Larry Rhine

Writer

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his nearly four-hour Archive interview, writer Larry Rhine (1910-2000) speaks of his early years as a writer in radio, which culminated in the position of head-writer of Duffy's Tavern (1949-50). He discusses his work as a TV staff writer on Private Secretary, Duffy's Tavern, and The Gale Storm Show. He talks about his many years (1960-67) working on The Red Skelton Show and describes how he simultaneously worked on the sitcom Mister Ed (with collaborator Lou Derman). He recounts his work with other comics such as Bob Hope and Lucille Ball and discusses his freelance work on such series as The Brady Bunch in which he co-wrote the well-known "The Subject Was Noses" episode and The Odd Couple in which he co-wrote the series finale. He discusses his work on All in the Family and Archie Bunker's Place in which he collaborated with writer Mel Tolkin. Gary Rutkowski conducted the interview on February 25, 2000.

"I would like to be remembered as a writer."

People Talking About ...

Larry Rhine

Highlights

Larry Rhine on his favorite The Red Skelton Show characters

Larry Rhine on writing for the Bob Hope Specials

Larry Rhine on writing the series finale of The Odd Couple

Larry Rhine on Jean Stapleton as "Edith Bunker" on All in the Family, and on the creation of "Archie Bunker's" bar on the show

Full Interview

Chapter 1

On his early life and influences; on replacing Art Linkletter as a writer/announcer at KGB radio in San Diego; on working as a writer/announcer on radio in New York City on a show for bandleader Ben Bernie, and on Ben Bernie's "feud" with Walter Winchell

On writing gags and B pictures for 20th Century Fox and Universal; on meeting Edward R. Murrow; on his experience with World War II

Chapter 2

On writing for the radio versions of "The Life of Riley" and the radio version of "Duffy's Tavern"; on the first time he saw television

On writing for Private Secretary starring Ann Southern; on writing for The Gale Storm Show aka Oh Susanna

Chapter 3

On The Adventures of Tugboat Annie; on writing for The Gale Storm Show aka Oh Susanna; on how he came to write for All in the Family

On the having writing partners, and on writing for Here's Lucy; on the Hollywood Blacklist; on writing The Tom Ewell Show

On writing for The Red Skelton Show; on the characters of The Red Skelton Show; on Red Skelton missing shows on The Red Skelton Show

Chapter 4

On his favorite The Red Skelton Show characters; on a typical week on Larry Rhine on The Red Skelton Show; on Red Skelton on The Red Skelton Show, and on the writers of the show including Ed Simmons

On writing for Mister Ed; on the producers and guest stars of Mister Ed; on the cast of Mister Ed

Chapter 5

On being one of Bob Hope's writers; on writing for Here's Lucy and The Brady Bunch; on writing the series finale of The Odd Couple

On writing for All in the Family, and on writing with Mel Tolkin; on a typical week writing for All in the Family; on Carroll O'Connor as "Archie Bunker" on All in the Family, and on the episode "Two's a Crowd"

Chapter 6

On Jean Stapleton as "Edith Bunker" on All in the Family, and on the creation of "Archie Bunker's" bar on the show; on the All in the Family actors input into their characters, and on "Archie Bunker's" bigotry; on the character of "Archie Bunker" on All in the Family, played by Carroll O'Connor

On Rob Reiner as "Mike Stivic" on All in the Family, and on various storylines of the show; on Sally Struthers as "Gloria Stivic" on All in the Family; on the All in the Family episode "Joey's Baptism"

Chapter 7

On the All in the Family episodes "Joey's Baptism" and "Archie Finds a Friend", and on his relationship with Carroll O'Connor; on the relationship between Norman Lear and Carroll O'Connor while working on All in the Family; on the All in the Family episode "Edith's Crisis of Faith"

On various classic episodes of All in the Family; on continuing All in the Family as Archie Bunker's Place; on stories he wrote for All in the Family that weren't used, and on the longevity and continued popularity of the show

On writing for the Sanford and Son sequel Sanford and Joe's World; on writing for The Barkleys and Gimmie a Break!

Chapter 8

on advice to aspiring television writers; on his proudest career achievements; on how he's like to be remembered

On b-roll pictures from his career- with musician Ben Bernie; with Ben Bernie in his hotel room; on the set of All in the Family with Carroll O'Connor; with The Red Skleton Show writing staff; with Carroll O'Connor; with Norman Lear; on the set of a pilot; with his family on his 80th birthday

Shows

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Larry Rhine

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Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Adventures of Tugboat Annie, The

All in the Family

Archie Bunker's Place

Barkleys, The

Bob Hope Specials

Brady Bunch, The

Duffy's Tavern

Gale Storm Show, The aka Oh Susanna

Gimme A Break!

Here's Lucy

Joe's World

Life of Riley, The

Mister Ed

Odd Couple, The (1970-75)

Private Secretary

Red Skelton Show, The

Sanford

Tom Ewell Show, The

Advice

Historic Events and Social Change

Hollywood Blacklist

Industry Crossroads

Television Industry

War

World War II

Writers

Comedy Series

Danielle Brisebois

Bob Hope

Norman Lear

Art Linkletter

Edward R. Murrow

Carroll O'Connor

Rob Reiner

Ed Simmons

Red Skelton

Ann Sothern

Jean Stapleton

Gale Storm

Sally Struthers

Mel Tolkin

Walter Winchell

Alan Young

All Interviews