Usually after the death of a big celebrity, his fan base, as well as the audiences that followed him, cannot cope with the loss and the vacuum left behind. Such is the case when Herb Fuller, a radio personality dies in car accident. Amalgamated, the broadcasting network where Fuller was one of the star commentators, dispatch Sid Moore to the site of the crash. He takes along Joe Harris, another newsman who is tapped to cover the passing of the beloved Herb Fuller.
As Joe Harris begins digging into the life of the late Herb Fuller, a new picture emerges. While some people loved the radio man, his detractors are not exactly crying. After the network orchestrate a dignified send off for Fuller where the public is invited to pay a visit to the makeshift chapel, Joe Harris is told to come with a tribute. Harris' own ambitions come into play. Joe Harris might be the substitute for the dead man if things go the way the big wheels of Amalgameted expect it to be.
What comes out as Harris starts digging into Fuller's past, is a contradiction. Joe Harris gets an unexpected visit from the man who gave Fuller his break into radio. Sid Moore is a pivotal witness to the whole research project as he offers Harris some WWII tapes, long forgotten, but clearly a product of Sid' own imagination, as the facts in the recordings were false.
An interesting production of Al Morgan's novel in collaboration with its director and star, Jose Ferrer. The film shows a slight resemblance to real life radio celebrity Arthur Godfrey, who ruled the airwaves for years. Whether it was Mr. Godfrey, or not, was the subject of debate when the film opened. Mr. Ferrer, one of the most talented actors of his generation, makes the film in a sort of documentary style, as Joe Harris must contact and interview the different people in the life of the late Herb Fuller.
What Mr. Ferrer achieved was good ensemble performances from his excellent cast. Keenan Wynn made an impression as the shallow Sid Moore. Dean Jagger, one of the best character actors of that era puts in an appearance as the network CEO. Julie London is seen in one sequence as one of the dead man's female interests. Keenan Wynn makes a good contribution with his Paul Beasely. Joanne Gilbert plays Harris' secretary. Jose Ferrer, a generous director gives his actors most of the opportunities to shine.
Seen recently on a cable channel, this not often seen film deals with celebrity and what really goes on behind the public figures lives.
As Joe Harris begins digging into the life of the late Herb Fuller, a new picture emerges. While some people loved the radio man, his detractors are not exactly crying. After the network orchestrate a dignified send off for Fuller where the public is invited to pay a visit to the makeshift chapel, Joe Harris is told to come with a tribute. Harris' own ambitions come into play. Joe Harris might be the substitute for the dead man if things go the way the big wheels of Amalgameted expect it to be.
What comes out as Harris starts digging into Fuller's past, is a contradiction. Joe Harris gets an unexpected visit from the man who gave Fuller his break into radio. Sid Moore is a pivotal witness to the whole research project as he offers Harris some WWII tapes, long forgotten, but clearly a product of Sid' own imagination, as the facts in the recordings were false.
An interesting production of Al Morgan's novel in collaboration with its director and star, Jose Ferrer. The film shows a slight resemblance to real life radio celebrity Arthur Godfrey, who ruled the airwaves for years. Whether it was Mr. Godfrey, or not, was the subject of debate when the film opened. Mr. Ferrer, one of the most talented actors of his generation, makes the film in a sort of documentary style, as Joe Harris must contact and interview the different people in the life of the late Herb Fuller.
What Mr. Ferrer achieved was good ensemble performances from his excellent cast. Keenan Wynn made an impression as the shallow Sid Moore. Dean Jagger, one of the best character actors of that era puts in an appearance as the network CEO. Julie London is seen in one sequence as one of the dead man's female interests. Keenan Wynn makes a good contribution with his Paul Beasely. Joanne Gilbert plays Harris' secretary. Jose Ferrer, a generous director gives his actors most of the opportunities to shine.
Seen recently on a cable channel, this not often seen film deals with celebrity and what really goes on behind the public figures lives.