Before I Forget

By: James Sheldon

Narrated by: James Sheldon

Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

James Sheldon was directing the radio show We, The People when it became the first commercial CBS network program to telecast nationally on June 1, 1948. Since then he has experienced the technological changes from live to electronic tape to film, from black and white to color, and from a few hundred thousand to the multimillions of television sets in use today. His early live credits include dramatic series like Robert Montgomery Presents and Studio One, comedies like Mister Peepers and musicals like Don Ameche's Holiday Hotel. He was part of the move from New York to Los Angeles as television production shifted west in the mid 50's.

 Credits during that period: The Johnny Carson Show, West Point Story, Harbor Command, and Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater. In the '60s, he directed many episodes of 87th Precinct, Naked City, Route 66, The Millionaire, My Three Sons, The Twilight Zone, Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, and Gunsmoke. In the '70s, M*A*S*H, The Virginian, Sanford & Son, Rock Hudson's McMillan & Wife and Raymond Burr's Ironside. In the ‘80s, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Cagney & Lacey, and The Equalizer. Included in the list of the many actors whose careers he helped start are James Dean, Paul Newman, Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, Carroll O'Connor, Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds, Lee Remick, Tony Randall, and Tyne Daly.

©2011 BearManor Media (P)2012 Audio Cinema Entertainment Inc. in association with BearManor Media

Unforgettable History of TV

I'm glad the author read his own work, because for one thing, he pronounces all the names right. This book is a piece of history, of how TV shows evolved. All the names and events should be told by the author. I highly recommend this book. It's excellent.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

A MUST FOR ANY INSPIRING DIRECTORS

Where does Before I Forget rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

A must Listen or a must read it's not just a bio its the man who lived it talking to you

What did you like best about this story?

I loved hearing about the craft and Jobs as well as the politics you have to deal with

Which character – as performed by James Sheldon – was your favorite?

James Sheldon Narrating his own book was fantastic

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

HE WAS GOLDEN AGE TELEVISION

Any additional comments?

I found out he Directed one of the best Batman Episodes in Season 1 The Purr-fect Crime it was dark both tone and shadows for that series and part 2 Better Luck Next Time he gave some really interesting intimate details about Julie Newmar and the tiger featured in the episodes, in my opinion, its one of the series most cinematic looking episodes like I said for anyone who wants to be a director Learn from your older established colleagues and since it is the now Late James Sheldon (1920–2016) Telling you his story himself its inimate and very informative