In the ranks of screenwriters, Paddy Chayefsky is a giant. The only screenwriter to have three solo Academy Awards — for Marty (1955), The Hospital (1971), and Network (1976) — Chayefsky was also a successful playwright and television dramatist.
We’ve already featured Chayefsky here, but these two video clips from “The Dinah Shore Show” are remarkable. The primary topic of discussion is Network, so I’m guessing the show dates from 1976, the year the movie was released. It’s interesting to hear what Chayefsky claims is the main theme of the movie: “How do you preserve yourself in a world where life doesn’t mean that much anymore?” Chayefsky has some fascinating thoughts about violence in the media and contemporary culture.
Network is as relevant today as ever. And here’s your chance to spend a few minutes with one of the most brilliant screenwriters of all time — Paddy Chayefsky.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woV72Ceag8M]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVzS_DWqklg]
Thank you for posting these. I hadn’t seen them before.
Paddy is one of my idols.
It always blows my mind seeing new interviews of him. The guy was so far ahead of his time.
I agree, James. Just reading that monologue from Network again — it could slot in perfectly to current affairs, even down to the oil crisis reference.
Siegel & Myers actually worked up a pitch with Howard Gottfried, Chayefsky’s longtime producing partner. I asked Howard how Chayefsky had done the research for what became the movie Altered States. Had he visited jungle tribes in Central and South America to learn about hallucinogenic drugs? Not at all. Howard said that Chayefsky did all his research using National Geographic magazines – evidently he had a wall full of them. I guess if you’re blessed with the creative genius that Chayefsky had, you don’t have to leave the comfort of your office to do research.
And no, we didn’t sell the pitch. But it was great to meet Howard (he was producing Torch Song Trilogy at the time).
Isn't it great how talk shows back then let a guest, well, talk. Thanks for this he didn't do many interviews. This was just great!