Art Van Harvey: The Unsung Voice of Radio's Iconic "Vic and Sade"

Art Van Harvey was born Arthur Harvey Van Berschot on August 23, 1883, in Chicago, Illinois. From a young age, he displayed a natural talent for acting and mimicry, much to the chagrin of his mother, who believed "an actor is an emissary of the Devil." Despite her disapproval, Van Berschot's mother allowed him to participate in amateur productions at his school, reasoning that the small, local nature of these performances would not corrupt her son.

As a teenager, Van Berschot took a job as an office boy at the Chicago Board of Trade, a stock and grain brokerage house. However, his passion for the stage proved too strong, and he was eventually fired for sneaking off to the theater one too many times. Undeterred, Van Berschot tried his hand at various other jobs, but none seemed to satisfy his creative urges.

It was during this period of uncertainty that Van Berschot discovered his true calling: vaudeville. He spent several enjoyable years honing his skills as a performer, showcasing his talent for dialects and impersonations. However, the Stock Market Crash of 1929 forced Van Berschot to reevaluate his career path once again.

Entry Into Radio

With the vaudeville circuit drying up, Van Berschot turned his attention to the burgeoning medium of radio. His natural abilities as a character actor and vocal chameleon made him an ideal fit for the new medium, and he soon landed his first major role on the Blue Network's Welcome Valley in 1932.

It was around this time that Van Berschot officially changed his name to Art Van Harvey, a moniker that would become synonymous with one of radio's most beloved characters: Vic Gook, the patriarch of the Gook family on the long-running sitcom Vic and Sade.

The Rise of "Vic and Sade"

Vic and Sade was the brainchild of writer Paul Rhymer, who modeled the character of Vic after his own father. Rhymer's scripts, which often focused on the mundane details of small-town Midwestern life, provided the perfect showcase for Van Harvey's understated, naturalistic acting style.

As Vic, Van Harvey embodied a quiet, unassuming everyman, a 9-to-5 office drone who found joy in the simple pleasures of life, such as playing cards, pitching horseshoes, and tinkering with his beloved alarm clocks. Van Harvey's performance was a masterclass in subtlety, imbuing Vic with a wry sense of humor and a touch of world-weary cynicism that made the character both relatable and endearing.

The show's success was also due in no small part to the chemistry between Van Harvey and his co-stars, Bernardine Flynn as Vic's wife, Sade, and Bill Idelson as their adopted son, Rush. Together, the trio created a warm, lived-in dynamic that drew listeners into the Gooks' cozy "little house halfway up in the next block."

At the height of its popularity, Vic and Sade was broadcast up to six times a day across all three major radio networks, reaching an estimated 7 million devoted listeners in 1943. The show's critical acclaim was equally impressive, with Vic and Sade being named the best radio serial in a poll of 600 radio editors.

Signature Style and Technique

Van Harvey's performance as Vic Gook was a masterclass in restraint and nuance. Rather than relying on broad, exaggerated characterizations, he imbued the role with a quiet, understated charm that perfectly captured the essence of the small-town Midwesterner.

As described by author Arthur Frank Wertheim, Van Harvey played Vic "in a quiet low-key style with a twist of cynicism that made the small-town Midwestern character unforgettable." This subtle approach allowed the character's humanity and relatability to shine through, making Vic a beloved figure to generations of radio listeners.

Van Harvey's versatility as a character actor was also on full display in his work on Vic and Sade. He seamlessly shifted between Vic's various roles and responsibilities, from devoted husband and father to enthusiastic card player and member of the "Sacred Stars of the Milky Way" fraternal organization. Through it all, Van Harvey maintained a consistent, naturalistic delivery that grounded the character and made him feel like a real person.

Collaborations and Relationships

Throughout his career, Art Van Harvey enjoyed a close working relationship with Vic and Sade creator Paul Rhymer. Rhymer's scripts, which often drew inspiration from his own small-town upbringing, provided the perfect vehicle for Van Harvey's understated performance style.

In turn, Van Harvey's interpretation of Vic Gook helped to shape the character and bring Rhymer's vision to life. The two men worked in close collaboration, with Rhymer often incorporating Van Harvey's own interests and quirks into the scripts. For example, Vic's passion for playing cards and pitching horseshoes mirrored Van Harvey's own hobbies.

Beyond his work on Vic and Sade, Van Harvey also maintained relationships with other notable figures in the radio industry. He was a frequent collaborator with director Clarence Menser and appeared in various other programs, including Author's Playhouse, Curtain Time, and The Radio Hall of Fame.

Van Harvey's talent and professionalism also earned him the respect of his peers. In his book Radio Comedy, Arthur Frank Wertheim described the actor as a "Wallace Beery type" whose quiet, understated performance made Vic Gook an "unforgettable" character. This praise from a respected radio historian underscores the lasting impact of Van Harvey's work.

Legacy and Influence

Despite his relative obscurity outside of the radio world, Art Van Harvey's portrayal of Vic Gook has left an indelible mark on the medium of old-time radio. His nuanced, naturalistic performance helped to redefine the sitcom genre, moving away from the broad, exaggerated characterizations that had previously dominated the airwaves.

Van Harvey's influence can be seen in the work of countless other radio actors who followed in his footsteps, embracing a more subtle, realistic approach to character development. His legacy also extends to the writers and producers who recognized the power of understatement and the ability to create compelling drama from the mundane details of everyday life.

Beyond his impact on the industry, Van Harvey's work as Vic Gook has also endured in the hearts and minds of radio listeners. The character's warmth, humor, and relatable humanity have made him a beloved figure, with many fans still fondly remembering the "little house halfway up in the next block" and the Gook family's gentle, slice-of-life adventures.

Today, Art Van Harvey's legacy continues to be celebrated, with his signature role as Vic Gook featured prominently in various Radio Spirits releases and other collections of classic radio programming. His quiet, unassuming brilliance may have gone largely unrecognized during his lifetime, but it is clear that Van Harvey's contributions to the medium have left an indelible mark on the history of American radio.

Works and Appearances

Radio

Welcome Valley (1932-1936) - Played the role of "Jeffrey Barker"
Vic and Sade (1932-1946) - Portrayed the character of "Vic Gook"
Author's Playhouse, Curtain Time, The Magic Key, The Radio Hall of Fame, The Silver Eagle - Various roles

Television

Colgate Theatre (1949) - Reprised the role of "Vic Gook" for the TV adaptation of Vic and Sade
Hawkins Falls, Population 6200 (1954-1955) - Played the character of "Calvin Sperry"
The Humor of Vic 'n' Sade (1957) - Returned as "Vic Gook" for a brief TV revival

Film

The Golden Gloves Story (1950) - Portrayed "Father McGuire"

Other Media

Authored a column titled "The Dish I Like Best" for Radio Guide magazine in 1934, in which he rhapsodized about his love for smoked sturgeon.

Art Van Harvey: The Quiet Genius Behind Radio's Beloved "Vic and Sade"

Enjoys some shows