COE NORTON VIDEOS

INTERVIEWS AND CLIPS

ARTS THE THING INTERVIEW

Don't Squeeze the Charmin

Coe portrayed a magician on a number of TV shows and commercials. Here he is with Mr. Whipple in a commercial for Charmin bathroom tissue from 1968. You'll see he turns the bathroom tissue into a rabbit, with a camera cut. Coe said he always offered to create the desired effects by magic means, but they often chose to use an edit instead. Coe looks good in the part, but you'll see the camera cut looks obvious.

Coe in Charmin commercial

Early TV Star

Coe Norton apeared in over 400 television shows, many of them shot live. He was famous on television from the 1950's through the 1970s; appearing in dramas, commercials, and soap operas (including Secret Storm, Love of Life, and The Doctors).

From 1951-1954 Coe starred in one of the very first TV soap operas, Search for Tomorrow. The clip linked here has Coe as Dr. Hilton attempting to rouse the character of Wilbur, a simple mute trapped in a dream.

Wilbur was played by Don Knotts, in his only dramatic role. First aired March 27, 1953.

(Coe and Don are in the beginning and at the end of the episode.)

Coe in Search for Tomorrow

Don Knotts discussing Search for Tomorrow

Coe Norton as Dr. Ned Hilton in his first starring TV role in Search for Tomorrow.

Coe Norton as Dr. Ned Hilton, Search for Tomorrow.