Frank Bunetta

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Frank Bunetta was an American television director and producer.

Contents

Early years

When Bunetta was 10 years old, he performed as "the Boy Without a Body" in the Sells Floto Circus. [1] He later worked with TV developer Allen B. DuMont in an association that led to his career in video. [1]

Career

Bunetta's TV career began when he was an employee at the DuMont Laboratories who worked at night at WABD-TV. [2] In 1947, Bunetta was technical director of a TV adaptation of A Christmas Carol on the DuMont Television Network . [3] By April 1949, he had been promoted to production supervisor for Dumont TV. [4]

Bunetta directed Jackie Gleason in 1951 when Gleason was host of the variety show Cavalcade of Stars . He went on to direct other programs, including Your Show of Shows and Ernie Kovacs's program, before he reunited with Gleason in 1962 to direct The Jackie Gleason Show . Frank Philbin, who produced the Gleason show, described Bunetta as "ingenious and creative, a very good comedy director". [1] Other TV on series for which Bunetta was director, producer, or both included Dark of Night , [5] The Garry Moore Show , [6] It's a Business , [7] Mary Kay and Johnny , [8] The Adventures of Oky Doky , [9] Battle of the Ages , [9] : 36  What's Your Bid? , [9] : 44-45  and Johnny Jupiter . [9] : 46  TV specials for which Bunetta was director, producer, or both included Holiday on Wheels (CBS 1959), [10] : 189 The Sid Caesar Special (CBS 1959), [10] : 333 The CBS All Star Circus (1960 and 1961), [10] : 84  and The Jackie Gleason Christmas Special (CBS 1966). [10]

Personal life and death

Bunetta was married to Terry Hicks, and they had three children. He retired from show business in 1970 and had open-heart surgery in 1974. In 1976, he dedicated his life to God and began studying to be a minister. [1] He died in Lafayette, Louisiana, on March 31, 1978, aged 61. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Frank Bunetta, Director for Jackie Gleason". The Miami Herald. April 1, 1978. p. 3-B. Retrieved April 8, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ Weinstein, David (2004). The Forgotten Network: DuMont and the Birth of American Television. Temple University Press. p. 46. ISBN   978-1-59213-499-1 . Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  3. ↑ Gould, Jack (December 24, 1947). "The News of Radio: Victor Moore Signed for Jimmy Durante Show --Jane Froman on Percy Faith Program" . The New York Times. p. 32. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  4. ↑ "DuMont Plans WABD, Net Staff Integration, Division Of Powers for Efficiency". Billboard. April 2, 1949. p. 15. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  5. ↑ Hawes, William (2001). Filmed Television Drama, 1952-1958. McFarland. p. 63. ISBN   978-0-7864-1132-0 . Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  6. ↑ Hyatt, Wesley (2015). Emmy Award Winning Nighttime Television Shows, 1948-2004. McFarland. p. 156. ISBN   978-1-4766-0874-7 . Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  7. ↑ Leszczak, Bob (2012). Single Season Sitcoms, 1948-1979: A Complete Guide. McFarland. p. 88. ISBN   978-0-7864-6812-6 . Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Mary Kay and Johnny". Billboard. March 6, 1948. p. 38. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Hyatt, Wesley (2015). Short-Lived Television Series, 1948-1978: Thirty Years of More Than 1,000 Flops. McFarland. p. 9. ISBN   978-1-4766-0515-9 . Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Terrace, Vincent (2013). Television Specials: 5,336 Entertainment Programs, 1936-2012, 2d ed. McFarland. p. 204. ISBN   978-0-7864-7444-8 . Retrieved April 9, 2022.
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