I think you’re right about Arthur Godfrey. I doubt many people here - perhaps including the poster - even remember who he was. Rhodes is one of those characters who seems to fit any celebrity who annoys one. So naturally the elites would glom onto him. Elmer Gantry is another one.
Have you ever seen Budd Schulberg’s tv version of “What Makes Sammy Run” which starred Larry Blyden? My father saw it and loved it and talked about it for years. I was wondering if you, in your quest to find great films, ever came across it. I always liked Larry Blyden and he died so prematurely.
Never saw “What Makes Sammy Run,” although I used to see dusty old copies of the book everywhere, and eventually meant to pick it up and read it. Larry Blyden was actually quite a good actor. I particularly remember him giving a terrific performance in a last-season “Route 66” episode. Always seemed surprising that he veered off in the direction of being a game-show host, for the syndicated “What’s My Line.”
I hope my comment doesn’t revive this stupid thread, but, as a very young girl, I loved Arthur Godfrey. My dearest Aunt Wilma listened to his radio program every day, without fail. I remember the day he fired Julius La Rosa!