1674-16 Arthur Godfrey - 1
* 1t
Out of Context
S O. Ai Becau§e you see, that while the quota yeas correct, it
A /-: C ` is taken a,bit. out of context and did not explain the
( /
whole'course of the conversation. Arthur;had, attended a
f--77
� (di'1 / ! bas mitzvah+that evening earlier. (We had even talked
l� about it on tilt radio show and Arlhur'rernagstd•as to how
4 '`° I beautiful he liio,�ght the ceremony was with the rabbi
!; ' '.# and the cutting of chalah)• When asked about the atti-
tude' of Anericans back home toward the war Arthur
✓4, I _j ,s
went on along the following lines.
y �'�� "One of the great problems over here," he said, "is '
.\:1/4
i tih:x
`•-• '"- • s.14,,, lir our lack of involvement pr commitment. Ilerq are 4meri-
n ., u,. can boys dying every day
bnia , ' to protect our freedom, and
Godfrey Remprl f't f iu:u yet we don't feel it where
1,: "" we should. Oh, we talk
Not Understood 4"'1' ' -
' about it and watch the
I'M 11,4 71,: , • 0 news and read the papers,
Last week ,itsthur Godfrey guested here.ltDi#he Xi- $'f' wk,„ but its like we are not in-
ami area. He appeared at the Dinner Ke Chart y Horse , '. volved. It's like another
Y ; .y 're/0,g,t' ',70.4', world to us. That's very
Show and tapedth .CBS network programs.frOal he DiP r #fir' bad, We laugh and have
lomat Hotel in fp `ywood. He invited me to gueal on two i.M�t '„`� """ fun. We go to bas
of those radio shows and after the tapings Arthur gath- - 7''' 0 mitzvahs while American
ered the press in the Celebrity Dining room fora confer- ,i PP; ,<.;qwn*' boys die. We attend parties
.._illd visit night clubs. We
ence. Arthur gave some opinions on the war In Vietnam ' 3 '"°
l.:t :put on costumes and go to
(Godfrey had visited that country and has a wing bRir- 44 -T r u in a a Capote parties
ui 'tea;.
ground of Interest and involvement in militar `i While Americans spill their
AP-7-1),2.•''.u„ ~`'� r �+blood for us."
But of that came reports that Arthur hed'sald 4We od•fo ,that was, In er-
go out and enjoy ourselves at Bas Mitzvahs while toys ;isen" what Godfrey said
are dying over there." Now thatquote, in the Miami fir- Sir
Y g :;.on ,1)}e •sMbject. Note? Ile
aid, was correct and it has caused quite a stir in these Arthur Godfrey ,:)ised ,,the lean, WE). He
parts. I have been getting many phone calls asking about referred to bas mitzvahs onlyt bemuse he had just attend-
this remark and attributing anit-semitism to Godflp be- ed one and it was on his mind.I'm sure if he had gone to a
cause of it. Many letters have come to the press Ln the ^ chi'plening party,the night beforelhe•would have said that
same subject. Now friends, please read carefully. Had. w4> r In further discussion at that conference someone
you been watching that press conference on TV or listen brgµ ht up a brilliant column by Pete llammill In the
.r � New York Poll In which Hamann told various little sto•
Ing on radio you would have found absolutely nothln "' ries of Americans who ha4..lo�,l. their lives In Vietnam.
wrong with the statement. Indeed you would have.all 4 ,Between each story, In ital cs, he listed various 'mores-
agreed. ° ' • dons of what the stars were wearing and how they
k looked at the Capote party. It was brilliantly done. Every-
- one agreed.All the reporters agreed.
Godfrey said ithat was what he was talking about.
Arthur Godfrey doesn't need me to defend him. He is one
of God's good people and prejudice never made a move
insi "his mind. I hope this clears up once and for all any
tnistfderstanding about this incident. Friends, this na-
tiont ' 1d use a lot more Arthur Godfreys. It is Indeed a
tra(;,c•y'when anyone Is faslely accused because of an Idle
rerMr'that is completely within the realm 4 under4t.and-
ing,i;]jS lett that person.!..;Someone like Arthur Godfrey it
lyt(a double tragedy, beuaU W Godfrey,is (qv)!,"the" big
league people. , . • , Hiatt
:crass 3 .
r , r