
Watch this footage from an unaired Dick Van Dyke pilot
Clip: 12/12/2025 | 1m 58sVideo has Closed Captions
Dick Van Dyke showcases his physical comedy strengths with a short story.
In this 1960 episode from the unreleased show "Dick Van Dyke Tells A Story," Dick showcases his physical comedy strengths with a short story.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

Watch this footage from an unaired Dick Van Dyke pilot
Clip: 12/12/2025 | 1m 58sVideo has Closed Captions
In this 1960 episode from the unreleased show "Dick Van Dyke Tells A Story," Dick showcases his physical comedy strengths with a short story.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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How do today’s masters create their art? Each episode an artist reveals how they brought their creative work to life. Hear from artists across disciplines, like actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, singer-songwriter Jewel, author Min Jin Lee, and more on our podcast "American Masters: Creative Spark."Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- [Clapper Loader] Dick Van Dyke "Tells a Story," show number three, called, "The Body and the Members."
Recording date, 7-07-60.
Air date, to be determined.
Take one.
(playful music) - [Narrator] Dick Van Dyke "Tells a Story."
The members of this body were just like the good members of anybody, everybody worked.
The eyes looked for work.
(playful music continues) (laughs) And of course, the legs walked to work.
(playful music continues) And the hands did the work.
(playful music continues) Oh, ho, ho, mm.
(hisses) And when it was time to eat, the teeth chewed the food.
(playful music continues) And of course, when the mouth swallowed the food, it went down to the stomach where it was thoroughly enjoyed.
And that's the way it went with Mr.
Esop and the members of his body, working and walking and looking and eating.
(playful music continues) Well, I hope you enjoyed our little story today.
I certainly enjoyed telling it to you, and I hope you'll be back again with me again, the next time when I want to tell you another favorite story.
Till then, keep your chin up.
(upbeat music)
Dick Van Dyke was an early advocate for civil rights
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Clip: 12/12/2025 | 1m 7s | On May 31st, 1964, Dick Van Dyke delivered a speech on race relations. (1m 7s)
How "The Dick Van Dyke Show" took inspiration from its leading man
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Clip: 12/12/2025 | 54s | Dick Van Dyke's love of physical comedy was incorpoated into his main character's persona. (54s)
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Preview: 12/12/2025 | 2m 8s | Ahead of his 100th birthday, celebrate the life and career of iconic actor Dick Van Dyke. (2m 8s)
What made the opening credits of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" special
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Clip: 12/12/2025 | 1m 49s | There were two variants of the opening credits of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" involving an ottoman. (1m 49s)
Why Conan O’Brien had an "out-of-body experience" with Dick Van Dyke
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Clip: 12/12/2025 | 1m 7s | Conan O’Brien had a dream come true when Dick Van Dyke appeared on his show. (1m 7s)
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Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...





















