In what is, without doubt, one of the coolest developments since this blog (and book) got going, I’ve had the honor of helping producer-director Maury Dexter prepare his memoirs, Highway To Hollywood (The Hard Way).
Mr. Dexter covers his childhood, stint in the military and Hollywood career — which includes everything from acting in a Three Stooges short to working for Lippert during the Regalscope years to directing The Mini-Skirt Mob to being a key member of Michael Landon’s production team. I found it a fascinating read.
We can all thank Mr. Kit Parker (of Kit Parker Films) for making this happen. All I did was some proofreading and project management while a designer friend, Jim Briggs, took on the task of creating both a PDF and ePub from Mr. Dexter’s manuscript. (That’s the cover up top.)
Of course, we also owe a big thanks for Mr. Dexter for sharing his story. Make that giving us his story. It’ll cost you nothing.
You can download the PDF here:
L-R: Maury Dexter, Mara Corday, Jody McCrea on the set of The Hanging Judge, which was released as Naked Gun (1956).
50 Westerns From The 50s. 
Wow. What an unexpected bounty! Congratulations.
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Wonderful, talented man, co-worker and long-time friend. I’m looking forward to the read.
Wow, thanks.
Up to Maury’s second move to Los Angeles and getting the family together. Enjoying the life story of my dear friend. As good as sitting by his pool and hearing stories! Bob Dix
Privileged to work with Maury as composer for score of The Young Swingers and Raiders From Beneath The Sea (1962?) Lippert Prodns. He started me on my career as a film composer. Even with a low budget he made both pictures competitive with the best of Hollywood. They both still play occasionally on cable and are great fun to watch.
HANK LEVINE
Welcome aboard Mr. Levine. As a Monkees fan, it’s great to have to you stop by.
Mr. Dexter is a delight. It’s been great to interview him and help get his memoirs together.
It’s a very interesting read, especially considering that he’s my uncle! I’m trying to get a hard copy if anyone knows how to get one. He recently moved and there isn’t one available.
Well, hello there! I really enjoyed working with your uncle on this.
There are no hard copies of the book. Well, there are three: one for Maury, myself and the designer. The file is a PDF, I believe, so you can take it to any copy place and they’ll make you one.
Been meaning to call Maury to see how he’s doing. If you talk to him, please tell him Toby said hello.
This popped as a facebook memory. Uncle Maury passed away a few years ago, not too long after he visited us. I need to find a way to get his book printed.
I certainly will! He just visited us last week. My Other Uncle was Hank. 😉