Chalmers Dale

 

Born in 1925, Chalmers Dale grew up in Haverford, Pennsylvania. After serving in the US Navy for two years in the Pacific Theater during World War II, he taught and coached athletics at The Montgomery Country Day School in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania from 1946 to 1950, attending the University of Pennsylvania at night. From 1951 to 1991, he was employed at CBS Television in New York City, starting in the shipping room, and becoming, ten years later, a producer/director/writer of Cultural and Religious programs in the News Division. He produced more than 300 drama, art and music, and documentary programs, world wide, exploring the state of the human condition and the role of religion in people's lives. He has received two Emmy Awards and numerous citations. He retired in 1991 and devotes much of his time to environmental concerns, particularly involving the Hudson River, on whose shores he resides.

 

 

Pageonelit.com: Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why?

Chalmers Dale: I lived the first 25 years of my life on the Philadelphia Main Line, an ultra-conservative suburb, attending private school, and leading a somewhat sheltered and quite privileged existence. My mother was an avid reader of books and magazines, but I tended to follow my father's proclivity for spending much of his leisure time reading the sports pages of the local newspapers, and listening to music and comedy on the radio.

He, along with a brilliant, but often domineering, older brother, were the prevailing influences in my early days, and I tried, without much success, to make them proud of me. Between my father's excessive drinking, and my brother's lack of tolerance and civility, life, as a
rather sensitive child, was often intolerable.

 

Pageonelit.com: Why did you write A Life Full of Days: A Memoir?

Chalmers Dale: It is my desire, as a result of my own varied experiences, to try and lead young people to a better understanding of their anxieties; to ease some of the pain they feel during adolescence, with sexual confusion nagging at them, along with all the teenage, and post teenage angst that comes with growing into maturity. Perhaps they will be able to relate to my troubled times through the early part of my life, and take some comfort and encouragement from how things sorted themselves out. I don't pretend to be a social worker or a counselor, but just
someone who is trying to give confidence to people who are troubled, and help them realize that there is that proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel." I would hope that their peers, their parents, and those who are trying to understand and accept an alternate lifestyle, will find my book a helpful resource.

Pageonelit.com: Talk a little about your career at CBS.

Chalmers Dale: It's hard to capsulize a career of 40 extraordinary years in one of the country's most high-profile, glamorous industries. From the shipping room to winning two Emmy Awards as producer of more 300 CBS News Religious and Cultural Affairs programs has been as exciting and fulfilling a ride as one can imagine. There were close associations with a variety of icons such as Martin Luther King, Jr., George Bush (the father), Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, Bob Hope, Henry Fonda, Gene Hackman, Judy Collins, and Maestro Alfredo Antonini and the CBS Symphony Orchestra, to name just a few. But of greater import, the programs I produced had something to say, and even though they may have had an audience of only 5,000,000, instead of the 15,000,000 who watched a prime-time show, they were on the cutting edge of what was happening in the world during those 30 eventful, and often tumultuous,
years, from 1960-1990.

 

Pageonelit.com: In "A Life Full of Days: A Memoir " you talk about joining the Navy - What was it like being a Gay man in the military?

Chalmers Dale: In the 1940s, homosexuality was considered an abomination-a serious mental disease that resulted in people being ostracized and sometimes institutionalized. In my case, I was alone, frightened, and often suicidal, never daring to reveal my desires to anyone. I pretended to be like every other sailor aboard my ship, the USS New Mexico, longing for shore leave and a fling with a pretty young lady. I felt certain my so-called deviant longings would disappear when I got married. When I, as a virgin, did have a chance to have sex with a prostitute in Panama following the end of the war in the Pacific, I paid her the $2.00 and just held her hand for the alloted five minutes, and then acted as if I had experienced complete ecstasy. Leading a double life was not easy, particularly when surrounded by 2000 handsome sailors.

 

Pageonelit.com: In your opinion talk a little about how the differences in being a gay man in the ‘50s and ‘60s compared to being a gay man in the 90's and 00's.

Chalmers Dale: Almost a half century ago, when I met my life-long partner (after a ten-year conventional marriage with two children), our binding commitment to each other came through love and respect and sharing. We thought of ourselves as "married;" there was no question that our relationship was considered permanent, and was acknowledged by everyone who knew us. This was probably because of the kind of business we were in and the circles in which we traveled. It was filled with progressive and open-minded people like us. But this certainly was not the norm, and a homosexual relationship was unacceptable in most circles. Gay social life was closeted, for the most part, with the only escape being "underground" bars and clandestine meeting places where secret rendezvous could take place.The real difference nowadays is the probability of legalizing a same sex commitment and the monetary and other benefits that will ensue. And, of course, with this has come a much more enlightened and accepting society. Perhaps gays are considered a minority, which we are, but not second class citizens. Doors and windows have been opened and a breath of fresh air has finally blown away our doubts and fears.

 

Pageonelit.com: Tell us about Arnie Walton.

Chalmers Dale: Forty-five years ago, during a time when my married life was deteriorating and I was overwhelmed with new developments at CBS, a pixie looking bundle of excitement walked into my office, and I fell in love. His name was Arnie Walton and he worked for a game show called Bid 'N' Buy. He was there to complain about the way CBS was handling
the commercials for the show, but when our eyes met the problems were quickly forgotten. He had been a successful Broadway and Television actor and went on to become an advertising executive, and finally a creative freelance writer for me, as well as others. It seemed he knew
everybody in show business and our life together has been a steady whirl of exciting and interesting people. In addition to being a superb cook (his hobby), he is deeply involved in the world of politics, both locally and nationally, and with his vibrant personality, has "made a difference" in the world in which we live. I'm not at all sure I would have been able to produce the kinds of programs in which I have been involved without his guidance and instinctive knowledge of the human condition.

Pageonelit.com: What do you hope to achieve with "A Life Full of Days: A Memoir" ? What do you hope readers will take away after reading "A Life Full of Days: A Memoir " ?

Chalmers Dale: I have been told by a number of readers that my book has something for everybody. In recalling my first 75 years, It seems I have been involved, to some degree, in show business, human rights, sports, humor, family, and just about all the emotions that touch our lives each day. And I've tried to tell my story in a simple, straightforward way, without a lot of embellishments. If this makes for enjoyable reading, then I have accomplished what I set out to do. One reader said, half jokingly, "I think I know more about you than I really need
to know." I considered the remark a complement. There is nothing quite like a good read, and if people, when they turn the last page, have, in addition, been left with something to think about, then I feel I have succeeded in my mission.

 

 

Pageonelit.com: What has been your feedback from readers?

Chalmers Dale: Readers and reviewers alike have wholeheartedly embraced A Life Full Of Days. I couldn't ask for much more recognition. In a number of cases, people have written to me that their lives have been profoundly affected. For example, two gay men, one a doctor from Texas and another, an educator from the state of Washington-both closeted-came to New York to meet me and tell me about their lives.They subsequently met each other, and a romance was born.I'm particularly pleased with the response from people in the entertainment business. They have said they loved reading about the early days of television when creativity was more important than the bottom line; in particular, anecdotal recollections about Elvis Presley, Ed Murrow, and Hugh Hefner and his Bunnies.And there always seems to be an interest and curiosity about people who come from a somewhat exclusive back round, as I did. My own Philadelphia story-without Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant.All of this feedback has left me a bit dazed...and yes, euphoric.

 

Pageonelit.com: What's next?

Chalmers Dale: My memoir ended with the year 2000, and I had lived through the last three quarters of the 20th Century. But life has continued, not without many memorable moments. In fact, I have thought of writing a kind of appendage to A Life Full Of Days, which surely would include: The horrors of 9/11 and the questionable war we are now engaged in.On Halloween in October of 2001, my nine year old grandson, George, fell from a parade float and was killed instantly. His death has had a profound effect, not only on my son Harry's family, but on me as well.In April of 2002, Arnie very nearly died from complications resulting from surgery for Esophageal cancer. A period of 23 days in ICU, and the slow, but successful, recovery could be a book in itself.And, on a happier note, we went to the animal shelter and adopted a delightful little mixed breed terrier named Sadie, who has changed our lives forever. The three of us will grow old together, and we will try to give her as much love and happiness as she brings to us.Perhaps I'll go to the computer and get started this very night.!

 

Pageonelit.com: What was the last book you read?

Chalmers Dale: Mr. Paradise by Elmore Leonard. Good escapist fare. Next is the DaVinci Code. More of the same. I must admit an hour with the New York Times (and more on Sunday) is a must each day. It is more literate than most non-fiction books I have read.

 

Pageonelit.com: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your
writing?

Chalmers Dale: I have never been a hobby person, except for my interest in the music from the big band era, and their vocalists, of the '30s and '40s. I do collect their recordings, now on CD, and silently dance and sing along with those great songs and arrangements.I always envied those who collected stamps, or baseball cards, or antiques, or made fish flies...or even Pokemon cards like my grandchildren. I guess I'm more interested in people-getting to know them, reading about them, discovering new dimensions of the human psyche.