Gale Gordon

Acting

Gale Gordon

Born February 20, 1906 · New York City, New York, USA

Died June 30, 1995 · aged 89

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Gale Gordon (born Charles Thomas Aldrich Jr., February 20, 1906 – June 30, 1995) was an American character actor perhaps best remembered as Lucille Ball's longtime television foil—and particularly as cantankerously combustible, tightfisted bank executive Theodore J. Mooney, on Ball's second television situation comedy, The Lucy Show. Gordon also appeared in I…

Known For

The 'BurbsThe 'Burbs · 1989
The 'Burbs
6.81989
MovieComedyHorror
When secretive new neighbors move in next door, suburbanite Ray Peterson and his friends let their paranoia get the best of them as they start to suspect the newcomers of evildoings and commence an investigation. But it's hardly how Ray, who much prefers drinking beer, reading his newspaper and watching a ball game on the tube expected to spend his vacation.
Our Miss BrooksOur Miss Brooks · 1956
Our Miss Brooks
6.61956
MovieComedy
The big-screen translation of the successful television show of the 1950's. Arden stars as Connie Brooks, wisecracking English teacher at Madison High School, still hoping to tie the knot with shy biology teacher Philip Boynton (Robert Rockwell).
Here Come the NelsonsHere Come the Nelsons · 1952
Here Come the Nelsons
7.01952
MovieComedy
The homespun Nelson family must deal with various comical situations, including an encounter with gangsters.
SpeedwaySpeedway · 1968
Speedway
5.91968
MovieComedyMusic
A race car driver tries to outrun the beautiful tax auditor out to settle his account.
Lucy and Desi: A Home MovieLucy and Desi: A Home Movie · 1993
Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie
8.21993
MovieDocumentary
Emmy Award-Winning Special Desi and Lucy's daughter, Lucie Arnaz, hosts this emotional and honest glimpse at the extraordinary lives of her world-famous parents, highlighted by never-before-seen color family movies along with insightful interviews from family members, business associates and celebrity friends such as Bob Hope. Winner of the Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Special, LUCY & DESI: A HOME MOVIE is a sensitive and absorbing documentary that details the circumstances which brought the immortal twosome together and ultimately drove them apart.
Visit to a Small PlanetVisit to a Small Planet · 1960
Visit to a Small Planet
5.31960
MovieComedyScience Fiction
The weirdest alien of the galaxy pays a visit to Earth... Jerry Lewis is Kreton, a childish alien who, against his teacher's will leaves his planet to visit the Earth, and lands in the backyard of a famous television journalist who doesn't believe in UFOs and aliens. Wanting to study humans but not able to fully understand them, Kreton makes a mess out of it, generating a lot of comic situations.
All Hands on DeckAll Hands on Deck · 1961
All Hands on Deck
7.01961
MovieMusicComedy
The admiral is coming, so a sailor and his buddy hide their girlfriend and pet turkey.
All in a Night's WorkAll in a Night's Work · 1961
All in a Night's Work
6.01961
MovieComedyRomance
After the sudden death of magazine publisher Colonel Ryder, his nephew, Tony inherits the magazine and has big plans to expand it. While negotiating a loan from the bank, Tony gets a call from a detective surrounding his uncle's death. It turns out Colonel Ryder died in his hotel room with a smile on his face and a young woman was seen fleeing his room wearing only a towel. Suspicious of this woman and afraid the magazine's wholesome image may be tarnished and their loan denied, Tony asks the detective to stick around and find her.

Movies

The 'BurbsThe 'Burbs · 1989
The 'Burbs
6.81989
MovieComedyHorror
When secretive new neighbors move in next door, suburbanite Ray Peterson and his friends let their paranoia get the best of them as they start to suspect the newcomers of evildoings and commence an investigation. But it's hardly how Ray, who much prefers drinking beer, reading his newspaper and watching a ball game on the tube expected to spend his vacation.
Our Miss BrooksOur Miss Brooks · 1956
Our Miss Brooks
6.61956
MovieComedy
The big-screen translation of the successful television show of the 1950's. Arden stars as Connie Brooks, wisecracking English teacher at Madison High School, still hoping to tie the knot with shy biology teacher Philip Boynton (Robert Rockwell).
Here Come the NelsonsHere Come the Nelsons · 1952
Here Come the Nelsons
7.01952
MovieComedy
The homespun Nelson family must deal with various comical situations, including an encounter with gangsters.
SpeedwaySpeedway · 1968
Speedway
5.91968
MovieComedyMusic
A race car driver tries to outrun the beautiful tax auditor out to settle his account.
Lucy and Desi: A Home MovieLucy and Desi: A Home Movie · 1993
Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie
8.21993
MovieDocumentary
Emmy Award-Winning Special Desi and Lucy's daughter, Lucie Arnaz, hosts this emotional and honest glimpse at the extraordinary lives of her world-famous parents, highlighted by never-before-seen color family movies along with insightful interviews from family members, business associates and celebrity friends such as Bob Hope. Winner of the Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Special, LUCY & DESI: A HOME MOVIE is a sensitive and absorbing documentary that details the circumstances which brought the immortal twosome together and ultimately drove them apart.
Visit to a Small PlanetVisit to a Small Planet · 1960
Visit to a Small Planet
5.31960
MovieComedyScience Fiction
The weirdest alien of the galaxy pays a visit to Earth... Jerry Lewis is Kreton, a childish alien who, against his teacher's will leaves his planet to visit the Earth, and lands in the backyard of a famous television journalist who doesn't believe in UFOs and aliens. Wanting to study humans but not able to fully understand them, Kreton makes a mess out of it, generating a lot of comic situations.
All Hands on DeckAll Hands on Deck · 1961
All Hands on Deck
7.01961
MovieMusicComedy
The admiral is coming, so a sailor and his buddy hide their girlfriend and pet turkey.
All in a Night's WorkAll in a Night's Work · 1961
All in a Night's Work
6.01961
MovieComedyRomance
After the sudden death of magazine publisher Colonel Ryder, his nephew, Tony inherits the magazine and has big plans to expand it. While negotiating a loan from the bank, Tony gets a call from a detective surrounding his uncle's death. It turns out Colonel Ryder died in his hotel room with a smile on his face and a young woman was seen fleeing his room wearing only a towel. Suspicious of this woman and afraid the magazine's wholesome image may be tarnished and their loan denied, Tony asks the detective to stick around and find her.
Sergeant DeadheadSergeant Deadhead · 1965
Sergeant Deadhead
5.31965
MovieComedyMusic
An astronaut goes into space with a chimpanzee. When they return to Earth after their orbit, it is discovered that the chimp has the brains of the astronaut, and the astronaut has the brains of the chimp. Complications ensue.
Elmer, the GreatElmer, the Great · 1933
Elmer, the Great
5.11933
MovieComedy
Baseball star Elmer Kane leaves the little town of Gentryville, Indiana, to join the Chicago Cubs, where his naivete and arrogance soon put his relationship and career into jeopardy.
Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys!Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys! · 1958
Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys!
5.21958
MovieComedyRomance
Harry Bannerman, a Connecticut suburbanite, becomes involved in various shenanigans when his wife Grace leads a protest movement against a secret army plan to set up a missile base in their community.
Lucy Moves to NBCLucy Moves to NBC · 1980
Lucy Moves to NBC
3.31980
MovieTV MovieComedy
Contacted by Fred Silverman, the President of NBC, Lucille Ball accepts to go back to work as a producer. With the help of her faithful production assistant, Gale Gordon, she starts working on a new series titled "The Music Mart".
Don't Give Up the ShipDon't Give Up the Ship · 1959
Don't Give Up the Ship
6.41959
MovieComedy
The Navy expects a veteran to pay for the ship he commanded, as they have no record of its return.
CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 YearsCBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years · 1976
CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years
7.31976
MovieDocumentary
CBS honors Lucille Ball with this celebration of her three CBS series: I Love Lucy, The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy.
The 30 Foot Bride of Candy RockThe 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock · 1959
The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock
5.61959
MovieScience FictionComedy
In one of his rare performances without Bud Abbott, Lou Costello plays a rubbish collector and inventor. When radiation in a nearby cave turns his girlfriend into a giantess, antics ensue as he tries to shrink her using one of his inventions.
A Woman of DistinctionA Woman of Distinction · 1950
A Woman of Distinction
7.01950
MovieComedy
Ice-cold college dean Susan Middlecott feels there's no room in her life for romance. Enter Prof. Alec Stevenson, British lecturer on astronomy, touring North America and in possession of a keepsake of Susan's he wants to return. Desperate for publicity, lecture bureau press agent Teddy Evans magnifies this into a great romance. The efforts of both dignified principals to quash the story have the opposite effect; matters get more and more involved.
The Dean Martin Christmas ShowThe Dean Martin Christmas Show · 1968
The Dean Martin Christmas Show
7.61968
MovieComedyMusic
A Classic Holiday Celebration with Dean and Friends.
DondiDondi · 1961
Dondi
4.11961
MovieComedyDrama
World War II GIs adopt an Italian war orphan.
Here We Go AgainHere We Go Again · 1942
Here We Go Again
7.01942
MovieComedy
It's Fibber and Molly's 20th anniversary and they want to throw a big party. But when everyone declines their invitation, they decide to go on a second honeymoon instead. After one night at the broken down Ramble Inn, where they spent their first honeymoon, they decide to go across the lake to a swanky (and expensive) lodge, where they bump into their old friends Edgar Bergan, Charlie McCarthy, Gildersleeve, and Mrs. Uppington, so the party is on again.
Francis Covers the Big TownFrancis Covers the Big Town · 1953
Francis Covers the Big Town
5.21953
MovieAdventureComedy
A man who has a talking mule gets a job on a newspaper, and both get mixed up in a murder trial.
The Lucille Ball Comedy HourThe Lucille Ball Comedy Hour · 1964
The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour
7.31964
MovieComedy
Bungle AbbeyBungle Abbey · 1981
Bungle Abbey
10.01981
MovieComedy
Comedy pilot about wacky monks in a monastery.
The Honeymooners Specials: A Christmas CarolThe Honeymooners Specials: A Christmas Carol · 1977
The Honeymooners Specials: A Christmas Carol
1977
MovieComedy
Ralph Kramden directs a play version of "A Christmas Carol" for his boss' fundraiser.
Lucy Calls the PresidentLucy Calls the President · 1977
Lucy Calls the President
7.51977
MovieComedyTV Movie
Homemaker Lucy Whittaker calls up President Carter to complain about a local political issue—and to her astonishment, he agrees to come dine at her house. Now Lucy has her hands full as family, friends and Secret Service agents invade her home in preparation for the big dinner summit.

TV Shows

The Mike Douglas ShowThe Mike Douglas Show · 1961
The Mike Douglas Show
5.81961
SeriesComedy
The Mike Douglas Show is an American daytime television talk show hosted by Mike Douglas that originally aired only in the Cleveland area during much of its first two years on the air. It then went into syndication in 1963 and remained on television until 1982. It was distributed by Westinghouse Broadcasting and for much of its run, originated from studios of two of the company's TV stations in Cleveland and Philadelphia.
Climax!Climax! · 1954
Climax!
3.81954
SeriesDramaMystery
Climax! is an American anthology series that aired on CBS from 1954 to 1958. The series was hosted by William Lundigan and later co-hosted by Mary Costa. It was one of the few CBS programs of that era to be broadcast in color. Many of the episodes were performed and broadcast live.
The Merv Griffin ShowThe Merv Griffin Show · 1962
The Merv Griffin Show
6.61962
Series
The Donna Reed ShowThe Donna Reed Show · 1958
The Donna Reed Show
6.51958
SeriesComedyFamily
Revolves around typical family problems, such as firing a clumsy housekeeper, throwing a retirement bash for a colleague, and finding quality time away from the children.
I Love LucyI Love Lucy · 1951
I Love Lucy
7.91951
SeriesComedyFamily
Cuban Bandleader Ricky Ricardo would be happy if his wife Lucy would just be a housewife. Instead she tries constantly to perform at the Tropicana where he works, and make life comically frantic in the apartment building they share with landlords Fred and Ethel Mertz, who also happen to be their best friends.
Studio OneStudio One · 1948
Studio One
5.41948
SeriesDrama
An American radio–television anthology series, created in 1947 by Canadian director Fletcher Markle, who came to CBS from the CBC. Studio One, presented by Westinghouse, was one of the first of the anthology TV programs. The episodes were often abridged remakes of movies from years gone by and many future well-known television and movie actors appeared in the productions.
The Ed Sullivan ShowThe Ed Sullivan Show · 1948
The Ed Sullivan Show
6.81948
SeriesComedy
The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in September 1971 by the CBS Sunday Night Movie, which ran only one season and was eventually replaced by other shows. In 2002, The Ed Sullivan Show was ranked #15 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.
The Lucy ShowThe Lucy Show · 1962
The Lucy Show
7.11962
SeriesComedy
The Lucy Show is an American sitcom that aired on CBS from 1962–68. It was Lucille Ball's follow-up to I Love Lucy. A significant change in cast and premise for the 1965–66 season divides the program into two distinct eras; aside from Ball, only Gale Gordon, who joined the program for its second season, remained. For the first three seasons, Vivian Vance was the co-star. The earliest scripts were entitled The Lucille Ball Show, but when this title was declined, producers thought of calling the show This Is Lucy or The New Adventures of Lucy, before deciding on the title The Lucy Show. Ball won consecutive Emmy Awards as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the series' final two seasons, 1966–67 and 1967–68.
Here's LucyHere's Lucy · 1968
Here's Lucy
6.71968
SeriesComedy
Lucille Ball's third network sitcom, following I Love Lucy (1951–57) and The Lucy Show (1962–68).
Dennis the MenaceDennis the Menace · 1959
Dennis the Menace
6.61959
SeriesComedyFamily
This 1959-1963 television situation comedy series follows the lives of the Mitchell family, Henry, Alice, and their only child Dennis, an energetic, trouble-prone, mischievous, but well-meaning boy, who often tangles with his peace-and-quiet-loving neighbor George Wilson, a retired salesman, or, later, with George's brother John, a writer. Dennis is basically a good, well-intentioned boy who always tries to help people, but who winds up making situations worse – often at Mr. Wilson's expense.
The Dean Martin Celebrity RoastsThe Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts · 1973
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
5.41973
SeriesComedy
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts is a NBC television special show hosted by entertainer Dean Martin from 1974 to 1984. For a series of 54 specials and shows, Martin would periodically "roast" a celebrity. These roasts were patterned after the roasts held at the New York Friars' Club in New York City. The format would have the celebrity guest seated at a banquet table, and one by one the guest of honor was affectionately chided or insulted about his career by his fellow celebrity friends. In 1973, The Dean Martin Show was declining in popularity. The final season of his variety show would be retooled into one of celebrity roasts, requiring less of Martin's involvement. For the 1973–1974 season, a new feature called “Man of the Week Celebrity Roast" was added to try to pick up the ratings. The roasts seemed to be popular among television audiences and are often marketed in post-issues as part of the official Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts and not The Dean Martin Show. After The Dean Martin Show was cancelled in 1974, NBC drew up a contract with Martin to do several specials and do more roast specials. Starting with Bob Hope in 1974, the roast was taped in California and turned out to be a hit, leading to many other roasts to follow.
Westinghouse Desilu PlayhouseWestinghouse Desilu Playhouse · 1958
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
6.31958
SeriesDrama
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse is an American television anthology series produced by Desilu Productions. The show ran on CBS television between 1958 and 1960. Two of its 48 episodes served as pilots for the 1950s television series The Twilight Zone and The Untouchables.
The Real McCoysThe Real McCoys · 1957
The Real McCoys
5.91957
SeriesComedy
The Real McCoys is an American situation comedy co-produced by Danny Thomas' "Marterto Productions", in association with Walter Brennan and Irving Pincus' "Westgate" company. The series aired for five seasons on the ABC-TV network from 1957 through 1962 and then for its final year on CBS from 1962 to 1963. The series, set in the San Fernando Valley of California, was filmed in Hollywood at Desilu studios.
Pete and GladysPete and Gladys · 1960
Pete and Gladys
6.31960
SeriesComedy
Pete and Gladys is an American situation comedy television series starring Harry Morgan and Cara Williams that aired on CBS on Mondays at 8:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time for two seasons, beginning on September 19, 1960. The last episode was broadcast on September 10, 1962.
The Danny Thomas HourThe Danny Thomas Hour · 1967
The Danny Thomas Hour
6.51967
SeriesComedyDrama
The Danny Thomas Hour is an American anthology television series that was broadcast on NBC during the 1967-68 television season.
AngelAngel · 1960
Angel
4.21960
SeriesComedy
Angel is an American sitcom that aired on CBS during the 1960–1961 television season. The series was created and executive produced by Jess Oppenheimer, and stars Annie Fargé as the title character.
Our Miss BrooksOur Miss Brooks · 1952
Our Miss Brooks
7.51952
SeriesComedy
Our Miss Brooks is an American situation comedy starring Eve Arden as a sardonic high school English teacher. It began as a radio show broadcast on CBS from 1948 to 1957. When the show was adapted to television, it became one of the medium's earliest hits. In 1956, the sitcom was adapted for big screen in the film of the same name.
The Lucy–Desi Comedy HourThe Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour · 1957
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
8.71957
SeriesComedy
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour is a collection of thirteen one-hour specials airing occasionally from 1957 to 1960, and originally served as part of Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse. Its original network title was The Ford Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show for the first season, and The Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse Presents The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show for the following seasons. It was the successor to the classic comedy, I Love Lucy, and featured the same major cast members. The production schedule avoided the grind of a regular weekly series. Desilu produced the show, which was mostly filmed at their Los Angeles studios with occasional on-location shoots at Lake Arrowhead, Las Vegas and Sun Valley, Idaho. CBS reran the show under the "Lucy-Desi" title during the summers of 1962-1967, after which it went into syndication.
The New LassieThe New Lassie · 1989
The New Lassie
7.11989
SeriesFamilyDrama
The New Lassie is an American children and family oriented drama series which aired in first-run syndication from September 8, 1989 to February 15, 1992. The series stars Will Estes as Will McCullough, Lassie's new master. Real life husband and wife Christopher and Dee Wallace-Stone co-starred as Will's parents. The New Lassie is essentially a sequel to the 1954 series, and was the latest in the line of works featuring the Lassie character, which debuted in the 1943 film Lassie Come Home, followed by several more movies and the aforementioned television series, which ran from 1954 to 1973.
Life with LucyLife with Lucy · 1986
Life with Lucy
8.01986
SeriesComedy
Life With Lucy is an American sitcom starring Lucille Ball. The show ran on the ABC network in 1986 not on the CBS network as her previous shows had and unlike Ball's previous programs, it was a critical and ratings flop. Only eight out of the thirteen episodes that were filmed aired before ABC cancelled the series. It is the very last sitcom she starred in before her death in 1989.