Cal Worthington (and his 'dog' Spot), 'Madman' Muntz and other colorful local pitchmen used to claim space in the public consciousness. Our culture may no longer be built for that brand of commercial antics.
And now we get to the heavyweights.
He never really liked cars, he told me once; “I got trapped in the car business.” But it made him rich, and for an Osage County, Okla., boy who made his Scarlett O’Hara vow that he’d never be hungry again, that was a compromise he gladly made. Worthington came here in 1949, and in time he had dealerships from Anchorage to Phoenix, and piloted his own plane to most of them.
Earl Muntz was the brilliant Barnum of pitchmen, a man who made and lost several fortunes, only one of them selling cars. He came to L.A. in the 1930s, selling from “used car row” on Figueroa. He bought 176 radio spots a day on 13 stations, but the free promotions he got dwarfed that; radio joke writers worked him into scripts for Groucho Marx, Jack Benny, Red Skelton and Abbott and Costello. Bob Hope mentioned him 32 times in 39 shows.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Comings & Goings: New hair salon in Oak Lawn, Cal Sag Road work updateBob Bong rounds up the latest business news.
Read more »
Cal turns to transfer portal to restock roster, break out of losing rutJustin Wilcox says post-graduate certificate programs and NIL efforts have helped bolster transfer push
Read more »
Guardians righty will return Friday vs. Tampa Bay; two injured starters begin throwing from moundCal Quantrill, sidelined since July 6 with right shoulder soreness, will return Friday.
Read more »
Girls volleyball: Camille Morrison, Metea edge Oswego EastCamille Morrison finished with 16 kills as the Mustangs pulled out a 25-11, 22-25, 25-17 nonconference victory over Oswego East in Aurora.
Read more »
Why Jennifer Morrison Left Once Upon A TimeEmma exited Once Upon a Time before season 7.
Read more »
USD Officials: Half of the football team facing disciplinary action after alleged hazingThe USD football team’s season opener is just a few days away. They are playing Cal Poly on Saturday.
Read more »