Fred De Cordova

Director/ Producer

"The main ingredients for a successful late night talk show? It falls back to the person who has the ability to interest an audience, and a group of writers who have the ability to point him by their material at what would interest the audience. And there are a whole batch of shows that have parts of that. But very few that have all of them."

About This Interview

Fred de Cordova (1910-2001) was interviewed for nearly four hours in Burbank, CA. He talked about directing for The Burns and Allen Show, The George Gobel Show, and The Jack Benny Program. Mr. de Cordova also spoke fondly of his 22 years producing The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. The interview was conducted by Morrie Gelman on November 7, 1997.

Chapters

Shows

George Gobel Show, The
- Fred de Cordova on working on The George Gobel Show
Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The
- Fred de Cordova on working on Th e Tonight Show; why he thinks he was asked to direct
- Fred de Cordova on famous guests on The Tonight Show

Submitted by Daryl-Atlanta on Tue, 2011-12-20 21:51.

Tre404 on 2011-04-06 sure does get it right with his reader comment.. The interviewer was clearly NOT prepared as evidenced with the opening where he mispronounced the name of the TV legend he was interviewing.

Also, For 87 years old, Mr. de Cordova is sharp as a tack. If anyone watching this interview wants to know more about the affable Mr. de Cordova, checkout his autobiography, "Johnny Came Lately" as it's an excellent read.

Submitted by Tre404 on Fri, 2011-04-08 05:57.

@nergvol ...this is Frederick deCordova! lol....

Submitted by Tre404 on Wed, 2011-04-06 07:32.

A VERY inexperienced interviewer. Interrupting, finishing sentences, etc. Mr. DeCordova deserved much better than this. Apart from the horrible interviewing, this is absolutely fascinating stuff.

Submitted by maxreger100 on Thu, 2011-03-17 17:33.

What a mild-mannered gentleman.
Just goes to show you can be a nice guy and still make it big.

Submitted by catholicpriest1 on Sat, 2011-03-05 07:36.

Where is part 7?

Submitted by julianbravo1979 on Thu, 2011-01-27 23:35.

...and the restraint not to challenge the obviously stupid remark made by the head of production at your studio – all these are equally important ways to wind up with a good script and an acceptable cast of performers. But don’t take my word for it.”
- Frederick de Cordova

i can think of few better words to live life by. i am in true awe and admiration of his buttoned-down genius. it's a shame he died 4 days after 9/11, i feel his passing would have made headlines that week.

Submitted by VaudevilleSchtick101 on Mon, 2010-08-16 03:10.

I love this interview!
*(I also love the subtle look in Mr. de Cordova's eyes toward the camera when the interviewer mispronounced his name a SECOND time!!!)

Capturing Television History, One Voice At A Time

Fred De Cordova

About This Interview

Related To This Video

Chapters

Shows

Post new comment