Joe Harris, preparing a eulogy for popular radio commentator Herb Fuller, finds that nobody has a good word to say about him.Joe Harris, preparing a eulogy for popular radio commentator Herb Fuller, finds that nobody has a good word to say about him.Joe Harris, preparing a eulogy for popular radio commentator Herb Fuller, finds that nobody has a good word to say about him.
- Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 3 nominations total
Edward Platt
- Dr. O'Connor
- (as Edward C. Platt)
Dorothy Abbott
- Stewardess
- (uncredited)
Walter Bacon
- Mourner
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaLoosely based on the career of Arthur Godfrey.
- GoofsWhen Joe, Mike, and Jinny are listening to the "blood bank" tape, the VU meter has no relation to the audio.
- Quotes
Ginny: Feet of clay, huh?
Joe Harris: Right up to the knees, at least.
- ConnectionsVersion of Pretendent (1987)
- SoundtracksThe Meaning of the Blues
Words and Music by Bobby Troup and Leah Worth
Performed by Julie London
[The song comes on the radio in Carol's apartment]
Featured review
The Great Man is a thinly disguised Arthur Godfrey
Just as Charlie Kane was based on William Randolph Hearst, great man Herb Fuller was based on TV and radio icon Arthur Godfrey. I believe several of the story lines in Great Man paralleled events in Godfrey's life. The one that stands out involved a `boy singer' that was fired by Herb Fuller. In real life Arthur Godfrey fired `boy singer' Julius LaRosa. I have heard that Godfrey the `old redhead' was none too pleased with Jose Ferrer's film.
There is a brilliant scene in the film where the hard-boiled, cynical reporter Joe Harris (Jose Ferrer) meets a former employer of great man Herb Fuller, the guy who gave Fuller his start in broadcasting. Harris and his secretary make fun of Paul Beaseley (veteran actor Ed Wynn, who only has this one scene), a doddering old bumpkin who owns a small radio station in New England. Beaseley tells a story that reveals the two sides of Herb Fuller a folksy, down-to- earth radio personality that people love on the one hand and a mean-spirited, drunken rat bastard on the other. At the end of the scene Beaseley says something like, `I know that some people find me ridiculous' and Harris, no longer mocking Beaseley, replies, `Mr. Beaseley, I don't find you ridiculous at all'. This is one of my favorite movie scenes of all time.
There is a brilliant scene in the film where the hard-boiled, cynical reporter Joe Harris (Jose Ferrer) meets a former employer of great man Herb Fuller, the guy who gave Fuller his start in broadcasting. Harris and his secretary make fun of Paul Beaseley (veteran actor Ed Wynn, who only has this one scene), a doddering old bumpkin who owns a small radio station in New England. Beaseley tells a story that reveals the two sides of Herb Fuller a folksy, down-to- earth radio personality that people love on the one hand and a mean-spirited, drunken rat bastard on the other. At the end of the scene Beaseley says something like, `I know that some people find me ridiculous' and Harris, no longer mocking Beaseley, replies, `Mr. Beaseley, I don't find you ridiculous at all'. This is one of my favorite movie scenes of all time.
helpful•330
- stevie-1
- Sep 4, 2001
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Marele om
- Filming locations
- Universal Pictures Building, 445 Park Avenue, New York City, New York, USA(Amalgamated Broadcasting building)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 32 minutes
- Color
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