Walter Mirisch

Some Like It Hot, The Magnificent Seven, In the Heat of the Night, the original Pink Panther. If you're lucky, you've seen these films. Walter Mirisch produced them. I Thought We Were Making Movies, Not History is his new book.

In this candid conversation, Mirisch recounts his role as a producer during the heyday of the Hollywood studio system, the decision to shoot Some Like It Hot in black and white, and his company's decision to make films with the objective of improving peoples lives. He also shares anecdotes about Dustin Hoffman and Peckinpah bad-boy Steve McQueen.

Note: On Thursday, June 19, Walter will sign copies of his new book and introduce a double feature of his films (The Apartment and In the Heat of the Night) at the American Cinematheque/Egyptian Theatre.

Photo: Larry Mirisch