Charley Weaver

One of the most visual characters on Hollywood Squares was Charley Weaver. He was born Clifford Arquette in Toledo, Ohio on December 28, 1905.

"Charley" was not the only famous person born in Toledo, Ohio. You would have to include other greats like Pat Brady, who was the sidekick of Roy Rogers that drove “Nellybelle” and got into all kinds of mischief fighting the bad guys of the silver screen.

Teresa Brewer, a top recording artist, was also born in Toledo, along with Joe E. Brown, a comedian and film star of the World War II era. Danny Thomas, another accomplished actor and founder of St. Jude's Hospital, would also have to be included in the greats.

Probably the most famous of all is Jamie Farr, who played “Klinger” on M*A*S*H. He was not only a good will ambassador for Toledo but also for Tony Packo's Hot Dogs, as well.

Cliff Arquette had his film debut later in life than most actors. He was nearly 50 before he had his big break on TV. He hosted a series, Do It Yourself, and, later that year, he starred in the NBC Comedy Hour.

In 1959, he appeared on What's My Line as a mystery guest. In 1960, he was honored by Ralph Edwards on This is Your Life. Merv Griffin had him as a special guest, as well as hosts Pat Boone, Steve Allen and Jonathan Winters. His antics with his own humor and the characters he created brought many high ratings in the television industry.

Dennis Day, Loretta Young and Jack Parr also had Charley Weaver grace their stages and become even more famous then they already were.

In 1959, Arquette accepted Parr's invitation to perform on The Tonight Show. Arquette depicted the character of "Charley Weaver, the wild old man from Mount Idy." He would bring along, and read, a letter from his "Mamma" back home. This characterization proved so popular that Arquette almost never again appeared in public as himself, but nearly always as "Charley Weaver," complete with his squashed hat, little round glasses, rumpled shirt, broad tie, baggy pants and suspenders.

Although a good amount of Arquette's jokes appear “dated” now (and, arguably, even back then), he could still often convulse Parr and the audience into helpless laughter by way of his timing and use of double meanings in describing the misadventures of his fictional family and townspeople. As Parr noted, in his foreword to Arquette's first "Charley Weaver" book:

"Sometimes his jokes are old, and I live in the constant fear that the audience will beat him to the punchline, but they never have. And I suspect that if they ever do, he will rewrite the ending on the spot. I would not like to say that all his jokes are old, although some have been found carved in stone. What I want to say is that in a free-for-all ad lib session, Charley Weaver has and will beat the fastest gun alive."

Charley also did skits about letters from Mamma and a usual pattern of the letters was:

*A strange-name greeting from "Mamma," with "Weaver" explaining that it related to what "Mamma always wanted me to be." Example: "Dear Peyton. (Mamma always wanted me to have my own place.)"

*The statement, "Things are fine in Mount Idy (She goes on!)."

*The news of "Weaver's" family and townspeople back in the fictional town of Mount Idy (State never specified, although there is strong evidence to believe that it was modeled after Carey, Ohio. As a name, "Mount Idy" bears a strong resemblance to Mount Ida, Arkansas). The town has taken Charlie Weaver as a "favorite son", and has published material attributing the character to Arquette's childhood memories of his mother's reading aloud of letters from an old friend in Mount Ida.

*The closing, in which "Mamma" would have to break away to rescue her husband, "Father," from some awful mess.

Regular townspeople like Elsie Krack, Grandpa Ogg, Grandma Ogg, Clara Kimball Moots, Ludlow Bean, Leonard Box and Wallace Swine coped with strange everyday occurrences and were featured in many of Mamma's letters.

"Weaver" issued books compiled from the letters and also recorded a comedy album based on the routine.

Charley had characters like Mrs. Butterworth. He dressed as the brand's "old lady" icon, effected an obviously falsetto voice ("Hello! Mrs. Butterworth here!") and continued to sport his moustache. Additionally, he played the role of General Sam Courage (for whom Fort Courage was named) on the television show F Troop.

Arquette was a Civil War buff and, in the 50's, opened the Charlie Weaver Museum of the Civil War in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Museum was housed in a building that had served as headquarters for General O.O. Howard during the Battle of Gettysburg and remained in operation for about ten years. The site is now the Soldiers National Museum.

On the Johnny Carson show one evening, Carson happened to mention something about Arquette's fondness for alcohol. Arquette replied with apparent seriousness, "I don't drink any more, Johnny." Carson asked, "You don't?" Arquette came back with, "No, I don't drink any more ... But I don't drink any less!"

Charley Weaver, a/k/a Clifford Arquette, suffered a number of stays in the hospital in the early 70's due to heart disease and died of a stroke on September 23, 1974.

Charley, you gave the entire United States an image of small town humor and plain people doing natural acts that only you could make funny. You laughed at life and it laughed back. You lived a life that only Charley Weaver could have … making friends wherever you went.

X marks the square where you sat for so many happy years … Thank you, Charley.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers

2003 BWC Hall of Fame Inductee
2004 CAC Hall of Fame Inductee
2006 LWA Hall of Fame Inductee