Feb. 16, 1962

Burt Lancaster gets pied

A titan of drama gets a taste of comedy

by Alex Q. Arbuckle(opens in a new tab)

Image: ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images

In 1962, Burt Lancaster was at the height of his film career, having won a Best Actor Oscar two years prior for his performance in Elmer Gantry. 

The muscular, blue-eyed star of From Here to Eternity was taking on diverse and challenging roles, from a Nazi war criminal in Judgment at Nuremberg to an Italian prince in The Leopard.

On Feb. 16, he appeared as a guest on The Soupy Sales Show, the slapstick children’s program which punctuated every gag with the host taking a trademark cream pie to the face.

Despite his dramatic pedigree and imposing presence, Lancaster was not spared the same treatment.

Image: ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images

Image: ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images

Image: ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images

Image: ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images

Image: ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images

Image: ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images

Image: ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images

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