Newly Discovered 1967 Martin Luther King Interview in His Home

Historic Films Archive, LLC has recently restored and digitized episodes from the 1967-68 interview program Good Company. Produced by David Susskind and hosted by F. Lee Bailey, this syndicated program (filmed in color) was similar in format to the CBS 1950’s Person To Person program where in-depth interviews were conducted in the homes of important celebrities and politicians. Good Company episodes include Truman Capote, Sean Connery, Hugh Hefner (shot at the Playboy Mansion!), Broadway producer David Merrick, Tony Curtis, Rev. Billy Graham and many others.

With February’s Black History Month just around the corner, of key interest is an episode filmed in November 1967 at the home of Dr. Martin Luther King. This seems to be the only interview with Dr. King ever filmed in his home and it offers an intimate and detailed look at King as a family man. His wife Coretta Scott King and their children are included in sections of the interview and the family sings a charming Christmas carol at the conclusion of the program. In addition to the 27-minute edited program are 45 minutes of outtakes and production shots. A rare, perhaps one of a kind glimpse of King and his family at the apex of his career.