Television Is Where You Find It
A History of Feature Filmmakers in TV
Published on 9. June 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
214 pages
978-1-9788-4484-1 (ISBN)
Description
Television Is Where You Find It is a revelatory journey into the overlooked world of feature filmmakers who brought their cinematic vision to the small screen between 1955 and 1990-long before directing for television became trendy in the age of "Prestige TV." With ten compelling case studies-from legends like Alfred Hitchcock, David Lynch, and Orson Welles to trailblazers like Ida Lupino, Melvin Van Peebles, and Martin Scorsese-author Craig S. Simpson uncovers how these directors reshaped the language of television with style and imagination.
Far from simply dabbling in a "lesser" medium, these filmmakers pushed the boundaries of what TV could do, crafting bold, innovative work that challenges the old notion that television belongs solely to writers and producers. In this fresh, critical study, Television Is Where You Find It makes a case for rediscovering and reevaluating a rich chapter of television history-one in which cinematic artistry quietly flourished, often hidden in plain sight.
Far from simply dabbling in a "lesser" medium, these filmmakers pushed the boundaries of what TV could do, crafting bold, innovative work that challenges the old notion that television belongs solely to writers and producers. In this fresh, critical study, Television Is Where You Find It makes a case for rediscovering and reevaluating a rich chapter of television history-one in which cinematic artistry quietly flourished, often hidden in plain sight.
Reviews / Votes
"Thoroughly researched and written with flair, this study of legendary movie directors who worked in TV is a rare joy-informative, critically important, and pleasurable." - James Naremore, author of More than Night: Film Noir in Its Contexts"This lively and engaging book captures the vibrancy and eclecticism of early American TV, and offers a crucial counter perspective to those who think great television only began in the twenty-first century. Balancing passion for early TV with critical reflectiveness, Simpson makes a welcome and timely contribution to TV's art history and television aesthetics." - Sarah Cardwell, honorary fellow at the University of KentMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New Brunswick NJ
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
20 B-W images
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 155 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
318 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-9788-4484-1 (9781978844841)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Craig S. Simpson is the director of special collections and archives at San Jose State University. He is the coauthor of Above the Shots: An Oral History of the Kent State Shootings, with Gregory S. Wilson, and Cinema Then and Now: James Naremore - Conversations with Craig S. Simpson.
Content
Note on Viewed Episodes vii
Intro: This Is Not a Film 1
1 Alfred Hitchcock 13
Episode: "One More Mile to Go"
Series: Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Original Air Date: April 7, 1957
2 Leo McCarey 26
Episode: "Tom and Jerry"
Series: Screen Directors Playhouse
Original Air Date: November 30, 1955
3 Ida Lupino 38
Episode: "No. 5 Checked Out"
Series: Screen Directors Playhouse
Original Air Date: January 18, 1956
4 Orson Welles 53
Episode: "The Fountain of Youth"
Series: Colgate Theatre
Original Air Date: September 16, 1958
5 Budd Boetticher 68
Episode: "War of the Silver Kings"
Series: Maverick
Original Air Date: September 22, 1957
6 Michael Powell 81
Episode: "The Sworn Twelve"
Series: The Defenders
Original Air Date: March 25, 1965
7 Melvin Van Peebles 95
Episode: "Really Cool"
Series: The Bill Cosby Show
Original Air Date: April 26, 1970
8 George Cukor 109
Made-for-TV Movie: Love Among the Ruins
Program: ABC Theater
Original Air Date: March 6, 1975
9 Martin Scorsese 123
Episode: "Mirror, Mirror"
Series: Amazing Stories
Original Air Date: March 9, 1986
10 David Lynch 134
Episode: "Lonely Souls"
Series: Twin Peaks
Original Air Date: November 10, 1990
Outro: Television
Is Where You Find It 149
Acknowledgments 155
Notes 157
Bibliography 181
Index 000
Intro: This Is Not a Film 1
1 Alfred Hitchcock 13
Episode: "One More Mile to Go"
Series: Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Original Air Date: April 7, 1957
2 Leo McCarey 26
Episode: "Tom and Jerry"
Series: Screen Directors Playhouse
Original Air Date: November 30, 1955
3 Ida Lupino 38
Episode: "No. 5 Checked Out"
Series: Screen Directors Playhouse
Original Air Date: January 18, 1956
4 Orson Welles 53
Episode: "The Fountain of Youth"
Series: Colgate Theatre
Original Air Date: September 16, 1958
5 Budd Boetticher 68
Episode: "War of the Silver Kings"
Series: Maverick
Original Air Date: September 22, 1957
6 Michael Powell 81
Episode: "The Sworn Twelve"
Series: The Defenders
Original Air Date: March 25, 1965
7 Melvin Van Peebles 95
Episode: "Really Cool"
Series: The Bill Cosby Show
Original Air Date: April 26, 1970
8 George Cukor 109
Made-for-TV Movie: Love Among the Ruins
Program: ABC Theater
Original Air Date: March 6, 1975
9 Martin Scorsese 123
Episode: "Mirror, Mirror"
Series: Amazing Stories
Original Air Date: March 9, 1986
10 David Lynch 134
Episode: "Lonely Souls"
Series: Twin Peaks
Original Air Date: November 10, 1990
Outro: Television
Is Where You Find It 149
Acknowledgments 155
Notes 157
Bibliography 181
Index 000