670 GORDON

Gordon, Gale 1905 -1995

U.S. Radio, Film, and Television Actor

Gale Gordon, a hard -working radio (and, later, television) Gordon worked with many notable actors in radio, includ- actor, may never have been a household name, but his voice ing Jimmy Durante, Doris Singleton, , George Burns and face were known to millions. Born into a theatrical family, and Gracie Allen, , Claire Trevor, Edward G. he spent the first five years of his life in England. His father, Robinson, , Jack Webb, Mary Pickford, Jack Charles Aldrich, was a quick- change artist and his mother was Haley, and Dennis Day. The only actor with whom he seemed actress Gloria Gordon, best known for her portrayal of Mrs. to conflict was Mel Blanc, creator of the voice of Bugs Bunny O'Reilly on radio's My Friend Irma. and many other Warner Brothers cartoon characters; the two Born with a cleft palate, Gordon endured two painful oper- were constantly in competition for the same parts. ations to correct the problem, and his parents pushed him into In October 1941, Gordon began playing the role of Mayor show business to help him perfect his speech. By the time he LaTrivia on Fibber McGee and Molly. (Mayor LaTrivia would was 17, Gordon's voice was so richly developed that it became arrive at the McGee house, start an argument, become tongue- his trademark. "His voice was colorful and powerful so he tied, and blow his stack.) Gordon's only break from the show could bend and shape the dialogue he was given," according to during 15 seasons was his service in the U.S. Coast Guard, Lucie Arnaz. "He also used his whole body for effect, not just where he served as chief gunner's mate during World War II. his voice," Arnaz added. In 1948 Gordon was given the role of Osgood Conklin in While still a teenager, Gordon made his Broadway debut , a situation comedy about a high -school with Richard Bennett in The Dancers in the 19zos. He then English teacher forced to endure the supervision of this stuffy, moved over to try the new medium of radio. Radio offered by- the -rules, pain -in- the -rear school principal. Gordon's Con- something new for actors: steady work. Gordon soon became klin was dry, cynical, blustery, and explosive, all at once. It was one of the busiest actors in radio, sometimes appearing in 2,o to be his last role in radio; the show moved to television in to 3o shows per week. In 192,9, he moved to the West Coast 1952 and ran until 1956, with most of the original radio cast, for the role of Judas in The Pilgrimage Play. After a year of including Gale Gordon, making a successful transition to the touring, he returned to Hollywood where he worked as a new visual medium. freelance actor and announcer. No role daunted him -he sup- Gordon met his wife, Virginia Curley, while working on the plied the voices of villains, Tarzan, and , in Death Valley Days radio program. They married in 1937 and addition to playing straight dramatic roles in syndicated later played together as Mr. and Mrs. Osgood Conklin in both shows such as The Adventures of Fu Manchu and English the radio and television versions of Our Miss Brooks; they Coronets. remained together until their deaths a few weeks apart in 1995. Hy Averback, noted television and movie producer, ANNE SANDERLIN described Gordon as a combination of Laurence Olivier and Charley Chaplin. Called the master of the slow burn and stack See also Fibber McGee and Molly; Our Miss Brooks blowing, Gordon found his true forte in comedy. He became everyone's idea of the perfect stuffed shirt and comic foil. His Gale Gordon. Born Charles T. Aldrich in , z bellowing voice proved to be indispensable and assured gainful February 1906. Made Broadway debut in "The Dancers," employment in dozens of character roles on radio, including 19zos; radio debut, The Church Mouse, 1934; featured on his well -known long- running radio roles as Mayor LaTrivia on Michael and Mary, Flash Gordon, and many other shows; Fibber McGee and Molly, the harried sponsor on The Phil served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II; returned Harris and Show, and the apoplectic banker Atten- to radio, 1945. Died in Escondido, , 3o June 1995. bury on 's . Gordon was Lucille Ball's first choice for next -door neigh- Radio Series bor and landlord Fred Mertz when was brought 1934 The Church Mouse to television in 1951. "My mother could always depend on 1934 Michael and Mary Gale and trusted his acting choices on the radio show," Lucie 1938-40 Arnaz said. "And my mother wasn't fond of change; just for 1940 Those Who Love; Crossroads change's sake she would have gladly given Gale the part of 1942 Maxwell House Coffee Time Fred Mertz. But Gale was under exclusive contract with CBS 1941 -42,1945 -56 Fibber McGee and Molly Radio so got the part." 1946 -47 The Fabulous Dr. Tweedy