Description

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Veteran motion picture, television, and Broadway producer Julian Schlossberg grew up in New York City with an early love of entertainment. As a child, he was an avid fan of radio, film, and the new art of television, and harbored ambitions of meeting his favorite stars one day. Little did he know that in the course of his career, he would not only meet many of them, but also become their producer, representative, and friend.
 
During his nearly 60 years in show business, Schlossberg has worked as a producer, director, distributor, exhibitor, radio and television host, and record executive. At 27 he was the youngest head film buyer of a national theater chain; after working at the ABC network, the Walter Reade Organization, and Paramount Pictures, he would start his own motion-picture company, Castle Hill Productions, which would become one of the largest independent film-distribution companies in the world with a library of over 500 films. Not willing to restrict his efforts to film and television, he has also produced award-winning plays and musicals for Broadway and off-Broadway, working closely with brilliant writers and directors like Mike Nichols, Larry Gelbart, Susan Stroman, Woody Allen, and David Mamet.
 
Now, in his memoir Try Not to Hold It Against Me, Schlossberg shares stories from a lifetime in entertainment, from his childhood in the Bronx to his years as a producer for screen and stage. Schlossberg takes us through the trials and triumphs of work and play in every avenue of the business: negotiating with Al Pacino, Burt Reynolds, and Lillian Hellman; hosting the syndicated radio and television production Movie Talk, which introduced him to hundreds of stars; experiencing the paranormal with Shirley MacLaine and Betty Hill; running the Orson Welles estate and restoring Welles’ masterly film adaptation of Othello; partying with Barbra Streisand and Liza Minelli; testifying in a lawsuit against The Beatles; and interviewing over 120 of the most influential figures of the 20th century for his series Witnesses to the 20th Century.
 
Written with engaging humor and self-deprecation—and with a foreword by Academy Award winner Elaine May—Try Not to Hold It Against Me gives readers a behind-the-scenes pass to Cannes and Las Vegas, the lives and homes of the stars, and the rarely seen but crucial work of the producer in the midst of it all. It’s a compelling read for film, television, and theater enthusiasts alike—and a one-of-a-kind autobiography by one of entertainment’s true insiders.

About the Author

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Julian Schlossberg has produced more than 60 works in film, theater, and television. During his career, he has established himself as a producer’s representative for such prominent figures as Elia Kazan, John Cassavetes, Elaine May, and George C. Scott.
 
Schlossberg was born in New York City and began his career in television at the ABC network. He then went to the Walter Reade Organization, ultimately becoming Vice President and Head Film Buyer at the company’s theater division. While working as an executive, he began hosting Movie Talk, a nationally syndicated radio and television program where he interviewed hundreds of stars, including Jack Nicholson, Jane Fonda, and Bob Hope. He then worked as Vice President of Production at Paramount Pictures before leaving to found Castle Hill Productions, which became one of the world’s largest independent film-distribution companies. He sold Castle Hill after 30 years. 
 
Schlossberg is also the co-founder of Merlian News, an online magazine, and (with partner Danny Goldberg) Gold Castle Records. He is currently producing Witnesses to the 20th Century, a TV series examining the century’s major events through the experiences of its most prominent people. He lives in upstate New York with his wife, Merryn.

Praise For…

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“If I had only had the chance to read Julian Schlossberg’s Try Not To Hold It Against Me when I started to launch my own career as an actor I would have been introduced to the world of “show business” it took me decades to discover. Such a wealth of insight into how things get done, i.e. films, plays, and worthy endeavors. The memoir is a joy to read and a trip down  memory lane during perhaps its’ most creative era.”  —Tony Roberts, Actor (Annie Hall, Serpico,) Two-Time Tony Nominee

“Mike Nichols was doing a play in London and afterwards invited me to join him and Jeremy Irons for a bite, where he introduced me to Julian Schlossberg. When Julian left to catch a plane Mike said, ‘There goes the nicest producer in show business.’ Like a fool, I believed him. I still do.”  —F Murray Abraham, Academy Award Winning Actor

“Try Not To Hold It Against Me is a blockbuster! Julian writes of stars like Al Pacino, Orson Welles, The Beatles, Shirley MacLaine, George C. Scott, Burt Reynolds (and so many others). It was like I was standing on his shoulders seeing VIP doors suddenly open. You’ll love this book. I promise.”  —Steve Guttenberg, Actor (3 Men And A Baby, Cocoon, Police Academy Films)

“A brilliant tale of show business, Try Not to Hold It Against Me will have readers laughing out loud and giving a standing ovation.”  —Twiggy, Actress/Model

“Now, what’s most amazing about this book: Try Not to Hold It Against Me is a true story. Julian Schlossberg’s show-business page-turner is a bold adventure, told as a crackling good tale. Inspires as well as excites. Highly recommend.”  —Walter Anderson, Formerly Editor-In-Chief, Parade Magazine

“If you have ever found yourself interested, even minutely, in the inner workings of Hollywood directors, Try Not to Hold It Against Me is a fantastic starting point. It will hold your interest as you are regaled with stories of Elia Kazan, Arthur Penn, Mike Nichols and many more.”  —Renee Taylor, Emmy-Award Winner Actress/Writer

"An inherently fascinating and impressively informative insider's account of a successful and substantial Hollywood career behind the camera, 'Try Not to Hold It Against Me' has a very special appeal to readers with an interest in cinematic history." —Midwest Book Review

“A LOVE LETTER TO SHOW BUSINESS! Try Not to Hold It Against Me is a must-read written by one of the best funniest in the industry. Truly a fascinating memoir that will captivate delight any reader!”
Susan Stroman, Five-Time Tony Award-Winning Director Choreographer
 
“If I had only had the chance to read Julian Schlossberg’s Try Not To Hold It Against Me when I started to launch my own career as an actor I would have been introduced to the world of “show business” it took me decades to discover. Such a wealth of insight into how things get done, i.e. films, plays, and worthy endeavors. The memoir is a joy to read and a trip down  memory lane during perhaps its’ most creative era.”
Tony Roberts, Actor (Annie Hall, Serpico,) Two-Time Tony Nominee
 
“Mike Nichols was doing a play in London and afterwards invited me to join him and Jeremy Irons for a bite, where he introduced me to Julian Schlossberg. When Julian left to catch a plane Mike said, ‘There goes the nicest producer in show business.’ Like a fool, I believed him. I still do.”
F Murray Abraham, Academy Award Winning Actor
 
“Try Not To Hold It Against Me is a blockbuster! Julian writes of stars like Al Pacino, Orson Welles, The Beatles, Shirley MacLaine, George C. Scott, Burt Reynolds (and so many others). It was like I was standing on his shoulders seeing VIP doors suddenly open. You’ll love this book. I promise.”
Steve Guttenberg, Actor (3 Men And A Baby, Cocoon, Police Academy Films)
 
“A brilliant tale of show business, Try Not to Hold It Against Me will have readers laughing out loud and giving a standing ovation.”
Twiggy, Actress/Model

“Now, what’s most amazing about this book: Try Not to Hold It Against Me is a true story. Julian Schlossberg’s show-business page-turner is a bold adventure, told as a crackling good tale. Inspires as well as excites. Highly recommend.”
Walter Anderson, Formerly Editor-In-Chief, Parade Magazine
 
“If you have ever found yourself interested, even minutely, in the inner workings of Hollywood directors, Try Not to Hold It Against Me is a fantastic starting point. It will hold your interest as you are regaled with stories of Elia Kazan, Arthur Penn, Mike Nichols and many more.”
Renee Taylor, Emmy-Award Winner Actress/Writer
 
“Julian Schlossberg’s memoir is as original and entertaining as is his amazing body of work. It is packed with unique glimpses of the dazzling array of stars he has worked with. This renowned producer has a jeweler’s eye for the foibles and brilliance of artists and a jaundiced eye for the petty and tawdry. He knows show business, and I have to say: He’s one helluva writer.”
Danny Goldberg, Former President of Atlantic Records, Author of Serving the Servant: Remembering Kurt Cobain
 
“Julian Schlossberg has already proven that he’s an A+ Broadway producer, but here he proves that he’s a damn good storyteller. From his childhood in the Bronx to his future in film, Schlossberg shines with this gripping account of what it takes to make it big.”
Marlo Thomas, Four-Time Emmy-Award Winning Actress/Writer/Producer