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Frank Bunetta

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Frank Bunetta was an American television director and producer.

Early years

When Bunetta was 10 years old, he performed as "the Boy Without a Body" in the Sells Floto Circus.[1] He later worked with TV developer Allen B. DuMont in an association that led to his career in video.[1]

Career

Bunetta's TV career began when he was an employee at the DuMont Laboratories who worked at night at WABD-TV.[2] In 1947, Bunetta was technical director of a TV adaptation of A Christmas Carol on the DuMont Television Network.[3] By April 1949, he had been promoted to production supervisor for Dumont TV.[4]

Bunetta directed Jackie Gleason in 1951 when Gleason was host of the variety show Cavalcade of Stars. He went on to direct other programs, including Your Show of Shows and Ernie Kovacs's program, before he reunited with Gleason in 1962 to direct The Jackie Gleason Show. Frank Philbin, who produced the Gleason show, described Bunetta as "ingenious and creative, a very good comedy director".[1] Other TV on series for which Bunetta was director, producer, or both included Dark of Night,[5] The Garry Moore Show,[6] It's a Business,[7] Mary Kay and Johnny,[8] The Adventures of Oky Doky,[9] Battle of the Ages,[9]: 36  What's Your Bid?,[9]: 44-45  and Johnny Jupiter.[9]: 46  TV specials for which Bunetta was director, producer, or both included Holiday on Wheels (CBS 1959),[10]: 189  The Sid Caesar Special (CBS 1959),[10]: 333  The CBS All Star Circus (1960 and 1961),[10]: 84  and The Jackie Gleason Christmas Special (CBS 1966).[10]

Personal life and death

Bunetta was married to Terry Hicks, and they had three children. He retired from show business in 1970 and had open-heart surgery in 1974. In 1976, he dedicated his life to God and began studying to be a minister.[1] He died in Lafayette, Louisiana, on March 31, 1978, aged 61.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Frank Bunetta, Director for Jackie Gleason". The Miami Herald. April 1, 1978. p. 3-B. Retrieved April 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Weinstein, David (2004). The Forgotten Network: DuMont and the Birth of American Television. Temple University Press. p. 46. ISBN 978-1-59213-499-1. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  3. ^ Gould, Jack (December 24, 1947). "The News of Radio: Victor Moore Signed for Jimmy Durante Show --Jane Froman on Percy Faith Program". The New York Times. p. 32. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  4. ^ "DuMont Plans WABD, Net Staff Integration, Division Of Powers for Efficiency". Billboard. April 2, 1949. p. 15. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  5. ^ Hawes, William (2001). Filmed Television Drama, 1952-1958. McFarland. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-7864-1132-0. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  6. ^ Hyatt, Wesley (2015). Emmy Award Winning Nighttime Television Shows, 1948-2004. McFarland. p. 156. ISBN 978-1-4766-0874-7. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  7. ^ Leszczak, Bob (2012). Single Season Sitcoms, 1948-1979: A Complete Guide. McFarland. p. 88. ISBN 978-0-7864-6812-6. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  8. ^ "Mary Kay and Johnny". Billboard. March 6, 1948. p. 38. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d Hyatt, Wesley (2015). Short-Lived Television Series, 1948-1978: Thirty Years of More Than 1,000 Flops. McFarland. p. 9. ISBN 978-1-4766-0515-9. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d Terrace, Vincent (2013). Television Specials: 5,336 Entertainment Programs, 1936-2012, 2d ed. McFarland. p. 204. ISBN 978-0-7864-7444-8. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
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