Writing

Michael Schlesinger

Acting credits

Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema poster
4.3

Before the G, PG and R ratings system there was the Production Code, and before that there was, well, nothing. This eye-opening documentary examines the rampant sexuality of early Hollywood through movie clips and reminiscences by stars of the era. Gloria Swanson, Mary Pickford, Marlene Dietrich and others relate tales of the artistic freedom that led to the draconian Production Code, which governed content from 1934 to 1968. Diane Lane narrates.

Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema

2007

Out of Print poster
5.7

A documentary exploring the importance of revival cinema and 35mm exhibition - seen through the lens of the patrons of the New Beverly Cinema - a unique and independent revival cinema in Los Angeles.

Out of Print

2014

13 Ghosts: The Magic of Illusion-O poster
NR

Produced for the "13 Ghosts" Special Edition DVD.

13 Ghosts: The Magic of Illusion-O

Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story poster
7.8

Chronicles the last great American showman, filmmaker William Castle, a master of ballyhoo who became a brand name in movie horror with his outrageous audience participation gimmicks.

Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story

2007

Imagining 'Heavy Metal' poster
10.0

Documentary about the making of "Heavy Metal" (1981), produced for the DVD Special Edition.

Imagining 'Heavy Metal'

1999

Battle-Axe: the Making of 'Strait-Jacket' poster
8.0

A look back at the classic 1964 film of horror and suspense starring Joan Crawford as an axe-murderer just released from the mental hospital. Includes footage of the filming and interviews with several of those involved, as well as a look at the movies it was influenced by and those that were in turn influenced by it.

Battle-Axe: the Making of 'Strait-Jacket'

2002

Obey the Lost Skeleton! poster
NR

DVD featurette about the making of “The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra.”

Obey the Lost Skeleton!

2004

Taking the Punishment Poll poster
NR

Produced for the "Mr. Sardonicus" Special Edition DVD.

Taking the Punishment Poll

2002

Psychette: William Castle and "Homicidal" poster
NR

Produced for the "Homicidal" Special Edition DVD.

Psychette: William Castle and "Homicidal"

2002

American Frontiers: Anthony Mann at Universal poster
NR

An all-new documentary about filmmaker Anthony Mann and his time making films for Universal Studios in the 1950's.

American Frontiers: Anthony Mann at Universal

2019

No artwork available
NR

Documentary covering the Universal Inner Sanctum series.

This Is the Inner Sanctum: Making a Universal Mystery Series

2020

No artwork available
NR

Filmmaker and film historian Michael Schlesinger discusses Stanley Kramer's work as a producer and the socio-political environment at the time when he was most successful.

A Stanley Kramer Production

2016

Behind the camera