George S. Kaufman - A Rare Glimpse - Part 1

[fromthesidelines]

George S. Kaufman was a regular panelist- unfortunately, on the show's 1952 Christmas edition, he stated, "Let's make this one program on which no one sings 'Silent Night'". Certain viewers were outraged, there was a heavy protest, and he was dropped from the show. However, after American Tobacco dropped their sponsorship at the end of 1952, CBS found a new sponsor [Carter Products' "Rise" shaving cream] to sustain it on another night...and Kaufman returned.

[fromthesidelines]

"THIS IS SHOW BUSINESS" appeared on CBS from 1949 through 1953, originally on Sundays for American Tobacco's Lucky Strike. Later, producer Irving Mansfield reworked it as "DICK CLARK'S WORLD OF TALENT" for ABC in the 1959-'60 season.

[HeavensHelp1]

comateensnyc-THANK-YOU so much for posting the legendary George S. Kaufman. What a TREAT!!! Does anyone know where I could find footage on Morrie Ryskind? After I read Groucho's autobiography, I looked Mr. Ryskind up, but could find little info. on him.

[amberola1b]

Damn, the microphones they used on this show were`nt exactly omni-directional, when the shows personalities turn their heads, you can`t hear them, just like the microphones they used when sound movies first started.

[takineko]

Just saw an interview where someone mentioned this was Groucho Marx major hero. Thought I had to check him out.

[SecsSells]

There is a reason for the resemblance between the two men. Kaufman wrote The Cocoanuts and Animal Crackers – Kaufman was perfect for the Marx Brothers, especially for Groucho, who worked closely with his writers molding material to his persona and style. The script was never solid in a Marx Brothers show. “I may be wrong,” Kaufman once half-joked, “but I think I just heard one of my original lines.”

[britcomic]

Amazing. He's a lot like Groucho. Or is Groucho a lot like Kaufman?

[Lampshade51]

Oh my God, I have been waiting for someone to unearth one of these kinescopes for years. Kaufman's work is out there (and wonderful, needless to say), but I really wanted to see one of the sharpest comic minds of the 20th century in an off-the-cuff situation. There must be more copies of this show, as it ran for many months as I have read. Reportedly on Paar, too. Got in trouble saying (at Xmas time) " let this be one show where you won't hear Silent Night!!!". Brilliant, brilliant man.

[TheTOSDoc]

Larry Storch - "Corporal Agarn" - and G.S. Kaufman on teh same show. Surreal.

[sharpasaneraser]

is kaufman wearing a groucho-disguise or is it the other way?

[Rajamuttu]

@sharpasaneraser

There's always one idiot in the comments section.

Here it is you.

[sharpasaneraser]

@Rajamuttu terribly sorry you were chafed by my comment, old man. why don't you go out and buy yourself a sense of humor, and some kaufmann-glasses.

[Rajamuttu]

@sharpasaneraser

Chafed is far to strong for such a pointless comment. More like dismayed or annoyed.

And it twern't funny, Magee. Something I know because I DO have a sense of humor.

[sharpasaneraser]

@Rajamuttu yes, you certainly do...you most certainly do.

[SueBeaWho]

As the sidenotes explain Kaufman was the number one playwright of the first half of the 20th century and in my opinion the number one playwright of the second half of the 20th century is Neil Simon.

Thanks for posting this I have only seen still pics of Kaufman and never heard him talk!

[hwayne99]

Ever since I read the Howard Teichmann biography of GSK I have always wanted to see some video of him, so thank you very much for posting this.

[trudillon]

Irving Mansfield the producer of this piece was the husband of Jaquiline Susann the author of "vally of the dolls".

[lcassamas]

I've been searching around for clips of GSK for years. Thanks. This is an extraordinary treat.

[TraciPowers]

Thanks! I love the Round Table writers!