Many people today don't realize how huge a star ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his dummy Charlie McCarthy were, if they even know those names. Bergen's comedic timing and his ability to create vibrant personalities in his dummies of Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd well overshadowed the fact that he was not the most adept performer of ventriloquism.
Ironically, Bergen's greatest success came on radio where audiences couldn't see the dummies or Bergen occasionally moving his lips slightly to better articulate the words for them. Under various show titles and networks, Bergen, Charlie McCarthy and friends appeared on radio from May 1937 to June 1956.
Bergen was a legend and an inspiration to many other performers, including Jim Henson and Paul Winchell.
A 24-page book, that was almost like a script from the radio show, chronicling when Charlie McCarthy met Snow White, was published in 1938
“Certainly Edgar Bergen's work with Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd was magic, magic in the real sense,” Henson said. “Something happened when Edgar spoke through Charlie, things were said that couldn't be said by ordinary people.:
“It's a way of looking at ourselves and our world in a fresh perspective,” he said. “That's what theater does and what humor does and what Edgar Bergen did. He left this world a happier place because he was here, and I think that's about the finest thing a person can do with his life.”
Bergen and McCarthy appeared in movies, books, comic strips, merchandise (bringing in more than $100,000 a year in the 1930s, just from all the things featuring the duo) and later television. Bergen was even given an honorary Oscar for the creation of Charlie McCarthy. The Oscar statuette was made of wood.
Bergen was also one of Walt Disney's best friends. Among their connections were that they were both members of the Rancheros Visitadores social riding club.
Walt had Charlie McCarthy caricatured in the shorts Mother Goose Goes Hollywood (1938) where he interacted with his on-air radio nemesis W.C. Fields and The Autograph Hound (1939) where he is surrounded by three amorous harem dancing girls who abandon him for Donald Duck.
“Edgar Bergen was a very dear friend of dad's. I'm certain that you're aware of instances of their collaborating, like on a radio show or two,” Diane Disney Miller, Walt's daughter, wrote to me years ago when I was asking about their connection. [Edgar's actress daughter] Candice Bergen, in her biography, Knock Wood, refers to their friendship and states that my dad was her godfather. I don't think he actually was, but I was pleased that she thought so. As a child, she loved the film Snow White and arranged for a special screening of her 21st birthday party.
“My parents were good friends with Edgar and (his wife) Frances Bergen, but I think that dad and Edgar had a special bond,” she said. “Edgar had a wonderful sense of humor, was really very witty. I think that they were a really good family.”
In a 2015 interview, Candice Bergen recalled: “Walt Disney was a friend of the family, and he had, I remember, a miniature train set built in his garden. It was about waist-high, so you would sit on the train, put on an engineer's cap, and then you'd shovel coal into the engine. That was just an afternoon at the Disney's. It was a complete fantasy—you go to Walt Disney's house and ride the train in his backyard.”
In the late 1940s, Edgar Bergen was also interested in exploring the possibilities of television and he and Charlie made their TV debut on a Thanksgiving special completely sponsored by Coca-Cola in 1950. The performing pair had been wooed by several networks for a regular series, but Bergen was hesitant to commit to the then new medium.
However, he was eager to try another appearance on television to determine what might work. So he had no hesitation in helping out his old friend Walt when Disney decided to produce its first Christmas special One Hour in Wonderland in December 1950.
Even though it is hard to believe, Walt was uneasy about being the sole host for the show and wanted a little support. Bill Walsh who was producing and writing the special had previously been a writer for Bergen's radio show as well as his publicity agent before joining the Disney Studio around 1943.
In addition, Coca-Cola, Bergen's long time sponsor, was completely sponsoring the Disney show, as well. Some publicity releases at the time indicated that it was a Bergen and McCarthy special with some help from Disney.
Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy narrated the story of “Mickey and the Beanstalk.”
Of course, Bergen and McCarthy had appeared previously in the Disney compilation film Fun and Fancy Free (1947) where they narrated the story of “Mickey and the Beanstalk” to child actress Luana Patten in live action framing segments. Being a Disney project, Bergen was not able to use some of the mildly risqué humor that he employed on his own radio show.
In 1955, their appearance was replaced with off-camera narration by Sterling Holloway and later, in 1963, with an animated Ludwig von Drake and Herman taking their places. In 1972, ventriloquist Shari Lewis and her puppet Lamb Chop were the narrators for yet another version.
It was hoped that including the very popular Bergen and McCarthy (who were not considered a ventriloquist act but a comedy team) would help the box office of the film. While reviewers found the film a minor but entertaining effort in the overall Disney movie legacy, they praised the amusing work of Bergen and McCarthy.
However, Bergen and McCarthy's partnership with Walt Disney actually began as early as 1937 with the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in a unique radio presentation.
Perhaps the best known and easily accessible Disney approved radio adaptation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the one produced by the Lux Radio Theater that I previously wrote about for MousePlanet.
However the Screen Guild Theater radio show performed, over several years, five half-hour adaptations of the Disney classic, beginning in 1944 and 1946 both narrated by Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy), and followed by two different ones in 1948 and another (paired with a half-hour adaptation of Pinocchio) in 1950.
Bergen and McCarthy also narrated the second version in 1948 and the 1950 show. Child actress Margaret O'Brien narrated the first show in 1948. You can listen to the 1946 version with Bergen and McCarthy here.
The show ran from 1939 to 1952, and Hollywood stars performed and donated their salaries as part of an effort to raise money for the Motion Picture Relief Fund that helped retired members of the movie industry and those who had fallen on hard times.
However, even before Snow White premiered at the Carthay Circle Theater on December 21, 1937, Bergen and McCarthy met the characters from the film on their December 19, 1937, radio show, Episode No. 33. Being friends with Walt, it is possible that Bergen and his writers may have seen a preview of the film at the Disney Studios.
Actually, one of the reasons for the show was not just to promote the upcoming animated feature that Hollywood had already labelled “Disney”s Folly” and was expected to be a flop, but that the previous week, Bergen and McCarthy had hosted actress Mae West and her innuendo during an Adam and Eve sketch had stirred up plenty of controversy.
So partnering with Disney, the epitome of wholesomeness, might have been some sort of damage control on the part of Bergen as well as helping to publicize the film.
The head writer for the show was Zeno Klinker and the character on the show of Effie Klinker was named after him. Bergen himself also contributed to the writing, along with others.
In 1938, Whitman Publishing released a 24-page black and white softcover book (with color covers) titled Edgar Bergen's Charlie McCarthy Meets Walt Disney's Snow White (no. 986) that most Disney historians, myself included, assume is an adaptation of a transcription of the radio performance.
For one thing, the text is almost all a dialogue like a script with very little description. There is no indication of a writer.
There is also no indication of an artist but whoever did the art was pretty much “on model” for the Disney characters, which was not always true for other Snow White books released during the same time period. Yet, there is no Disney copyright on the material, which once again seems to indicate that it was not produced by Disney but there is a copyright for Charlie McCarthy Inc. seeming to suggest it was from the radio show.
I have never found a copy of this show to listen to, but, according to old-time radio historian Martin Grams, Jr., the cast of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs appeared on this episode and performed which seems very reasonable.
Here is an edited version of the text of the book:
“Charlie,” said Edgar Bergen one evening, “there's a great treat in store for you tonight!”
“That's fine, Mr. Bergen,” replied Charlie hopefully. “So you have a treat in store? I hope it's in a drugstore, Mr. Bergen – one that has a soda fountain.”
“Oh no, Charlie, it isn't that kind of a treat. This is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”
“Couldn't you make it Ice Cream and the Seven Chocolate Sodas, Mr. Bergen?” asked Charlie.
“Do you always have to be thinking of your stomach, Charlie?”
“Well, Mr. Bergen,” whined Charlie. “You'd complain, too, if you felt as empty as I do. My stomach feels like an old hollow log.”
“All right, Charlie that will be enough of that. I wanted to tell you about our guests this evening but I see they're already here. Come in, fellows.”
In response to Mr. Bergen's greetings, a strange group of little men entered the door and clustered together in the middle of the room.
“Say, Mr. Bergen,” whispered Charlie excitedly, “what are those little fellows? Goblets?”
“The word is goblins, Charlie,” corrected Mr. Bergen quietly.
“That's what I said. Gobblers!”
“No…goblins,” repeated Mr. Bergen. “And besides, they're not goblins. They're dwarfs.”
“Well, make up your mind, Bergen.”
“Charlie, you are being highly honored tonight. For the first time, the seven little dwarfs have stepped out of the pages of the story Snow White to pay you a visit.”
“You mean Snow White from Grimm's Fairy Tales?” inquired Charlie.
“Yes, Charlie. Walt Disney has brought them to life on the screen and you're going to have the first opportunity to meet them. Aren't the dwarfs cute?”
“Yeah,” agreed Charlie grudgingly. “They're almost as cute as me.”
“You mean, as cute as I, Charlie,” corrected Mr. Bergen.
“All right… as cute as you Bergen. You're spoiled.”
“Charlie,” continued Mr. Bergen, “once upon a time there were seven little dwarfs who always sang while they worked. Do you like to sing while you work?”
“I like to sing,” replied Charlie avoiding any mention of work. “Bergen, are you sure these fellows aren't goblets?”
“I told you they were dwarfs, Charlie. A goblet is a long drink of water.”
“Well, I bet their father was a long drink of water, Mr. Bergen,” said Charlie.
“What makes you think so, Charlie?” asked a surprised Bergen.
“Well, they're just a bunch of little squirts.”
“Now, now, Charlie. That's no way to talk about our little guests. I want you to meet the Seven Little Dwarfs: Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Sleepy, Happy, Sneezy and Grumpy.”
“What?” exclaimed Charlie. “No Groucho and Harpo?”
“Grumpy,” said Mr. Bergen politely. “This is the famous Charlie McCarthy.”
“So what?” said Grumpy with a sour look.
“Agreeable fellow, isn't he?” remarked Charlie. “Hello, Grumpy. Nice day we're having.”
“What's nice about it?” snapped Grumpy. “Had too much sun this week.”
“Well last week was all right,” said Charlie.
“Had too much rain last week,” growled Grumpy.
“Nice person to have around,” smiled Charlie. “What kind of weather do you like?”
“I don't like any kind of weather and I don't like you either.”
“W'ether it's me or w'ether it's the climate, one subject at a time,” insisted Charlie.
“Well, I don't like the rain and you're all wet, too.”
“Is that so? Well you like the sun, don't you?”
“Even if I did,” snapped Grumpy, “it's at least bright and that's more than I can say for you. I can't waste my time talking to you. I'm leavin'.”
“Charlie,” interrupted Mr. Bergen, “this little dwarf is Sneezy.”
“I feel a little bit chilly myself,” said Charlie. “Maybe we're standing in a draft. Bergen, have you got your mouth open again?”
“Please, Charlie. I mean that this little dwarf's name is Sneezy.”
“Why do they call you Sneezy?” Charlie asked.
“Oh, I don't know,” replied the dwarf. “I guess it's because I….because I…. because I…I…ACHOOooo! I'm pleased to know…to know…KACHOO!”
“And I'm pleased to meet choo!” mimicked Charlie. “What's the matter WITCHOO?”
“I have hay KACHOO. Hay….Hay….”
“Hay, nonny-nonny and a ha-choo-choo!” laughed Charlie.
“I have hay fever,” said the dwarf. “Ah…ah…ah….”
Both Charlie and Sneezy sneezed together: “ATCHOO!”
“Say, who's this little fellow?” asked Charlie.
“That's Doc,” replied Mr. Bergen.
“I'm sleezed to sleet you. I mean, I'm meet to please you. I'm fleezed to greet you. I'm greezed….” stumbled Doc.
“Don't be pleased to sleet me,” said Charlie. “Sneezy just sleeted me a minute ago.”
“You're a nice little sap. I mean a nice little trap. I mean a slice little flap…a fly trap, flip flop…”
“Whoa! Put on your brakes. I think you passed it.”
“I've got to glow now. I mean I've got to gold now. The mean Queenie…the Queen Meanie…the Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Mo…the Queen Mean is approaching. I've got to glow.”
A puzzled Charlie asked, “What are you talking about?”
“Doc is trying to tell you the Queen is here,” interrupted Mr. Bergen. “You won't like her. She turns into a witch and kills people. She's jealous of Snow White and she's trying to kill her. She's even gone so far as to put poison in apples.”
“That sounds like a lot of applesauce, Bergen,” replied Charlie. “She couldn't get away with that…Queen or no Queen.”
“Did you call me?” said the tall, stately woman. “I am the Queen. The most beautiful in all the land. I know I am beautiful for I have a mirror that tells me the truth. I will prove it. This is my mirror.”
“Say, I'll have to look into this, Bergen,” said Charlie who turned to the mirror and asked, “Who is the handsomest man in the land…and why am I?”
“You are….NOT,” answered the mirror without hesitation.
“Hey, mirror, stop casting reflections,” threatened Charlie. “I think it's trying to frame me.”
“Alas, my Queen,” said the mirror, “Snow White is far more fair than thee.”
“T'will not be for long! Snow White shall die!” said the Queen sharply and disappeared.
“She practices the art of witchcraft,” explained Mr. Bergen. “Sometimes she is a Queen and sometimes a witch.”
“Well, which is which?” asked a confused Charlie. “Don't worry, Bergen. I won't be caught asleep at the switch by a witch. Witch or no witch, I'll take care of Snow White.”
“Oh, thank you, Charlie,” said Snow White softly as she entered the room. “You will protect me from the Queen?”
“Believe me, that mirror spake the truth,” exclaimed Charlie. “Snow White, thou art….a knockout! Snow White…beware of the Big Apple. I mean look out for poisoned apples.”
Suddenly, an old witch stood grinning right next to them. “Apple? Apple? Did I hear anybody say apple? Wouldn't you like to buy my bright red apple?”
“Isn't it pretty, Charlie?” said Snow White. “That's the most beautiful apple I have ever seen.”
“Bergen, it's the Queen changed to a witch and she thinks I don't know it.”
Snow White pleaded, “Please, may I have the apple, Charlie?”
“Yes, Snow White,” replied Charlie. “I'll buy the pretty apple for you. I've got the money in my coat in this closet. Follow me, old lady.”
Thinking she had won and that Snow White was soon to eat the poisoned apple, the witch followed Charlie who gave her push into the dark closet and slammed the door and locked it.
“We're going to leave you there until we do our spring housecleaning. So just hang yourself on a hook and make yourself at home,” laughed Charlie.
“Charlie, my Prince Charming,” said an adoring Snow White.
“Drift a little closer,” smiled Charlie.
Just then the little dwarfs came back into the room now that they realized the Wicked Queen was out of the way.
“Isn't Charlie wonderful, Grumpy?” asked Snow White.
“I hate to admit it but I like him,” grumbled Grumpy. “What do you think Sneezy?”
“I think he's….he's….he's… PPPFFFT!” sneezed Sneezy. “What do you think Doc?”
“In beraf of the seven gwarfs….in behalf of the korfs,” said Doc. “I want to show my latitude….I mean attitude…my longitude….”
“Mon't dention it…smote lention it….don't mention…” stumbled Charlie. “Achoo! Say, you guys have got me doing it, now.”
“We like you, Charlie,” said Happy, “because you're just a little fellow like we are. We heard you call us a bunch of little squirts but you're a chip off the old block, yourself.”
“I'm glad you didn't say blockhead,” said Charlie.
“No…no…” added Doc, “You're just a sawed off little plank…I mean punk. Bashful says to spank you….to clank you…to thank you.”
“Why doesn't he just say it?”
“He'll be a wet blanket in society if he doesn't overcome his shy…his shy…hy…CHOO!” sneezed Sneezy.
“And everyone else around here will be a wet blanket if you don't turn off that spray.”
“Something's always tickling Sneezy's nose and then he starts getting red in the face,” explained Happy.
“He's tickled pink?” questioned Charlie.
“Yes, he's pickled tink,” grinned Doc.
“Well, dwarfs, I'm tickled pink that you all came to see me tonight and I hope you'll all come again….especially Snow White!”
“Thank you, Charlie,” smiled Snow White as she and the dwarfs went singing happily into the night.
She turned and blew a kiss to Charlie and Mr. Bergen and those two are still arguing as to who caught it.
