have wonderful memories of Mr. Felton. I was friends with his daughter Betsy years ago. Thank you for the interview

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