Clarence Avildsen interviewed by Studs Terkel September 1945

Here's a 12 1/2 minute radio interview from September 1945 conducted by Studs Terkel on WCFL in Chicago of my Dad, Clarence Avildsen. Dad was born in 1899 to a poor Chicago family of emigrants. He went to work at 14 years old. In 10 years he was president of his own company.
Recently, a book available on Amazon has been published about me and the movies I've made so far entitled The Films of John G. Avildsen - Rocky, The Karate Kid and Other Underdogs
The book has inspired a documentary that is now being made:
John G. Avildsen, King of the Underdogs.
I think my interest in "The Underdogs" may have first been influenced by my Dad and his concern for the average working man. This 1945 radio interview has my Dad advocating for unemployment insurance and a higher minumum wage, not common concerns for most CEOs of his day.

[danobrien]

Hello,
My grandfather John O'Brien worked for your father at Republic Drill and Tool.  I have many of the same photos of the Republic bowling league, holiday parties, etc.  They would not draft my grandfather to go to war because he was a manager overseeing a large number of the female employees that were working on the machining line. I would love to hear about any other memories that you may have of Republic Drill, that company was a big part of his life. Our family still has a Bridgeport machine from the factory floor.  Thanks for posting this, my Grandfather has been gone for 20 years, and it is fun to hear the voice of someone he worked with, especially at such an important historical time in our country.
Thanks!

Dan

 

[capetown]

Hi John  I am working on a book on Studs and his interview with your dad is such a foundation for Studs.  Thanks for making this available for viewing.  Did Studs do it on radio????