Mike Wallace is Here - Movie Review

By Monica Sullivan

“Mike Wallace is Here” tells the story of the “60 minutes” star who spent most of his career commenting on and analyzing the news.  News was his life, as it would be for his son Chris, 71.  Mike Wallace began his television career in 1949 with the police drama “Stand By For Crime” as Lieutenant Anthony Kidd.  That same year he was master of ceremonies on “Majority Rules” a quiz show which lasted two years.  In 1951 he was a moderator on “Guess Again” another quiz show and that same year he was a co host on “All About the Town” which lasted until 1952.  He was also a panelist in “What’s in a Word” in 1952.  Then he became the emcee on “Who’s the Boss” as well as being the emcee on “The Big Surprise.”  “The Mike Wallace” interviews followed in 1957 and 1958, then he moved on to “Who Pays” in 1959, “Biography from 1961-1964 and then many years of “60 Minutes”.  

My problem with the career of Mike Wallace is that most of these shows tended to be rather glib.  Even when he made an effort to seem erudite and knowledgeable, he wasn’t.  But he was on for so long that people got used to him.  If you are really looking for depth, watch old Hugh Downs shows.

© 2020 - Monica Sullivan - Air Date: 07/31/19
Movie Magazine International

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