IT’S BEEN A WILD RIDE -- MY 51 YEARS IN PUBLIC RELATIONS
By Herb Kraus
I celebrated the 61st anniversary of being wounded in the line of duty as the
combat correspondent for the185th Infantry Regiment, US Army, in the South
Pacific on February 1, 1945. Coincidentally, it was the 51st
anniversary of the opening of my Public Relations firm, Herbert M. Kraus & Co on
February 1, 1954. As they say, I was a year late and a dollar short, but I’m
still here.
In paraphrasing that old song about newspapermen, "PR folks meet such
interesting people," I confess we really do, and that’s what makes this
 business liveable. Between writing so-called news stories and planting them in the media
(a talent almost unknown to present day "press agents"), I was fortunate to bump
elbows with a motley crew of celebrities who added to my pleasure,
enlightenment, and knowledge.
First and foremost was the 33rd President of the United States, Harry S
Truman, a remarkable and humane human being. with whom I worked for the opening
of the Truman Library in Independence, Mo, and when he was honored by the State
of Israel Bonds Committee as Man of the Century at the old Chicago Stadium I
asked him for a copy of the speech he would be delivering at the Saturday
evening ceremonies And while we were relaxing in the Green Room, I slipped out
to get the first edition of the Chicago Sunday Tribune and presented it
to him with the comment. ‘Mr. President, maybe you would like to see what the
Tribune says tomorrow about the speech you will be giving tonight.": And
there it was: the leading article in big black headlines at the top of the front
page Only in Chicago where the Sunday morning papers come out the day before
could a former President read in the papers what he was going to say that
evening.
Tommy Bartlett the radio and TV showman who practically invented the talk
show, quit when he was ahead to present the "Tommy Bartlett Ski, Sky and Stage
Show" at the Wisconsin Dells for more than 30 years. Self confident and
effervescent behind his mike, Tommy was at heart a very private and retiring
person. In our 33 years together, he was an ideal client. He was probably the
most indefatigable and inventive we ever had and saw the value in all the stunts
and interviews we were able to arrange for him He was the living example of the
celebrity who believed all publicity was good, as long as they spelled your name
right.
Tommy enjoyed a great relationship with the late, great incomparable gossip
columnist Irving "Kup" Kupcinet, who never forgot to mention his birthday (and
spelled his name right!). Tommy supported Kup’s annual summer Purple Heart
cruise not only with a substantial check, but he brought a blown up version of
the check and had it presented by his team of water skiers on the river
who passed it along to Kup while going full speed past the Sun–Times
building. It always made the Sun-Times the next day, natch. Kup,
too, was very warm hearted, outgoing and never said a bad word about anybody, at
least in his column. Kup was really liked by the press agents as well as the
non-theatrical PR persons, because he treated them fairly, never doubled crossed
anybody, and did not have an "S.O.B" list.
While working along with Kup who emceed the annual all-star shows in the
Civic Opera House, I had the privilege of actually meeting some of the big
names. I once danced back stage with Eartha Kitt. But not all celebrities were
as gracious. For instance, when I came over to drive Tony Martin to the Opera
House for a charity stunt, he did not say a word, me in the back seat with his
body guard and another hanger-on, and never a thank you for picking him up, or
acknowledging my thank you for his appearance The only celebrity worse was Frank
Sinatra, who wouldn’t even come to the phone when I called him at the Ambassador
East to participate in a Boys Town in Italy fundraiser.
Nobody could top Jack Benny who didn’t exhibit an ounce of ego to one and
all. While handling the PR for a Jack Benny performance with the Chicago
Symphony, I was privileged to visit him in his suite at the Ambassador with a
small group of his Chicago friends. When I knocked, he said "come in" and I
opened the door and we were invited into the bedroom by his voice. When we
entered, there he was, stark naked, and began telling jokes as if he were on
stage. That was the first and only time I was invited into a hotel room by a
naked celebrity of either sex.
Cary Grant once phoned me at my office in response to a message I had left
him at his hotel. One of our female employees answered the phone and almost
collapsed on the floor when she heard his unforgettable, sexy and unique dulcet
tones. I never got another complaint from her as difficult as I could be at
times. (Who, moi?)
Well, it’s a living. Some people have to settle for CEOs and other such prima
donnas. Especially when they can’t sing or dance.
(Herb Kraus is a former PCC president and a long-time supporter of the club)
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