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After I inadvertently caused Morty Gunty to lose his show on WOR-TV, he returned to doing stand-up comedy, working the clubs in New York that were celebrated by Woody Allen in his 1984 movie, Broadway Danny Rose. Gunty appeared on The Mike Douglas Show and he landed a spot on “That Girl”, playing Marlo Thomas’ agent, Sandy Stone.
In 1969 Morty was on the United Cerebal Palsy Telethon, hosted by Dennis James. The telethon had an unforgettable theme song with the lyric, “Look at us we’re walking, look at us we’re talking…” The show originated from WOR-TV. Once again inside the studios he had once called home, Gunty got in a well-deserved knock at his former employer … and at me.
I was caught off guard when James introduced Gunty. It surprised me every bit as much as when Morty had read my letter on the air, at the end of the last installment of The Morty Gunty Show. This time, however, I didn’t have to call for my twin sister. She was sitting right next to me. “YOU GOT HIM FIRED!”, Jean shrieked when Morty Gunty walked on stage.
Dennis James asked Morty Gunty what he had been up to, and the first thing he said was, “Well, I used to have a kid’s show on TV here in New York, but I got fired because of some kid.” Boom! There it was. The thing I had wanted for five years. Confirmation. Obviously, today such an admission would be worded differently, to avoid giving the wrong impression. I wonder if Morty was hoping that the kid who got him fired was watching? By then I was 14 years old, and I had a keen appreciation for what losing his show must have done to Morty not only as an entertainer, but as a person.
But Morty didn’t linger on the bad news from the past. He told Dennis James that he was doing all right, getting work, and he proceeded to launch into his stand-up routine. I don’t remember much about it, as I was feeling rather stunned.
The next, and last, time I saw Morty Gunty was 15 years later, in Broadway Danny Rose. After appearing in the film, Morty was featured in a Parade Magazine article. I saved the issue, but unfortunately I can’t find it. I was close to 30 at that time, and I was tempted to contact Morty to introduce myself and apologize for what had happened 20 years in the past. But before I could act on that impulse, Morty Gunty was dead.
Morty Gunty with Steve Lawrence, Totie Fields, and Eydie Gorme
In 1996 Morty Gunty was made an honoree in Brooklyn’s Celebrity Path by BRIC/Brooklyn Information and Culture.
Born in Brooklyn in 1929, Gunty went to Midwood High School and to Brooklyn College, where he received a Master’s Degree in Speech. His position as a teacher in the New York City Public School system provided material for his career as a comedian. Starting locally in Brooklyn, he became a frequent entertainer at Ben Masik’s Town and Country Club, and later starred at the Copacabana and the Latin Quarter nightclubs. In 1952, he won Arthur Godfrey’s “Talent Scouts,” and went on to host his own TV show for children entitled “The Funny Company.” Gunty worked with many headliners, including Liza Minnelli, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. He also devoted his time to United Cerebral Palsy of New York City.
Here’s to you, Morty Gunty! Sorry about what happened. I hope this makes up for it a little.
Hello, Sheryl! I’d thought many times about trying to contact you, and was close to doing that when Arnie Kogen stepped in.
Your father was the best! Morty’s show on WOR was uniquely warm and friendly, yet pointed and edgy. Not easy to pull off with a TV audience of kids, rather than a live audience of half-drunk adults. But Morty had me hooked from the get-go.
Your father had an interesting path from other stand-up comics. He was much better educated, and he’d worked for a time as a teacher. I’ll put my thoughts together and send you email. Thanks so much for writing!
Dear Doug,
Great site, thanks for including my father! Any questions, send an email.
Thanks,
Sheryl
Mr. Kogen
Ha! Later in life I got into writing accusing letters to priests. 😉
Big fan, Arnie! MAD, etc. My late mother was a huge Carol Burnett Show fan.
Yes, Jeanie Beanie is my twin sister Jean. She who I called to the TV that fateful afternoon, thereby missing some critical piece of information from Morty. I’ll put you in touch with her.
My memories are filtered through my childhood, of course. For all I know Morty was simply saying he was sorry before the end of his last show, and me being a kid I blamed myself. As a host Morty really connected, and I sincerely missed seeing him on TV. Thanks so much for the “closure”!
I recognize that autograph. It’s definitely an authentic “Morty Gunty” That signature appeared on his weekly checks to me when I was writing comedy for him. Morty was the first comic I ever wrote for. I did material for his act and then, in 1963, Morty asked me to write for his kiddie show called, “The Funny Company” It was my first TV writing gig. The show had a good run but then some kid wrote a letter — Doug, kidding! You were not the cause of Morty Gunty losing his TV show. The Funny Company had run its course. Morty was a terrific guy and would have understood your dilemma.
Now, about Jeanie beanie. Is that your sister? She mentioned that she sat with me the night before I won an Emmy for the Carol Burnett Show and that she knows my son, Jay and she was dating my cousin. Curious. What cousin? All of my cousins are awful dates. Will contact her in a seperate post.