Flying With Arthur Godfrey (1953)

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This is the full length movie and I did my best to fix the sound sync. An Eastern Air Lines promo piece with the Lockheed Super Constellation.
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[@mamiefil]

I flew with Eastern Airlines in 1959 as a Flight Attendant. This was my favorite plane of the fleet of Eastern. It just felt so safe and and I loved the roar of the engines on ground during warm-up and in the air. This brought so many memories back for me as now I am 72 years old and I am sitting here wondering what they did with all these "Connies"...It was truly a wonderful experience then and today again.

[@basketmakerkai]

The ATC departure controller (sitting) giving taxi clearance instructions (at 16:15) is my father. Though the film depicts it as Idlewild Airport it is actually Miami International Airport. The controller giving approach clearance (at 24:46) was Miami Tower Chief and my dad's boss Richard Martin (if my memory serves me correctly).

[@markschweitzer661]

@@basketmakerkai that is so cool

[@drfiberglass]

This vid really cracked me up… My dad was a TWA pilot and flew the super G's and yes is could go to their head. Remember back then, pilots were a big deal flying the newest and greatest. I will have to say he never cracked one up and retired on the 747.. Great pilot and very proud of him RIP Dad.. Edward allen Hall...

[@JesusHoldMyHand1]

I loved Arthur Godfrey's "Talent Scouts". That's where I first saw Patsy Cline singing "Walkin' After Midnight". RIP to both.

[@LJDRVR]

I love watching Captain Merril's reactions. I can just think what"s going through his head. "Can't believe I've got to put up with this chowderhead pretending to be something he isn't." Godfry's willingess to play dress-up with a uniform he never earned shows how little he understands the ethos of a professional airman. Godfry was a talented entertainer, but as an experienced aviator in his own right he should have had at least a little bit of shame.

[@14778161]

I worked for Godfrey in CT. at Mallard Industries doing C47 modifications A real character!

[@PerryCallas]

Great video. My uncle owned a small airline in the 1950s which included a DC-6 and several DC-3s. My sister and I used to play in the cockpit of the DC-3, pretending we were flying cross country. The smell, the look, and the feel of those planes was magnificent, and I miss them.

[@ecw0647]

Fascinating piece of history. The message being delivered is that "you need not worry, flying is safe; it's routine." You have to remember that 1953 was a transition period. The main forms of travel were still train and ship. The airplane was a novelty. Everything about this film, from the association with the military to the fancy, multi-striped uniforms, was intended to convey the message. BTW, the Chesterfield cigarette was a sop to Godfrey's association with the brand. What's really interesting is that the other pilot said he didn't smoke. In 1953, that was very, very unusual. In the look to the future, they had the speed of travel predicted correctly, but the problem of getting to the airport was wildly wrong.

[@CEOkiller]

Back when this country was powerful, confident, optimistic and capable of anything!

[@mach037]

I can't believe all the people bad-mouthing Godfrey here. For those who don't recognize the name, he was right up there as No. 1 on TV, and he was a fully qualified pilot, infamous for buzzing Teterboro tower in 1954.

[@SeanFTP1]

I had the pleasure to meet Capt. Merrill and Godfrey as young man. Both were true ambassadors of aviation and Merrill was legendary in his abilities and exploits. My first flight was in a Chicago and Southern Connie and as a 12 yr old I got to ride in the cockpit for almost an hour. The door to the cockpit was kept open in flight -- those were the days!!

[@BravoCo74]

Dick Merrill was the real legend here. Wonder how he felt about Godfrey wearing an Eastern captain's uniform? Merrill was too old for combat in WWII, so flew the Hump in C-46's/47's. In '48, he saved a Constellation from going down when a prop tore through the fuselage. Merrill was Eastern's 2nd most senior pilot at retirement in '61 w. over 36k hours in the air. In '66, he & Godfrey flew around the world together. Merrill also qualified in jets, including the DC-8 & L-1011, & flew the Concorde!

[@14778161]

I worked for Godfrey for two years and on his favorite airplanes in CT.. He had the first TV Variety Show and was quite a charcter to say the least.

[@westlock]

Look up that co-captain Dick Merrill. Known for his careful preflight planning and "no unnecessary risks" style of flying, he started out as the best of the airmail pilots, then moved to Eastern Airlines, where he finished in DC-8s and held the record for the longest cumulative distance of any commercial pilot up to that time. At 50 years of age, he flew wartime supply flights over the "Hump" to China. Many celebrities like Rickenbacker and Dwight Eisenhower specifically requested him as a personal pilot.

[@patnorton3388]

Howard Glen he looked like he ways 80. god bless him.

[@ghgghgyuhkljjijijui]

People watch this! Its a gem!Thank you AIRBOYD!!

[@TimCates]

What a wonderful flick which brings back a flood of memories when life was simple and everyone pulled together for common causes..no ten second sound bites..people listened and learned...took the time to savor life...like a fine wine...

[@jimfowler5930]

I grew up in Miami and our first house was 2.5 miles on final approach to MIA 27R. Having no A/C was a bonus (cannot believe I am saying this) only in that you could distinguish the C-47, the Martin 404, DC-4-6-7 along with the various Connie-models including the Super-G. My next door neighbor was a Captain for EAL, Ted Davis. There were 10 guys in my neighborhood, 7 of us went Military Aviation during Viet Nam, no wonder, with all the prop liner influence drowning out the TV shows, these sounds are still in my ears! Nothing like having Sky King, at 12Noon, on Saturdays and these beauties overhead, daily!! Thank you AB for sharing this video.

[@WitchidWitchid]

Great to see Eddie Rickenbacker. Eddie also narrated a couple of WW1 documentary films. And remember to have a Chesterfield break when you reach cruising altitude...LOL.

[@snaprollinpitts]

that was just Great!!! thank you Eastern Airlines and thank you Captain Godfrey, may your soul find rest and peace with the Lord.

[@granskare]

I recall Godfrey...he used to be promoting Hawaii and of course the ukulele :)

[@TheRudydog1]

Arthur you may have had your "ways" but you were pretty smooth .. pretty damn smooth. And so were the Super Connies and Chesterfields. RIP

[@blizzy63]

OK. You've convinced me, Arthur. Very safe and Very routine. I'll fly on one of your Eastern Airlines aeroplanes..............oh. ;) Great film. Great trip back to 1953. Thanks.

[@TheNebula55]

Yes he did, he was referring to the German 'Fokkers', originally designed by the Dutchman Anthony Fokker. A great plane to be sure.

[@kenedwards2788]

Arthur's having too good of a time! Smoking in the cockpit - man-o-man- what a time that was!

[@jayfmiller]

I traveled with my grandmother on a Connie flight when I was six years old. It was sure comfortable for even adults. This film was a "pitch" for Arthur Godfrey and Eastern Airline. It is a shame that gross mismanagement and waste killed Eastern. Anyone who worked for Eastern in the final years will remember who made the statement "Why should I let the monkeys run the zoo!"

[@ROCKSTARCRANE]

Woah.....two engines out on the same side??? Testament to the Connie's outrageous vertical stabilizer and yaw control...

[@FSAUDIOGUY]

Awesome to see this old footage and thank you very much for sharing it with us!

[@mr3gtp]

Great video, featuring not only an amazing aircraft, but some outstanding aviators. The Connie may be but a relic now, but it's beauty and grace are without equal.

[@NeitherLeftNorRight]

Arthur Godfrey certainly has an interesting way about him.

[@gunsaway1]

I remember his morning show when I was a kid. He lived up in Virginia and later I used to fly to the airport named after him. If he cut a fart on the air, he must have an Air Cavalry Trooper!

[@Thom518]

Very nice and pleasant vintage video. Thanks a lot for sharing Airboyd :) Give us more !

[@58biggles]

Back when flying was fun and exciting instead of something to be endured (for most because I still get a kick out of flying).

[@Rayhid1956]

Tanks for sharing the video. Enjoyed it and in the process, learned a few things I did not know.

[@hughjones13]

Fantastic video. Thank you for posting this. It shows the passion in flying that is sadly lost on todays passengers.

[@TheErod1944Channel]

Hey! It's Time for a Chesterfield !!!

[@WitchidWitchid]

Ah yes, the good ol' days when the flight crew could relax and take a cigarette break.

[@anthonyzarlenga5282]

I been with E A L 19 years as a mechanic. aircraft,ground eqip, hangar.

[@johnnycab23513]

In 1971, Mr. Godfrey spoke at a Navy League dinner hosted at the Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, NJ. He flew in from Arthur Godfrey Field (KAGF) on his farm. After dinner, around 2230, He flew home. I was the Forecast Duty Officer that night and delivered his briefing downstairs as he had problems climbing stairs due to his bad leg. It was a real pleasure meeting him.

[@JamesDYoung]

Interesting bit of aviation history. Preflight, takeoff and landing in an Eastern Super Connie, all pre-jet age.

[@tdawgz22]

thanks a ton for posting this. great mix of history and aviation, my 2 favourite things. :)

[@mabhekaphansi]

Thanks for posting this, I enjoyed it hugely.

[@timjbo]

Love this, thanks for the up!

[@DEeMONsworld]

holy Crap, 65 years ago, and I was 5 years old. personalities aside this was so amusing and a real insight on commercial flying before GPS. how did they do it? Real men with real cigarettes, never again...

[@resomony]

OK---up to altitude, time for a smoke. Get me a beer will ya. Oh---and pass me my ukulele.

[@dgovatos]

I am so proud to have been an Eastern Airlines Pilot...Thanks for posting this!

[@cattleman6420012000]

This is absolutely wonderful. thanks so much for sharing this.

[@johneddy98033]

Lockheed and Eastern would team up again more than two decades later, with the L-1011 TriStar wide-body jet.

[@ornottoobless]

I remember watching him playing a ukelele on his TV show. Interesting man. Great pilot.

[@Sunstarair]

Wonderful video - wonderful Connie - thank you so much!

[@metalmoogi]

Wonderful!!! Thanks a million for posting this video. The Connie is still an elegant beautiful timeless piece of ennineering.

[@bklynslipnjimmy]

Loved this!!.

[@mirconiero9751]

Fantastic video...thanks so much!

[@moeshipley4170]

"How about a Chesterfield, Captain? Buy 'em by the carton!"

[@Brace67]

"I don't smoke" was the captain's reply. Took Arthur by surprise. Once he lost a lung, Arthur Godfrey became anti-tobacco and the love affair with Chesterfield was definitely over.

[@moeshipley4170]

@@Brace67 Was it the captain or the flight engineer? I think it was the engineer. Guess I'll have to watch this thing again. I just remember the look the smokers gave the non-smoker!

[@Brace67]

@@moeshipley4170 It was the Captain in the right seat next to Godfrey that told him he didn’t smoke and caused him to pause just for a moment. The flight engineer took the offered Chesterfield which was a Godfrey sponsor. By em by the carton. Chesterfields was the favorite cigarette of Humphrey Bogart who died of esophageal cancer at 57.

[@tubefluid]

Excellent sound! All around good job, thanks.

[@RocketTCoyote]

Arthur Godfrey as also a Civil Air Patrol member in California Wing, rising to the rank of LtCol.

[@CigRacing]

This is awesome, thanks !

[@FlyingMusicians]

Love it, we want more!

[@WitchidWitchid]

I love the Constellation. It was / is IMHO one of the most beautiful radial piston engine prop-liners. I am not a pilot but, this is my favorite plane to fly on my flight simulator. Even on the SIM it is beautiful. It is also one of the more difficult planes to learn to fly on the SIM. There are a lot of things you need to monitor and watch carefully as you fly to your destination airport. Truly a awesome airplane both in simulation and in reality.

[@joesphx19]

One rainy day in the 1980s I walked out of the Tallahassee Airport to board my flight to Miami with a brief stop in Tampa and whoa! Our pilot was helping load luggage into our EAL plane. He was being handed the bags by a handler and kind of tossing them into a net just behind the cockpit. Hot damn, I was flying in Eastern's last DC-3. With one stewardess and a sterofoam cooler of ice for the drinks we took off into thunderstorms. What an experience, one that I will never forget, RIP EAL.

[@heartpursuer]

Your description of Arthur's popularity is modest. His shows were often top-rated and he was able to command the highest rates for advertising. I remember listening to "Arthur Godfrey Time" in the mornings when I was home sick from school. Very smooth.

[@fxckthecoolkids]

It couldn't be better Mr. McCauley it's really wonderful.

[@XEpikurX]

Thank you very much!!!!!

[@ecktoeman]

Ha! at 20:40 - "OK, finished our climb check, now it's time for a Chesterfield!" - smokin' in the cockpit - ah those were the days!

[@zuutlmna]

I remember listening to his comeback radio program in the early seventies. And I'm still drinking Kava instant coffee! "Kava!! Kava!!" Although I still hit Starbucks ever now and then.

[@barthoedemaker]

The real days, wish I had a time machine to go back and do it all over again man

[@cybermarsactual]

Landing a dc-3 in a cow pasture, ignoring the weather briefing, Giving out Chesterfields. Fliping off the guy with the landing gear pins. Then flying the Connie half lit on Kentucky Bourbon (on one engine just to boot!) , Godfrey was the man!

[@rocketeerPM2500]

That oh-so-casual throwaway 'Chesterfield' line must've kept Godfrey in free cartons of Chest-Wheezers for the rest of his life, courtesy of a grateful Liggett & Myers board. No doubt a carefully pre-flight-planned stunt and a much lesser aspect of the era.

[@jazrobean1]

For more than 15 years I served as Caretaker of Winter Island Park - - located on the old USCG Seaplane Base in Salem, MA - - - - Arthur Godfrey was stationed here during part of the war.

[@imexbar]

Thanks for sharing this videos... I am an Argentine private pilot and wish I could enjoy the old aviation.

[@twinstu50]

Even if the Connie never flew, just having it sitting on the ramp is still a beautiful sight. Total elegance.

[@YokePoker1761]

The smoking part is a real kicker! LOL Great History Video!

[@toneduke]

Awesome. My grandfathers favourite

[@johncirri]

My Dad worked for Bendix 1950's through Early 72', And Flew Arthur G around, He always said he was a good Guy.

[@StrikerNNLL]

Thanks love it!

[@mikebrannick8932]

I flew in a Connie once, A VC-121, which was an Air Force VIP transport. A General At Tinker AFB, OK had it fly to the Air Force Academy and give us Cadets from Oklahoma a free ride home for Christmas. It was quite a plane. This was a good ad for Eastern and for military pilot recruiting

[@112jungle]

Arthur Godfrey was my Father's uncle and a great man. He was not a racist like many people clamed from what I have been told by family members.

[@plutoplatters]

oh goddddd.......... stOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP don't start it !!!! shit

[@andrewcrumb8027]

My grandparents had a record album of Arthur Godfrey. If I remember correctly it was about a round the world flight in a Lockheed Jetstar.

[@zoomzoom315]

@HauptmannMike Service ceiling of a SPAD is 21815 feet. Rule of thumb is 5 degrees per 1000 feet elevation. That's 100 degress below ambient. Hence the term "freezing your ass off"

[@Elodea]

Arthur gets a little confused while using the VOR. He indicates FROM indications while drawing TO bearings, He used to just working everything like an ADF fix. I'll bet Capt. Dick Merrill loved taking orders from Godfrey!

[@XPCompHelp]

guys the reason he can upload more than 10 min, is because he is a partner, a youtube partner, has to be accepted into the program, and once in you have several special features limited to only parteners, one of them, is extened durration

[@gammondog]

While watching him show all his qualifications framed on the wall I couldn't help but muse on how that ego would later get him into trouble later on in his career.

[@orange70383]

You muse alot do you.

[@Enid2Sacramento]

Holy cow! Look at that dinner! 22:18 Now it's a plastic container with rubber chicken. Ahh, progress.

[@DougDaCosta]

I flew as a passenger on a Super Constellation in 1962 from Hawaii to California. It took 10 1/2 hours. In the darkness, I watched the blue exhaust gasses indicating a perfect fuel mixture. Most people don't know that the Constellation had a 100% hydraulically controlled flight system. There were no cables connecting the flight controls. Years later, I worked on aircraft hydraulic systems and realized that the Constellation was indeed ahead of it's time. There's still one left flying..

[@mbazell]

This documentary depicts how advanced the U.S. airline industry was shortly after WW II and how hi-tech it was for its day. Just imagine, when this was filmed the prototype of the B-707 was already under construction, and a short 5 years later people were being whisked across the oceans at nearly 600 MPH.

[@DougDaCosta]

That F-94...centrifugal compressor with an afterburner. Wow. That's like having a 1951 Ford flathead engine with a supercharger.

[@kingjamie721]

I LOL'D at the beginning! "This is gona be a film about.........flying" LOL

[@andrewcrumb8027]

The "Silver Falcon" plane he comments on was the Martin 404 airliner. A total of 103 were built for Eastern, TWA and the US military.

[@charlesbrown8619]

i was a mechanic on the Navy Super Constellations for 4 years. Those exhausts were from power recover turbines

[@beardedwoodpecker]

I agree with you 100% !!!!

[@robbopaloobop]

a beautiful beautiful plane....

[@ckutner1]

My father (98) flew with TWA. This was his favorite. The Super G

[@user-mh8to9bc4s]

21:33 would be considered a 'near-miss' today, but these nobles are just chillin' with a good smoke and good time

[@GARYROBERTALLEN1]

my dad arthur a. allen was a mechanic for eastern at washington national airport

[@MrMrdelivery]

Andy Rooney wrote for him he didn't have anything good to say about him. I really relish all the endings of 60 minuets...And he was brave, he flew 2 missions in a B-17 in Europe during WWII...

[@karlwelin7932]

Rod Severson - Andy Rooney? Now there was a man who had no use for anybody but himself. He was 1 reason i couldn't watch 60 Minutes.

[@2view428]

Real Pilots,good oh boys

[@paintmn1]

What a great piece of history this film is!.... I wonder how many children watched this and went on to become pilots or became air force personal?

[@daveh3997]

Great subtle commercial for Chesterfield cigarettes at 20:40

[@SuperWildman69]

Not a bad piece of work from the past. I had no idea that Aurther Godfrey was an airlines pilot at all.

[@dj-rive]

wow, a 48 min video on youtube? I didn't know that was possible

[@gmikeg123]

And don't forget - buzzing the control tower!

[@COCRUTA]

Voando com estilo. Muito bom.