Sid Smith

Director

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his four-hour interview, Sid Smith (1921-2014) talks of his years in advertising, where he began directing television commercials. He speaks of brother-in-law Eddie Condon and becoming an assistant director on Eddie Condon's Floor Show and Your Hit Parade. Smith then discusses directing and/or producing several shows, including The Jimmy Durante Show, Wide Wide World, and The Bell Telephone Hour. He outlines his seventeen-year association with Bob Hope, directing his television specials, and recalls directing several variety/award shows, including Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants, Circus of the Stars, and the Emmy Awards. Smith also talks of directing Elizabeth Taylor in her Elizabeth Taylor in London special, and discusses his work with PBS' Bill Moyers. Karen Herman conducted the interview on November 12, 1997 in Los Angeles, CA.

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

"You've gotta have the contingencies and the right cameras ready for that contingency. It's a jigsaw puzzle game. It's fun to play."

People Talking About ...

Highlights

Sid Smith on Jimmy Durante's Mrs. Calabash line on The Jimmy Durante Show

11:50

Sid Smith on working with host Dave Garroway on Wide Wide World

02:13

Sid Smith on directing Telstar satellite's first broadcast

06:19

Sid Smith on staging a ballet for The Bell Telephone Hour

04:14

Sid Smith on directing John Wayne on The Jimmy Durante Show

00:52

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his childhood and early influences; on his love of music; on attending the University of Minnesota; on joining the Marine Corps during World War II; on transferring to the Navy

On moving to New York; on working for an advertising agency and directing early television commercials; on becoming an AD on Eddie Condon's Floor Show and Your Hit Parade

On the early relationships between television and advertising agencies; on the studio and music setup on Eddie Condon's Floor Show; on appearances by jazz greats on the show

On the format, preparations, surveys, and announcer on Your Hit Parade

Chapter 2

On guests and duties on Your Hit Parade; on Jimmy Durante seeing him direct Your Hit Parade and wanting him to direct his show

On directing Jimmy Durante on All Star Revue; on directing All Star Revue and The Jimmy Durante Show

Chapter 3

On Jimmy Durante's personality and signature moves; on the writing on The Jimmy Durante Show; on guest bookings for early variety shows and directing John Wayne

On movie stars appearing on early television; on weekly preparations for directing The Jimmy Durante Show; on studio design, special effects, and commercials

On sponsors of The Jimmy Durante Show; on audience reaction to the show and Durante's Mrs. Calabash line; on the show moving to filmed production

On directing the 1954 situation comedy, The Duke; on differences between sitcom and variety show directing; on directing NBC's Wide Wide World

Chapter 4

On the format and mission of Wide Wide World; on NBC's Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver; on Wide Wide World host Dave Garroway

On location selection, technology, budgets, and the end of Wide Wide World

On the Hollywood Blacklist; on becoming one of the main directors of The Bell Telephone Hour

Chapter 5

On staging a ballet for The Bell Telephone Hour; on sponsor involvement and the show's move from radio to television; on working with producer Barry Wood

On the visual appeal, song selection, guests, and difficult staging on The Bell Telephone Hour

On his directorial style; on T he Bell Telephone Hour orchestra and the end of the show

On directing Telstar satellite's first broadcast

Chapter 6

On working with Fred Friendly on the first Telstar broadcast; on producing and directing Elizabeth Taylor in "Hamlet" in London in 1963

On directing and producing the Miss U.S.A. and Miss Universe pageants

On directing "Pinocchio" for Hallmark Hall of Fame

On directing the 1969 and 1979 New York portions of the Emmy Awards

On his seventeen years directing Bob Hope Specials

Chapter 7

On directing Bob Hope's television specials; on selecting locations, working with guest stars, and some of his favorite specials; on the end of the specials

On directing the first and several subsequent Circus of the Stars; on booking and training talent for the show

Sid Smith on the start of his association with Bill Moyers; on differences between working with the major networks and PBS

Chapter 8

On Bill Moyers; on his on-set demeanor; on advice to aspiring directors; on television at its best; on the music video industry and the future of television

On stars he's directed; on how he'd like to be remembered; on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked

B-roll photos of people with whom he's worked

Shows

All Star Revue

Sid Smith on directing Jimmy Durante on All Star Revue

03:00

Sid Smith on directing Jimmy Durante, technology, and the format of on All Star Revue

01:55

Sid Smith on directing Martha Raye and other comics on All Star Revue

02:31

Sid Smith on the producers, sponsors, and commercials of All Star Revue

01:57

Sid Smith on a photo of him, Jimmy Durante, and Eddie Cantor from The Colgate Comedy Hour and All Star Revue

00:35

Bell Telephone Hour, The

Sid Smith on becoming one of the main directors of The Bell Telephone Hour

02:40

Sid Smith on staging a ballet for The Bell Telephone Hour

04:14

Sid Smith on preparations for and sponsor involvement on The Bell Telephone Hour

02:46

Sid Smith on hosts on The Bell Telephone Hour

01:37

Sid Smith on the visual appeal and song selection for The Bell Telephone Hour

02:14

Sid Smith on directing ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev's first television appearance on The Bell Telephone Hour

01:08

Sid Smith on new talent that broke through on The Bell Telephone Hour

00:48

Sid Smith on the hardest pieces he ever staged on The Bell Telephone Hour

03:28

Sid Smith on T he Bell Telephone Hour orchestra

02:01

Sid Smith on the end of T he Bell Telephone Hour

00:42

Sid Smith on sound issues on T he Bell Telephone Hour

01:03

Sid Smith on a photo from The Bell Telephone Hour

00:38

Bill Moyers Journal

Sid Smith on the start of his association with Bill Moyers; on Moyer's Joseph Campbell showand Moyers' vision

04:27

Bob Hope Specials

Sid Smith on his seventeen year association with Bob Hope, directing Bob Hope Specials

10:52

Sid Smith on directing Bob Hope Specials

05:20

Sid Smith on directing guest stars on Bob Hope Specials

00:55

Sid Smith on selecting locations for Bob Hope Specials

01:39

Sid Smith on directing Bob Hope's Christmas Specials and other Bob Hope Specials, including USO Shows

02:20

Sid Smith on the atmosphere and staff on a Bob Hope set; on changes in his show's and specials over the years; on audience response to Bob Hope

05:41

Sid Smith on a photo from his travels for Bob Hope Specials

00:29

Cheverolet Golden Anniversary Show, The

Sid Smith on a photo from The Chevrolet Golden Anniversary Show

00:31

Circus of the Stars

Sid Smith on directing the first and several subsequent Circus of the Stars

05:09

Sid Smith on recruiting and training talent for Circus of the Stars

02:23

Colgate Comedy Hour, The

Sid Smith on directing The Colgate Comedy Hour

00:23

Sid Smith on a photo of him, Jimmy Durante, and Eddie Cantor from The Colgate Comedy Hour and All Star Revue

00:35

Eddie Condon's Floor Show

Sid Smith on working on Eddie Condon's Floor Show

01:17

Sid Smith on becoming an AD on Eddie Condon's Floor Show

01:16

Sid Smith on the studio and music setup on Eddie Condon's Floor Show

03:17

Sid Smith on famous jazz musicians appearing on Eddie Condon's Floor Show

01:26

Sid Smith on favorite memories from and tales of his mentor, Clark Jones, on Eddie Condon's Floor Show

01:19

Sid Smith on a photo of Louis Armstrong from Eddie Condon's Floor Show

00:58

Elizabeth Taylor in London

Sid Smith on a photo from Elizabeth Taylor in London special

00:47

Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

Sid Smith on directing the 1969 and 1979 New York portions of the Emmy Awards

01:51

Hallmark Hall of Fame

Sid Smith on directing "Pinocchio" for Hallmark Hall of Fame

02:27

Jimmy Durante Show, The

Sid Smith on Jimmy Durante seeing him direct Your Hit Parade and wanting him to direct his show

02:56

Sid Smith on directing Jimmy Durante on The Jimmy Durante Show

02:56

Sid Smith on the puppets on The Jimmy Durante Show

01:20

Sid Smith on the format and Durante's transition from radio to television with The Jimmy Durante Show

02:04

Sid Smith on Jimmy Durante's personality and signature moves on The Jimmy Durante Show

01:13

Sid Smith on the writing, producers, and talent booker on The Jimmy Durante Show

05:48

Sid Smith on weekly preparations for directing The Jimmy Durante Show; on studio design, special effects, and commercials on the show

07:04

Sid Smith on sponsors and sponsor and network input on The Jimmy Durante Show

01:53

Sid Smith on guests and audience response to The Jimmy Durante Show

01:40

Sid Smith on Jimmy Durante's Mrs. Calabash joke on The Jimmy Durante Show

00:33

Sid Smith on his tenure at The Jimmy Durante Show and changes in the show when production moved to Desilu and shot on film

03:03

Miss USA

Sid Smith on directing and producing the Miss U.S.A. and Miss Universe pageants

03:45

Sid Smith on making contestants on the Miss U.S.A. and Miss Universe pageants feel comfortable on air

01:36

Sid Smith on live mishaps on the Miss U.S.A. and Miss Universe pageants

01:35

Miss Universe

Sid Smith on directing and producing the Miss U.S.A. and Miss Universe pageants

03:45

Sid Smith on making contestants on the Miss U.S.A. and Miss Universe pageants feel comfortable on air; on working with choreographers

01:36

Sid Smith on live mishaps on the Miss U.S.A. and Miss Universe pageants

01:35

Sid Smith on a photo from a Miss Universe Pageant in Cancun, Mexico

01:21

Wide Wide World

Sid Smith on directing NBC's Wide Wide World

02:10

Sid Smith on the format and mission of Wide Wide World

04:26

Sid Smith on Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver's direct involvement with Wide Wide World

00:54

Sid Smith on working with host Dave Garroway on Wide Wide World

02:13

Sid Smith on "Time on Target" and complicated sequences on Wide Wide World

03:10

Sid Smith on location selection for Wide Wide World

01:21

Sid Smith on the technology used on Wide Wide World

03:38

Sid Smith on the producers, directors, and budget on Wide Wide World

02:10

Sid Smith on the end of Wide Wide World

02:08

Sid Smith on host Dave Garroway's sign-off on Wide Wide World

01:21

Sid Smith on a photo from Wide Wide World

01:05

You Can't Take It With You

Sid Smith on a photo from the sitcom You Can't Take It With You

00:47

Your Hit Parade

Sid Smith on becoming an AD on and directing an episode of Your Hit Parade

01:31

Sid Smith on the format and setup on Your Hit Parade

01:34

Sid Smith on color production on Your Hit Parade

01:39

Sid Smith on telecasts, preparation, surveys, and the host for and Your Hit Parade

02:27

Sid Smith on guests, regulars, and his duties on Your Hit Parade

03:19

Sid Smith on sponsor Lucky Strike's involvement with Your Hit Parade

01:59

Sid Smith on Jimmy Durante seeing him direct Your Hit Parade and wanting him to direct his show

02:16

Sid Smith on a photo of Your Hit Parade

00:42

Topics

Bloopers

Sid Smith on live mishaps on the Miss U.S.A. and Miss Universe pageants

01:35

Creative Influences and Inspiration

Sid Smith on his mentor, Clark Jones, on Eddie Condon's Floor Show

00:26

Hollywood Blacklist

Sid Smith on recollections of the Hollywood Blacklist

03:37

Industry Crossroads

Sid Smith on recollections of the Hollywood Blacklist

03:37

Memorable Moments on Television

Sid Smith on Jimmy Durante's Mrs. Calabash line on The Jimmy Durante Show

00:33

Pop Culture

Sid Smith on the puppets on The Jimmy Durante Show

01:20

Technological Innovation

Sid Smith on color production on Your Hit Parade

01:39

Sid Smith on his tenure at The Jimmy Durante Show and changes in the show when production moved to Desilu and shot on film

03:03

Sid Smith on the technology used on Wide Wide World

03:38

Sid Smith on directing Telstar satellite's first broadcast

06:19

Sid Smith on inventing spotlight discs for the Miss U.S.A. and Miss Universe pageants so contestants would be well lit on stage

00:53

Television Industry

Sid Smith on directing early television commercials while working for an advertising agency

01:36

Sid Smith on differences between working with the major networks and PBS

00:56

SiSid Smith on the future of television

00:46

War

Sid Smith on joining the Marine Corps College Program during World War II; on transferring to the Navy

02:29

Sid Smith on directing Bob Hope's Christmas Specials and other Bob Hope Specials, including USO Shows

02:20

World War II

Sid Smith on joining the Marine Corps College Program during World War II; on transferring to the Navy

02:29

Professions

Directors

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Sid Smith on directing early television commercials while working for an advertising agency

01:36

Sid Smith on differences between sitcom and variety show directing

00:41

Sid Smith on his directorial style

00:59

Sid Smith on advice to aspiring directors

00:31

Genres

Awards Shows

Sid Smith on directing the 1969 and 1979 New York portions of the Emmy Awards

01:51

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

Sid Smith on the format, setup, and surveys on Your Hit Parade

05:40

Sid Smith on the studio and music setup, musical guests, and favorite memories of Eddie Condon's Floor Show

06:02

Sid Smith on directing Your Hit Parade

07:34

Sid Smith on directing Jimmy Durante on All Star Revue

13:43

Sid Smith on directing Jimmy Durante on The Jimmy Durante Show

06:20

Sid Smith on the writing, format, guests and audience response to The Jimmy Durante Show

23:22

Sid Smith on becoming one of the main directors of The Bell Telephone Hour

02:40

Sid Smith on the staging of and memorable performances on The Bell Telephone Hour

22:33

Sid Smith on his seventeen year association with Bob Hope, directing Bob Hope Specials

10:52

On directing and producing the Miss U.S.A. and Miss Universe pageants

06:56

Sid Smith on directing Bob Hope Specials

15:55

Sid Smith on directing Circus of the Stars

07:12

News and Documentary

Sid Smith on the format, host, and locations of Wide Wide World

22:51

People

Charlie Andrews

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Sid Smith on host Dave Garroway's sign-off on Wide Wide World

01:21

Sid Smith on working on the Miss U.S.A. and Miss Universe pageants with producer Charlie Andrews

02:15

Louis Armstrong

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Sid Smith on a photo of Louis Armstrong from Eddie Condon's Floor Show

00:58

Lucille Ball

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Sid Smith on a photo with Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, and Milton Berle

00:42

Milton Berle

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Sid Smith on a photo with Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, and Milton Berle

00:42

Al Borden

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Sid Smith on Al Borden doing props on Bob Hope's shows

01:10

Les Brown

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Sid Smith on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Les Brown

00:17

Dick Cavett

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Sid Smith on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Dick Cavett

00:32

Tony Charmoli

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Sid Smith on working with choreographers on The Bell Telephone Hour

02:48

Sid Smith on working with director Tony Charmoli on Bob Hope Specials

00:39

Phyllis Diller

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Sid Smith on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Phyllis Diller

00:14

Sandy Duncan

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Sid Smith on directing Sandy Duncan and Paul Lynde

01:03

Jimmy Durante

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Sid Smith on Jimmy Durante wanting him to direct his show

00:43

Sid Smith on Jimmy Durante seeing him direct Your Hit Parade and wanting him to direct his show

02:56

Sid Smith on directing Jimmy Durante on The Jimmy Durante Show and All Star Revue

02:37

Sid Smith on directing Jimmy Durante on The Jimmy Durante Show

06:20

Sid Smith on Jimmy Durante's personality and signature moves on The Jimmy Durante Show

01:13

Sid Smith on Jimmy Durante's Mrs. Calabash line on The Jimmy Durante Show

00:33

Bob Finkel

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Sid Smith on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Bob Finkel

00:22

Bob Fosse

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Sid Smith on working with choreographers on The Bell Telephone Hour

02:18

Fred Friendly

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Sid Smith on directing Telstar satellite's first broadcast with Fred Friendly

06:19

Sid Smith on working with Fred Friendly on the first Telstar broadcast

02:24

Sid Smith on a photo from the first Telstar satellite broadcast

24:24

Dave Garroway

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Sid Smith on working with host Dave Garroway on Wide Wide World

02:13

Sid Smith on host Dave Garroway's sign-off on Wide Wide World

01:21

Larry Gelbart

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Sid Smith on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Larry Gelbart

00:28

Gerald Green

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Sid Smith on working with writer Gerald Green on Wide Wide World

01:13

Dolores Hope

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Sid Smith on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Dolores Hope

00:23

Bob Hope

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Sid Smith on his seventeen year association with Bob Hope

02:38

Sid Smith on working with Bob Hope

04:40

Sid Smith on directing Bob Hope

03:34

Sid Smith on directing Bob Hope Specials; on Hope in the editing room and his form of comedy

07:54

Sid Smith on directing Bob Hope's Christmas Specials and other Bob Hope Specials

02:20

Sid Smith on the atmosphere on a Bob Hope set

03:50

Sid Smith on changes in Bob Hope Specials over the years; on the end of the specials

01:51

Sid Smith on a photo from his travels for Bob Hope Specials

00:29

Sid Smith on a photo with Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, and Milton Berle

00:42

Linda Hope

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Sid Smith on working with writers and producers on Bob Hope Specials

02:39

Sid Smith on Linda Hope being able to wrangle her father, Bob Hope

00:12

Charles Isaacs

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Sid Smith on the writing on The Jimmy Durante Show

01:18

Sid Smith on directing the 1954 situation comedy, The Duke

03:38

Lyndon B. Johnson

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Sid Smith on a Bill Moyers-Lyndon Johnson story

00:56

Hal Kanter

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Sid Smith on working with writers and producers on Bob Hope Specials

02:25

Sid Smith on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Hal Kanter

00:22

Ted Knight

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Sid Smith on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Ted Knight

00:25

Mort Lachman

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Sid Smith on his seventeen year association with Bob Hope

02:38

Sid Smith on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Mort Lachman

00:20

Sheldon Leonard

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Sid Smith on directing Sheldon Leonard in the 1954 situation comedy, The Duke

01:28

Sid Smith on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Sheldon Leonard

00:16

Paul Lynde

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Sid Smith on directing Sandy Duncan and Paul Lynde

01:03

Sid Smith on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Paul Lynde

00:28

Barney McNulty

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Sid Smith on arranging cue cards for Bob Hope; on working with Hope

03:52

Sid Smith on Barney McNulty doing cue cards on Bob Hope's shows

01:29

Liza Minnelli

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Sid Smith on directing the 1969 and 1979 New York portions of the Emmy Awards

01:00

Sid Smith on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Liza Minnelli

00:40

Bill Moyers

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Sid Smith on the start of his association with Bill Moyer; on Moyers' Joseph Campbell show

03:03

Sid Smith on the vision Bill Moyers brings to his shows

01:24

Sid Smith on a Bill Moyers-Lyndon Johnson story

00:56

Hermes Pan

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Sid Smith on working with choreographers on The Bell Telephone Hour

03:06

Martha Raye

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Sid Smith on directing Martha Raye on All Star Revue

01:03

David Sarnoff

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Sid Smith on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - David Sarnoff

00:23

Thomas W. Sarnoff

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Sid Smith on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Tom Sarnoff

00:14

George Schlatter

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Sid Smith on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - George Schlatter

00:43

Gary Smith

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Sid Smith on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Gary Smith

00:38

Elizabeth Taylor

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Sid Smith on producing and directing Elizabeth Taylor in "Hamlet" in London in 1963

04:43

Sid Smith on a photo from Elizabeth Taylor in London special

00:47

Danny Thomas

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Sid Smith on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Danny Thomas

00:24

Dalton Trumbo

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Sid Smith on recollections of the Hollywood Blacklist

01:04

John Wayne

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Sid Smith on directing John Wayne on The Jimmy Durante Show

00:52

Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver

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Sid Smith on NBC's Sylvester "Pat" Weaver creating Wide Wide World

00:51

Sid Smith on NBC's Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver (creator of Wide Wide World)

06:40

Ed Wynn

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Sid Smith on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Ed Wynn

00:27