Tributes to Cardille a testament to impact he had on Pittsburghers
Bill Cardille had every right to be irked.
Two years ago, I called the legendary local broadcaster immediately after he had been let go from WJAS-AM after the station switched formats from soft rock to talk. Cardille's abrupt departure marked the first time he had been out of work in more than 60 years.
He could have been upset at my queries regarding what he realized was the likely end of his lengthy career. But in the only conversation we ever had, he was generous with his time, thoughtful in his remarks.
“I would have liked to have continued playing music,” he said. “But right now I am more than fulfilled.”
Cardille's gregariousness during his decades in the public eye is a significant reason why his passing on Thursday at 87 evoked such an outpouring of emotion.
He'll be laid to rest Monday following a public Mass of Christian Burial at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland.
Cardille's death resurrected a host of childhood memories in me, memories undoubtedly shared by many middle-aged native Pittsburghers.
I recalled him as the host of “Studio Wrestling,” a Saturday staple on WIIC (now WPXI-TV) for more than a dozen years. The show featured championship wrestler Bruno Sammartino and had appearances by two men who would go on to become Allegheny County Council members: “Jumping” Johnny DeFazio and Chuck Martoni.
I remembered Cardille inspiring the Pittsburgh ritual of making popcorn on Saturday nights in preparation for “Chiller Theater.”
With the lights out in the living room, you'd stay up after midnight as “Chilly Billy,” tongue planted firmly in cheek, introduced twin bills of horror and science fiction movies more cheesy than scary.
There were more chuckles than chills associated with campy classics such as “The Deadly Mantis” — perhaps the best of the entire violent giant praying mantis film oeuvre, which is not high praise. Likewise, movies with titles as absurd as “The Man Who Reclaimed His Head” weren't shiver-inspiring.
But that never was the point of tuning in to “Chiller Theater.” You watched to see the antics of Chilly Billy and his supporting cast of eccentric characters, such as Terminal Stare, Stefan the Castle Prankster and Georgette the Fudgemaker.
I remember dreading the sight of Cardille as the local anchor of the annual Muscular Dystrophy telethon when I was growing up. Not because of anything he said or did but because the telethon occurred on Labor Day, traditionally the day before school started. That made Cardille the unintentional harbinger of another tortuous school year.
No matter which hat Cardille wore during his long, distinguished broadcast career, it fit perfectly. The affectionate tributes he has received since signing off for the final time underscore an indisputable truth about this colorful Pittsburgh character.
Chilly Billy was as cool as they come.
Eric Heyl is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-320-7857 or eheyl@tribweb.com.
