Hal Cooper
Director
About This Interview
In his five-hour Archive interview, director Hal Cooper talks about breaking into TV at the DuMont network following his service in World War II. He discusses DuMont children's programs Television Baby Sitter and The Magic Cottage, and talks about his work directing 1950's soap operas, including Search for Tomorrow and Portia Faces Life. He details his work as an associate producer/ director of Gilligan's Island and his long tenure on I Dream of Jeannie. Cooper also recounts his time directing Gidget, That Girl, Mayberry R.F.D., Death Valley Days, and The Courtship of Eddie's Father. He speaks extensively about the groundbreaking '70s sitcom Maude, on which he served as an executive producer and director. He also talks of directing '70s shows The Brady Bunch, Free Country, and The Odd Couple. Cooper then discusses his later efforts on series Love, Sidney; Gimme a Break; and Dear John. Karen Herman conducted the interview in Beverly Hills on December 11, 2003.
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Highlights
Hal Cooper on his first television jobs directing Your School Reporter and Magic Cottage for DuMont
Clip begins at: 16:39, Duration: 12m 06s
Hal Cooper on working with Sidney Sheldon on I Dream of Jeannie
Clip begins at: 00:04, Duration: 02m 21s- Hal Cooper on acting with Milton Berle as a guest star on I Dream of Jeannie
Clip begins at: 15:21, Duration: 02m 14s 
Hal Cooper on how he viewed his work
Clip begins at: 09:45, Duration: 01m 12s
Hal Cooper on advice for aspiring television directors
Clip begins at: 05:45, Duration: 03m 49s
Interview
- Part 1
- On his early childhood and influences; on his time as a child performer and director on radio; on his service in Wold War II
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On creating and directing the early series Your High School Reporter, TV Babysitter and Magic Cottage for the DuMont Network
Clip begins at: 16:39 - Part 2
- On creating and writing Magic Cottage; on working at the DuMont studio; on acting with Jack Palance on The Plainclothesman
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On directing Search For Tomorrow; on directing Patty Duke and Mary Stuart on Search For Tomorrow
Clip begins at: 14:33 - Part 3
- On producing Portia Faces Life; on relocating from New York to Los Angeles; on playing a bailiff on various court shows; on directing the game show Your Surprise Package
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On the Hollywood Blacklist; on being hired by Sheldon Leonard to direct The Dick Van Dyke Show
Clip begins at: 15:51 - Part 4
- On directing I Spy; on directing Death Valley Days
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On casting and directing Gilligan's Island; on how he came to direct I Dream of Jeannie
Clip begins at: 17:18 - Part 5
- On working with Sidney Sheldon on I Dream of Jeannie; on directing the "magic" in I Dream of Jeannie; on the cast of the show; on censorship issues in his career
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On various guest stars and the longevity of I Dream of Jeannie; on directing Hazel, Gidget, The Flying Nun, My World and Welcome To It and Insight
Clip begins at: 15:21 - Part 6
- On directing Insight; on directing That Girl
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On directing Mayberry R.F.D.; on directing The Courtship of Eddie's Father
Clip begins at: 14:44 - Part 7
- On directing The Brady Bunch; on directing The Odd Couple; on directing Love, American Style, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and All in the Family
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On directing Maude; on the cast of Maude and the Maude spinoff Good Times
Clip begins at: 16:09 - Part 8
- On the cast of Maude; on the talent of Beatrice Arthur; on the Maude episode "Maude Bares Her Soul"
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On specific episodes of Maude
Clip begins at: 17:44 - Part 9
- On network interference on Maude; on becoming executive producer of the show and why it was cancelled; on directing Sanford and Son and One Day at a Time
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On directing various other Norman Lear shows - A Year at the Top and The Nancy Walker Show; on directing Rob Reiner in Free Country; on directing Love, Sidney
Clip begins at: 15:32 - Part 10
- On directing Love, Sidney; on directing Gimme a Break!; on directing Empty Nest
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On directing Dear John; on directing The Powers That Be; on directing Bob
Clip begins at: 16:21 - Part 11
- On his decision to retire; on advice for aspiring directors and the importance of rehearsing; on highlights and challenges in his career
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On B-Roll photos from his career: with Marlo Thomas; with Larry Hagman and Barbara Eden; with Bill Bixby and Brandon Cruz; with the cast of Maude; with Helen Hays; with Sammy Davis, Jr.; on the set of The Brady Bunch; with partner Rod Parker
Clip begins at: 16:16
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