Melnitz to screen ‘Gold Watch’
Professor’s work to be shown as part of faculty film series
By Barbara E. Hernandez
Daily Bruin Staff
In the days before a fourth network, an independent studio
picture called The Girl, the Gold Watch and Everything was
broadcast in various independent stations around the United States
and received a 42 share.
"It was programmed during May sweeps," says School of Theater,
Film and Television assistant professor Myrl Schreibman, director
of the film. "It beat out all the networks the week it was on the
air."
The film will screen tonight as part of the Second Annual UCLA
Faculty Film Series.
Schreibman, who graduated from UCLA with an MFA, is quick to say
the department of film and television was much different in his
day.
"It was easier to get into television 20 years ago than it is
now," he says of the frequency of young people working in
television then. "Now it’s somewhat easier to get started in
features than it was."
An accomplished producer and director, Schreibman went on to
work for ABC television’s hit series "It Takes a Thief," while
directing and producing such diverse projects as the features "The
Italian" and the television special "Tony Bennett with Love" for
Lorimar.
The success of The Girl, the Gold Watch and Everything surprised
Paramount and the Big Three networks, and perhaps even Schreibman,
who optioned the story by John MacDonald some years before.
The film’s high rating during its airing was boosted by the
inclusion of an original song. Played on the radio to coincide with
the movie, the public interest in the project increased. "(With the
song) there was an immediate association to it," he says of the
movie’s success. "Plus, I think the chemistry between Robert Hays
and Pam Dawber was very successful."
Both actors were well known to the public in sitcoms like "Mork
& Mindy" and "Angie" while Robert Hays’ fame was spreading a
little further with a different kind of movie called Airplane!
Schreibman recalls looking for a lead actor and talking to producer
Howard Koch who showed him some editing footage of his latest film,
Airplane! "Once I saw him, I knew he was our guy," he says.
The chemistry between the two actors showed on screen. "It’s
those kind of moments that make the profession fun, finding
something that works creatively," Schreibman recalls. Shot in 24
days at Paramount ("We were the ugly stepchild on the lot,"
Schreibman remembers.) and San Diego, with a day for blue screen
special effects, the outcome was amazing.
Originally planned to run in summer, the studio stepped up the
delivery date to May, to run during sweeps. The gamble paid off
beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. After the incredible numbers pulled
by independent stations across the nation, Schreibman was put under
contract at Columbia.
Schreibman began teaching nine years ago, although he still
produces and directs. "There comes a time when people would like to
impart some of their experiences to students. You can only learn so
much from school," Schreibman states, "professional experience
really flushes it out."
Schreibman, even after 41 years in the business, still maintains
a love and loyalty. "(Filmmaking) is the only profession that I
know with all its downs, is worth it for the ups. You have a lot of
fun, a lot of heartache, but a lot of fun."
A sense of humor and a love of people make the art and business
of filmmaking a lot easier, Schreibman states. "You have to be able
to bounce back," he says. "If not, you’re in the wrong
profession.
"I think the biggest challenge for young filmmakers today is
keeping their integrity," says Schreibman, "especially when
bombarded with studios and agents. I think our film students have
the savvy to know what’s going on and where its going. That’s why
UCLA’s curriculum is so exciting."
FILM: The Girl, the Gold Watch and Everything. Directed by Myrl
Schreibman. Playing at Melnitz Theater Monday at 7 p.m. The
screening will be followed by a discussion with Schreibman.
Admission is free. For more info call (310) 825-2345.