Art Gilmore, the announcer who introduced television shows such as "Highway Patrol" and more than 2,700 movie trailers, the Los Angeles Times reports. He was 98.
Gilmore, who died of age-related causes on Sept. 25, started out as a radio announcer, the story says.
Starting in television in the 1950s, he worked for 16 seasons as the announcer on "The Red Skelton Show" and was the narrator for programs including "Mackenzie’s Raiders" and "Highway Patrol."
Gilmore’s voice was also familiar to movie-goers through trailers for movies including "The Best Years of Our Lives," "Rear Window" and the original "Ocean’s 11," the story says.
"He was one of an elite corps of radio and television announcers, a voice that everyone in America recognized because it was ubiquitous," film critic Leonard Maltin said, according to the article. "It wasn’t especially deep like some announcers, but it had authority, command and yet also a kind of friendliness. I think it was an all-American voice."
Here’s the memorable intro to "Highway Patrol, with great music by David Rose (under his pseudonym Ray Llewellyn) and Gilmore’s dulcet tones.
One of the great shows of my youth. Dan Matthews, like Elliot Ness, shot first and asked questions later. Of course, that was before the Government decided that all television needed to be a kinder, gentler place.
Art Gilmore’s voiceover on 16 years of The Red Skelton Show was like a cherry atop the sundae. Outstanding! Thank heaven for DVDs – as a 20-year onetime radio announcer, I can enjoy some of Mr. Gilmore’s wonderful craft on film and TV.
I love the expression. Everyone needs to express there own opinion and feel free to hear others. Keep it up 🙂