Al Hall, 1928-2011
'Bozo' producer 'cracked the whip' at beloved kids show
By Erin Meyer, Tribune reporter
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
September 8, 2011
Al Hall was the man behind the scenes of "Bozo's Circus," where he made television history as director and producer of the long-running children's show.
Mr. Hall directed WGN-TV's "Bozo" show from 1961 to 1966 and returned as producer in 1973.
"Ned (Locke) may have dressed like a ringleader. But if anyone was the ringleader of the Bozo show it was Al Hall," said Joey D'Auria, who played Bozo from 1984 to 2001. "He cracked the whip and had us jumping through hoops."
Mr. Hall, 82, died after an 18-month struggle with lung cancer Tuesday, Sept. 6, at the Kellogg Cancer Center in Evanston, said his wife of 53 years, Rita.
A man of vision and self-discipline, Mr. Hall kept a "tight Scottish fist" on finances while directing a troupe of characters whose wacky antics made the show a lunchtime staple for generations of Chicago-area children.
"Al was just an amazing man," D'Auria said. "He was a firm believer in what he used to like to call the Chicago school of television. I learned that my first year on the job."READ MORE:http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-alhall-obit-20110908,0,2659368.story
Mr. Hall directed WGN-TV's "Bozo" show from 1961 to 1966 and returned as producer in 1973.
"Ned (Locke) may have dressed like a ringleader. But if anyone was the ringleader of the Bozo show it was Al Hall," said Joey D'Auria, who played Bozo from 1984 to 2001. "He cracked the whip and had us jumping through hoops."
Mr. Hall, 82, died after an 18-month struggle with lung cancer Tuesday, Sept. 6, at the Kellogg Cancer Center in Evanston, said his wife of 53 years, Rita.
A man of vision and self-discipline, Mr. Hall kept a "tight Scottish fist" on finances while directing a troupe of characters whose wacky antics made the show a lunchtime staple for generations of Chicago-area children.
"Al was just an amazing man," D'Auria said. "He was a firm believer in what he used to like to call the Chicago school of television. I learned that my first year on the job."READ MORE:http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-alhall-obit-20110908,0,2659368.story
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