when Godfrey explained the firing by declaring LaRosa had "lost his humility," precipitating a public backlash against Godfrey himself. For a time, LaRosa saw his career flourish as daily negative press against his former employer grew, though his popularity eventually leveled off. Godfrey was also known to relish confrontations with CBS network executives, including network Chairman William S. Paley, criticizing them on the air, aware the high profits from commercial time on his three television and radio programs gave him the upper hand. Unlike Fuller, Godfrey did not die suddenly. He survived 1959 lung cancer surgery despite losing part of a lung and remained on CBS radio until 1972. He died in 1983 at age 79 of emphysema. At the time of the film's release, Godfrey was still highly controversial. Part of the controversy involved his subsequent firings of various "Little Godfreys." 1955 accusations of anti-Semitism that grew out of Godfrey's part-ownership of a Miami Beach hotel notorious for refusing to accommodate Jews also dogged him, though few believed the charges. Godfrey insisted he had ended that policy when he became one of the owners. Cast José Ferrer as Joe Harris Dean Jagger as Philip Carleton Keenan Wynn as Sid Moore Jim Backus as Nick Cellantano Julie London as Carol Larson Ed Wynn as Paul Beaseley Russ Morgan as Eddie Brand Joanne Gilbert as Ginny, Harris's secretary Barrie Chase as Sexy Secretary (uncredited) Edward Platt as Dr. O’Connor (as Edward C. Platt) Robert Foulk as Mike Jack, a radio engineer Lyle Talbot as Harry Connors Vinton Hayworth as Charley Carruthers Henny Backus as Mrs. Rieber Janie Alexander as Mary Browne Vikki Dougan as Marica, new receptionist Robert Schwartz as Mailboy Rest of cast listed alphabetically: Dorothy Abbott as ‘American Airlines’ Stewardess (uncredited) Herbert Baker as Elevator Operator (uncredited) Eddie Gomez as Proprietor (uncredited) Johnny Grant as Disc Jockey (uncredited) Hallene Hill as Old Woman (uncredited) Jane Howard as Secretary (uncredited) Adrienne Marden as Voice of Mrs. Fuller (uncredited) Coleen McClatchey as Secretary (uncredited) Albert E. Morgan as Voice of Herb Fuller (uncredited) Steve Pendelton as Voice of Director (uncredited) Gail Stone as Mary’s Sister (uncredited) See also List of American films of 1956 A Face in the Crowd References External links 1956 films 1956 drama films American drama films American satirical films American black-and-white films 1950s English-language films Films about radio people Films based on American novels Films directed by