Helen O'Connell interviews Mr. Television, Milton Berle with his wife Ruth Berle form their Beverly Hill home.
The initial discussion surrounds itself around the adoption of Bill (Little Billy) whom Milton and Ruth dote over. Milton states that his adopted son's name comes from respect and the Godfather of little Billy, Billy Wilder. Ruth and Milton talk about their nine year marriage and the reasons for adopting a child, late in life. Milton describes how motherhood had changed his and Ruth's way of life.Guest Jean Milinair, 17 years of age and a house guest is introduced. Milton relates anecdotes related to good friend, Buddy Hackett.
Berle states to Helen O'connell the reason why he accepted the dramatic role in DOYLE AGAINS THE HOUSE, an Emmy Award winning teleproduction. He remembers how as a 13 year old kid he learned to manipulate playing cards very well. He was also the head of his drama class at school. Ruth mentions her relationship with Milton's mother, whom Milton states was his "rock" and guiding light in life. He talks about his father who passed away in 1938, a paint and varnish salesman, and his love for him. HIs mother Sandra would take Milton on the road from vaudeville house to vaudeville house and during these years Milton admits to not having a childhood of child friends his own age.
Milton talks about his NBC Special TV broadcast to air this night with Jack Benny, Lena Horne and others.
NOTE:
This air check was recorded off the air by Phil Gries in 1962. It was dubbed in 1997 and given to Milton Berle. The master 1/4" inch reel to reel tape was located in 2023 and it had deteriorated to the extent that it did not play back properly...representing a non-playback tape with imperceptible volume. Phil Gries used a FlexArm with Q-Tip and isopropyl alcohol and a constant pressure of the tape redirecting the tape path over the playback head resurrecting the tape audio playback reproduction to a very decent level with additional EQ processing which is now quite acceptable and represented in the ATA collection.