Barney McNulty

Dialogue Technician - Inventor of Television Cue Cards

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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

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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

Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Amos 'N' Andy

03:53

Bob Hope Specials

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)

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

01:59

Dragnet

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

03:00

Ed Wynn Show, The

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)

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

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

05:26

George Gobel Show, The

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

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

04:21

Let's Make a Deal

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)

Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Milton Berle on The Milton Berle Show

02:43

Queen for a Day

Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Queen for a Day

02:52

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

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

01:25

You Bet Your Life

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

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

01:57

Censorship / Standards & Practices

Barney McNulty on cue card professionals dealing with censorship

01:24

Comedy-Variety

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

17:16

War

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

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

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

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

03:00

Game Shows

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

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

Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Queen for a Day

02:49

People

Alan Young

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Barney McNulty on working with Alan Young

00:18

Andy Griffith

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

00:38

Bette Davis

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

01:55

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

Burgess Meredith

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Barney McNulty on a photo of him with Burgess Meredith

00:53

Dan Rowan

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

01:02

Danny Kaye

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Barney McNulty on working with Danny Kaye

00:12

David Hasselhoff

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Barney McNulty on a photo of him with David Hasselhoff

00:36

Desi Arnaz

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

04:21

Dick Martin

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

01:02

Dick Powell

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Barney McNulty on working with Dick Powell

00:37

Dinah Shore

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Barney McNulty on working with Dinah Shore

00:13

Ed Wynn

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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

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

Edgar Bergen

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Barney McNulty on working with Edgar Bergen

00:18

Flip Wilson

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Barney McNulty on working with Flip Wilson

00:32

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

Fred Astaire

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Barney McNulty on working with Fred Astaire

00:10

Garth Brooks

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Barney McNulty on a photo of him with Garth Brooks

00:44

Gene Kelly

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Barney McNulty on working with Gene Kelly

00:13

George Burns

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

05:26

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

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

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

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

Harpo Marx

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Barney McNulty on working with Ed Wynn and Harpo Marx

01:04

Jack Webb

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

03:00

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

Mark Spitz

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Barney McNulty on a photo of him with Mark Spitz

00:50

Milton Berle

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Barney McNulty on doing cue cards for Milton Berle on The Milton Berle Show

02:43

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

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

Sid Smith

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Barney McNulty on working with Sid Smith

00:12

Tony Bennett

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

00:10

Tony Danza

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

00:10