Arthur Godfrey

Arthur Godfrey

Birth : 1903-08-31, New York City, New York, USA

Death : 1983-03-16

History

Arthur Morton Godfrey (August 31, 1903 – March 16, 1983) was an American radio and television broadcaster and entertainer who was sometimes introduced by his nickname, "The Old Redhead". No television personality of the 1950s enjoyed more clout or fame than Godfrey until an on-camera incident undermined his folksy image and triggered a gradual decline; the then-ubiquitous Godfrey helmed two CBS-TV weekly series and a daily 90-minute television mid-morning show through most of the decade but by the early 1960s found himself reduced to hosting an occasional TV special. Arguably the most prominent of the medium's early master commercial pitchmen, he was strongly identified with many of his many sponsors, especially Chesterfield cigarettes and Lipton Tea. After many years for Chesterfield (during which Godfrey came up with the idea and slogan "Buy 'em by the carton"), he severed the relationship during one of his television programs, when his doctors convinced him that his lung cancer was due to smoking. Subsequently, he became a prominent spokesman for anti-smoking education. Description above from the Wikipedia article Arthur Godfrey, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Profile

Arthur Godfrey

Movies

The World of Amateur Radio
Himself
A production designed to update previous undertakings by the ARRL and Dave Bell Productions to introduce those interested inside Amateur Radio on the evolving and wonderful world of the Ham.
Muppets Magic From 'The Ed Sullivan Show!'
Himself
Long before America came to appreciate the talents of Jim Henson and his brilliant creations, The Muppets, Ed Sullivan had the foresight to identify with Henson's enormous creativity and provide him an opportunity to introduce his unique characters to the American public. With Henson's first appearance on September 18, 1966, The Muppets began to capture America's imagination, breaking down our old conceptions of what could be done with puppetry, challenging us to embrace these creatures as living and thinking beings. Not only does this program introduce us to Kermit, we can also see the beginnings of other Henson characters we've come to know and love, including reindeer discussing Christmas deliveries, singing cows, a monster engulfing a computer, and Kermit swallowing a worm. The charm and warmth that captured children and adults when these inventive segments first aired are just as powerful and compelling today. As you will see... The Muppets' charm and lore are timeless!
Flatbed Annie & Sweetie Pie: Lady Truckers
Uncle Wally
This engaging made-for-television movie follows the adventures of Ginny "Sweetie Pie" LaRosa (Kim Darby), who needs money after her trucker husband, Jack (Fred Willard), is shot by hijackers. Fortunately, she finds a partner in Flatbed Annie (Annie Potts), a freewheelin' driver. The women form an unlikely but profitable friendship while fending off the repo man who wants the truck and the criminals who are after the cocaine hidden in it.
Angels' Brigade
Himself
Six sexy women, and a teenage girl, devastate a right-wing militia before doing battle with ruthless drug pushers.
The Great Bank Hoax
Maj. Bryer (Ret.)
When the prominent citizens of a small town discover that the officers of the local bank have been embezzling money from it, they decide to rob the bank themselves.
Citizens Band
Himself (voice)
The interlaced stories of several characters in a small town united by their use of CB (citizen's band) radio.
Rickles
Various comedy sketches with the Master of Insults, Don Rickles.
Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows
The Bishop: The 'In' Group
Mother Superior of St. Francis Academy is challenged by a modern young nun when they take the girls on a bus trip across the country.
The Movie Orgy
Self (archive footage)
Clips from assorted television programs, B-movies, commercials, music performances, newsreels, bloopers, satirical short films and promotional and government films of the 1950s and 1960s are intercut together to tell a single story of various creatures and societal ills attacking American cities.
The Glass Bottom Boat
Axel Nordstrom
Bruce, the owner of a aerospace company, is infatuated with Jennifer and hires her to be his biographer so that he can be near her and win her affections. Is she actually a Russian spy trying to obtain aerospace secrets?
The Ham's Wide World
Narrator
A public service announcement on Amateur Radio, broadcast around the world in the 50s, this film produced by Hollywood producer and Amateur Radio Operator Dave Bell introduces the viewer to the world of the Ham.
4 for Texas
Mr. Godfrey (uncredited)
In the 1870s, two rival businessmen, Zack Thomas and Joe Jarrett, on a stagecoach heading to Galveston, Texas, must pull together to protect $100,000 from an outlaw named Matson. Once in Galveston, however, their rivalry continues, as Thomas joins up with Elya Carlson and Jarret with Maxine Richter. But Matson is still on the loose, and a scheming banker threatens both Thomas and Jarrett.
Fifty Years Before Your Eyes
Narrator
A documentary about the major events of the first fifty years of the Twentieth Century.