Barney McNulty

Dialogue Technician - Inventor of Television Cue Cards


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his nearly three-hour interview, "Cue Card King" Barney McNulty (1923-2000) recounts his early years and his first big break -- working for The Ed Wynn Show. He recalls creating the concept of cue cards for Wynn, who was getting on in age and having trouble remembering lines. He discusses his cue card work on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, I Love Lucy, The Frank Sinatra Show, The Alan Young Show, Amos 'N' Andy, Queen for a Day, and The Carol Burnett Show, among many others. He details his processes for creating cue cards and for working with actors to look natural while reading the cards, and talks about his company, Ad-Libs. McNulty also fondly recalls the pleasure of working with Bob Hope for over 40 years and touring with Hope and his USO shows. Karen Herman conducted the interview on December 9, 1997 in North Hollywood, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I was instructed sometimes to hide the cards from censors, to not let them see the script, because, shall we say, some people were going to skirt around the issue, the edges of these things."

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Barney McNulty on the logistics of his weekly duties writing cue cards for several CBS shows, including The Ed Wynn Show
04:11
Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
05:26
Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Amos 'N' Andy
03:53
Barney McNulty on a bomb going off near him when he was with Bob Hope's USO show
04:16
Barney McNulty on the legacy of Bob Hope
03:04
Barney McNulty on the physical aspects of cue cards
05:26
Full Interview

Play Full Interview

Chapter 1

On his early life and influences; on listening to the radio as a kid and on trying out to be on various radio shows; on what he wanted to be when he grew up; on his experience of World War II
On attending UCLA; on seeing television for the first time at the 1939 World's Fair; on getting into theater; on being hired by CBS radio as an usher; on early talk about television on CBS

Chapter 2

On how he became involved with The Ed Wynn Show; on the format of The Ed Wynn Show; on a typical workweek writing cue cards for The Ed Wynn Show, and on working on The George Gobel Show
On the logistics of his weekly duties writing cue cards for several CBS shows, including The Ed Wynn Show; on CBS and The Ed Wynn Show in the early days of television
On the studio of The Ed Wynn Show; on where he was positioned in the studio with his cue cards for The Ed Wynn Show and on his other duties; on the end of The Ed Wynn Show

Chapter 3

On the physical aspects of cue cards; on the logistics of writing out cue cards and on working with performers; on dealing with emergency situations with cue cards
On perfecting his cue card system over the years; on his competition; on dealing with shadows from cue cards and on getting actors to not look like they're looking at the cards; on using shorthand on the cue cards or using key words
On how he got his cue card assignments and on his cue card company Ad-Libs; on doing cue cards for The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show

Chapter 4

On doing cue cards for I Love Lucy for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz; on doing cue cards for The Frank Sinatra Show and on working with a teleprompter; on doing cue cards for Jack Webb on Dragnet and other shows
On working with Bob Hope on his TV specials; on Bob Hope's management style and how he worked with his writers; on doing cue cards for Bob Hope's USO specials

Chapter 5

On doing cue cards and other duties for Bob Hope's USO Specials; on how Bob Hope's USO shows were received; on tailoring the show (and the cue cards) to the audience; on working with Bob Hope as he got older
On a bomb going off near him when he was with Bob Hope's USO show; on the people that were in Bob Hope's entourage; on the legacy of Bob Hope
On doing cue cards for Milton Berle on The Milton Berle Show; on doing cue cards for Groucho Marx on You Bet Your Life, and on Bill Cosby's remake of the show

Chapter 6

On doing cue cards for Amos 'N' Andy and Queen for a Day; on doing cue cards for Let's Make a Deal, Ralph Edwards, and The Carol Burnett Show; on doing cue cards for Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
On working with actors reading cue cards, including an initially reluctant Bette Davis; on what he feels represents the best of television; on the then-future of television; on how he'd like to be remembered
On various people he worked with in his career
On B-roll photos from his career: a drawing him of with phones; with Tony Bennett and Tony Danza; with Mark Spitz; with David Hasselhoff; with Burgess Meredith; with Ralph Edwards, Andy Griffith, and Ron Howard; with Garth Brooks; with Bob Hope; with Dan Rowan, Dick Martin, and Bob Hope
Shows

Amos 'N' Andy

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Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Amos 'N' Andy
03:53

Bob Hope Specials

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Barry McNulty on working with Bob Hope on his TV specials
08:05
Barry McNulty on Bob Hope's management style and how he worked with his writers
04:05
Barry McNulty on how Bob Hope felt about television
02:22
Barry McNulty on doing cue cards for Bob Hope's USO specials
02:25
Barney McNulty on doing cue cards and other duties for Bob Hope's USO Specials
07:03
Barney McNulty on how Bob Hope's USO shows were received and on tailoring the show (and the cue cards) to the audience
03:46
Barney McNulty on working with Bob Hope as he got older and his eyesight declined
02:11
Barney McNulty on a bomb going off near him when he was with Bob Hope's USO show
04:16

Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-78)

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Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Let's Make a Deal, Ralph Edwards, and The Carol Burnett Show
01:59

Dragnet

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Barry McNulty on doing cue cards for Jack Webb on Dragnet and other shows
03:00

Ed Wynn Show, The

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Barney McNulty on early talk about television on CBS -- Ed Wynn comes out from NY to start a variety show to compete with Texaco Star Theater
02:01
Barney McNulty on how he became involved with The Ed Wynn Show, where he first became involved in writing out cue cards
06:54
Barney McNulty on the format of The Ed Wynn Show
02:58
Barney McNulty on a typical workweek writing cue cards for The Ed Wynn Show and working on The George Gobel Show
06:10
Barney McNulty on the logistics of his weekly duties writing cue cards for several CBS shows, including The Ed Wynn Show
04:10
Barney McNulty on CBS and The Ed Wynn Show in the early days of television
01:43
Barney McNulty on the studio of The Ed Wynn Show
03:15
Barney McNulty on where he was positioned in the studio with his cue cards for The Ed Wynn Show; on his other duties on the show
01:37
Barney McNulty on the end of The Ed Wynn Show
01:42

Frank Sinatra Show, The (1957-58)

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Barry McNulty on doing cue cards for The Frank Sinatra Show and on working with a teleprompter
04:42

George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, The

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Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
05:26

George Gobel Show, The

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Barney McNulty on a typical workweek writing cue cards for The Ed Wynn Show and working on The George Gobel Show
06:10

I Love Lucy

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Barry McNulty on doing cue cards for I Love Lucy for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
04:21

Let's Make a Deal

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Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Let's Make a Deal, Ralph Edwards, and The Carol Burnett Show
01:59

Milton Berle Show, The (1954-56)

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Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Milton Berle on The Milton Berle Show
02:43

Queen for a Day

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Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Queen for a Day
02:52

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

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Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
01:25

You Bet Your Life

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Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Groucho Marx on You Bet Your Life and on Bill Cosby's remake of the show
03:26
Topics

1939-40 World's Fair

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Barney McNulty on seeing television for the first time at the 1939 World's Fair
01:57

Censorship / Standards & Practices

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Barney McNulty on cue card professionals dealing with censorship
01:24

Comedy-Variety

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Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for The Ed Wynn Show
28:30
Barry McNulty on doing cue cards for I Love Lucy with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
04:21

First Big Break

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Barney McNulty on how he became involved with The Ed Wynn Show, where he first became involved in writing out cue cards
06:54

Historic Events and Social Change

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Barney McNulty on his experience of World War II
07:00
Barney McNulty on seeing television for the first time at the 1939 World's Fair
01:57
Barney McNulty on traveling with Bob Hope on his USO Tours of Vietnam
17:16

Pivotal Career Moments

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Barney McNulty on how he became involved with The Ed Wynn Show, where he first became involved in writing out cue cards
06:54

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

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Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for The Ed Wynn Show
28:30
Barry McNulty on doing cue cards for I Love Lucy with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
04:21

Television Industry

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Barney McNulty on cue card professionals dealing with censorship
01:24
Barney McNulty on what he feels represents the best of television and on the then-future of television
03:50

Vietnam War

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Barney McNulty on traveling with Bob Hope on his USO Tours of Vietnam
17:16

War

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Barney McNulty on his experience of World War II
07:00
Barney McNulty on traveling with Bob Hope on his USO Tours of Vietnam
17:16

World War II

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Barney McNulty on his experience of World War II
07:00
Professions

Inventor

View Profession
Barney McNulty on how he became involved with The Ed Wynn Show, where he first wrote out cue cards
05:48
Barney McNulty on the specifics of his cue card process and on his cue card company Ad-Libs
22:55
Barney McNulty on cue card professionals dealing with censorship
01:24
Barney McNulty on working with actors reading cue cards, including an initially reluctant Bette Davis
02:55

Production Professionals

View Profession
Barney McNulty on how he became involved with The Ed Wynn Show, where he first wrote out cue cards
05:48
Barney McNulty on the physical aspects of cue cards
05:26
Barney McNulty on the logistics of writing out cue cards and working with performers
02:28
Barney McNulty on dealing with emergency situations with cue cards and on the need to be quick on your feet
06:02
Barney McNulty on perfecting his cue card system over the years and on his competition
01:18
Barney McNulty on dealing with shadows from cue cards and getting actors to not look like they're looking at the cards
01:15
Barney McNulty on using shorthand on the cue cards or using key words
02:06
Barney McNulty on how he got his cue card assignments and on his cue card company Ad-Libs
04:19
Barney McNulty on cue card professionals dealing with censorship
01:24
Barney McNulty on working with actors reading cue cards, including an initially reluctant Bette Davis
02:55

Technology Innovators

View Profession
Barney McNulty on how he became involved with The Ed Wynn Show, where he first wrote out cue cards
05:48
Barney McNulty on the specifics of his cue card process and on his cue card company Ad-Libs
22:55
Barney McNulty on cue card professionals dealing with censorship
01:24
Barney McNulty on working with actors reading cue cards, including an initially reluctant Bette Davis
02:55
Genres

Comedy Series

View Genre
Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
05:26
Barry McNulty on doing cue cards for I Love Lucy for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
04:21
Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Amos 'N' Andy
03:53

Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

View Genre
Barry McNulty on doing cue cards for Jack Webb on Dragnet and other shows
03:00

Game Shows

View Genre
Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Groucho Marx on You Bet Your Life and on Bill Cosby's remake of the show
03:26
Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Queen for a Day
02:49
Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Let's Make a Deal, Ralph Edwards, and The Carol Burnett Show
01:59

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

View Genre
Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for The Ed Wynn Show
28:31
Barney McNulty on a typical workweek writing cue cards for The Ed Wynn Show and working on The George Gobel Show
06:10
Barry McNulty on doing cue cards for The Frank Sinatra Show and on working with a teleprompter
04:42
Barry McNulty on working with Bob Hope on his TV specials
16:57
Barney McNulty on doing cue cards and other duties for Bob Hope's USO Specials
17:16
Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Milton Berle on The Milton Berle Show
02:43
Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Let's Make a Deal, Ralph Edwards, and The Carol Burnett Show
01:59
Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
01:25

Reality TV

View Genre
Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Queen for a Day
02:49
People

Gracie Allen

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Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
05:26
Barney McNulty on working with Gracie Allen
00:04

Desi Arnaz

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Barry McNulty on doing cue cards for I Love Lucy for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
04:21

Fred Astaire

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Barney McNulty on working with Fred Astaire
00:10

Lucille Ball

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Barry McNulty on doing cue cards for I Love Lucy for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
04:21
Barney McNulty on working with Lucille Ball
00:09

Tony Bennett

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Barney McNulty on a photo of him with Tony Bennett and Tony Danza
00:10

Edgar Bergen

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Barney McNulty on working with Edgar Bergen
00:18

Milton Berle

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Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Milton Berle on The Milton Berle Show
02:43

Garth Brooks

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Barney McNulty on a photo of him with Garth Brooks
00:44

George Burns

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Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
05:26

Tony Danza

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Barney McNulty on a photo of him with Tony Bennett and Tony Danza
00:10

Bette Davis

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Barney McNulty on working with actors reading cue cards, including an initially reluctant Bette Davis
01:55

Ralph Edwards

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Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Let's Make a Deal, Ralph Edwards, and The Carol Burnett Show
01:59
Barney McNulty on a photo of him with Ralph Edwards, Ron Howard, and Andy Griffith
00:38

Redd Foxx

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Barney McNulty on working with Redd Foxx
00:08

George Gobel

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Barney McNulty on a typical workweek writing cue cards for The Ed Wynn Show and working on The George Gobel Show
06:10

Andy Griffith

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Barney McNulty on a photo of him with Ralph Edwards, Ron Howard, and Andy Griffith
00:38

David Hasselhoff

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Barney McNulty on a photo of him with David Hasselhoff
00:36

Bob Hope

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Barry McNulty on working with Bob Hope on his TV specials
16:57
Barney McNulty on the people that were in Bob Hope's entourage
01:46
Barney McNulty on the legacy of Bob Hope
03:04
Barney McNulty on doing cue cards and other duties for Bob Hope's USO Specials
07:03
Barney McNulty on working with Bob Hope as he got older and his eyesight declined
02:11
Barney McNulty on his wife, Jill McNulty and on Bob Hope thanking the troops
00:46
Barney McNulty on a photo of him with Bob Hope and others
00:11
Barney McNulty on a photo with Dan Rowan, Bob Hope, and Dick Martin
01:02

Ron Howard

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Barney McNulty on a photo of him with Ralph Edwards, Ron Howard, and Andy Griffith
00:38

Seaman Jacobs

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Barney McNulty on the writers of The Ed Wynn Show and on adapting cue cards for last-minute material
01:22

Hal Kanter

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Barney McNulty on the writers of The Ed Wynn Show and on adapting cue cards for last-minute material
01:22

Danny Kaye

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Barney McNulty on working with Danny Kaye
00:12

Gene Kelly

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Barney McNulty on working with Gene Kelly
00:13

Dick Martin

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Barney McNulty on a photo with Dan Rowan, Bob Hope, and Dick Martin
01:02

Harpo Marx

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Barney McNulty on working with Ed Wynn and Harpo Marx
01:04

Groucho Marx

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Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Groucho Marx on You Bet Your Life and on Bill Cosby's remake of the show
03:26

Burgess Meredith

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Barney McNulty on a photo of him with Burgess Meredith
00:53

Dick Powell

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Barney McNulty on working with Dick Powell
00:37

Dan Rowan

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Barney McNulty on a photo with Dan Rowan, Bob Hope, and Dick Martin
01:02

Dinah Shore

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Barney McNulty on working with Dinah Shore
00:13

Frank Sinatra

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Barry McNulty on doing cue cards for The Frank Sinatra Show and on working with a teleprompter
04:42
Barney McNulty on working with Frank Sinatra
00:18

Sid Smith

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Barney McNulty on working with Sid Smith
00:12

Mark Spitz

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Barney McNulty on a photo of him with Mark Spitz
00:50

Jack Webb

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Barry McNulty on doing cue cards for Jack Webb on Dragnet and other shows
03:00

Flip Wilson

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Barney McNulty on working with Flip Wilson
00:32

Ed Wynn

View Person Page
Barney McNulty on early talk about television on CBS -- Ed Wynn comes out from NY to start a variety show to compete with Texaco Star Theater
02:01
Barney McNulty on how he became involved with The Ed Wynn Show
06:54
Barney McNulty on the format of The Ed Wynn Show
02:58
Barney McNulty on a typical workweek writing cue cards for The Ed Wynn Show and working on The George Gobel Show
06:10
Barney McNulty on CBS and The Ed Wynn Show in the early days of television
01:43
Barney McNulty on the end of The Ed Wynn Show
01:42

Alan Young

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Barney McNulty on working with Alan Young
00:18

All Interviews

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