A two hour SPECIAL (live, tape, film) as Television takes a look at the decade just ended, the 1950's, its very first.
Henry Fonda is the host for this two hour show.
Jackie Gleason's career is reviewed and he performs the "Sid, Old Kid" number from his Broadway musical "Take Me Along."
Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews present "My Fair Lady" songs. Rex: "I'm an Ordinary Man," Julie: "Just You Wait."
Shelley Berman, and Mike Nichols and Elaine May, comedians who were introduced in the Fifties, lampoon psychiatry.
Dick Van Dyke pantomimes dance crazes of the decade. His partner for this comedy sequence is Maria Karnilova.
Betty Comden and Adolph Green satirize cultural developments of the Fifties.
Suzy Parker represents the American woman in "The Creature," a film sequence created by Richard Avedon. Charles and Ray Eames also have contributed film features.
Television and Movies are highlighted in clips from outstanding productions, including memorable the Mary Martin-Ethel Merman TV Show produced by Leland Hayward, who also has produced tonight's show.
Excerpts from records illustrate music of the fifties.
News Events of the decade are recalled by eyewitnesses. The voices of these men are heard: Arthur Godfrey, sports stars Roy Campanella, and Roger Bannister, sea captain Kurt Carlsen, submarine camp;ain William Anderson, explorer Edmund Hillary.
Eric Sevareid provides commentary during the show, which consists of live, tape, and film elements.
Jack Paar unexpectedly walks off the show, at 11:41pm, eleven minutes after the show went on the air. During Paar's opening monologue he protests NBC's censoring of a "Water Closet" joke he had told on last nights broadcast. After Jack walks off, Hugh Downs takes over and continues the show with guests who comment about what had just happened.
July 29, 1957- March 30,1962.
For four years and eight months Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the Tonight Show with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melis, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conried, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Johnathan Winters. Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host. There were 20 different substitute hosts for Paar over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times and Johnny Carson 15 times. All together there were 243 broadcasts which had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first video-taped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10,1959. The first color broadcast aired on September 19, 1960.
July 29, 1957- March 30,1962.
For four years and eight months Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the Tonight Show with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melies, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conried, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Johnathan Winters. Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host there were 20 different performers over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times and Johnny Carson 15 times. Altogether there were 243 broadcasts that had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late-night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first videotaped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10, 1959. The first color broadcast aired on September 19, 1960.
Jack Paar walks off the show after a dispute with NBC for telling the "Water closet joke" on last night's show. Comments by Hugh Downs who took over as host after Paar walked off, from Orson Bean, and Shelley Berman.
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.
There is a wild and uninhibited night of comedy ad lib with guests Jonathan Winters, Cliff Arquette, Shelley Berman and Art Carney.
A re-run of an original broadcast May 15, 1961.
An example of how expensive 2" Quad Video Tapes were saved briefly for one re-run and then eventually erased and re-used for other broadcasts.
July 29, 1957- March 30,1962. (NBC).
For four years and eight months, Jack Paar reigned supreme as host of the Tonight Show with a crew of regulars, but only two stayed with him for the entire run; announcer Hugh Downs and band leader Jose Melies, a former army buddy. Familiar faces who appeared many times with Jack included Dody Goodman, Betty Johnson, Elsa Maxwell, Alexander King, Genevieve, Jack Douglas; and wife Reiko, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hans Conried, Peggy Cass, Cliff (Charley Weaver) Arquette, and Johnathan Winters. Hugh Downs substituted for Jack Paar 79 times, more than any other substitute host there were 20 different performers over the period of the series run. Joey Bishop substituted for Paar 31 times. Arlene Francis, 30 times, Jonathan Winters, 26 times, Orson Bean, 21 times, and Johnny Carson 15 times. Altogether there were 243 broadcasts that had substitute hosts filling in for Paar during Jack Paar's TONIGHT SHOW tenure. The title of the late-night broadcast changed to THE JACK PAAR SHOW which took effect on February 3, 1958. The first videotaped broadcast aired on January 5, 1959. "Best of Paar " Re-runs began on July 10, 1959. The first color broadcast aired on September 19, news bulletin on the "Explorer I" satellite, launched today.
Guest: Shelley Berman who trades stories with Jack Paar.
Shelley takes questions from the audience.
Shelley Berman does a one-man show,
creating a gallery of characters and does satirical sketches on subjects dealing with television commercials, the
medical profession, and hotels. He performs not only with his stool and his telephone, but also with the audience.
Shelley Berman does a one-man show,
creating a gallery of characters and does satirical sketches on subjects dealing with television commercials, the
medical profession, and hotels. He performs not only with his stool and his telephone, but also with the audience.
Based on the release of a musical album by Shelley Berman.
Dupe Of Number 918.
Topics: Comments on the Kennedy administration, (losing momentum), comment on feather-bedding in railroads, comment on changes in the world since Stalin's death ten years ago, the little "cold war in the west," France vs. Britain and the USA, nuclear Nato force is discussed, Jim Rhodes reports on Cassius Clay who predicts via poetry victory over Doug Jones and Sonny Liston. The Pan-Am building opens, the best sellers in books are described, a comment on RCA's "Dynagroove" revolution, backward steps in hi-fi?, NBC TV programs to watch tonight, include Walt Disney's World, Car 54 Where Are You?, Bonanza, and DuPont Show of the Week, "Comedian Backstage" profiling comedian Shelley Berman.
This is Merv Griffin's final daytime talk show series program, which premiered October 1, 1962. Guests are Milt Kamen, Shelley Berman and Adela Rogers St. John.
"Morals in America Today" is discussed by guests Hugh Hefner, Rona Jaffe, Shelley Berman and Mort Sahl. Richard Burton discusses his career in a separate segment and Mel Brooks does an editorial recap of tonight's show.
Television History of the LES CRANE SHOW
September 16, 1963 - July 31, 1964 (WABC N.Y.)
August 3 - 8, 1964 (ABC)
November 9, 1964 - February 26, 1965 (ABC)
June 28, 1965 - October 22, 1965 (Nightlife ABC)
January 15, 1968 - September 6, 1968 (WNEW N.Y.)
Debut of program was September 16, 1963. For the first month the title of the telecast was NIGHT LINE...LES CRANE. Beginning on October 22, 1963 the title was changed to THE LES CRANE SHOW.
These late night LIVE broadcasts were aired Monday thru Friday. on local station WABC New York. Beginning December 6, 1963 late night broadcasts aired Tuesday thru Saturday. Also, another time slot opened for Crane with a similar format airing on WABC in the afternoon...a one hour version broadcast from 1:30-2:30pm, five days a week, and again returning to late night broadcasting usually 1am to 2:00am after the WABC late movie, THE BEST OF BROADWAY. This TALK SHOW / PHONE IN version of The Les Crane Show concluded its final broadcast on July 31, 1964.
On August 3, 4, 5, 6, & 8, 1964 THE NEW LES CRANE SHOW premiered...a five program trial rivaling Johnny Carson's TONIGHT SHOW. It was Nationally televised and it is considered the FIRST network talk show program to compete with THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON.
On November 9, 1964 THE LES CRANE SHOW premiered and aired regularly weeknights on the ABC network, opposite Johnny Carson's TONIGHT SHOW.
After 14 weeks, and low ratings, this series ended with its last telecast airing on February 26, 1965. Les Crane's late night network career was over, as a solo host, and never to be resumed Nationally.
ABC renamed their late night time slot NIGHTLIFE, premiering on March 1, 1965.This one hour forty five minute weekly late night talk series showcased guest hosts. This series run lasted four months, the last broadcast airing on June 25, 1965. Guest hosts included: Shelley Berman, Pat Boone, Jack Carter, Allan Sherman, Dave Garroway, Bill Cullen, William B. Williams (announcer of this series run), Eddy Arnold, Dale Robertson, Dick Shawn, Louis Nye, & Jan Murray.
Form June 28 to October 22, 1965 Les Crane returned to this time slot...the series title remaining, NIGHTLIFE. Les Crane no longer was a solo host. He co-hosted with Dave Garroway, and Nipsy Russell.
Two years later, Les Crane returned to local late night television appearing for eight months on WNEW channel 5 in New York 11:15pm - 12:15am from January 15, 1968 changing time slots on July 8, 1968, 11:45pm - 12:45pm. Final show aired on September 6, 1968, and it was the last time Les Crane would host a late night television talk show.
NOTE: A two hour radio broadcast profiling Les Crane, including TV Audio Air Check Crane highlights from the ATA archive can be listened to in its entirety. It appears on the ATA website under the link TV CONFIDENTIAL. The segment (SOUNDS OF LOST TELEVISION) was recorded in Pasadena California and aired in 2014 with host Ed Robertson, and guest Phil Gries.
NOTE: Most all of Les Crane's cumulative 26 months of broadcasting as a talk show host is today non-existent. Tapes were destroyed, erased and whereabouts unknown. The 27 LES CRANE SHOW television air checks archived in the Archival Television Audio, Inc. library is the largest collection known to exist of extant Les Crane broadcasts in the country.
Extant examples existing elsewhere include two broadcast kinescopes archived by The Paley Center for Media (one from 1967, and the other, a broadcast from January 31, 1968 titled "Rich Jews." There is archived at UCLA FILM & TV ARCHIVE four extant examples related to Les Crane, including a preserved 41:36 minute compilation demo/presentation kinescope reel with clips from the New Les Crane Show five night trial run (August 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 1964).
The content of what the UCLA Film & TV Archive's has related to the above programs include the first show with Les Crane introducing his show and Robert Preston (2:53), a bullfighting segment with Ricardo Montalbaum (6:32), a Jackie Robinson segment debating William F. Buckley with Shelley Winters on the panel (5:40),a Pamela Mason and Artie Shaw segment (3:50), a segment related to New York City cab drivers with Les Crane interviewing a number of them (5:59), guest Irving Schulmen, Adela Rogers St.John and two other guests discussing the legendary actress Jean Harlow (4:18), a segment related to "Deathtraps related to playgrounds in New York" and interviewed comments from women on the street (3:11), an in studio interview segment with Marguerite Oswald, mother of Lee Harvey Oswald 4:14), and an in studio interview with Richard Burton and Les Crane sign off (6:03).
Of interest, as to the quality of the video and audio, it is noted many variations exist including tinny sound reproduction, at times, poor audio clarity, at times, echo effect, tinny effect, at times, occasional video glitches, dark, high contrast segments at times, overexposed ("milky") segments. at times.
NOTE: The Les Crane Show late night talk program on ABC during the 1964-65 television season pioneered a format of television later embraced by icon Phil Donahue, Crane fell to NBC’s The Tonight Show, a national brand with a decade of broadcasting tenure, proved its dominance. Donahue began his legendary career in Dayton in 1967, evolving into a daytime programming staple for nearly 30 years.
Les Crane’s daughter Caprice points out that her father used journalism to cover topics and people that others feared to explore. “He created the shotgun mike,” says Crane of her dad, who passed away in 2008. “He had guests who did not provide the typical fluff, for example, Malcolm X, Bob Dylan, and the mother of Lee Harvey Oswald. He had the first publicly gay man on his show. He was also an amazing listener who helped create a new television format that demanded more information for the listener.
The Les Crane Show didn’t last long because the person who tries the new thing always gets penalized. People are afraid of the unknown until it becomes mainstream.”
A renaissance media man for the second half of the 20th century, Crane held interests and influences beyond journalism. “My dad gave The Mamas and the Papas group its name,” reminds Caprice Crane. “Casey Kasem credited him with inventing the Top 40 radio format at KRLA. He also got into the computer business before it was big. His company was Software Tool Works, which produced the Chess Master computer program. He was always before his time.”
Crane’s innovative format allowed one of baseball’s biggest heroes, Jackie Robinson, to debate one of conservatism’s biggest allies, William F. Buckley. Nowhere on television in the mid-1960s could audiences see this type of television fodder. Unfortunately, The Les Crane Show fell victim to a common policy of television networks destroying tapes because of the shortsighted view that future generations would not be interested. How wrong they were.
1965-1967 (SYN)
Thirty-minute talk show starring host, Gypsy Rose Lee.
Gypsy Rose Lee, who is generally credited with introing the idea of gab as an adjunct of peeling, is still talking on this ABC-TV syndicated strip now being distributed by Seven Arts.
This show debuted on KGO-TV in San Francisco (the station that produces it) in April and was picked up by KABC-TV in Los Angeles
a month later and is now on WBKB-TV Chicago.
Miss Lee is a greatly uninhibited and somewhat undisciplined hostess, both factors which provide the best and worst of the show. She's quite well-informed and widely experienced and has a considerable knack of showing interest in and contagious appreciation of her guests.
Guest: Shelley Berman
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).
September 27, 1962-September 3, 1967 (NBC); September 20, 1969-July 17, 1971 (NBC); 1976 (Syndicated). In 1962, Williams was finally given a fall series on NBC; the hour show lasted five seasons and featured The New Christy Minstrels and the Osmond Brothers. His third NBC series, which premiered in 1969, featured comics Charlie Callas and Irwin Corey, along with Janos Prohaska; the hour show lasted another two seasons. In 1976, Williams hosted a syndicated series, entitled "Andy." The half-hour show featured puppeteer Wayland Flowers.
An hour of comedy with Carl Reiner, Mel
Brooks, Phyllis Diller, Shelley Berman, Dick Shawn, Dan Rowan, Dick Martin, Edie Adams, Kaye Ballard, and Nanette Fabray.
September 29, 1962-September 12, 1970. Jackie Gleason was a fixture on CBS for most of two decades. In the fall of 1962 Gleason was back to a Saturday slot, which he occupied for another eight seasons. From 1962 to 1966 it was called "Jackie Gleason and His American Scene Magazine," and featured topical comedy sketches as well as musical numbers. One of Gleason's characters, Joe the Bartender, appeared regularly. Addressing the camera as his patron, Joe told a few jokes before calling out the tipsy Crazy Guggenheim from the back room. Guggenheim, played by Frank Fontaine, traded quips with Joe and then sang a song. Sue Ann Langdon was also featured regularly. In 1966 Gleason moved the operation to Miami Beach. The show was retitled "The Jackie Gleason Show." For the first time in almost a decade, production of "The Honeymooners" was resumed. Gleason was reunited with Art Carney; Sheila MacRae and Jane Kean were added to play Alice and Trixie. Many of these later "Honeymooners" sketches ran a full hour, and the accent was now on music.
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 5, 1968-April 26, 1968; September 27, 1968-January 31, 1969. This hour-long variety show was staged at a different military base each week and was hosted by a guest star.
Jimmy Dean is guest host, broadcast from Lockland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
September 13, 1967-May 12, 1971. This was the "Vaudeville '68" broadcast. The 1967 version of "The Kraft Music Hall" was an hour show, which lasted four seasons. It was hosted by a guest celebrity each week.
September 13, 1967-May 12, 1971. The 1967 version of "The Kraft Music Hall" was an hour show, which lasted four seasons. It was hosted by a guest celebrity each week. This is the "Vaudeville "68" broadcast.
Host: Ed McMahon.
September 13, 1967-May 12, 1971. The 1967 version of "The Kraft Music Hall" was an hour show, which lasted four seasons. It was hosted by a guest celebrity each week.
September 24, 1968-May 20, 1969. This was "The Wedding" broadcast. Television's only musical comedy series. "That's Life" starred Robert Morse and E.J. Peaker. Also featured were Shelley Berman and Kay Medford.
September 13, 1967-May 12, 1971. The 1967 version of "The Kraft Music Hall" was an hour show, which lasted four seasons. It was hosted by a guest celebrity each week. "Comedy 2001, Give Or Take a Few Weeks" is the theme of the broadcast.
Steve Allen is the host for "Comedy 2001, Give Or Take a Few Weeks."
Duplicate Of #3557.
September 13, 1967-May 12, 1971. This was the "Comedy 2001" broadcast. The 1967 version of "The Kraft Music Hall" was an hour show, which lasted four seasons. It was hosted by a guest celebrity each week.
September 24, 1968-May 20, 1969. This was the "Our First Christmas" broadcast. Television's only musical comedy series. "That's Life" starred Robert Morse and E.J. Peaker. Also featured were Shelley Berman and Kay Medford.
See #4807 for details. Starring Robert Morse, E.J. Peaker, Shelley Berman and Kay Medford.
September 24, 1968-May 20, 1969. This was the "Our First Christmas" broadcast. Television's only musical comedy series. "That's Life" starred Robert Morse and E.J. Peaker. Also featured were Shelley Berman and Kay Medford.
See #4807 for details. Starring Robert Morse, E.J. Peaker, Shelley Berman and Kay Medford.
Tonight's guest: Mort Sahl.
September 24, 1968-May 20, 1969. This was the "Our First Vacation" broadcast. Television's only musical comedy series. "That's Life" starred Robert Morse and E.J. Peaker. Also featured were Shelley Berman and Kay Medford.
June 22, 1966-September 7, 1966 (CBS); 1968 (Syndicated). The first of pop singer John Gary's variety hours was a summer replacement for "The Danny Kaye Show." The second show was a syndicated effort and featured Sammy Spear's Orchestra.
December 27, 1967-May 22, 1969. Jonathan Winters as host of a Wednesday-night variety hour. Joining him were Abby Dalton, Cliff Arquette, Pamela Rodgers, Alice Ghostley and Paul Lynde.
September 24, 1968-May 20, 1969. This was the "Happy Anniversary" broadcast. Television's only musical comedy series. "That's Life" starred Robert Morse and E.J. Peaker. Also featured were Shelley Berman and Kay Medford.
July 5, 1970-August 23, 1970. A summer replacement for "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour," this hour comedy-variety series was hosted by Robert Klein. Regulars included Marty Barris, Peter Boyle, Barbara Cason, MacIntyre Dixon, Boni Enten, Judy Graubart, Laura Greene, Madeline Kahn, Jerry Lacy, and Lynn Lipton.
1974-1980 (Syndicated). Ninety-minute talk show, hosted by Dinah Shore. The program was seen daytime in most markets. In 1979, the show was retitled "Dinah and Friends" as Dinah employed a weekly co-host. In some markets "Dinah!" ran for 60 minutes...edited version of the 90 minutes show.
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PRESERVING & ARCHIVING THE SOUND OF LOST & UNOBTAINABLE ORIGINAL TV (1946 - 1982)
ACCREDITED BY GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS
"Preserving & disseminating important TV Audio Air Checks, the video considered otherwise lost."
-Library of Congress
UNIQUE in the WORLD audio air check recordings by 20-year-old Phil Gries, archiving the first, second bulletins & initial NBC TV broadcast coverage of President John F. Kennedy's assassination. Not recorded by NBC or any other resource in the country.
LIVE with PHIL GRIES
ARCHIVAL TELEVISION AUDIO - WEBINAR
Each Friday Evening from 7:30 - 8:30PM EST.
RETRIEVABLE LOST
