"I worked it out that you go to an audition feeling you're going to give your concept of what this part is you're not going to try to get anything. If the producer likes it, whether you get the part or not, you've given. It takes away all the anxiety and the weight. That's my best advice. Just give, and then trust."

    About This Interview

    In his three-hour interview, Alan Young (1919-2016) discusses his Scottish and Canadian upbringing and starting his show business career as a teenager on radio. He speaks of The Alan Young Show radio program and the television version, and recalls his experiences doing a "live" television series. He talks about his movies with special effects wizard George Pal and working with Howard Hughes. Young then details the role for which he is best known, that of "Wilbur Post" on Mister Ed. He also touches on the many animated voiceovers and television guest appearances he made. Jeff Abraham conducted the interview on February 6, 2001 in Studio City, CA.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Alan Young

    Alan Young on appearing on Jimmy Durante's radio show, and on working with Al Jolson

    03:48
    Thumbnail of Alan Young

    Alan Young on the sponsors of Mister Ed

    01:42
    Thumbnail of Alan Young

    Alan Young on the first episode of Mister Ed, and on how the show was received and picked up by CBS

    04:23
    Thumbnail of Alan Young

    Alan Young on various guest stars on Mister Ed, including Clint Eastwood and Mae West

    06:26
    Thumbnail of Alan Young

    Alan Young on finding the voice for "Mister Ed," and on how they made the horse talk

    04:01
    Thumbnail of Alan Young

    Alan Young on the end of Mister Ed, and on the continuing popularity of the show

    03:02
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his early life and influences; on radio shows he listened to growing up, and learning how to do voices on radio; on appearing on the radio in Canada

    13:47

    On doing "The Alan Young Show" on radio; on Jim Backus being added to the cast of radio's "Alan Young Show," and on episodes of the shows; on appearing on Jimmy Durante's radio show, and on working with Al Jolson

    14:11

    Chapter 2

    On doing his radio show from Hollywood, and on meeting legends like Jack Benny; on doing live stage shows, and on creating The Alan Young Show for television; on his earliest experiences of television

    10:45

    On The Alan Young Show; on a typical workweek for The Alan Young Show, and on the guest-stars of the show including Frank Sinatra; on winning Emmy Awards for The Alan Young Show

    08:33

    On how The Alan Young Show changed and evolved over the time it was on the air and on working with animals; on Joe Besser guest-starring on The Alan Young Show; on the end of the show

    09:59

    Chapter 3

    On The Alan Young Show producer Ralph Levy, and on working with Stan Laurel; on appearing in various feature films; on appearing on live classic anthology shows in the '50s

    11:10

    On appearing on Studio One; on appearing in the live Matinee Theater teleplay "Ask Me No Questions"; on appearing in the unsold pilot The Life of Vernon Hathaway

    03:15

    On appearing in various feature films; on the development of Mr. Ed

    14:27

    Chapter 4

    On the sponsors of Mister Ed; on Mister Ed transforming from pilot to series; on finding the voice for Mister Ed, and on how they made the horse talk

    09:14

    On his relationship with the horse "Mister Ed," and the supporting cast of the show; on the writers of Mister Ed; on the theme song for Mister Ed

    06:11

    On a typical workweek on Mister Ed; on the first episode of Mister Ed, and on how the show was received and picked up by CBS; on Mister Ed guest-stars William Bendix, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and George Burns, who was also a producer

    12:36

    Chapter 5

    On various guest stars on Mister Ed, including Clint Eastwood and Mae West; on directing episode of Mister Ed; on the end of Mister Ed, and on the continuing popularity of the show

    11:12

    On the Hollywood Blacklist; on appearing on Broadway; on his involvement with the Christian Science Church

    05:02

    On his career doing voiceovers; on guest-starring on St. Elsewhere; on guest-starring on General Hospital

    12:56

    Chapter 6

    On guest starring on Coach; on guest starring on the Hart to Hart reunion movie; on appearing in "Beverly Hills Cop III"

    03:47

    On guest-starring on various series; on then-current projects; on career achievements and regrets

    06:47

    On his faith and on his family; on advice to an aspiring actor; on various people with whom he's worked in his career

    19:52

    Chapter 7

    B-roll photos from his career- on the set of Pantomime Quiz; doing his stand-up act; with his vocalist from his radio show; on the set of The Alan Young Show ; with Ceasar Romero; doing a sketch on The Alan Young Show ; pirate sketch from The Alan Young Show; doing an Englishman sketch on The Alan Young Show ; another Englishman sketch on The Alan Young Show ; on the set of Death Valley Days; with "Mister Ed"; with "Mister Ed" and his Patsy Award; doing a Magic Trick on the set of Mister Ed; with Connie Heines; on the set of Mister Ed; ad for The Alan Young Show; with "Mister Ed"; with "Mister Ed"

    07:15

    Alan Young Show, The

    Alan Young on doing live stage shows, and on creating The Alan Young Show for television

    03:54

    Alan Young on The Alan Young Show

    03:24

    Alan Young on a typical workweek for The Alan Young Show, and on the guest-stars of the show including Frank Sinatra

    03:36

    Alan Young on winning Emmy Awards for The Alan Young Show

    01:33

    Alan Young on how The Alan Young Show changed and evolved over the time it was on the air and on working with animals

    05:21

    Alan Young on Joe Besser guest-starring on The Alan Young Show

    01:57

    Alan Young on the end of The Alan Young Show

    02:41

    Alan Young on The Alan Young Show producer Ralph Levy, and on working with Stan Laurel

    05:32

    Coach

    Alan Young on guest starring on Coach

    01:15

    General Hospital

    Alan Young on guest starring on General Hospital

    04:02

    Hart to Hart

    Alan Young on guest starring on the Hart to Hart reunion movie

    01:06

    Mister Ed

    Alan Young on the development of Mr. Ed

    11:27

    Alan Young on the sponsors of Mister Ed

    01:42

    Alan Young on Mister Ed transforming from pilot to series

    03:31

    Alan Young on finding the voice for "Mister Ed," and on how they made the horse talk

    04:01

    Alan Young on his relationship with the horse "Mister Ed," and the supporting cast of the show

    03:05

    Alan Young on the writers of Mister Ed

    01:57

    Alan Young on the theme song for Mister Ed

    01:09

    Alan Young on a typical workweek on Mister Ed

    04:10

    Alan Young on his Mister Ed character "Wilbur Post"

    02:43

    Alan Young on the first episode of Mister Ed, and on how the show was received and picked up by CBS

    04:23

    Alan Young on Mister Ed guest-stars William Bendix, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and George Burns, who was also a producer

    01:20

    Alan Young on various guest stars on Mister Ed, including Clint Eastwood and Mae West

    06:26

    Alan Young on directing episode of Mister Ed

    01:44

    Alan Young on the end of Mister Ed, and on the continuing popularity of the show

    03:02

    NBC Matinee Theater

    Alan Young on appearing in the live Matinee Theater teleplay "Ask Me No Questions"

    00:58

    Smurfs, The

    Alan Young on voicing characters in the animated series The Smurfs

    01:12

    St. Elsewhere

    Alan Young on guest-starring on St. Elsewhere

    01:13

    Studio One

    Alan Young on appearing on Studio One

    01:35

    Advice

    Alan Young on advice to an aspiring actor

    01:18

    Anthology Drama

    Alan Young on appearing on live classic anthology shows in the '50s

    03:39

    Characters & Catchphrases

    Alan Young on finding the voice for "Mister Ed," and on how they made the horse talk

    04:01

    Alan Young on his Mister Ed character "Wilbur Post"

    02:43

    Emmy Awards

    Alan Young on winning Emmys for The Alan Young Show

    01:33

    Hollywood Blacklist

    Alan Young on the Hollywood Blacklist

    01:23

    Industry Crossroads

    Alan Young on the Hollywood Blacklist

    01:23

    Pop Culture

    Alan Young on finding the voice for "Mister Ed," and on how they made the horse talk

    04:01

    Alan Young on the theme song for Mister Ed

    01:09

    Alan Young on his Mister Ed character "Wilbur Post"

    02:43

    Television Industry

    Alan Young on the Hollywood Blacklist

    01:23

    Alan Young on advice to an aspiring actor

    01:18

    TV Theme Songs

    Alan Young on the theme song for Mister Ed

    01:09

    TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)

    Alan Young on appearing on live classic anthology shows in the '50s

    03:39

    Actor

    Alan Young on guest starring on a soap opera (General Hospital)

    01:15

    Alan Young on advice to an aspiring actor

    01:18

    Performers

    Alan Young on advice to an aspiring actor

    01:18

    Animation

    Alan Young on voicing characters in the animated series The Smurfs

    00:21

    Classic Anthology Series

    Alan Young on appearing on Studio One and NBC Matinee Theater

    02:33

    Comedy Series

    Alan Young on the development of Mr. Ed

    11:27

    Alan Young on playing "Wilbur Post" on Mister Ed

    28:01

    Alan Young on playing "Wilbur Post" on Mister Ed

    11:12

    Alan Young on guest starring on Coach

    01:15

    Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

    Alan Young on guest starring on the Hart to Hart reunion movie

    01:06

    Daytime/Primetime Serials

    Alan Young on guest starring on General Hospital

    04:02

    Medical Dramas

    Alan Young on guest-starring on St. Elsewhere

    01:13

    Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

    Alan Young on his first TV show The Alan Young Show

    18:32

    Alan Young on The Alan Young Show producer Ralph Levy, and on working with Stan Laurel

    05:32

    Jim Backus

    Alan Young on Jim Backus being added to the cast of radio's "Alan Young Show," and on episodes of the shows

    06:08

    Jack Benny

    Alan Young on doing his radio show from Hollywood, and on meeting legends like Jack Benny

    04:34

    George Burns

    Alan Young on Mister Ed guest-stars William Bendix, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and George Burns, who was also a producer

    01:20

    Jimmy Durante

    Alan Young on appearing on Jimmy Durante's radio show, and on working with Al Jolson

    03:48

    Clint Eastwood

    Alan Young on various guest stars on Mister Ed, including Clint Eastwood and Mae West

    06:26

    William Frawley

    Alan Young on William Frawley

    00:26

    Zsa Zsa Gabor

    Alan Young on Mister Ed guest-stars William Bendix, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and George Burns, who was also a producer

    01:20

    Howard Hughes

    Alan Young on Howard Hughes

    34:22

    Al Jolson

    Alan Young on appearing on Jimmy Durante's radio show, and on working with Al Jolson

    03:48

    Stan Laurel

    Alan Young on The Alan Young Show producer Ralph Levy, and on working with Stan Laurel

    05:32

    Ralph Levy

    Alan Young on The Alan Young Show producer Ralph Levy, and on working with Stan Laurel

    05:32

    Marilyn Monroe

    Alan Young on Marilyn Monroe

    03:54

    Vincent Price

    Alan Young on Vincent Price

    00:27

    Ronald Reagan

    Alan Young on Ronald Reagan

    02:20

    Frank Sinatra

    Alan Young on a typical workweek for The Alan Young Show, and on the guest-stars of the show including Frank Sinatra

    03:36

    Sharon Tate

    Alan Young on Mister Ed guest-stars Sharon Tate, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and George Burns, who was also a producer

    01:20

    Shirley Temple

    Alan Young on Shirley Temple

    01:31

    Mae West

    Alan Young on various guest stars on Mister Ed, including Clint Eastwood and Mae West

    06:26

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