BIOGRAPHY from
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0939942/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
William Preston Wood II was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father was a prominent Philadelphia banker. Wood's parents divorced shortly after his birth. His mother, a vaudeville and silent film performer, took him and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. There he completed high school and a stint at the local community college, followed by admission to the University of Florida.
In college, Wood found his passion for writing as he crafted commercial scripts and public service announcements for the university radio station, WRUF. Just a semester short of completion of requirements for an undergraduate degree in English literature, World War II interrupted his (and many, many others') academic plans for three years. He joined the United States Army Air Force as a cryptographer. He was stationed in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific where he served until war's end.
After his discharge, Wood completed his course of study and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in the summer of 1946.
He sought his fortune in New York. He arrived in Gotham armed with his GI benefits, a few introductions to show business notables supplied by his actress mother, and dreams of a postwar world that his generation would create.
In one of his first professional efforts, he rewrote a musical comedy for show business legend J.J. Shubert. He also wrote comedy for the Kraft Music Hall and for radio personalities such as Goodman Ace, Robert Q. Lewis and Paul Winchell.
One dream had already become the reality of a new communications medium - television. In TV's early days, commercial sponsors controlled the shows they paid for. The "mad men" were the network moguls. So it was that Wood's entry into television was through his new employer, advertising titan Young & Rubicam.
Back in those early days, television directing was a craft to be learned and invented simultaneously. Wood worked with his mentor and fellow trailblazer Frank Telford. Between 1948 and 1950, Wood directed: The Bigelow Show, a variety show featuring Winchell and friends; Holiday Hotel, showcasing the varied talents of the irrepressible Oscar Levant; and We, The People, a current events and history program presciently adopting a magazine format. A viewer of We, The People could watch segments featuring anyone from Cole Porter to Mickey Mantle, or even (then) President Truman.
Meanwhile, in September 1949 he met Brooklynite model Eleanor Auby at a bar on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Love at first sight turned into marriage in July 1950, and then into family beginning in 1951 with the birth of William Preston III. Two years later, second son Mark was born. Eleanor and Preston remained together until her death in 2008.
Wood moved out of live television directing at the beginning of the 1950's, concentrating on the nitty-gritty work of a Madison Avenue advertising man. It was only at this time, after years of work in the medium, that he finally bought his first television set in December 1953. In those days, there was little occasion to buy a TV. Everything was live.
The family moved to the Connecticut suburbs. In 1958, his boss at Y & R, David Levy, persuaded Wood to join him on a new team being put together at NBC to develop new programs. At NBC, Wood was involved in the creation of Klondike, an hour dramatic series set during the Yukon Gold Rush, and Portofino, an adventure series starring Bobby Van.
In 1961, the Woods moved to Los Angeles as Preston assumed the duties of story editor for the second season of the western series Outlaws.
The following year he took the plunge into freelance script writing, changing his life forever. It was this decision that yielded the extensive filmography accumulated over two decades of steady script work.
The output is diverse, startlingly so. There were contemporary dramas - Mr. Novak, Slattery's People, the latter one of his favorite shows, although it had but a brief run. There was comedy -- The Addams Family, the creation of his NBC/Y & R boss David Levy. One episode featured a sidesplitting turn for Uncle Fester, played by Jackie Coogan, who would always remember it as one of his favorite efforts. Wood's work for shows such as Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Big Valley, and The Virginian earned him a lifetime membership in the Western Writers of America. A 1968 episode of Gunsmoke garnered guest star Jack Albertson an Emmy award for his portrayal of the title character in "Danny".
In late 1966, Wood was recruited by Jack Webb to write for a revival of his popular 1950's television program Dragnet. His first script for Dragnet 1967 aired in January 1967, and he would freelance for the show throughout its run. Wood went on to write for the similarly popular Webb spinoff, Adam-12.
To gain insight into the life of police officers, Wood even joined the Los Angeles Police Department Reserve, serving as a sworn patrol officer. When not reading criminal suspects their rights, he worked crowd control for parades and would have to bark orders to the same TV stars he wrote for!
He was always especially proud of his extensive work on another Jack Webb series, Emergency!, starting with the first season in 1972. His 25 stories for this show inspired local communities everywhere to develop paramedic programs. Emergency! saved lives.
The 1970's also saw work on Grizzly Adams, The Smith Family, Little House on the Prairie, and Hawaii 5-0. Working with his son William (Bill), he wrote for Kaz and Quincy. A brief biography can only furnish a partial list of his freelance writing. His last script was for the short-lived Jessica Novak in the early 1980's.
In retirement, Wood remained active with the Writers Guild. He also focused on novel writing. He published Weatherbee's Gold in 2010. He died January 13, 2011.
Wood's career provides a core sample of American popular culture in the second half of the twentieth century.∼Born William Preston Wood II, His father was a prominent Philadelphia banker. Wood's parents divorced shortly after his birth. His mother, a vaudeville and silent film performer, took him and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. There he completed high school and a stint at the local community college, followed by admission to the University of Florida.
In college, Wood found his passion for writing as he crafted commercial scripts and public service announcements for the university radio station, WRUF. Just a semester short of completion of requirements for an undergraduate degree in English literature, World War II interrupted his (and many, many others') academic plans for three years. He joined the United States Army Air Force as a cryptographer. He was stationed in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific where he served until war's end.
After his discharge, Wood completed his course of study and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in the summer of 1946.
He sought his fortune in New York. He arrived in Gotham armed with his GI benefits, a few introductions to show business notables supplied by his actress mother, and dreams of a postwar world that his generation would create.
In one of his first professional efforts, he rewrote a musical comedy for show business legend J.J. Shubert. He also wrote comedy for the Kraft Music Hall and for radio personalities such as Goodman Ace, Robert Q. Lewis and Paul Winchell.
One dream had already become the reality of a new communications medium - television. In TV's early days, commercial sponsors controlled the shows they paid for. The "mad men" were the network moguls. So it was that Wood's entry into television was through his new employer, advertising titan Young & Rubicam.
Back in those early days, television directing was a craft to be learned and invented simultaneously. Wood worked with his mentor and fellow trailblazer Frank Telford. Between 1948 and 1950, Wood directed: The Bigelow Show, a variety show featuring Winchell and friends; Holiday Hotel, showcasing the varied talents of the irrepressible Oscar Levant; and We, The People, a current events and history program presciently adopting a magazine format. A viewer of We, The People could watch segments featuring anyone from Cole Porter to Mickey Mantle, or even (then) President Truman.
Meanwhile, in September 1949 he met Brooklynite model Eleanor Auby at a bar on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Love at first sight turned into marriage in July 1950, and then into family beginning in 1951 with the birth of William Preston III. Two years later, second son Mark was born. Eleanor and Preston remained together until her death in 2008.
Wood moved out of live television directing at the beginning of the 1950's, concentrating on the nitty-gritty work of a Madison Avenue advertising man. It was only at this time, after years of work in the medium, that he finally bought his first television set in December 1953. In those days, there was little occasion to buy a TV. Everything was live.
The family moved to the Connecticut suburbs. In 1958, his boss at Y & R, David Levy, persuaded Wood to join him on a new team being put together at NBC to develop new programs. At NBC, Wood was involved in the creation of Klondike, an hour dramatic series set during the Yukon Gold Rush, and Portofino, an adventure series starring Bobby Van.
In 1961, the Woods moved to Los Angeles as Preston assumed the duties of story editor for the second season of the western series Outlaws.
The following year he took the plunge into freelance script writing, changing his life forever. It was this decision that yielded the extensive filmography accumulated over two decades of steady script work.
The output is diverse, startlingly so. There were contemporary dramas - Mr. Novak, Slattery's People, the latter one of his favorite shows, although it had but a brief run. There was comedy -- The Addams Family, the creation of his NBC/Y & R boss David Levy. One episode featured a sidesplitting turn for Uncle Fester, played by Jackie Coogan, who would always remember it as one of his favorite efforts. Wood's work for shows such as Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Big Valley, and The Virginian earned him a lifetime membership in the Western Writers of America. A 1968 episode of Gunsmoke garnered guest star Jack Albertson an Emmy award for his portrayal of the title character in "Danny".
FILM HISTORY:
"The New Addams Family" (2 episodes )
Fester and Granny vs. Grandpapa Addams (10 March 1999) - Writer (teleplay)
Fester, the Tycoon (6 July 1999) - Writer (teleplay)
"Quincy M.E." (3 episodes )
... aka "Quincy" - International (English title) (informal title)
Last Day, First Day (19 November 1980) - Writer (writer)
Jury Duty (28 January 1981) - Writer (writer)
Sleeping Dogs (17 November 1982) - Writer (writer)
"Kaz" (2 episodes )
Verdict in Department 12 (24 September 1978) - Writer (writer)
Count Your Fingers (4 March 1979) - Writer (writer)
"The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams" (1 episode)
The Storm (12 May 1977) - Writer (written by)
"Little House on the Prairie" (2 episodes )
... aka "L.H.O.T.P." - International (English title) (informal short title)
... aka "Little House: A New Beginning" - USA (last season title)
Circus Man (5 February 1975) - Writer (story)
Survival (26 February 1975) - Writer (story)
"Sierra" (1 episode)
The Rangers (24 December 1974) - Writer (writer)
"Emergency!" (25 episodes )
... aka "Emergencia" - USA (Spanish title)
... aka "Emergency One" - USA (syndication title)
Mascot (22 January 1972) - Writer (written by)
Hang-Up (8 April 1972) - Writer (written by)
Decision (16 September 1972) - Writer (written by)
Helpful (16 December 1972) - Writer (written by)
Seance (24 February 1973) - Writer (written by)
Boot (3 March 1973) - Writer (written by)
Audit (7 April 1973) - Writer (written by)
The Old Engine (29 September 1973) - Writer (written by)
Promotion (3 November 1973) - Writer (written by)
Understanding (15 December 1973) - Writer (written by)
Propinquity (16 February 1974) - Writer (written by)
Gossip (28 September 1974) - Writer (written by)
Surprise (19 October 1974) - Writer (written by)
Parade (21 December 1974) - Writer (written by)
The Bash (28 December 1974) - Writer (written by)
The Stewardess (13 September 1975) - Writer (written by)
The Old Engine Cram (20 September 1975) - Writer (written by)
One of Those Days (8 November 1975) - Writer (written by)
Right at Home (10 January 1976) - Writer (written by)
Above and Beyond... Nearly (31 January 1976) - Writer (written by)
Not Available (2 October 1976) - Writer (written by)
Fair Fight (30 October 1976) - Writer (written by)
Welcome to Santa Rosa County (25 December 1976) - Writer (written by)
The Steel Inferno (7 January 1978) - Writer (written by)
Greatest Rescues of Emergency (31 December 1978) - Writer (written by) , segment writer (as Prestin Wood)
"The Smith Family" (1 episode)
Family Man (15 December 1971) - Writer (written by)
"Ironside" (1 episode)
... aka "The Raymond Burr Show" - USA (syndication title)
Grandmother's House (1 April 1971) - Writer (writer)
"Matt Lincoln" (2 episodes )
Nick (29 October 1970) - Writer (teleplay)
Lori (5 November 1970) - Writer (teleplay)
"The Bold Ones: The Senator" (1 episode)
To Taste of Death But Once (13 September 1970) - Writer (story)
"Hawaii Five-O" (1 episode)
... aka "McGarrett" - USA (rerun title)
Cry, Lie (4 February 1970) - Writer (written by)
"Adam-12" (12 episodes )
Log 11: It's Just a Little Dent, Isn't It? (5 October 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 131: Reed, the Dicks Have Their Jobs, and We Have Ours (12 October 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 91: You're Not the First Guy's Had the Problem (19 October 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 161: And You Want Me to Get Married? (26 October 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 111: The Boa Constrictor (7 December 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 122: Christmas - The Yellow Dump Truck (21 December 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 32: Jimmy Eisley's Dealing Smack (11 January 1969) - Writer (written by)
Log 33: It All Happened So Fast (1 February 1969) - Writer (written by)
Log 92: Tell Him He Pushed a Little Too Hard (29 March 1969) - Writer (written by)
Log 22:...So This Little Guy Goes Into a Bar, and... (5 April 1969) - Writer (written by)
Log 52: Good Cop - Handle with Care (4 October 1969) - Writer (written by)
Hollywood Division (21 November 1973) - Writer (written by)
"Cimarron Strip" (1 episode)
The Last Wolf (14 December 1967) - Writer (written by)
"T.H.E. Cat" (1 episode)
Twenty-One and Out (24 March 1967) - Writer (writer)
"Dragnet 1967" (6 episodes )
... aka "Dragnet" - USA (syndication title)
... aka "Dragnet 1968" - USA (second season title)
... aka "Dragnet 1969" - USA (third season title)
... aka "Dragnet 1970" - USA (fourth season title)
The Kidnapping (26 January 1967) - Writer (written by)
The Interrogation (9 February 1967) - Writer (written by)
The Bookie (13 April 1967) - Writer (written by)
The Big Search (4 January 1968) - Writer (written by)
The Big Departure (7 March 1968) - Writer (written by)
The Joy Riders (13 February 1969) - Writer (written by)
"Gunsmoke" (7 episodes )
... aka "Marshal Dillon" - USA (rerun title)
Quaker Girl (10 December 1966) - Writer (writer)
Nitro: Part 1 (8 April 1967) - Writer (writer)
Nitro: Part 2 (15 April 1967) - Writer (writer)
9:12 to Dodge (11 November 1968) - Writer (writer)
Danny (13 October 1969) - Writer (writer)
Snow Train: Part 1 (19 October 1970) - Writer (writer)
Snow Train: Part 2 (26 October 1970) - Writer (writer)
"Iron Horse" (1 episode)
Through Ticket to Gunsight (28 November 1966) - Writer (writer)
"12 O'Clock High" (1 episode)
Angel Babe (28 February 1966) - Writer (writer)
"Convoy" (1 episode)
Sink U-116! (12 November 1965) - Writer (writer)
"The Wild Wild West" (14 episodes )
The Night of a Thousand Eyes (22 October 1965) - Writer (written by)
The Night of the Glowing Corpse (29 October 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Dancing Death (5 November 1965) - story editor
The Night That Terror Stalked the Town (19 November 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Red-Eyed Madmen (26 November 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Human Trigger (3 December 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Torture Chamber (10 December 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Howling Light (17 December 1965) - story consultant
The Night of the Steel Assassin (7 January 1966) - story consultant
The Night the Dragon Screamed (14 January 1966) - story consultant
The Night of the Grand Emir (28 January 1966) - story consultant
The Night of the Flaming Ghost (4 February 1966) - Writer (written by) , story consultant
The Night of the Whirring Death (18 February 1966) - story consultant
The Night of the Puppeteer (25 February 1966) - story consultant
"Slattery's People" (3 episodes )
Question: What Time Is the Next Bandwagon? (9 April 1965) - Writer (writer)
A Sitting Duck Named Slattery (17 September 1965) - Writer (writer)
The Hero (5 November 1965) - Writer (writer)
"Daniel Boone" (1 episode)
Four-Leaf Clover (25 March 1965) - Writer (written by)
"The Addams Family" (3 episodes )
Crisis in the Addams Family (12 March 1965) - Writer (story) (teleplay)
Uncle Fester, Tycoon (31 December 1965) - Writer (written by)
Morticia and Gomez vs. Fester and Grandmama (7 January 1966) - Writer (teleplay)
"The Virginian" (1 episode)
... aka "The Men from Shiloh" - USA (ninth season title)
Legend for a Lawman (3 March 1965) - Writer (teleplay)
"Destry" (1 episode)
One Hundred Bibles (8 May 1964) - Writer (written by)
"Rawhide" (1 episode)
Incident of the Wild Deuces (12 December 1963) - Writer (writer)
"Temple Houston" (2 episodes )
The Siege at Thayer's Bluff (7 November 1963) - Writer (writer)
Thunder Gap (21 November 1963) - Writer (writer)
"Mr. Novak" (2 episodes )
X Is the Unknown Factor (15 October 1963) - Writer (writer)
I'm on the Outside (11 February 1964) - Writer (story) (teleplay)
"Empire" (1 episode)
A House in Order (5 March 1963) - Writer (story)
"Route 66" (1 episode)
Only by Cunning Glimpses (7 December 1962) - Writer (story)
"The Wide Country" (3 episodes )
Our Ernie Kills People (1 November 1962) - Writer (story)
Yanqui, Go Home! (4 April 1963) - Writer (teleplay)
The Care and Handling of Tigers (25 April 1963) - Writer (teleplay)
"Bonanza" (19 episodes )
... aka "Ponderosa" - USA (rerun title)
... aka "Ride the Wind" - USA (recut version)
The Miracle Maker (20 May 1962) - Writer (teleplay)
A Hot Day for a Hanging (14 October 1962) - Writer (writer)
The Beginning (25 November 1962) - Writer (writer)
The Colonel (6 January 1963) - Writer (writer)
The Lila Conrad Story (5 January 1964) - Writer (writer)
The Jonah (9 May 1965) - Writer (writer)
A World Full of Cannibals (22 December 1968) - Writer (writer)
Mrs. Wharton and the Lesser Breeds (19 January 1969) - Writer (writer)
Emily (23 March 1969) - Writer (writer)
The Silence at Stillwater (28 September 1969) - Writer (writer)
Anatomy of a Lynching (12 October 1969) - Writer (writer)
The Lady and the Mark (1 February 1970) - Writer (writer)
The Gold Mine (8 March 1970) - Writer (writer)
Thornton's Account (1 November 1970) - Writer (writer)
The Gold-Plated Rifle (17 January 1971) - Writer (writer)
An Earthquake Called Callahan (11 April 1971) - Writer (writer)
Bushwacked (3 October 1971) - Writer (writer)
Rock-A-Bye Hoss (10 October 1971) - Writer (writer)
Frenzy (30 January 1972) - Writer (teleplay)
"Outlaws" (1 episode)
A Bit of Glory (1 February 1962) - Writer (writer)
In late 1966, Wood was recruited by Jack Webb to write for a revival of his popular 1950's television program Dragnet. His first script for Dragnet 1967 aired in January 1967, and he would freelance for the show throughout its run. Wood went on to write for the similarly popular Webb spinoff, Adam-12.
To gain insight into the life of police officers, Wood even joined the Los Angeles Police Department Reserve, serving as a sworn patrol officer. When not reading criminal suspects their rights, he worked crowd control for parades and would have to bark orders to the same TV stars he wrote for!
He was always especially proud of his extensive work on another Jack Webb series, Emergency!, starting with the first season in 1972. His 25 stories for this show inspired local communities everywhere to develop paramedic programs. Emergency! saved lives.
The 1970's also saw work on Grizzly Adams, The Smith Family, Little House on the Prairie, and Hawaii 5-0. Working with his son William (Bill), he wrote for Kaz and Quincy. A brief biography can only furnish a partial list of his freelance writing. His last script was for the short-lived Jessica Novak in the early 1980's.
In retirement, Wood remained active with the Writers Guild. He also focused on novel writing. He published Weatherbee's Gold in 2010.
Wood's career provides a core sample of American popular culture in the second half of the twentieth century.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0939942/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
William Preston Wood II was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father was a prominent Philadelphia banker. Wood's parents divorced shortly after his birth. His mother, a vaudeville and silent film performer, took him and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. There he completed high school and a stint at the local community college, followed by admission to the University of Florida.
In college, Wood found his passion for writing as he crafted commercial scripts and public service announcements for the university radio station, WRUF. Just a semester short of completion of requirements for an undergraduate degree in English literature, World War II interrupted his (and many, many others') academic plans for three years. He joined the United States Army Air Force as a cryptographer. He was stationed in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific where he served until war's end.
After his discharge, Wood completed his course of study and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in the summer of 1946.
He sought his fortune in New York. He arrived in Gotham armed with his GI benefits, a few introductions to show business notables supplied by his actress mother, and dreams of a postwar world that his generation would create.
In one of his first professional efforts, he rewrote a musical comedy for show business legend J.J. Shubert. He also wrote comedy for the Kraft Music Hall and for radio personalities such as Goodman Ace, Robert Q. Lewis and Paul Winchell.
One dream had already become the reality of a new communications medium - television. In TV's early days, commercial sponsors controlled the shows they paid for. The "mad men" were the network moguls. So it was that Wood's entry into television was through his new employer, advertising titan Young & Rubicam.
Back in those early days, television directing was a craft to be learned and invented simultaneously. Wood worked with his mentor and fellow trailblazer Frank Telford. Between 1948 and 1950, Wood directed: The Bigelow Show, a variety show featuring Winchell and friends; Holiday Hotel, showcasing the varied talents of the irrepressible Oscar Levant; and We, The People, a current events and history program presciently adopting a magazine format. A viewer of We, The People could watch segments featuring anyone from Cole Porter to Mickey Mantle, or even (then) President Truman.
Meanwhile, in September 1949 he met Brooklynite model Eleanor Auby at a bar on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Love at first sight turned into marriage in July 1950, and then into family beginning in 1951 with the birth of William Preston III. Two years later, second son Mark was born. Eleanor and Preston remained together until her death in 2008.
Wood moved out of live television directing at the beginning of the 1950's, concentrating on the nitty-gritty work of a Madison Avenue advertising man. It was only at this time, after years of work in the medium, that he finally bought his first television set in December 1953. In those days, there was little occasion to buy a TV. Everything was live.
The family moved to the Connecticut suburbs. In 1958, his boss at Y & R, David Levy, persuaded Wood to join him on a new team being put together at NBC to develop new programs. At NBC, Wood was involved in the creation of Klondike, an hour dramatic series set during the Yukon Gold Rush, and Portofino, an adventure series starring Bobby Van.
In 1961, the Woods moved to Los Angeles as Preston assumed the duties of story editor for the second season of the western series Outlaws.
The following year he took the plunge into freelance script writing, changing his life forever. It was this decision that yielded the extensive filmography accumulated over two decades of steady script work.
The output is diverse, startlingly so. There were contemporary dramas - Mr. Novak, Slattery's People, the latter one of his favorite shows, although it had but a brief run. There was comedy -- The Addams Family, the creation of his NBC/Y & R boss David Levy. One episode featured a sidesplitting turn for Uncle Fester, played by Jackie Coogan, who would always remember it as one of his favorite efforts. Wood's work for shows such as Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Big Valley, and The Virginian earned him a lifetime membership in the Western Writers of America. A 1968 episode of Gunsmoke garnered guest star Jack Albertson an Emmy award for his portrayal of the title character in "Danny".
In late 1966, Wood was recruited by Jack Webb to write for a revival of his popular 1950's television program Dragnet. His first script for Dragnet 1967 aired in January 1967, and he would freelance for the show throughout its run. Wood went on to write for the similarly popular Webb spinoff, Adam-12.
To gain insight into the life of police officers, Wood even joined the Los Angeles Police Department Reserve, serving as a sworn patrol officer. When not reading criminal suspects their rights, he worked crowd control for parades and would have to bark orders to the same TV stars he wrote for!
He was always especially proud of his extensive work on another Jack Webb series, Emergency!, starting with the first season in 1972. His 25 stories for this show inspired local communities everywhere to develop paramedic programs. Emergency! saved lives.
The 1970's also saw work on Grizzly Adams, The Smith Family, Little House on the Prairie, and Hawaii 5-0. Working with his son William (Bill), he wrote for Kaz and Quincy. A brief biography can only furnish a partial list of his freelance writing. His last script was for the short-lived Jessica Novak in the early 1980's.
In retirement, Wood remained active with the Writers Guild. He also focused on novel writing. He published Weatherbee's Gold in 2010. He died January 13, 2011.
Wood's career provides a core sample of American popular culture in the second half of the twentieth century.∼Born William Preston Wood II, His father was a prominent Philadelphia banker. Wood's parents divorced shortly after his birth. His mother, a vaudeville and silent film performer, took him and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. There he completed high school and a stint at the local community college, followed by admission to the University of Florida.
In college, Wood found his passion for writing as he crafted commercial scripts and public service announcements for the university radio station, WRUF. Just a semester short of completion of requirements for an undergraduate degree in English literature, World War II interrupted his (and many, many others') academic plans for three years. He joined the United States Army Air Force as a cryptographer. He was stationed in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific where he served until war's end.
After his discharge, Wood completed his course of study and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in the summer of 1946.
He sought his fortune in New York. He arrived in Gotham armed with his GI benefits, a few introductions to show business notables supplied by his actress mother, and dreams of a postwar world that his generation would create.
In one of his first professional efforts, he rewrote a musical comedy for show business legend J.J. Shubert. He also wrote comedy for the Kraft Music Hall and for radio personalities such as Goodman Ace, Robert Q. Lewis and Paul Winchell.
One dream had already become the reality of a new communications medium - television. In TV's early days, commercial sponsors controlled the shows they paid for. The "mad men" were the network moguls. So it was that Wood's entry into television was through his new employer, advertising titan Young & Rubicam.
Back in those early days, television directing was a craft to be learned and invented simultaneously. Wood worked with his mentor and fellow trailblazer Frank Telford. Between 1948 and 1950, Wood directed: The Bigelow Show, a variety show featuring Winchell and friends; Holiday Hotel, showcasing the varied talents of the irrepressible Oscar Levant; and We, The People, a current events and history program presciently adopting a magazine format. A viewer of We, The People could watch segments featuring anyone from Cole Porter to Mickey Mantle, or even (then) President Truman.
Meanwhile, in September 1949 he met Brooklynite model Eleanor Auby at a bar on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Love at first sight turned into marriage in July 1950, and then into family beginning in 1951 with the birth of William Preston III. Two years later, second son Mark was born. Eleanor and Preston remained together until her death in 2008.
Wood moved out of live television directing at the beginning of the 1950's, concentrating on the nitty-gritty work of a Madison Avenue advertising man. It was only at this time, after years of work in the medium, that he finally bought his first television set in December 1953. In those days, there was little occasion to buy a TV. Everything was live.
The family moved to the Connecticut suburbs. In 1958, his boss at Y & R, David Levy, persuaded Wood to join him on a new team being put together at NBC to develop new programs. At NBC, Wood was involved in the creation of Klondike, an hour dramatic series set during the Yukon Gold Rush, and Portofino, an adventure series starring Bobby Van.
In 1961, the Woods moved to Los Angeles as Preston assumed the duties of story editor for the second season of the western series Outlaws.
The following year he took the plunge into freelance script writing, changing his life forever. It was this decision that yielded the extensive filmography accumulated over two decades of steady script work.
The output is diverse, startlingly so. There were contemporary dramas - Mr. Novak, Slattery's People, the latter one of his favorite shows, although it had but a brief run. There was comedy -- The Addams Family, the creation of his NBC/Y & R boss David Levy. One episode featured a sidesplitting turn for Uncle Fester, played by Jackie Coogan, who would always remember it as one of his favorite efforts. Wood's work for shows such as Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Big Valley, and The Virginian earned him a lifetime membership in the Western Writers of America. A 1968 episode of Gunsmoke garnered guest star Jack Albertson an Emmy award for his portrayal of the title character in "Danny".
FILM HISTORY:
"The New Addams Family" (2 episodes )
Fester and Granny vs. Grandpapa Addams (10 March 1999) - Writer (teleplay)
Fester, the Tycoon (6 July 1999) - Writer (teleplay)
"Quincy M.E." (3 episodes )
... aka "Quincy" - International (English title) (informal title)
Last Day, First Day (19 November 1980) - Writer (writer)
Jury Duty (28 January 1981) - Writer (writer)
Sleeping Dogs (17 November 1982) - Writer (writer)
"Kaz" (2 episodes )
Verdict in Department 12 (24 September 1978) - Writer (writer)
Count Your Fingers (4 March 1979) - Writer (writer)
"The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams" (1 episode)
The Storm (12 May 1977) - Writer (written by)
"Little House on the Prairie" (2 episodes )
... aka "L.H.O.T.P." - International (English title) (informal short title)
... aka "Little House: A New Beginning" - USA (last season title)
Circus Man (5 February 1975) - Writer (story)
Survival (26 February 1975) - Writer (story)
"Sierra" (1 episode)
The Rangers (24 December 1974) - Writer (writer)
"Emergency!" (25 episodes )
... aka "Emergencia" - USA (Spanish title)
... aka "Emergency One" - USA (syndication title)
Mascot (22 January 1972) - Writer (written by)
Hang-Up (8 April 1972) - Writer (written by)
Decision (16 September 1972) - Writer (written by)
Helpful (16 December 1972) - Writer (written by)
Seance (24 February 1973) - Writer (written by)
Boot (3 March 1973) - Writer (written by)
Audit (7 April 1973) - Writer (written by)
The Old Engine (29 September 1973) - Writer (written by)
Promotion (3 November 1973) - Writer (written by)
Understanding (15 December 1973) - Writer (written by)
Propinquity (16 February 1974) - Writer (written by)
Gossip (28 September 1974) - Writer (written by)
Surprise (19 October 1974) - Writer (written by)
Parade (21 December 1974) - Writer (written by)
The Bash (28 December 1974) - Writer (written by)
The Stewardess (13 September 1975) - Writer (written by)
The Old Engine Cram (20 September 1975) - Writer (written by)
One of Those Days (8 November 1975) - Writer (written by)
Right at Home (10 January 1976) - Writer (written by)
Above and Beyond... Nearly (31 January 1976) - Writer (written by)
Not Available (2 October 1976) - Writer (written by)
Fair Fight (30 October 1976) - Writer (written by)
Welcome to Santa Rosa County (25 December 1976) - Writer (written by)
The Steel Inferno (7 January 1978) - Writer (written by)
Greatest Rescues of Emergency (31 December 1978) - Writer (written by) , segment writer (as Prestin Wood)
"The Smith Family" (1 episode)
Family Man (15 December 1971) - Writer (written by)
"Ironside" (1 episode)
... aka "The Raymond Burr Show" - USA (syndication title)
Grandmother's House (1 April 1971) - Writer (writer)
"Matt Lincoln" (2 episodes )
Nick (29 October 1970) - Writer (teleplay)
Lori (5 November 1970) - Writer (teleplay)
"The Bold Ones: The Senator" (1 episode)
To Taste of Death But Once (13 September 1970) - Writer (story)
"Hawaii Five-O" (1 episode)
... aka "McGarrett" - USA (rerun title)
Cry, Lie (4 February 1970) - Writer (written by)
"Adam-12" (12 episodes )
Log 11: It's Just a Little Dent, Isn't It? (5 October 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 131: Reed, the Dicks Have Their Jobs, and We Have Ours (12 October 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 91: You're Not the First Guy's Had the Problem (19 October 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 161: And You Want Me to Get Married? (26 October 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 111: The Boa Constrictor (7 December 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 122: Christmas - The Yellow Dump Truck (21 December 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 32: Jimmy Eisley's Dealing Smack (11 January 1969) - Writer (written by)
Log 33: It All Happened So Fast (1 February 1969) - Writer (written by)
Log 92: Tell Him He Pushed a Little Too Hard (29 March 1969) - Writer (written by)
Log 22:...So This Little Guy Goes Into a Bar, and... (5 April 1969) - Writer (written by)
Log 52: Good Cop - Handle with Care (4 October 1969) - Writer (written by)
Hollywood Division (21 November 1973) - Writer (written by)
"Cimarron Strip" (1 episode)
The Last Wolf (14 December 1967) - Writer (written by)
"T.H.E. Cat" (1 episode)
Twenty-One and Out (24 March 1967) - Writer (writer)
"Dragnet 1967" (6 episodes )
... aka "Dragnet" - USA (syndication title)
... aka "Dragnet 1968" - USA (second season title)
... aka "Dragnet 1969" - USA (third season title)
... aka "Dragnet 1970" - USA (fourth season title)
The Kidnapping (26 January 1967) - Writer (written by)
The Interrogation (9 February 1967) - Writer (written by)
The Bookie (13 April 1967) - Writer (written by)
The Big Search (4 January 1968) - Writer (written by)
The Big Departure (7 March 1968) - Writer (written by)
The Joy Riders (13 February 1969) - Writer (written by)
"Gunsmoke" (7 episodes )
... aka "Marshal Dillon" - USA (rerun title)
Quaker Girl (10 December 1966) - Writer (writer)
Nitro: Part 1 (8 April 1967) - Writer (writer)
Nitro: Part 2 (15 April 1967) - Writer (writer)
9:12 to Dodge (11 November 1968) - Writer (writer)
Danny (13 October 1969) - Writer (writer)
Snow Train: Part 1 (19 October 1970) - Writer (writer)
Snow Train: Part 2 (26 October 1970) - Writer (writer)
"Iron Horse" (1 episode)
Through Ticket to Gunsight (28 November 1966) - Writer (writer)
"12 O'Clock High" (1 episode)
Angel Babe (28 February 1966) - Writer (writer)
"Convoy" (1 episode)
Sink U-116! (12 November 1965) - Writer (writer)
"The Wild Wild West" (14 episodes )
The Night of a Thousand Eyes (22 October 1965) - Writer (written by)
The Night of the Glowing Corpse (29 October 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Dancing Death (5 November 1965) - story editor
The Night That Terror Stalked the Town (19 November 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Red-Eyed Madmen (26 November 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Human Trigger (3 December 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Torture Chamber (10 December 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Howling Light (17 December 1965) - story consultant
The Night of the Steel Assassin (7 January 1966) - story consultant
The Night the Dragon Screamed (14 January 1966) - story consultant
The Night of the Grand Emir (28 January 1966) - story consultant
The Night of the Flaming Ghost (4 February 1966) - Writer (written by) , story consultant
The Night of the Whirring Death (18 February 1966) - story consultant
The Night of the Puppeteer (25 February 1966) - story consultant
"Slattery's People" (3 episodes )
Question: What Time Is the Next Bandwagon? (9 April 1965) - Writer (writer)
A Sitting Duck Named Slattery (17 September 1965) - Writer (writer)
The Hero (5 November 1965) - Writer (writer)
"Daniel Boone" (1 episode)
Four-Leaf Clover (25 March 1965) - Writer (written by)
"The Addams Family" (3 episodes )
Crisis in the Addams Family (12 March 1965) - Writer (story) (teleplay)
Uncle Fester, Tycoon (31 December 1965) - Writer (written by)
Morticia and Gomez vs. Fester and Grandmama (7 January 1966) - Writer (teleplay)
"The Virginian" (1 episode)
... aka "The Men from Shiloh" - USA (ninth season title)
Legend for a Lawman (3 March 1965) - Writer (teleplay)
"Destry" (1 episode)
One Hundred Bibles (8 May 1964) - Writer (written by)
"Rawhide" (1 episode)
Incident of the Wild Deuces (12 December 1963) - Writer (writer)
"Temple Houston" (2 episodes )
The Siege at Thayer's Bluff (7 November 1963) - Writer (writer)
Thunder Gap (21 November 1963) - Writer (writer)
"Mr. Novak" (2 episodes )
X Is the Unknown Factor (15 October 1963) - Writer (writer)
I'm on the Outside (11 February 1964) - Writer (story) (teleplay)
"Empire" (1 episode)
A House in Order (5 March 1963) - Writer (story)
"Route 66" (1 episode)
Only by Cunning Glimpses (7 December 1962) - Writer (story)
"The Wide Country" (3 episodes )
Our Ernie Kills People (1 November 1962) - Writer (story)
Yanqui, Go Home! (4 April 1963) - Writer (teleplay)
The Care and Handling of Tigers (25 April 1963) - Writer (teleplay)
"Bonanza" (19 episodes )
... aka "Ponderosa" - USA (rerun title)
... aka "Ride the Wind" - USA (recut version)
The Miracle Maker (20 May 1962) - Writer (teleplay)
A Hot Day for a Hanging (14 October 1962) - Writer (writer)
The Beginning (25 November 1962) - Writer (writer)
The Colonel (6 January 1963) - Writer (writer)
The Lila Conrad Story (5 January 1964) - Writer (writer)
The Jonah (9 May 1965) - Writer (writer)
A World Full of Cannibals (22 December 1968) - Writer (writer)
Mrs. Wharton and the Lesser Breeds (19 January 1969) - Writer (writer)
Emily (23 March 1969) - Writer (writer)
The Silence at Stillwater (28 September 1969) - Writer (writer)
Anatomy of a Lynching (12 October 1969) - Writer (writer)
The Lady and the Mark (1 February 1970) - Writer (writer)
The Gold Mine (8 March 1970) - Writer (writer)
Thornton's Account (1 November 1970) - Writer (writer)
The Gold-Plated Rifle (17 January 1971) - Writer (writer)
An Earthquake Called Callahan (11 April 1971) - Writer (writer)
Bushwacked (3 October 1971) - Writer (writer)
Rock-A-Bye Hoss (10 October 1971) - Writer (writer)
Frenzy (30 January 1972) - Writer (teleplay)
"Outlaws" (1 episode)
A Bit of Glory (1 February 1962) - Writer (writer)
In late 1966, Wood was recruited by Jack Webb to write for a revival of his popular 1950's television program Dragnet. His first script for Dragnet 1967 aired in January 1967, and he would freelance for the show throughout its run. Wood went on to write for the similarly popular Webb spinoff, Adam-12.
To gain insight into the life of police officers, Wood even joined the Los Angeles Police Department Reserve, serving as a sworn patrol officer. When not reading criminal suspects their rights, he worked crowd control for parades and would have to bark orders to the same TV stars he wrote for!
He was always especially proud of his extensive work on another Jack Webb series, Emergency!, starting with the first season in 1972. His 25 stories for this show inspired local communities everywhere to develop paramedic programs. Emergency! saved lives.
The 1970's also saw work on Grizzly Adams, The Smith Family, Little House on the Prairie, and Hawaii 5-0. Working with his son William (Bill), he wrote for Kaz and Quincy. A brief biography can only furnish a partial list of his freelance writing. His last script was for the short-lived Jessica Novak in the early 1980's.
In retirement, Wood remained active with the Writers Guild. He also focused on novel writing. He published Weatherbee's Gold in 2010.
Wood's career provides a core sample of American popular culture in the second half of the twentieth century.
BIOGRAPHY from
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0939942/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
William Preston Wood II was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father was a prominent Philadelphia banker. Wood's parents divorced shortly after his birth. His mother, a vaudeville and silent film performer, took him and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. There he completed high school and a stint at the local community college, followed by admission to the University of Florida.
In college, Wood found his passion for writing as he crafted commercial scripts and public service announcements for the university radio station, WRUF. Just a semester short of completion of requirements for an undergraduate degree in English literature, World War II interrupted his (and many, many others') academic plans for three years. He joined the United States Army Air Force as a cryptographer. He was stationed in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific where he served until war's end.
After his discharge, Wood completed his course of study and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in the summer of 1946.
He sought his fortune in New York. He arrived in Gotham armed with his GI benefits, a few introductions to show business notables supplied by his actress mother, and dreams of a postwar world that his generation would create.
In one of his first professional efforts, he rewrote a musical comedy for show business legend J.J. Shubert. He also wrote comedy for the Kraft Music Hall and for radio personalities such as Goodman Ace, Robert Q. Lewis and Paul Winchell.
One dream had already become the reality of a new communications medium - television. In TV's early days, commercial sponsors controlled the shows they paid for. The "mad men" were the network moguls. So it was that Wood's entry into television was through his new employer, advertising titan Young & Rubicam.
Back in those early days, television directing was a craft to be learned and invented simultaneously. Wood worked with his mentor and fellow trailblazer Frank Telford. Between 1948 and 1950, Wood directed: The Bigelow Show, a variety show featuring Winchell and friends; Holiday Hotel, showcasing the varied talents of the irrepressible Oscar Levant; and We, The People, a current events and history program presciently adopting a magazine format. A viewer of We, The People could watch segments featuring anyone from Cole Porter to Mickey Mantle, or even (then) President Truman.
Meanwhile, in September 1949 he met Brooklynite model Eleanor Auby at a bar on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Love at first sight turned into marriage in July 1950, and then into family beginning in 1951 with the birth of William Preston III. Two years later, second son Mark was born. Eleanor and Preston remained together until her death in 2008.
Wood moved out of live television directing at the beginning of the 1950's, concentrating on the nitty-gritty work of a Madison Avenue advertising man. It was only at this time, after years of work in the medium, that he finally bought his first television set in December 1953. In those days, there was little occasion to buy a TV. Everything was live.
The family moved to the Connecticut suburbs. In 1958, his boss at Y & R, David Levy, persuaded Wood to join him on a new team being put together at NBC to develop new programs. At NBC, Wood was involved in the creation of Klondike, an hour dramatic series set during the Yukon Gold Rush, and Portofino, an adventure series starring Bobby Van.
In 1961, the Woods moved to Los Angeles as Preston assumed the duties of story editor for the second season of the western series Outlaws.
The following year he took the plunge into freelance script writing, changing his life forever. It was this decision that yielded the extensive filmography accumulated over two decades of steady script work.
The output is diverse, startlingly so. There were contemporary dramas - Mr. Novak, Slattery's People, the latter one of his favorite shows, although it had but a brief run. There was comedy -- The Addams Family, the creation of his NBC/Y & R boss David Levy. One episode featured a sidesplitting turn for Uncle Fester, played by Jackie Coogan, who would always remember it as one of his favorite efforts. Wood's work for shows such as Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Big Valley, and The Virginian earned him a lifetime membership in the Western Writers of America. A 1968 episode of Gunsmoke garnered guest star Jack Albertson an Emmy award for his portrayal of the title character in "Danny".
In late 1966, Wood was recruited by Jack Webb to write for a revival of his popular 1950's television program Dragnet. His first script for Dragnet 1967 aired in January 1967, and he would freelance for the show throughout its run. Wood went on to write for the similarly popular Webb spinoff, Adam-12.
To gain insight into the life of police officers, Wood even joined the Los Angeles Police Department Reserve, serving as a sworn patrol officer. When not reading criminal suspects their rights, he worked crowd control for parades and would have to bark orders to the same TV stars he wrote for!
He was always especially proud of his extensive work on another Jack Webb series, Emergency!, starting with the first season in 1972. His 25 stories for this show inspired local communities everywhere to develop paramedic programs. Emergency! saved lives.
The 1970's also saw work on Grizzly Adams, The Smith Family, Little House on the Prairie, and Hawaii 5-0. Working with his son William (Bill), he wrote for Kaz and Quincy. A brief biography can only furnish a partial list of his freelance writing. His last script was for the short-lived Jessica Novak in the early 1980's.
In retirement, Wood remained active with the Writers Guild. He also focused on novel writing. He published Weatherbee's Gold in 2010. He died January 13, 2011.
Wood's career provides a core sample of American popular culture in the second half of the twentieth century.∼Born William Preston Wood II, His father was a prominent Philadelphia banker. Wood's parents divorced shortly after his birth. His mother, a vaudeville and silent film performer, took him and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. There he completed high school and a stint at the local community college, followed by admission to the University of Florida.
In college, Wood found his passion for writing as he crafted commercial scripts and public service announcements for the university radio station, WRUF. Just a semester short of completion of requirements for an undergraduate degree in English literature, World War II interrupted his (and many, many others') academic plans for three years. He joined the United States Army Air Force as a cryptographer. He was stationed in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific where he served until war's end.
After his discharge, Wood completed his course of study and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in the summer of 1946.
He sought his fortune in New York. He arrived in Gotham armed with his GI benefits, a few introductions to show business notables supplied by his actress mother, and dreams of a postwar world that his generation would create.
In one of his first professional efforts, he rewrote a musical comedy for show business legend J.J. Shubert. He also wrote comedy for the Kraft Music Hall and for radio personalities such as Goodman Ace, Robert Q. Lewis and Paul Winchell.
One dream had already become the reality of a new communications medium - television. In TV's early days, commercial sponsors controlled the shows they paid for. The "mad men" were the network moguls. So it was that Wood's entry into television was through his new employer, advertising titan Young & Rubicam.
Back in those early days, television directing was a craft to be learned and invented simultaneously. Wood worked with his mentor and fellow trailblazer Frank Telford. Between 1948 and 1950, Wood directed: The Bigelow Show, a variety show featuring Winchell and friends; Holiday Hotel, showcasing the varied talents of the irrepressible Oscar Levant; and We, The People, a current events and history program presciently adopting a magazine format. A viewer of We, The People could watch segments featuring anyone from Cole Porter to Mickey Mantle, or even (then) President Truman.
Meanwhile, in September 1949 he met Brooklynite model Eleanor Auby at a bar on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Love at first sight turned into marriage in July 1950, and then into family beginning in 1951 with the birth of William Preston III. Two years later, second son Mark was born. Eleanor and Preston remained together until her death in 2008.
Wood moved out of live television directing at the beginning of the 1950's, concentrating on the nitty-gritty work of a Madison Avenue advertising man. It was only at this time, after years of work in the medium, that he finally bought his first television set in December 1953. In those days, there was little occasion to buy a TV. Everything was live.
The family moved to the Connecticut suburbs. In 1958, his boss at Y & R, David Levy, persuaded Wood to join him on a new team being put together at NBC to develop new programs. At NBC, Wood was involved in the creation of Klondike, an hour dramatic series set during the Yukon Gold Rush, and Portofino, an adventure series starring Bobby Van.
In 1961, the Woods moved to Los Angeles as Preston assumed the duties of story editor for the second season of the western series Outlaws.
The following year he took the plunge into freelance script writing, changing his life forever. It was this decision that yielded the extensive filmography accumulated over two decades of steady script work.
The output is diverse, startlingly so. There were contemporary dramas - Mr. Novak, Slattery's People, the latter one of his favorite shows, although it had but a brief run. There was comedy -- The Addams Family, the creation of his NBC/Y & R boss David Levy. One episode featured a sidesplitting turn for Uncle Fester, played by Jackie Coogan, who would always remember it as one of his favorite efforts. Wood's work for shows such as Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Big Valley, and The Virginian earned him a lifetime membership in the Western Writers of America. A 1968 episode of Gunsmoke garnered guest star Jack Albertson an Emmy award for his portrayal of the title character in "Danny".
FILM HISTORY:
"The New Addams Family" (2 episodes )
Fester and Granny vs. Grandpapa Addams (10 March 1999) - Writer (teleplay)
Fester, the Tycoon (6 July 1999) - Writer (teleplay)
"Quincy M.E." (3 episodes )
... aka "Quincy" - International (English title) (informal title)
Last Day, First Day (19 November 1980) - Writer (writer)
Jury Duty (28 January 1981) - Writer (writer)
Sleeping Dogs (17 November 1982) - Writer (writer)
"Kaz" (2 episodes )
Verdict in Department 12 (24 September 1978) - Writer (writer)
Count Your Fingers (4 March 1979) - Writer (writer)
"The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams" (1 episode)
The Storm (12 May 1977) - Writer (written by)
"Little House on the Prairie" (2 episodes )
... aka "L.H.O.T.P." - International (English title) (informal short title)
... aka "Little House: A New Beginning" - USA (last season title)
Circus Man (5 February 1975) - Writer (story)
Survival (26 February 1975) - Writer (story)
"Sierra" (1 episode)
The Rangers (24 December 1974) - Writer (writer)
"Emergency!" (25 episodes )
... aka "Emergencia" - USA (Spanish title)
... aka "Emergency One" - USA (syndication title)
Mascot (22 January 1972) - Writer (written by)
Hang-Up (8 April 1972) - Writer (written by)
Decision (16 September 1972) - Writer (written by)
Helpful (16 December 1972) - Writer (written by)
Seance (24 February 1973) - Writer (written by)
Boot (3 March 1973) - Writer (written by)
Audit (7 April 1973) - Writer (written by)
The Old Engine (29 September 1973) - Writer (written by)
Promotion (3 November 1973) - Writer (written by)
Understanding (15 December 1973) - Writer (written by)
Propinquity (16 February 1974) - Writer (written by)
Gossip (28 September 1974) - Writer (written by)
Surprise (19 October 1974) - Writer (written by)
Parade (21 December 1974) - Writer (written by)
The Bash (28 December 1974) - Writer (written by)
The Stewardess (13 September 1975) - Writer (written by)
The Old Engine Cram (20 September 1975) - Writer (written by)
One of Those Days (8 November 1975) - Writer (written by)
Right at Home (10 January 1976) - Writer (written by)
Above and Beyond... Nearly (31 January 1976) - Writer (written by)
Not Available (2 October 1976) - Writer (written by)
Fair Fight (30 October 1976) - Writer (written by)
Welcome to Santa Rosa County (25 December 1976) - Writer (written by)
The Steel Inferno (7 January 1978) - Writer (written by)
Greatest Rescues of Emergency (31 December 1978) - Writer (written by) , segment writer (as Prestin Wood)
"The Smith Family" (1 episode)
Family Man (15 December 1971) - Writer (written by)
"Ironside" (1 episode)
... aka "The Raymond Burr Show" - USA (syndication title)
Grandmother's House (1 April 1971) - Writer (writer)
"Matt Lincoln" (2 episodes )
Nick (29 October 1970) - Writer (teleplay)
Lori (5 November 1970) - Writer (teleplay)
"The Bold Ones: The Senator" (1 episode)
To Taste of Death But Once (13 September 1970) - Writer (story)
"Hawaii Five-O" (1 episode)
... aka "McGarrett" - USA (rerun title)
Cry, Lie (4 February 1970) - Writer (written by)
"Adam-12" (12 episodes )
Log 11: It's Just a Little Dent, Isn't It? (5 October 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 131: Reed, the Dicks Have Their Jobs, and We Have Ours (12 October 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 91: You're Not the First Guy's Had the Problem (19 October 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 161: And You Want Me to Get Married? (26 October 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 111: The Boa Constrictor (7 December 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 122: Christmas - The Yellow Dump Truck (21 December 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 32: Jimmy Eisley's Dealing Smack (11 January 1969) - Writer (written by)
Log 33: It All Happened So Fast (1 February 1969) - Writer (written by)
Log 92: Tell Him He Pushed a Little Too Hard (29 March 1969) - Writer (written by)
Log 22:...So This Little Guy Goes Into a Bar, and... (5 April 1969) - Writer (written by)
Log 52: Good Cop - Handle with Care (4 October 1969) - Writer (written by)
Hollywood Division (21 November 1973) - Writer (written by)
"Cimarron Strip" (1 episode)
The Last Wolf (14 December 1967) - Writer (written by)
"T.H.E. Cat" (1 episode)
Twenty-One and Out (24 March 1967) - Writer (writer)
"Dragnet 1967" (6 episodes )
... aka "Dragnet" - USA (syndication title)
... aka "Dragnet 1968" - USA (second season title)
... aka "Dragnet 1969" - USA (third season title)
... aka "Dragnet 1970" - USA (fourth season title)
The Kidnapping (26 January 1967) - Writer (written by)
The Interrogation (9 February 1967) - Writer (written by)
The Bookie (13 April 1967) - Writer (written by)
The Big Search (4 January 1968) - Writer (written by)
The Big Departure (7 March 1968) - Writer (written by)
The Joy Riders (13 February 1969) - Writer (written by)
"Gunsmoke" (7 episodes )
... aka "Marshal Dillon" - USA (rerun title)
Quaker Girl (10 December 1966) - Writer (writer)
Nitro: Part 1 (8 April 1967) - Writer (writer)
Nitro: Part 2 (15 April 1967) - Writer (writer)
9:12 to Dodge (11 November 1968) - Writer (writer)
Danny (13 October 1969) - Writer (writer)
Snow Train: Part 1 (19 October 1970) - Writer (writer)
Snow Train: Part 2 (26 October 1970) - Writer (writer)
"Iron Horse" (1 episode)
Through Ticket to Gunsight (28 November 1966) - Writer (writer)
"12 O'Clock High" (1 episode)
Angel Babe (28 February 1966) - Writer (writer)
"Convoy" (1 episode)
Sink U-116! (12 November 1965) - Writer (writer)
"The Wild Wild West" (14 episodes )
The Night of a Thousand Eyes (22 October 1965) - Writer (written by)
The Night of the Glowing Corpse (29 October 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Dancing Death (5 November 1965) - story editor
The Night That Terror Stalked the Town (19 November 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Red-Eyed Madmen (26 November 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Human Trigger (3 December 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Torture Chamber (10 December 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Howling Light (17 December 1965) - story consultant
The Night of the Steel Assassin (7 January 1966) - story consultant
The Night the Dragon Screamed (14 January 1966) - story consultant
The Night of the Grand Emir (28 January 1966) - story consultant
The Night of the Flaming Ghost (4 February 1966) - Writer (written by) , story consultant
The Night of the Whirring Death (18 February 1966) - story consultant
The Night of the Puppeteer (25 February 1966) - story consultant
"Slattery's People" (3 episodes )
Question: What Time Is the Next Bandwagon? (9 April 1965) - Writer (writer)
A Sitting Duck Named Slattery (17 September 1965) - Writer (writer)
The Hero (5 November 1965) - Writer (writer)
"Daniel Boone" (1 episode)
Four-Leaf Clover (25 March 1965) - Writer (written by)
"The Addams Family" (3 episodes )
Crisis in the Addams Family (12 March 1965) - Writer (story) (teleplay)
Uncle Fester, Tycoon (31 December 1965) - Writer (written by)
Morticia and Gomez vs. Fester and Grandmama (7 January 1966) - Writer (teleplay)
"The Virginian" (1 episode)
... aka "The Men from Shiloh" - USA (ninth season title)
Legend for a Lawman (3 March 1965) - Writer (teleplay)
"Destry" (1 episode)
One Hundred Bibles (8 May 1964) - Writer (written by)
"Rawhide" (1 episode)
Incident of the Wild Deuces (12 December 1963) - Writer (writer)
"Temple Houston" (2 episodes )
The Siege at Thayer's Bluff (7 November 1963) - Writer (writer)
Thunder Gap (21 November 1963) - Writer (writer)
"Mr. Novak" (2 episodes )
X Is the Unknown Factor (15 October 1963) - Writer (writer)
I'm on the Outside (11 February 1964) - Writer (story) (teleplay)
"Empire" (1 episode)
A House in Order (5 March 1963) - Writer (story)
"Route 66" (1 episode)
Only by Cunning Glimpses (7 December 1962) - Writer (story)
"The Wide Country" (3 episodes )
Our Ernie Kills People (1 November 1962) - Writer (story)
Yanqui, Go Home! (4 April 1963) - Writer (teleplay)
The Care and Handling of Tigers (25 April 1963) - Writer (teleplay)
"Bonanza" (19 episodes )
... aka "Ponderosa" - USA (rerun title)
... aka "Ride the Wind" - USA (recut version)
The Miracle Maker (20 May 1962) - Writer (teleplay)
A Hot Day for a Hanging (14 October 1962) - Writer (writer)
The Beginning (25 November 1962) - Writer (writer)
The Colonel (6 January 1963) - Writer (writer)
The Lila Conrad Story (5 January 1964) - Writer (writer)
The Jonah (9 May 1965) - Writer (writer)
A World Full of Cannibals (22 December 1968) - Writer (writer)
Mrs. Wharton and the Lesser Breeds (19 January 1969) - Writer (writer)
Emily (23 March 1969) - Writer (writer)
The Silence at Stillwater (28 September 1969) - Writer (writer)
Anatomy of a Lynching (12 October 1969) - Writer (writer)
The Lady and the Mark (1 February 1970) - Writer (writer)
The Gold Mine (8 March 1970) - Writer (writer)
Thornton's Account (1 November 1970) - Writer (writer)
The Gold-Plated Rifle (17 January 1971) - Writer (writer)
An Earthquake Called Callahan (11 April 1971) - Writer (writer)
Bushwacked (3 October 1971) - Writer (writer)
Rock-A-Bye Hoss (10 October 1971) - Writer (writer)
Frenzy (30 January 1972) - Writer (teleplay)
"Outlaws" (1 episode)
A Bit of Glory (1 February 1962) - Writer (writer)
In late 1966, Wood was recruited by Jack Webb to write for a revival of his popular 1950's television program Dragnet. His first script for Dragnet 1967 aired in January 1967, and he would freelance for the show throughout its run. Wood went on to write for the similarly popular Webb spinoff, Adam-12.
To gain insight into the life of police officers, Wood even joined the Los Angeles Police Department Reserve, serving as a sworn patrol officer. When not reading criminal suspects their rights, he worked crowd control for parades and would have to bark orders to the same TV stars he wrote for!
He was always especially proud of his extensive work on another Jack Webb series, Emergency!, starting with the first season in 1972. His 25 stories for this show inspired local communities everywhere to develop paramedic programs. Emergency! saved lives.
The 1970's also saw work on Grizzly Adams, The Smith Family, Little House on the Prairie, and Hawaii 5-0. Working with his son William (Bill), he wrote for Kaz and Quincy. A brief biography can only furnish a partial list of his freelance writing. His last script was for the short-lived Jessica Novak in the early 1980's.
In retirement, Wood remained active with the Writers Guild. He also focused on novel writing. He published Weatherbee's Gold in 2010.
Wood's career provides a core sample of American popular culture in the second half of the twentieth century.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0939942/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
William Preston Wood II was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father was a prominent Philadelphia banker. Wood's parents divorced shortly after his birth. His mother, a vaudeville and silent film performer, took him and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. There he completed high school and a stint at the local community college, followed by admission to the University of Florida.
In college, Wood found his passion for writing as he crafted commercial scripts and public service announcements for the university radio station, WRUF. Just a semester short of completion of requirements for an undergraduate degree in English literature, World War II interrupted his (and many, many others') academic plans for three years. He joined the United States Army Air Force as a cryptographer. He was stationed in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific where he served until war's end.
After his discharge, Wood completed his course of study and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in the summer of 1946.
He sought his fortune in New York. He arrived in Gotham armed with his GI benefits, a few introductions to show business notables supplied by his actress mother, and dreams of a postwar world that his generation would create.
In one of his first professional efforts, he rewrote a musical comedy for show business legend J.J. Shubert. He also wrote comedy for the Kraft Music Hall and for radio personalities such as Goodman Ace, Robert Q. Lewis and Paul Winchell.
One dream had already become the reality of a new communications medium - television. In TV's early days, commercial sponsors controlled the shows they paid for. The "mad men" were the network moguls. So it was that Wood's entry into television was through his new employer, advertising titan Young & Rubicam.
Back in those early days, television directing was a craft to be learned and invented simultaneously. Wood worked with his mentor and fellow trailblazer Frank Telford. Between 1948 and 1950, Wood directed: The Bigelow Show, a variety show featuring Winchell and friends; Holiday Hotel, showcasing the varied talents of the irrepressible Oscar Levant; and We, The People, a current events and history program presciently adopting a magazine format. A viewer of We, The People could watch segments featuring anyone from Cole Porter to Mickey Mantle, or even (then) President Truman.
Meanwhile, in September 1949 he met Brooklynite model Eleanor Auby at a bar on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Love at first sight turned into marriage in July 1950, and then into family beginning in 1951 with the birth of William Preston III. Two years later, second son Mark was born. Eleanor and Preston remained together until her death in 2008.
Wood moved out of live television directing at the beginning of the 1950's, concentrating on the nitty-gritty work of a Madison Avenue advertising man. It was only at this time, after years of work in the medium, that he finally bought his first television set in December 1953. In those days, there was little occasion to buy a TV. Everything was live.
The family moved to the Connecticut suburbs. In 1958, his boss at Y & R, David Levy, persuaded Wood to join him on a new team being put together at NBC to develop new programs. At NBC, Wood was involved in the creation of Klondike, an hour dramatic series set during the Yukon Gold Rush, and Portofino, an adventure series starring Bobby Van.
In 1961, the Woods moved to Los Angeles as Preston assumed the duties of story editor for the second season of the western series Outlaws.
The following year he took the plunge into freelance script writing, changing his life forever. It was this decision that yielded the extensive filmography accumulated over two decades of steady script work.
The output is diverse, startlingly so. There were contemporary dramas - Mr. Novak, Slattery's People, the latter one of his favorite shows, although it had but a brief run. There was comedy -- The Addams Family, the creation of his NBC/Y & R boss David Levy. One episode featured a sidesplitting turn for Uncle Fester, played by Jackie Coogan, who would always remember it as one of his favorite efforts. Wood's work for shows such as Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Big Valley, and The Virginian earned him a lifetime membership in the Western Writers of America. A 1968 episode of Gunsmoke garnered guest star Jack Albertson an Emmy award for his portrayal of the title character in "Danny".
In late 1966, Wood was recruited by Jack Webb to write for a revival of his popular 1950's television program Dragnet. His first script for Dragnet 1967 aired in January 1967, and he would freelance for the show throughout its run. Wood went on to write for the similarly popular Webb spinoff, Adam-12.
To gain insight into the life of police officers, Wood even joined the Los Angeles Police Department Reserve, serving as a sworn patrol officer. When not reading criminal suspects their rights, he worked crowd control for parades and would have to bark orders to the same TV stars he wrote for!
He was always especially proud of his extensive work on another Jack Webb series, Emergency!, starting with the first season in 1972. His 25 stories for this show inspired local communities everywhere to develop paramedic programs. Emergency! saved lives.
The 1970's also saw work on Grizzly Adams, The Smith Family, Little House on the Prairie, and Hawaii 5-0. Working with his son William (Bill), he wrote for Kaz and Quincy. A brief biography can only furnish a partial list of his freelance writing. His last script was for the short-lived Jessica Novak in the early 1980's.
In retirement, Wood remained active with the Writers Guild. He also focused on novel writing. He published Weatherbee's Gold in 2010. He died January 13, 2011.
Wood's career provides a core sample of American popular culture in the second half of the twentieth century.∼Born William Preston Wood II, His father was a prominent Philadelphia banker. Wood's parents divorced shortly after his birth. His mother, a vaudeville and silent film performer, took him and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. There he completed high school and a stint at the local community college, followed by admission to the University of Florida.
In college, Wood found his passion for writing as he crafted commercial scripts and public service announcements for the university radio station, WRUF. Just a semester short of completion of requirements for an undergraduate degree in English literature, World War II interrupted his (and many, many others') academic plans for three years. He joined the United States Army Air Force as a cryptographer. He was stationed in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific where he served until war's end.
After his discharge, Wood completed his course of study and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in the summer of 1946.
He sought his fortune in New York. He arrived in Gotham armed with his GI benefits, a few introductions to show business notables supplied by his actress mother, and dreams of a postwar world that his generation would create.
In one of his first professional efforts, he rewrote a musical comedy for show business legend J.J. Shubert. He also wrote comedy for the Kraft Music Hall and for radio personalities such as Goodman Ace, Robert Q. Lewis and Paul Winchell.
One dream had already become the reality of a new communications medium - television. In TV's early days, commercial sponsors controlled the shows they paid for. The "mad men" were the network moguls. So it was that Wood's entry into television was through his new employer, advertising titan Young & Rubicam.
Back in those early days, television directing was a craft to be learned and invented simultaneously. Wood worked with his mentor and fellow trailblazer Frank Telford. Between 1948 and 1950, Wood directed: The Bigelow Show, a variety show featuring Winchell and friends; Holiday Hotel, showcasing the varied talents of the irrepressible Oscar Levant; and We, The People, a current events and history program presciently adopting a magazine format. A viewer of We, The People could watch segments featuring anyone from Cole Porter to Mickey Mantle, or even (then) President Truman.
Meanwhile, in September 1949 he met Brooklynite model Eleanor Auby at a bar on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Love at first sight turned into marriage in July 1950, and then into family beginning in 1951 with the birth of William Preston III. Two years later, second son Mark was born. Eleanor and Preston remained together until her death in 2008.
Wood moved out of live television directing at the beginning of the 1950's, concentrating on the nitty-gritty work of a Madison Avenue advertising man. It was only at this time, after years of work in the medium, that he finally bought his first television set in December 1953. In those days, there was little occasion to buy a TV. Everything was live.
The family moved to the Connecticut suburbs. In 1958, his boss at Y & R, David Levy, persuaded Wood to join him on a new team being put together at NBC to develop new programs. At NBC, Wood was involved in the creation of Klondike, an hour dramatic series set during the Yukon Gold Rush, and Portofino, an adventure series starring Bobby Van.
In 1961, the Woods moved to Los Angeles as Preston assumed the duties of story editor for the second season of the western series Outlaws.
The following year he took the plunge into freelance script writing, changing his life forever. It was this decision that yielded the extensive filmography accumulated over two decades of steady script work.
The output is diverse, startlingly so. There were contemporary dramas - Mr. Novak, Slattery's People, the latter one of his favorite shows, although it had but a brief run. There was comedy -- The Addams Family, the creation of his NBC/Y & R boss David Levy. One episode featured a sidesplitting turn for Uncle Fester, played by Jackie Coogan, who would always remember it as one of his favorite efforts. Wood's work for shows such as Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Big Valley, and The Virginian earned him a lifetime membership in the Western Writers of America. A 1968 episode of Gunsmoke garnered guest star Jack Albertson an Emmy award for his portrayal of the title character in "Danny".
FILM HISTORY:
"The New Addams Family" (2 episodes )
Fester and Granny vs. Grandpapa Addams (10 March 1999) - Writer (teleplay)
Fester, the Tycoon (6 July 1999) - Writer (teleplay)
"Quincy M.E." (3 episodes )
... aka "Quincy" - International (English title) (informal title)
Last Day, First Day (19 November 1980) - Writer (writer)
Jury Duty (28 January 1981) - Writer (writer)
Sleeping Dogs (17 November 1982) - Writer (writer)
"Kaz" (2 episodes )
Verdict in Department 12 (24 September 1978) - Writer (writer)
Count Your Fingers (4 March 1979) - Writer (writer)
"The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams" (1 episode)
The Storm (12 May 1977) - Writer (written by)
"Little House on the Prairie" (2 episodes )
... aka "L.H.O.T.P." - International (English title) (informal short title)
... aka "Little House: A New Beginning" - USA (last season title)
Circus Man (5 February 1975) - Writer (story)
Survival (26 February 1975) - Writer (story)
"Sierra" (1 episode)
The Rangers (24 December 1974) - Writer (writer)
"Emergency!" (25 episodes )
... aka "Emergencia" - USA (Spanish title)
... aka "Emergency One" - USA (syndication title)
Mascot (22 January 1972) - Writer (written by)
Hang-Up (8 April 1972) - Writer (written by)
Decision (16 September 1972) - Writer (written by)
Helpful (16 December 1972) - Writer (written by)
Seance (24 February 1973) - Writer (written by)
Boot (3 March 1973) - Writer (written by)
Audit (7 April 1973) - Writer (written by)
The Old Engine (29 September 1973) - Writer (written by)
Promotion (3 November 1973) - Writer (written by)
Understanding (15 December 1973) - Writer (written by)
Propinquity (16 February 1974) - Writer (written by)
Gossip (28 September 1974) - Writer (written by)
Surprise (19 October 1974) - Writer (written by)
Parade (21 December 1974) - Writer (written by)
The Bash (28 December 1974) - Writer (written by)
The Stewardess (13 September 1975) - Writer (written by)
The Old Engine Cram (20 September 1975) - Writer (written by)
One of Those Days (8 November 1975) - Writer (written by)
Right at Home (10 January 1976) - Writer (written by)
Above and Beyond... Nearly (31 January 1976) - Writer (written by)
Not Available (2 October 1976) - Writer (written by)
Fair Fight (30 October 1976) - Writer (written by)
Welcome to Santa Rosa County (25 December 1976) - Writer (written by)
The Steel Inferno (7 January 1978) - Writer (written by)
Greatest Rescues of Emergency (31 December 1978) - Writer (written by) , segment writer (as Prestin Wood)
"The Smith Family" (1 episode)
Family Man (15 December 1971) - Writer (written by)
"Ironside" (1 episode)
... aka "The Raymond Burr Show" - USA (syndication title)
Grandmother's House (1 April 1971) - Writer (writer)
"Matt Lincoln" (2 episodes )
Nick (29 October 1970) - Writer (teleplay)
Lori (5 November 1970) - Writer (teleplay)
"The Bold Ones: The Senator" (1 episode)
To Taste of Death But Once (13 September 1970) - Writer (story)
"Hawaii Five-O" (1 episode)
... aka "McGarrett" - USA (rerun title)
Cry, Lie (4 February 1970) - Writer (written by)
"Adam-12" (12 episodes )
Log 11: It's Just a Little Dent, Isn't It? (5 October 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 131: Reed, the Dicks Have Their Jobs, and We Have Ours (12 October 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 91: You're Not the First Guy's Had the Problem (19 October 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 161: And You Want Me to Get Married? (26 October 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 111: The Boa Constrictor (7 December 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 122: Christmas - The Yellow Dump Truck (21 December 1968) - Writer (written by)
Log 32: Jimmy Eisley's Dealing Smack (11 January 1969) - Writer (written by)
Log 33: It All Happened So Fast (1 February 1969) - Writer (written by)
Log 92: Tell Him He Pushed a Little Too Hard (29 March 1969) - Writer (written by)
Log 22:...So This Little Guy Goes Into a Bar, and... (5 April 1969) - Writer (written by)
Log 52: Good Cop - Handle with Care (4 October 1969) - Writer (written by)
Hollywood Division (21 November 1973) - Writer (written by)
"Cimarron Strip" (1 episode)
The Last Wolf (14 December 1967) - Writer (written by)
"T.H.E. Cat" (1 episode)
Twenty-One and Out (24 March 1967) - Writer (writer)
"Dragnet 1967" (6 episodes )
... aka "Dragnet" - USA (syndication title)
... aka "Dragnet 1968" - USA (second season title)
... aka "Dragnet 1969" - USA (third season title)
... aka "Dragnet 1970" - USA (fourth season title)
The Kidnapping (26 January 1967) - Writer (written by)
The Interrogation (9 February 1967) - Writer (written by)
The Bookie (13 April 1967) - Writer (written by)
The Big Search (4 January 1968) - Writer (written by)
The Big Departure (7 March 1968) - Writer (written by)
The Joy Riders (13 February 1969) - Writer (written by)
"Gunsmoke" (7 episodes )
... aka "Marshal Dillon" - USA (rerun title)
Quaker Girl (10 December 1966) - Writer (writer)
Nitro: Part 1 (8 April 1967) - Writer (writer)
Nitro: Part 2 (15 April 1967) - Writer (writer)
9:12 to Dodge (11 November 1968) - Writer (writer)
Danny (13 October 1969) - Writer (writer)
Snow Train: Part 1 (19 October 1970) - Writer (writer)
Snow Train: Part 2 (26 October 1970) - Writer (writer)
"Iron Horse" (1 episode)
Through Ticket to Gunsight (28 November 1966) - Writer (writer)
"12 O'Clock High" (1 episode)
Angel Babe (28 February 1966) - Writer (writer)
"Convoy" (1 episode)
Sink U-116! (12 November 1965) - Writer (writer)
"The Wild Wild West" (14 episodes )
The Night of a Thousand Eyes (22 October 1965) - Writer (written by)
The Night of the Glowing Corpse (29 October 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Dancing Death (5 November 1965) - story editor
The Night That Terror Stalked the Town (19 November 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Red-Eyed Madmen (26 November 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Human Trigger (3 December 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Torture Chamber (10 December 1965) - story editor
The Night of the Howling Light (17 December 1965) - story consultant
The Night of the Steel Assassin (7 January 1966) - story consultant
The Night the Dragon Screamed (14 January 1966) - story consultant
The Night of the Grand Emir (28 January 1966) - story consultant
The Night of the Flaming Ghost (4 February 1966) - Writer (written by) , story consultant
The Night of the Whirring Death (18 February 1966) - story consultant
The Night of the Puppeteer (25 February 1966) - story consultant
"Slattery's People" (3 episodes )
Question: What Time Is the Next Bandwagon? (9 April 1965) - Writer (writer)
A Sitting Duck Named Slattery (17 September 1965) - Writer (writer)
The Hero (5 November 1965) - Writer (writer)
"Daniel Boone" (1 episode)
Four-Leaf Clover (25 March 1965) - Writer (written by)
"The Addams Family" (3 episodes )
Crisis in the Addams Family (12 March 1965) - Writer (story) (teleplay)
Uncle Fester, Tycoon (31 December 1965) - Writer (written by)
Morticia and Gomez vs. Fester and Grandmama (7 January 1966) - Writer (teleplay)
"The Virginian" (1 episode)
... aka "The Men from Shiloh" - USA (ninth season title)
Legend for a Lawman (3 March 1965) - Writer (teleplay)
"Destry" (1 episode)
One Hundred Bibles (8 May 1964) - Writer (written by)
"Rawhide" (1 episode)
Incident of the Wild Deuces (12 December 1963) - Writer (writer)
"Temple Houston" (2 episodes )
The Siege at Thayer's Bluff (7 November 1963) - Writer (writer)
Thunder Gap (21 November 1963) - Writer (writer)
"Mr. Novak" (2 episodes )
X Is the Unknown Factor (15 October 1963) - Writer (writer)
I'm on the Outside (11 February 1964) - Writer (story) (teleplay)
"Empire" (1 episode)
A House in Order (5 March 1963) - Writer (story)
"Route 66" (1 episode)
Only by Cunning Glimpses (7 December 1962) - Writer (story)
"The Wide Country" (3 episodes )
Our Ernie Kills People (1 November 1962) - Writer (story)
Yanqui, Go Home! (4 April 1963) - Writer (teleplay)
The Care and Handling of Tigers (25 April 1963) - Writer (teleplay)
"Bonanza" (19 episodes )
... aka "Ponderosa" - USA (rerun title)
... aka "Ride the Wind" - USA (recut version)
The Miracle Maker (20 May 1962) - Writer (teleplay)
A Hot Day for a Hanging (14 October 1962) - Writer (writer)
The Beginning (25 November 1962) - Writer (writer)
The Colonel (6 January 1963) - Writer (writer)
The Lila Conrad Story (5 January 1964) - Writer (writer)
The Jonah (9 May 1965) - Writer (writer)
A World Full of Cannibals (22 December 1968) - Writer (writer)
Mrs. Wharton and the Lesser Breeds (19 January 1969) - Writer (writer)
Emily (23 March 1969) - Writer (writer)
The Silence at Stillwater (28 September 1969) - Writer (writer)
Anatomy of a Lynching (12 October 1969) - Writer (writer)
The Lady and the Mark (1 February 1970) - Writer (writer)
The Gold Mine (8 March 1970) - Writer (writer)
Thornton's Account (1 November 1970) - Writer (writer)
The Gold-Plated Rifle (17 January 1971) - Writer (writer)
An Earthquake Called Callahan (11 April 1971) - Writer (writer)
Bushwacked (3 October 1971) - Writer (writer)
Rock-A-Bye Hoss (10 October 1971) - Writer (writer)
Frenzy (30 January 1972) - Writer (teleplay)
"Outlaws" (1 episode)
A Bit of Glory (1 February 1962) - Writer (writer)
In late 1966, Wood was recruited by Jack Webb to write for a revival of his popular 1950's television program Dragnet. His first script for Dragnet 1967 aired in January 1967, and he would freelance for the show throughout its run. Wood went on to write for the similarly popular Webb spinoff, Adam-12.
To gain insight into the life of police officers, Wood even joined the Los Angeles Police Department Reserve, serving as a sworn patrol officer. When not reading criminal suspects their rights, he worked crowd control for parades and would have to bark orders to the same TV stars he wrote for!
He was always especially proud of his extensive work on another Jack Webb series, Emergency!, starting with the first season in 1972. His 25 stories for this show inspired local communities everywhere to develop paramedic programs. Emergency! saved lives.
The 1970's also saw work on Grizzly Adams, The Smith Family, Little House on the Prairie, and Hawaii 5-0. Working with his son William (Bill), he wrote for Kaz and Quincy. A brief biography can only furnish a partial list of his freelance writing. His last script was for the short-lived Jessica Novak in the early 1980's.
In retirement, Wood remained active with the Writers Guild. He also focused on novel writing. He published Weatherbee's Gold in 2010.
Wood's career provides a core sample of American popular culture in the second half of the twentieth century.
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