JULIAN SCHLOSSBERG

By Sean Buttimer

You can’t fathom all the things that come back to you until you start to write a memoir.” Quite possibly megaproducer Julian Schlossberg’s famous last words…before he starts the next memoir, that is. That’s right – there’s literally so much information and memories contained in the now-available Try Not To Hold It Against Me, that he has to write a part 2! But with a monster of a career that Julian Schlossberg has had, it’s actually not unfathomable that he might initially forget some of the many stories that have happened over an almost 60 year career.

Many readers in the tri-state area may remember a radio show named Movie Talk that premiered on WMCA and was later on WOR. Julian was the host for a combined 9 years, and spoke to such industry titans as Bob Hope, Jack Nicholson, Dustin Hoffman, and Warren Beatty.

Movie Talk was one of only three shows in New York City that Bob Hope would even go on – the other two being Johnny Carson and Mike Douglas (both TV).Jack Nicholson once astonishingly admitted on the show that every time he starts a new film, he’s not sure if he still has it as an actor. Robert Duvall would later agree with this sentiment; that the weight of a film resting on your shoulders as the star can be intimidating.

But Movie Talk would turn out to only be a small part in Julian’s career. Over the years, he’s been an assistant account representative at ABC, account executive at the Walter Reade Organization, studio executive at Paramount, the founder of Castle Hill Productions, producer on Broadway, lecturer, and even record producer. That’s just a few things. It’s really a behemoth of a career, all neatly laid out in Try Not To Hold It Against Me (a phrase he would use on the phone when he explained that he was a producer from New York!). What really makes the book great is the jaw-dropping stories and great advice contained within.

When asked what the biggest takeaway for readers should be, Julian said he wants to “entertain, but educate.” And he does just that. Many of the stories are absolutely wild. Like the time he went drinking with George C. Scott, and after exclaiming “this is great…I have to do this more often,” George grabbed him hard by the shoulders and set him straight. “This is not great. Promise me you won’t do this again!” When General Patton himself tells you to do something, you say, “yes, sir” and you do it! Julian never got drunk again.

Or there was the time at Cannes when Harrison Ford was late for a party in his honor and had to hitch a ride with Julian and his then-wife. Julian had to quickly re-familiarize himself with driving a stick shift, in a dark, hilly terrain, with hardly any idea of where he was going. Though Harrison was a good sport, laughing and joking the whole time, we can all imagine Indiana Jones barely holding onto his signature hat as he bounces back and forth in the back of a tiny car, just thankful he doesn’t have to deal with any snakes named Reggie.

What’s even more astonishing than the fun or funny stories that are recounted in the book are the business failures that occurred over the years…and Julian doesn’t hold back. Most people assume that at a certain level of the industry, pieces just magically fall into place and everything works out. But “sure things” routinely fall apart, whether they be a Broadway play with a seemingly-hungry all-star cast or a potential mega-studio with international funding that falls apart due to cultural differences.

But many things obviously did work out. Castle Hill Productions, founded by Julian, was an independent distribution company that was active from 1978 to 2009 (after being sold twice, the holdings are now held by Shout! Factory), and revived and restored over 200 classic movies, including films by Elia Kazan, John Cassavetes, and Orson Welles. Given the name Castle Hill Productions, Julian must be from the Bronx, right? Half-right. While Julian Schlossberg is from the Bronx, that’s not where the name comes from (he actually grew up miles away from Castle Hill Ave). In German, “Schloss” means castle, and “Berg” means mountain. Seeing as he was formerly employed at Paramount, Julian decided to drop the “mountain,” and just go with “hill,” instead. But good guess on the whole Bronx bit.

Try Not To Hold It Against Me manages to be incredibly relatable. While very few of us have been studio executives or film distributors, we’ve all had moments where we felt in over our heads, or someone higher up overruled us but we took the blame anyway. The book’s foreword is written by Elaine May…and you’ll exhale with relief when it’s done. No one can write like Elaine, so you’ll need to read it for yourself. Regardless, upon release of Mikey and Nicky (1976), written and directed by Elaine, Julian (Vice President of Production at Paramount at the time) was given specific instructions when marketing a sneak preview of the film in Washington, D.C. Julian was overruled by an executive in charge of…him. The screening was a disaster, and Elaine initially blamed Julian. But Elaine soon forgave him after realizing the situation he had been put in. And since then, Julian and Elaine have not only worked together many times, but remain close friends to this day.

When asked what he looks for in a project when deciding whether to produce or not, Julian simply responded that he needs to “fall in love” with said project. If you are going to spend a year plus working on something, you need to be really into it. He also likes to see strong characterization and big arcs (changes) or redemption. But he also really loves comedy…if it makes you laugh on the page, it’s something he has to try and do.

Given all the areas Julian’s worked in – film, theater, radio, distribution, lecturing, etc. – which of those things does he enjoy/ wish to work in most? In response, Julian mentioned something interesting regarding theater, as opposed to film. In film, when the final edit is complete, (for the most part) the film is completely done. It is what it is. But with theater, there’s more control… you can keep working on it, even after it opens. Performances can be fixed after reviews. He said it’s also nice to be stable in one location like a rehearsal hall, as opposed to doing a company move from location to location.

When asked if he has any advice for anyone looking to follow in his footsteps, Julian explained that one of the problems is that “too many people let go of the ledge too quickly.” You need to eat, sleep, and breathe the industry. You need to be able to sacrifice your personal life. “It’s only work if you don’t want to do it.”

Fellow producer Mike Nichols once proclaimed to Academy Award winning actor F. Murray Abraham in regards to Julian, “there goes the nicest producer in show business.” He may just be right. He’s one of the friendliest Bronx natives you’ll have the pleasure of getting to talk to, if you’re lucky enough.

Try Not To Hold It Against Me by Julian Schlossberg is available through Beaufort Books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, and Bookshop.