Archive of 81 documents from the papers of Paul W. Keyes, highlighted by a ten-page July 1967 professional critique of Nixon’s image on television with suggestions, bearing 20 words in Nixon’s hand and over 60 underlinings by Nixon whose telegenic image in his first debate with John F. Kennedy was one of the reasons he lost the election. Collection includes handwritten notes by Nixon on memos to and from him during his 1962 race for Governor of California-two signed-a 1965 Nixon TLS, Nixon’s monthly schedules (1963-1965), 1973 VP Agnew TLS five weeks before his resignation referring to his “troubles” with transcripts of October phone calls, early letters to Keyes from Regis Philbin (1962) and Diane Sawyer (1973).
Paul W. Keyes (1924-2004) was an Emmy Award-winning comedy writer and producer for some of television’s classic shows, including “The Jack Paar Show,” “The Dean Martin Comedy Hour” and “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.” Keyes had been a writer/producer of “The Jack Paar Show” since it premiered in 1957 as “Tonight Starring Jack Paar.” Then Vice President and Mrs. Nixon appeared on the August 25, 1960, Paar telecast during Nixon’s presidential campaign against John F. Kennedy. This began a lifelong friendship.
Keyes had been writing jokes for Nixon since his 1962 campaign for Governor of California. In January 1968, while working as a writer/producer of “Laugh-In,” Keyes was put on the Nixon payroll primarily to write light jokes for Nixon to deliver. According to Roger Catlin, TV critic for the “Hartford Courant,” published January 9, 2011, “It may be one of the signature seconds of ‘Laugh-In,’ the influential and insurrectionist 1960s sketch humor: Nixon saying the hot catch phrase of the day, immediately before the 1968 President election: ‘Sock It to Me?’…As producer George Schlatter remembers: ‘I said, Let’s do something. What about Nixon? And Keyes, according to Schlatter, said, We’ll go talk to him. So we went over to CBS, and Paul said, Mr. Nixon, we want you to say, ‘Sock it to me.’ He said, ‘What is ‘Sock it to me?’ I said, ‘Just say that.’…So we got a camera. Now, his guys are still saying ‘He can’t do it,’ and we’re in there, and we say, ‘Just say, ‘Sock it to me.’ ‘Sock it to me.’ ‘No, no, Mr. Nixon. If you could say, like, ‘Sock it to me.’ ‘Yes, I’ve got it. This comedy is new for me, you know. Sock it to me?’ So we took six takes, six takes to try to get the one you saw, and we were out of there like a porch climber. And put it on before anybody really knew what we were doing or knew the effect that it would have,’ Schlatter said.” That episode of “Laugh-In” aired on September 16, 1968, seven weeks before the election. Watching the 1968 election returns with Richard Nixon, Keyes was the first person to have addressed him as “Mr. President.”
Keyes is even mentioned on the infamous White House tapes. One example: On Wednesday, April 7, 1971, from 10:52 PM to 11:08 PM, a conversation took place between Pres. Nixon and his secretary, Rose Mary Woods, who later testified before a grand jury that she was responsible for inadvertently erasing up to five minutes of the 18½ minute gap in a June 20, 1972, audio tape of a conversation between Pres. Nixon and his Chief of Staff, H.R. “Bob” Haldeman, discussing the Watergate break-in three days earlier.
At the conclusion of his April 7, 1971, television address on Vietnam, Pres. Nixon dramatically set aside his written copy of the speech and delivered a rehearsed “ad lib” conclusion. He told how Marine Sgt. Karl G. Taylor died rushing a machine gun nest to save his fellow soldiers in Vietnam. His young son, Kevin, attended the White House ceremony where Sgt. Taylor was honored posthumously with the Congressional Medal of Honor. Kevin saluted President Nixon. In part, “Woods: Then I had a call from Paul Keyes. President Nixon: Paul Keyes. Oh, yeah. Old Paul. Woods: And he said, ‘Tell him that was one of the best speeches he ever made.’ Every—he thought it was marvelous. He thought that the calm, low voice was absolutely beautiful and necessary for people, that it was terribly important that because of the way you spoke and the tone of your voice, as well as what you said…and he went on. And he could of—he almost repeated the speech…Woods: —the whole tone of what came over, the attitude, what came over the air. President Nixon: Good. Good. Good. Woods: He was just thrilled…President Nixon: …I'm glad that Paul felt that way.”
HIGHLIGHTS:
(1) In 1967, in preparation for an expected run for President in 1968, New York media image expert Jack Byrum was commissioned to assess Nixon’s image before the camera. TLS “Jack Byrum,” 10 pages, 8.5” x 11.” New York, July 31, 1967. To Don [Kendall]. Twenty words handwritten by Nixon on three pages with underlinings by Nixon on eight pages. On top of page one, Nixon has penned “Meet the Press / Answer to Johnnie / Intro of G” referring to a request by Johnny Carson for Nixon to appear on his show later in 1967 and Nixon’s introduction of Barry Goldwater at the 1964 Republican National Convention. Also on page one, commenting on Byrum’s mentioning studio benefits of “staging, lighting and makeup” at a film by the “Republican Committee,” Nixon has circled the two words and written “No.”
On Byrum’s many observations “based on watching and listening to some 15 sound and silent films featuring RNB in four varied roles as Vice-President, as presidential candidate, as party spokesman and as private citizen,” Nixon has underlined over 60 criticisms including (under “The Way He Looks”) “gestures are often too frequent,” “His frequently clenched fists indicate tension even belligerency,” “His hair…in the back, its waves distort the shape of his head and should be kept shorter,” “RN wears a much too serious look most of the time as if he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. When he occasionally smiles, it seems more like an effort than a pleasure,” “Clothes of softer line, contrast in neckware, along with shorter suit-coat-sleeves that allow linen to show would contribute to a much more appealing image…”
Under “The Way He Sounds,” Nixon has underlined “began speaking too quickly after he reached the lecturn…giving the viewer a feeling that he wasn’t completely at ease, in command, or perhaps a bit anxious,” “RN speaks much more sincerely when he has a live audience. When he appears alone on film as he did in a Republican Party telecast, his attempt\s on intimacy aren’t comsistent,” “He turns it on and off at will, leaving an impression of insincerity…” In the margin next to the last two observations, Nixon has penned and circled: “quere / reply to / Johnson - / Found / broadcast / Meet Press.”
In “The Way He Acts,’ Nixon’s underlinings include “His direct approach to people is frequently brittle,” “He’s direct and alert and exudes capability,” “he rarely acts like someone you’d find it comfortable to be with,” “To win approval you must gain their love as well as their admiration,” “Inconsistency in theatrical performers can usually be traced to self-consciouisness…they try to hard.”
In “Creative and Mechanical Supports,” Byrum wrote: “Near the closing of the presentation in which he answered Mr. Johnson’s personal attack, he obviously turned away from the camera at least twice to see how much time remained. The movement was not only disconcerting, but completely destroyed the mood he tried to create.” Nixon has crossed out “Mr. Johnson’s personal attack” and underlined “completely destroyed the mood he tried to create.” In the next paragraph, Nixon has underlined “office set and the staging that was provided for him was much too theatrical.”
Byrum has concluded in his “Summary,” by listing “the main areas requiring consideration.” Ten are listed. Nixon has underlined five: “1. Elimination of tenseness,” “5. Softening and changing gestures,” “6. Better pacing and timing in delivery,” “8. Improvement in hair grooming [just “hair grooming” underlined],” and “Adjustments in clothing [just “clothing” underlined”].
Accompanied by a photocopy of Keyes’ two-page memo to Nixon returning Byrum’s critique with comments (mostly negative) and suggestions such as “On the Carson show, for example, the ‘attitude’ of the show will relax you and the informal surroundings will relax you and you will naturally smile. And that’s the way it should be…”
(2) Typed Memo from Keyes to Nixon, two pages, 8.5” x 11”, January 2, 1964, re: two page attached December 17, 1963, TLS “Hathaway Watson,” President of RKO General Broadcasting, to Nixon asking if he would be “willing to tape your ideas on how to solve the problems of Presidential succession and disability.” Since Pres. Kennedy’s assassination on November 22nd, and LBJ’s succession, the next two in line to the presidency were 72-year-old House Speaker John W. McCormack and 86-year-old Sen. Carl Hayden, President Pro tempore of the Senate. Keyes tells Nixon that he’s spoken to RKO about the program, mentioning that Nixon’s views on succession are in the “Saturday Evening Post” which will hit the stands January 14th. Nixon has handwritten in the upper right of Keyes Memo: “OK / prepare text / from / Satevepost / article.” He’s added on top: “set for / 2:30 PM / 1-17-64.”
(3) TLS “Dick,” one page, 7.25”: x 10.5.” New York, August 25, 1965. Nixon to Keyes: “The enclosed story may furnish some material for one of our gags either at the Bob Finch dinner or at later Republican gatherings.” Enclosure not present. Finch had managed Nixon’s 1960 presidential campaign. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of California in 1966; Reagan was elected Governor.
(4) Typed Memo Signed “RN” from Nixon to Keyes, December 20, 1965: “I am going to try to keep speaking to a minimum in January but have taken on several Lincoln Day speeches…” Paper clip rust mark at left edge.
(5) H. R. “Bob” Haldeman. Keyes’ file from Nixon’s 1962 unsuccessful campaign for Governor of California including suggestions for photographs of Nixon golfing with evangelist Billy Graham (with a newspaper photo of their July 25, 1962, golf date); typed July 20, 1962, memo to Bob Haldeman from Nixon “I want Paul Keyes included in all PR meetings whenever he is available” with handwritten notation by Haldeman: “He will be. He sat in on those during the primary when he was here. H.”
(6) Inter-Office Memorandum / Nixon for Governor” from Keyes to Nixon, also sent to Haldeman, August 14, 1962, “Subject: Another CARTOON Idea for Use as a Handout.” In part, “Pat Brown sitting on Both Ends of a Seesaw (teeter-totter, teeter board or whatever you call it) Then–as if thrown at the page–a group of words denoting Brown’s INDECISIONS. Examples: Tax Reduction Unemployment Cheesman Law Enforcement…” Nixon has boldly penned and underlined: “you name it- / he has straddled it / fence straddle.” Nixon has also initialed: “R.N.–foe of / Communism / described by Daily Worker…” and penned “Excellent / way to / get across / flip flop / Theme.” “The Daily Worker” was the American Communist Party’s newspaper.
(7) Two page “Inter-Office Memorandum / Nixon for Governor” from Keyes to Nixon, also sent to Haldeman, August 17, 1962, giving some suggestions that supporter Florence Wellborn “wished to pass along for your thinking in the campaign.” Nixon has penciled on the first page “excellent” and “makes / a lot of sense” and, on page two, “right” and “check it out” next to a suggestion by Keyes relating to Wellborn.”
(8) “Inter-Office Memorandum / Nixon for Governor” from Keyes to Nixon, also sent to Haldeman, August 11, 1962, “Subject: Lesson Learned from the McCormick-Kennedy Handout in Massachusetts.” In the September 1962 Democratic Primary for the U.S. Senate seat held by JFK, Ted Kennedy handily defeated Massachusetts Attorney General Edward McCormick, nephew of the Speaker of the House. Begins, “There’s no question about it–that handout we have all seen regarding comparison of the qualifications of McCormick vs. Kennedy in Massachusetts is pure genius. Now, while we do not have a parallel situation here, I suggest we adapt somebody else’s genius to our own purposes…” Nixon has boldly penciled and underlined on top: “good.”
(9) “Inter-Office Memorandum / Nixon for Governor” from Keyes to Nixon, also sent to Haldeman, August 20, 1962, “Subject: Hand Outs” relating to “Brown’s CDC Association,” the liberal California Democratic Council, and eight suggested political cartoons “involving Brown with the CDC.” Nixon has boldly penciled: “Excellent!! / follow up.”
(10) “Inter-Office Memorandum / Nixon for Governor” from Keyes to Nixon, also sent to Haldeman, August 24, 1962, “Subject: Telethons” about televised fundraisers. In part, “I learned today that Brown beat us to the news with a release about his telethons…I want the following known so we can correct this lack of liaison, which is one of the frightening aspects of this campaign. On Tuesday, August 7, 18 days ago, I attended a PR meeting at Hixson & Jorgensen Agency. At that meeting was brought up that Brown might follow us with the announcement that he was holding his own telethons…” Nixon has circled this and boldly penciled: “I couldn’t agree / more–I didn’t / hear about this.”
(11) On a carbon September 7, 1962, Memo from Nixon to Herb Klein relating to a mailing “planned to our key leadership group of 300 or 400,” Nixon has penned: “OK-/phone Herb-/good letter/ 9-8-62.”
(12) Original carbon of Nixon’s November 7, 1962 concession telegram to Edmund G. Brown congratulating him upon his re-election.
(13) Alexander Haig. ALS “Al,” one page, 6.25” x 9.25.” The White House, December 12 (1973). To Paul Keyes. In full, “This is text of Gridiron. It was extremely well received and I am forever grateful.” Included is a photocopy of the 6½ page typed speech on White House stationery, written by Keyes for Haig, then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, headed “Gridiron Dinner / Statler-Hilton Hotel / December 8, 1973.
(14) Diane Sawyer. TLS “Diane” as Executive Assistant to the Press Secretary, two pages, December 17, 1973. To Paul Keyes about the Gridiron Dinner. In part, “Al was nothing short of stellar…the joke about Elliot Richardson taking over as the President’s brother was the biggest joke of the entire evening…that’s all my Commander in Chief said I had to tell you, and I haven’t been in to see the President for three months (with good news) running close seconds…”
(15) Regis Philbin. 1962 TLS “Regis Philbin” about a Nixon party he attended and met Keyes: “My 11 o’clock news show during the week preceded the Paar show for four years…Maybe someday I’ll make it and if I do maybe we’ll meet again…”
(16) Spiro T. Agnew. TLS “Ted” as Vice President, one page, 7” x 9.” Washington, September 6, 1973. To Paul Keyes. In full, “Thank you very much for your letter and for telling me about your conversation with Bob [Hope]. I haven’t heard from him myself, but that’s all right. Thank you very much, to Paul, for your confidence and support. The weeks since that first press conference have been difficult, but the knowledge that my friends are with me is a very real source of strength in facing the troubles.”
Accompanied by a carbon of Keyes’ September 12, 1973, letter to Agnew commenting, “Not to belabor the Bob Hope situation, but in your letter to me you mentioned that you hadn’t heard from Bob. If you are waiting to hear from him as a result of my chat from him, I don’t think that he would bring that up to you. Rather I think that he appreciated the remark and his understanding of the subject should be evidenced in his future treatment of you. At least that’s the way I hope it works…” Five weeks later, Agnew resigned as Vice President. Also included are typescripts, October 1973, concerning communications between Keyes and Agnew just prior to the resignation, regarding an October 13th Friars Dinner honoring Milton Berle at which Agnew would be attending. Frank Sinatra was the Chairman. Keyes was writing jokes for Sinatra and volunteered to write jokes for Agnew. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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