Grover Aloysius Whalen (1886–1962) was a prominent politician, businessman, and public relations guru in New York City during the 1930s and 1940s.
Prominent politician, businessman, and public relations guru in New York City during the 1930s and 1940s. His first major political assignment was as chief of police, where he was known to be a ruthless enforcer of current prohibition laws.
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After the New York World's Fair in1939-1940, he was later appointed by Fiorello LaGuardia as New York's official greeter and became an impeccably groomed public celebrity, easily recognized by his neat mustache and ever-present carnation boutonnière. In this capacity, he officially welcomed everyone from Charles A. Lindbergh to Admiral Richard E. Byrd to Douglas MacArthur and became master of the ticker tape parade.
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He is mentioned in the immortal Groucho Marx song, "Lydia the Tattooed Lady."
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In 1935 he became president of the New York World Fair Corporation and put a familiar face on the 1939 New York World's Fair. In this capacity he graced the cover of Time Magazine on May 1, 1939
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Medicus Film of New York World's Fair
1940
Documentary
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
The World of Tomorrow
1984
Documentary
Himself (uncredited)
Known for movies
Medicus Film of New York World's Fair 1940 as Himself
$100,000