Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Behind the Aegis

(53,823 posts)
Sun Dec 21, 2014, 03:18 AM Dec 2014

Arthur Gardner dies at 104; produced TV's 'Rifleman,' 'Big Valley'

Source: LA Times

For producer Arthur Gardner, known for his TV western series "The Rifleman" and "The Big Valley," life in the business was "a picnic," his favorite catchphrase..

Gardner, who was a voting member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences into his 100s, died Friday at Sunrise Beverly Hills Assisted Living. He was 104.

He died of natural causes, his son Steven said.

--snip---

At 18 he headed west to follow his dream of becoming an actor, changing his last name for fear of experiencing anti-Semitism. He landed a small part as a German student in the 1930 war film, "All Quiet on the Western Front."

During World War II he produced and directed Army training films, then teamed with Jules V. Levy and Arnold Laven to form Levy-Gardner-Laven Productions, debuting with the 1952 B-movie thriller about a serial killer, "Without Warning!."

He went on to make a series of movies with Burt Reynolds, including "Sam Whiskey," "White Lightning" and "Gator," which Reynolds directed. But Gardner is perhaps best known for having produced the popular 1950s series "The Rifleman," starring Johnny Crawford and Chuck Connors.



Read more: http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-arthur-gardner-20141221-story.html

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Arthur Gardner dies at 104; produced TV's 'Rifleman,' 'Big Valley' (Original Post) Behind the Aegis Dec 2014 OP
Wow! 104 Sherman A1 Dec 2014 #1
He definitely had a long, good and productive life. Behind the Aegis Dec 2014 #2
Indeed Sherman A1 Dec 2014 #3
I've been watching it, too. pacalo Dec 2014 #4
Yes, they definitely did, and still do today. Just so interesting and compelling to watch. RKP5637 Dec 2014 #8
Connors went on to star in "Branded;" Gardner also produced "The Monster That Challenged The World" NBachers Dec 2014 #5
Rest in peace shenmue Dec 2014 #6
RIP! I really loved what he did, what a creative mind! n/t RKP5637 Dec 2014 #7

pacalo

(24,721 posts)
4. I've been watching it, too.
Sun Dec 21, 2014, 03:43 AM
Dec 2014

The tv roles had so much character back in those days. I love the METV network.

RIP, Arthur Gardner.

RKP5637

(67,030 posts)
8. Yes, they definitely did, and still do today. Just so interesting and compelling to watch.
Sun Dec 21, 2014, 09:25 AM
Dec 2014

And often the sets were relatively uncomplicated. The intrigue was in the type of characters and the acting.

NBachers

(16,999 posts)
5. Connors went on to star in "Branded;" Gardner also produced "The Monster That Challenged The World"
Sun Dec 21, 2014, 04:14 AM
Dec 2014

Which is actually better than you'd expect it to be.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Arthur Gardner dies at 10...