#384: When TV Was Golden—Ralph Senensky

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You have probably never heard of him but chances are good that the television shows he directed made you laugh, made you cry, or made you think or all of the above. I promise, you will be astounded the sheer breadth and variety—not to mention longevity—of the 97-year-old Mr. Senensky’s career.

A partial list of hit shows he directed would include The Twilight Zone, the original Star Trek, The Courtship of Eddie's Father, Dr. Kildare, Mission Impossible, The Fugitive, The Waltons, FBI, and Mannix.

I thought with the crazy upside down status of the world these days, I would take a break from heavier topics and showcase an insightful and nostalgic visit the golden age of television to the lens of a legendary director whose work is still enjoyed by untold millions of people.

In this Episode You Will Learn

• How a young man from Mason City, Iowa, fell into show business and rose to the top of his profession
• What it was like to realize he was going to direct the legendary Barbara Stanwyck
• A typical day in the life of a busy Hollywood TV director
• Stories of conflict with actors and Studio “suits”
• How show business has changed with the culture and vice versa
• Lessons of perseverance and leading the life you want to live not the one others force on you

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

• Ralph Senensky’s website
• The Name Above the Title, by Frank Capra
• The Light On Her Face by Joseph Walker