"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." 

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

    11:50
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    Sid Smith on working with host Dave Garroway on Wide Wide World

    02:13
    Thumbnail of Sid Smith

    Sid Smith on directing Telstar satellite's first broadcast

    06:19
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    Sid Smith on staging a ballet for The Bell Telephone Hour

    04:14
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    Sid Smith on directing John Wayne on The Jimmy Durante Show

    00:52
    Play Full Interview

    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

    08:01

    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

    06:23

    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

    08:47

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

    05:42

    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

    08:14

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

    20:27

    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

    07:16

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

    09:13

    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

    06:52

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

    05:50

    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

    10:24

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

    12:27

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

    06:19

    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

    11:09

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

    48:51

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

    13:19

    On directing Telstar satellite's first broadcast

    06:19

    Chapter 6

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

    07:07

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

    06:56

    On directing "Pinocchio" for Hallmark Hall of Fame

    02:45

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

    01:51

    On his seventeen years directing Bob Hope Specials 

    10:52

    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

    15:55

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

    07:32

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

    04:27

    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

    06:13

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

    12:49

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

    09:57

    All Star Revue

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

    00:35

    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

    Bell Telephone Hour, The

    Sid Smith on a photo from The Bell Telephone Hour

    00:38

    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

    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 a photo from his travels for Bob Hope Specials

    00:29

    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

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

    00:35

    Sid Smith on directing The Colgate Comedy Hour

    00:23

    Eddie Condon's Floor Show

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

    00:58

    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

    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 Universe

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

    01:21

    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

    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

    Wide Wide World

    Sid Smith on a photo from Wide Wide World

    01:05

    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

    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 a photo of Your Hit Parade

    00:42

    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

    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

    SiSid Smith on the future of television

    00:46

    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

    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

    Directors

    Sid Smith on advice to aspiring directors

    00:31

    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

    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

    Charlie Andrews

    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

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

    00:58

    Lucille Ball

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

    00:42

    Milton Berle

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

    00:42

    Al Borden

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

    01:10

    Les Brown

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

    00:17

    Dick Cavett

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

    00:32

    Tony Charmoli

    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

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

    00:14

    Sandy Duncan

    Sid Smith on directing Sandy Duncan and Paul Lynde

    01:03

    Jimmy Durante

    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

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

    00:22

    Bob Fosse

    Sid Smith on working with choreographers on The Bell Telephone Hour

    02:18

    Fred Friendly

    Sid Smith on a photo from the first Telstar satellite broadcast

    24:24

    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

    Dave Garroway

    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

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

    00:28

    Gerald Green

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

    01:13

    Bob Hope

    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

    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

    Linda Hope

    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

    Dolores Hope

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

    00:23

    Charles Isaacs

    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

    Sid Smith on a Bill Moyers-Lyndon Johnson story

    00:56

    Hal Kanter

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

    00:22

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

    02:25

    Ted Knight

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

    00:25

    Mort Lachman

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

    00:20

    Sid Smith on his seventeen year association with Bob Hope

    02:38

    Sheldon Leonard

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

    00:16

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

    01:28

    Paul Lynde

    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

    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

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

    00:40

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

    01:00

    Bill Moyers

    Sid Smith on a Bill Moyers-Lyndon Johnson story

    00:56

    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

    Hermes Pan

    Sid Smith on working with choreographers on The Bell Telephone Hour

    03:06

    Martha Raye

    Sid Smith on directing Martha Raye on All Star Revue

    01:03

    David Sarnoff

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

    00:23

    Thomas W. Sarnoff

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

    00:14

    George Schlatter

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

    00:43

    Gary Smith

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

    00:38

    Elizabeth Taylor

    Sid Smith on a photo from Elizabeth Taylor in London special

    00:47

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

    04:43

    Danny Thomas

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

    00:24

    Dalton Trumbo

    Sid Smith on recollections of the Hollywood Blacklist

    01:04

    John Wayne

    Sid Smith on directing John Wayne on The Jimmy Durante Show

    00:52

    Sylvester L. "Pat" Weaver

    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

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

    00:27

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