September 12, 1955-June 12, 1963. In the fall of 1955 Perry Como returned to NBC where he hosted a weekly hour show. From 1955 to 1959 it was seen Saturday evenings and was titled "The Perry Como Show." From 1959 to 1963 it was seen Wednesday evenings and was titled "The Kraft Music Hall." Regulars included Frank Gallop and the Ray Charles Singers. After his final weekly June 12, 1963 broadcast Perry Como appeared in scores of specials, beginning October 3, 1963, airing on NBC, CBS & ABC, and concluding on December 6, 1986. 

Guests are Ethel Merman and Red Buttons.

                                                                

      The 30th annual "Oscar" presentations are telecast, for the first time entirely under the auspices of the movie industry. Emcees: Jimmy Stewart, Rosalind Russell, David Niven, Jack Lemmon, Bob Hope. Donald Duck narrates a cartoon history of the movies. Married couples acting as custodians of the "Oscars" are Hope Lange and Don Murray, Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis, and Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner. Supporting - role nominees are Red Buttons, Vittorio De Sica, Sessue Hayakawa, Arthur Kennedy, Russ Tamblyn, Carolyn Jones, Elsa Lanchester, Hope Lange, Miyoushi Umeki, and Diane Varsi.        

September 24th, 1958-March 16th, 1959.

Live musical variety show hosted by singer Patti Page.                                                                                                                    

The 31st Annual Academy Awards Ceremony is telecast live from the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Personalities include Burl Ives, Bob Hope, Janet Leigh, Tony Curtis, David Niven, Shelley Winters, Red Buttons, June Allyson, Dick Powell, Tony Randall, Sophia Loren, Dean Martin, Joan Fontaine, Laurence Olivier, Cyd Charisse, Robert Stack, Doris Day, Rock Hudson, Maurice Chevalier, Rosalind Russell, Jerry Lewis, Vincent Price, Eddie Albert, Buddy Adler, Jack Warner, Millie Perkins, Gary Cooper, Vincente Minelli, Dirk Bogard, Van Heflin, Elizabeth Taylor, Kim Novak, James Cagney, Susan Hayward, Irene Dunn, John Wayne, Cary Grant, and Ingrid Bergman.

Hosts: Jerry Lewis, Tony Randall, Bob Hope, David Niven, Mort Sahl, and Laurence Olivier.

"Gigi" was awarded the best film of 1958.                                                                                           

April 2nd, 1962-September 28th, 1962

When Jack Paar left the Tonight Show on March 29th, 1962, it created a six-month "window" of guest hosts until October 1st, 1962 when Johnny Carson took over the reins in what would be a 30-year run of hosting until May 22nd, 1992, when he hosted for the last time. From April 2nd, 1962-September 28th, 1962, there were a variety of celebrity guest hosts. Art Linkletter was the first guest host during this six-month "window" period and Donald O'Connor the last on September 28th, 1962. 

Guest Host: Joey Bishop. Guests are Sammy Davis, Jr. and Red Buttons.                                                                                          

Jack Linkletter interviews Red Buttons, Bruce Cabot and Elsa Martinelli who have just finished working on the motion picture, HATARI. Each discuss their roles and their impressions of working in East Africa.

NOTE: This TV Audio Air Check was originally recorded by Phil Gries and recently relocated (12/2019) and re-evaluated. It was not originally considered archival worthy because of audio imperfections and sound quality. However, because of its rarity this air check has been specially mixed and improved. The sound has been boosted and equalized. Currently, very acceptable listening.                                   

October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992. Johnny Carson, host of NBC's network late-night "Tonight Show" reigned for 30 unprecedented years...five times the combined tenure of Steve Allen, and Jack Paar. Carson was impervious to competition, including efforts to dethrone him by Les Crane, Joey Bishop, Merv Griffin, Dick Cavett, Jack Paar, Pat Sajak, Joan Rivers, and Arsenio Hall. Sadly, very few complete "Tonight Show" broadcasts survive during Johnny Carson's first ten years of broadcasting. Around 1965, through the early 1970's, oldest tapes were first erased systematically by orders from myopic NBC executives, to be recycled for purposes of saving money. Ironically, in many cases, these older master tapes were too brittle, and portended probable drop-outs for re-use after being erased. Subsequently blank after being erased, these older questionable master 2" Quad tapes were either sparingly used or never used again for recording new programming and eventually were discarded. Saving thousands of dollars at the time (wiping master tapes for potential re-use) resulted in losing millions of dollars by NBC in today's marketplace, and more importantly wiping thousands of historic TONIGHT SHOW broadcasts, which contain precious personal anecdotes from political, show business, and sports icons of the past.
  
  

A Special telecast tonight for the motion picture premiere on Broadway at the Rivoli theater of "CLEOPATRA" with  Bert Parks live at the theater interviewing celebrities in the lobby as they enter the theater with cut-aways to Johnny Carson in Studio 6B, who interacts with those being interviewed.   

NOTE: There is much humor happening during this remote pick-up as celebrities get out of their cars at the curb and  they are stopped for photographs by some 500 photographers at the premiere. Local TV Station WPIX Channel 11 in New York City has first opportunities to interview celebrities on the outside, delaying Bert to do his interviews in the lobby. At times Bert frantically calls out to them and there is much humor exchanged between Parks and Johnny Carson who watches, and comments.

After the remote interviews Roddy McDowall joins Johnny in the NBC Tonight Show studio and discuses photographs he took on the set of CLOEPATRA, including those of Elizabeth Taylor getting made up for her role.   

NOTE: At one point Johnny Carson, breaking up with laughter says: "I want a copy of this show." 
Ironically, this broadcast  was wiped (erased) and is one of the thousands of "lost" TONIGHT SHOW broadcasts never saved/archived during the first ten years of  broadcasting.       

One of the rare TV Audio Air Checks archived  by ARCHIVAL TELEVISION AUDIO, INC. originally recorded off the air when broadcast, June 12, 1963.                                                                                

Live WNEW radio coverage of the "Cleopatra" movie premiere at the Rivoli Theatre on Broadway. William B. Williams interviews "Cleopatra" director Joseph Mankiewicz. Williams also interviews Mrs. Dorothy Williams, (the wife of William B. Williams), Joan Fontaine, Roddy McDowall, Michael Rennie, and Red Buttons. Actress Ilka Chase reviews "Cleopatra." Following the film, Williams speaks to Rex Harrison who spent eight months on the film, and William's wife Dorothy.                                                                                         

Stars of the movie "Stagecoach" are interviewed at the opening of the film May,15th,1966 in Denver,Colorado where it was filmed. Host Bill Welsh talks to Bing Crosby, Van Heflin, Robert Cummings, Ann-Margret, and Red Buttons.
Scenes from the film are broadcast.      

Broadcast on WNEW-TV in New York City. 

The New York and Hollywood movie premiere of "Is Paris Burning?" starring Leslie Caron, Kirk Douglas, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Charles Boyer, Alain Delon, Gert Frobe, and Orson Welles. Directed by Rene Clement.

In New York, Jack Lescoulie talks to Otto Preminger, Frederick March, Florence Eldrich, Leslie Caron, Ann Francis, John Erikson, Polly Bergen, and Barbara Rush.
In Los Angeles, Debbie Reynolds talks to Army Archerd.

Duplicate of #15244.

Hosts: Jack Lescoulie and Army Archerd.                                                                                                                    

The New York and Hollywood movie premiere of "Is Paris Burning?" starring Leslie Caron, Kirk Douglas, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Charles Boyer, Alain Delon, Gert Frobe, and Orson Welles. Directed by Rene Clement.

In New York, Jack Lescoulie talks to Otto Preminger, Frederick March, Florence Eldrich, Leslie Caron, Ann Francis, John Erikson, Polly Bergen, and Barbara Rush.
In Los Angeles, Debbie Reynolds talks to Army Archerd.

Hosts: Jack Lescoulie and Army Archerd.                                                                                                       

September 16, 1965-May 24, 1974. A variety hour hosted by Dean Martin. Several of the shows were celebrity "roasts," set at a banquet table, in which the guest of honor was showered with insults by other celebs. Regulars of the series included pianist Ken Lane (1965-1972), Kay Medford, Lou Jacobi, The Golddiggers, Marian Mercer (1971-1972), Tom Bosley (1971-1972), Rodney Dangerfield (1972-1973), Dom DeLuise (1972-1973), and Nipsey Russell (1972-1974).                          

January 4, 1964-February 7, 1970. This hour-long variety series was a midseason replacement for "The Jerry Lewis Show."   

Host: Bing Crosby

                                                                                    

September 20, 1952-June 22, 1957; October 3, 1958-January 2 1959; February 3 1961-March 24, 1961; September 1962-September 12, 1970


After the 1954-1955 season (one hour live broadcasts), Jackie Gleason produced a series of 39 filmed half-hour episodes of "The Honeymooners" which was syndicated (1955-1956). For the following 1956-1957 season, the Jackie Gleason Show returned to a live one-hour variety format with a Honeymooners sketch included in many of its broadcasts. After this season, The Honeymooners sketches would not be revived until the 1966-1967 season of The Jackie Gleason Show.   

Guests: Red Buttons, Art Carney. 


                                                                         

September 20, 1952-June 22, 1957; October 3, 1958-January 2 1959; February 3 1961-March 24, 1961; September 1962-September 12, 1970

After the 1954-1955 season (one hour live broadcasts), Jackie Gleason produced a series of 39 filmed half-hour episodes of "The Honeymooners" which was syndicated (1955-1956). For the following 1956-1957 season, the Jackie Gleason Show returned to a live one-hour variety format with a Honeymooners sketch included in many of its broadcasts. After this season, The Honeymooners sketches would not be revived until the 1966-1967 season of The Jackie Gleason Show.  

Host: Jackie Gleason.

Guests: Red Buttons, Nipsey Russell, Jan Murray. Honeymooners sketch with Sheila MacRae and Art Carney. 

Rerun of January 4th, 1969.

                                                                                        

Muhammad Ali, Red Buttons, Henny Youngman, Alan King, Jack Carter, Sammy Davis Jr, George Kirby, Bill Russell, Carroll OConnor, Peter Lawford

Carroll O'Connor is host for this roasting of Sammy Davis, Jr       

Carroll O'Connor is host for this roasting of Sammy Davis, Jr.        

Celebrities gather to honor Sammy Davis, Jr. on this Frair's Roast.

Guest Roastmaster: Carroll O'Connor.             

 The 44th annual Academy Award presentations from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles.
Hosts are Helen Hayes, Alan King, Sammy Davis Jr. and Jack Lemmon. Betty Grable, battling cancer, makes one of her last public appearances and Charlie Chaplin receives an honorary award for the incalculable effects he has had in making motion pictures the art form of this century. Chaplin receives a twelve minute standing ovation.    

Duplicate of #7504.                                            

 The 44th annual Academy Award presentations from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles.
Hosts are Helen Hayes, Alan King, Sammy Davis Jr. and Jack Lemmon. Betty Grable, battling cancer, makes one of her last public appearances and Charlie Chaplin receives an honorary award for the incalculable effects he has had in making motion pictures the art form of this century. Chaplin receives a twelve minute standing ovation.                                                 

Bob Hope's fourth Special. Newly crowned heavyweight boxing champion George Forman joins an all-star lineup on Bob's special. 

Duplicate of 5119.        

Jerry Lewis's fund-raising campaign for Muscular Dystrophy from the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas which represents his first National MDA broadcast away from New York.  
  
The National television broadcast begins at 9 PM Eastern time on September 2nd, 1973 and concludes on September 3rd, 1973 at 6:30 PM Eastern time. This was the first time the Jerry Lewis Labor Day National Telethon was telecast from Las Vegas.   

This year's Muscular Dystrophy Association of America telethon raised a record $12,395,983 in pledged money during its 21 1/2 hours of telecasting. There are numerous half hour cutaway breaks from the National broadcast...giving Jerry Lewis a break in the action, and these cutaways are hosted by a litany of hosts all over the country depending on the station broadcasting this marathon broadcast. 

NOTE: THIS TAPE HAS NONE OF THE LOCAL CUTAWAY MATERIAL...ONLY THE NATIONAL BROADCAST EXCERPTS WITH THE STARS LISTED HERE, WHO WERE RECORDED. MANY PERSONALITIES APPEARING ON THE 
COMPLETE BROADCAST WERE NOT AUDIO TAPED AND THEREFORE NOT PRESENT IN THIS PRESENTATION.  

 In New York hosting at different intervals were Buddy Hackett, William B. Williams, Julius LaRosa and Soupy Sales and Mel Torme. In Nashville, Roy Clark hosted, etc. etc. This broadcast was recorded off the air in Schenectady New York, via station affiliate WRGB. 
The hosts of locally cutaway segments on this audio air check are that of Ed, and Steve. Their segments equate to approximatively 120 minutes of this 300 minute TV Audio Air Check broadcast excerpt. 

SEE ATA#8375. 
 
200 minutes (approximately 3 and half hours reflect the National segments).    

This broadcast recording begins at approximately 11:30 EST on Monday, September 3, 1973. John Gavin sings, "We've Got It." The New Seekers, British pop group perform, "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing." Peter Marshall is praised by Jerry for his game show Hollywood Squares. There is a film promo for MSD. Carol Lawrence sings "A Bright Sunshiny Day, and "Sand Dance." Her husband Robert Goulet and Carol talk with Jerry. Paul Anka who flew in specifically to sing on the show a rendition of "I Did it My Way," changing the lyrics related to Jerry Lewis's MDA telethon contributions sings this version. Phyllis Diller does a stand-up routine. 
Andy Williams introduces each of the Lennon Sisters, Janet, Kathy, Peggy, and Dee Dee. Williams sings, "Close to You."
We get a local feed with Mel Torme who sings a duet with Jerry and then interviews Gina Lollobrigida who discusses her photography book "Italia Mia" containing three years of her work...a collection of 191 still pictures of Italians your and elders, families, sights and scenery. 
Enzo Stuart sings "Maria." Red Buttons performs and sings "Brother Can You Spare a Dime," and his signature song, "HO HO."    
Jerry wraps up the broadcast stating that when he began work for MDA he had but one secretary in 1950 and now his fund raising event is the second biggest in America. Jerry signs off singing, "You'll Never Walk Alone."                                                                                                                                                

Jerry Lewis's fund-raising campaign for Muscular Dystrophy from the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas which represents his first National MDA broadcast away from New York.  
  
The broadcast begins at 9 PM Eastern time on September 2nd, 1973 and concludes on September 3rd, 1973 at 6:30 PM Eastern time. This was the first time the telethon was telecast from Las Vegas.   

This year's Muscular Dystrophy Association of America telethon raised a record $12,395,983 in pledged money during its 21 1/2 hours of telecasting. There are numerous half hour cutaway breaks from the National broadcast...giving Jerry Lewis a break in the action, and these cutaways are hosted by a litany of hosts all over the country depending on the station broadcasting this marathon broadcast. In New York hosting at different intervals were Buddy Hackett, William B. Williams, Julius LaRosa and Soupy Sales and Mel Torme. In Nashville, Roy Clark hosted, etc. etc. This broadcast was recorded off the air in Schenectady New York, via station affiliate WRGB. 
The hosts of locally cutaway segments on this audio air check are that of Ed, and Steve. There segments equate to approximatively 120 minutes of this 300 minute TV Audio Air Check broadcast excerpt. 200 minutes (approximately 3 and half hours reflect the National segments).    

This broadcast recording begins at approximately 11:30 EST on Monday, September 3, 1973. John Gavin sings, "We've Got It." The New Seekers, British pop group perform, "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing." Peter Marshall is praised by Jerry for his game show Hollywood Squares. There is a film promo for MSD. Carol Lawrence sings "A Bright Sunshiny Day, and "Sand Dance." Her husband Robert Goulet and Carol talk with Jerry. Paul Anka who flew in specifically to sing on the show a rendition of "I Did it My Way," changing the lyrics related to Jerry Lewis's MDA telethon contributions sings this version. Phyllis Diller does a stand-up routine. 
Andy Williams introduces each of the Lennon Sisters, Janet, Kathy, Peggy, and Dee Dee. Williams sings, "Close to You."
We get a local feed with Mel Torme who sings a duet with Jerry and then interviews Gina Lollobrigida who discusses her photography book "Italia Mia" containing three years of her work...a collection of 191 still pictures of Italians your and elders, families, sights and scenery. 
Enzo Stuart sings "Maria." Red Buttons performs and sings "Brother Can You Spare a Dime," and his signature song, "HO HO."    
Jerry wraps up the broadcast stating that when he began work for MDA he had but one secretary in 1950 and now his fund raising event is the second biggest in America. Jerry signs off singing, "You'll Never Walk Alone."                                                                                                         

The Friar's Club roast actor George Raft from New York City.                                        

Valerie Harper is roasted by Nancy Walker, David Groh, Rich Little, Shelley Winters, Ed Asner, Isabel Sanford, Phyllis Diller, Chad Everett, Milton Berle, Foster Brooks, Georgia Engle, Julie Kavner, Nipsey Russell, Jack Carter, Red Buttons, Eva Gabor, Jack Albertson and Harold Gould. Dean Martin is roastmaster.      

Duplicate of #2114. Partial broadcast only.  

World heavyweight boxing champ Muhammad Ali takes the verbal punches as he's roasted by Dean Martin, Orson Welles, Floyd Patterson, Freddie Prinze, Gabriel Kaplan, Foster Brooks, Isabel Sanford, Howard Cosell, Rocky Graziano, Sherman Hemsley, Tony Orlando, Ruth Buzzi, Georgia Engel, Nipsey Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Red Buttons, Charlie Callas and Gene Kelly.  

Duplicate of # 2126.            

World heavyweight boxing champ Muhammad Ali takes the verbal punches as he's roasted by Dean Martin, Orson Welles, Floyd Patterson, Freddie Prinze, Gabriel Kaplan, Foster Brooks, Isabel Sanford, Howard Cosell, Rocky Graziano, Sherman Hemsley, Tony Orlando, Ruth Buzzi, Georgia Engel, Nipsey Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Red Buttons, Charlie Callas and Gene Kelly.   

Duplicate of #2126.         

Bob Hope hires six TV detectives to solve a series of mysterious disappearances at his house in this comedy special.   

Duplicate of #7757.                                                

Bob Hope hires six TV detectives to solve a series of mysterious disappearances at his house in this comedy special.                                      

Bob Hope hires six TV detectives to solve a series of mysterious disappearances at his house in this comedy special.

Duplicate of # 7757.                                                    

Dennis Weaver is the target for this "Dean Martin Celebrity Roast." Among the luminaries taking aim at Weaver are Amanda Blake and Milburn Stone, who costarred with him in "Gunsmoke." Other stars on the dais include Milton Berle, William Conrad, Rich Little, Shelley Winters, Mike Connors, Peter Graves, Ruth Buzzi, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Steve Forrest, Red Buttons and Nipsey Russell.  


Dupe Of # 2127.                         

Dean Martin is joined by a gallery of baseball greats in this roast of TV sportscaster Joe Garagiola. Taking the dais are Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Yogi Berra, Luis Tiant, Stan Musial, Willie Mays, Maury Wills and Charles O. Finley, owner of the Oakland A's. Other guests include Orson Welles, Charlie Callas, Red Buttons, Nipsey Russell, Shirley Jones, Foster Brooks, Pat Henry, Jack Carter, Norm Crosby, and Jackie Gayle.  


Dupe Of # 2121.                         

A tribute to composer George M. Cohan. 60 minute version of 90 minute broadcast on September 12th, 1970.