James Wall
Stage Manager
About This Interview
James Wall (1917-2010) was interviewed for four-and-a-half hours in New York, NY. Wall candidly discussed his experiences as an African-American actor and stage manager on Broadway and in early television. He worked on entertainment programs, sports and news programs including stage managing 60 Minutes and CBS News with Walter Cronkite. Mr. Wall also spoke of his work on Captain Kangaroo, first as stage manager, and later as "Mr. Baxter," a teacher on the program, who he lobbied for and created. Mr. Wall continued to work as a stage manager in New York until shortly before his death. The interview was conducted by Michael Rosen on October 21, 1999.
Related To This Video
YouTube video player - HTML5 compatible.
Interview
- Part 1
- On his early years; on growing up in the 1920s
Clip begins at: 0:0 - Part 2
- On his service during World War II; on his start in performing
Clip begins at: 0:0 - Part 3
- On his World War II service; on working in radio; on the advent of television; on working on The Goldbergs
Clip begins at: 0:0 - Part 4
- On some of his early television roles on Robert Montgomery Presents, The Defenders, and others; on auditioning for Amos 'N' Andy; on working on Broadway
Clip begins at: 0:0 - Part 5
- On being the first African-American stage manager to work on Broadway
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On initially being turned down by CBS for a stage manager position; on later being hired to be stage manager for CBS' Captain Kangaroo; on narrating Air Power
Clip begins at: 03:49 - On being stage manager (from 1962 to 1968) on Captain Kangaroo; on playing Mr. Baxter on the series (from 1968 to 1980)
Clip begins at: 11:41 - Part 6
- On Captain Kangaroo; on stage-managing the series
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On the basic role of a stage manager for television
Clip begins at: 16:13 - Part 7
- On his role as a stage manager (cont.)
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On being a stage manager for CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite
Clip begins at: 18:36 - Part 8
- On news coverage; on CBS News' coverage of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s funeral
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On covering various news stories with Walter Cronkite including the space program, the 1968 political conventions
Clip begins at: 05:40 - On stage-managing various telecasts of 60 Minutes; on stage-managing the U.S. Tennis Open
Clip begins at: 20:55 - Part 9
- On his legacy; on his career high-points; on his advice to aspiring stage managers
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On some photos illustrating his career
Clip begins at: 17:37
Shows
People
Topics
Genres
Professions
wow@
Post new comment