Friday, July 17, 2009

and that's the way it was

Walter Cronkite has passed away, the "most trusted man in America" when I was growing up. His frank looks and reassuring voice steadied my family and the rest of his fellow Americans through nerve-wracking events of last century including a moon landing, presidential assasination and the Vietnam War. He anchored the CBS Evening News from 1962 to 1981 when evening news was a very big deal. Most towns had evening newspaper delivery then, but because of print deadlines, television kept you most up to date. The first thing weary dads did upon coming home was turn on the news. There were only three channels.  My father said CBS was the best because Cronkite delivered the news without "hooey." Here's a vintage look at Walter Cronkite's career, in case you missed it on the night he retired from anchoring in 1981. 

UPDATE from commenters: California Girl identifies anchor in video as very young Bill Kurtis (tribute VO was Charles Osgood); DDADmin posts link list of Cronkite-philia here 

10 comments:

California Girl said...

Great that you found this. I have spent the last hour reading tributes and articles on him, most from NY Times online or cnn.com.

He was an icon, no two ways about it. The majority of the broadcast snippets are those I remember. I think I thought he was older than 92. That's Bill Kurtis on the video tribute you posted.

Anyway, good stuff about a good man.

Unknown said...

Wow, another famous person to leave. Walter (referred to as "Uncle Walt") was a great man that knew how to deliver news. I wish these noobs nowadays had such skills. Prayers to Walter's family and friends. In his memory, for his fans I have collected some great sites and articles (more than 200) to know all about Walter Cronkite. If you are interested take a look at the below link
http://markthispage.blogspot.com/2009/07/walter-cronkite-another-famous-person.html

Ad Broad, oldest working writer in advertising said...

@California Girl He had an amazing career, didn't he? And what influence he wielded back in the day. Remember Bobby Kennedy wanted him to run for office? Thanks for the Bill Kurtis ID, I'll add it in.

@ddadmin Wait, I thought Uncle Walt was Walt Disney? So many beloved Walts in those days...wasn't that the name of Beaver's dad, too? Thanks for the link. Wow. And think how much longer the list would be if the interwebz had existed in his day...

darkman said...

But was he as hot as Sharon Ni Bheolain?

Ad Broad, oldest working writer in advertising said...

@darkman Nope. That, I think, is the point ;)

Anonymous said...

How serendipitous to have stumbled upon your post.

Mr. Cronkite was an amazing man. I went to the school that beared his name and was privileged enough to have met him in person.

I paid a tribute to him on my post today and was pleased to see that he impacted you and others just as deeply. Thank you for sharing the video.

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DemiGod said...

a true legend, but as my father always says, everyone has to go someday. it's just the way of life.

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Indian said...

good information never knew about this stuff before.. amazing.. simplyt

Ad Broad, oldest working writer in advertising said...

@Here Under the Rainbow Read your post. Interesting. Didn't know cub reporter Cronkite kept his paper route, b/c starting pay was so lousy. Thanks for that. Made me smile :)

@HipHopRadioStreaming @TheSecondGod @Indian Thanks for dropping by. Nice to make your acquaintance :)