Saturday, December 10, 2011

Parting Swimming Pools: Bob Crane Interviews Charlton Heston / c. 1960

One of the motion picture industry's most heroic actors of Biblical proportions, Charlton Heston had a rich Hollywood career and has been called "larger than life" by many, including his family. Immortalized in such iconic films as The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur, El Cid, Planet of the Apes, and The Greatest Show on Earth, he also appeared in several television productions as well as on stage. During World War II, Heston served in the U.S. Army Air Force as a radio operator and aerial gunner, and achieved the rank of staff sergeant. A political activist, he held many firm beliefs and shared them openly, specifically against racism and for Second Amendment rights (the right to bear arms). Charlton Heston passed away on April 5, 2008.

When Bob Crane interviewed Charlton Heston over KNX-CBS Radio, he wasn't sure what to expect and had prepped himself for a serious interview. Heston turned out to be quite relaxed and very funny, telling Bob the story of how, on the first day of school, his teacher thought his name was Charlotte, asking repeatedly, "Where's the little Heston girl?"

In this clip, Bob asks Charlton about his current home, which had been located on a ridge overlooking Hidden Valley, California. The take-home message? Don't walk on other people's water when you're swimming in their pool!


Bob Crane / Interview with Charlton Heston
The Bob Crane Show / KNX-CBS Radio
circa 1960