The most complete recording known running almost ten minutes longer than what has been uploaded to the internet of this rowdy uncensored early Humphrey Bogart Friar's roast, recorded live almost 70 years ago. 

Paying "tribute" to our guest of honor is Master of Ceremonies, Red Buttons, HIstorian of the Friars Club, Eddie Weiner, Joe E. Ross (missing from you tube uploads), Alan King, Maurice Chevalier, Charles Coburn, Lou Holtz, Gene Baylos, Phil Silvers (missing from you tube uploads), Solly Violinsky, Lauren Bacall, and Humphrey Bogart (part of his speech missing from you tube uploads). 

Red Buttons reads telegrams of congratulation from Liberace, Frank Sinatra, Clark Gable and Bob Hope each using a term for copulation in their quotes).  

Processed from an original recording with flaws (edits, under and over modulation, clicks and gaps) acquired over 30 years ago, Phil Gries, founder and owner of Archival Television Audio, Inc.,  has improved the quality and flow of this extraordinary Friar's Roast lampooning  Humphrey Bogart just 13 months before his death at age 56.                     

The New York City Friars Club honors Ed Sullivan for his ten years on television.

An excerpt audio air check of Friars Club members honoring Sullivan include Joe E. Lewis, Jack E. Leonard, Jack Carter, Morey Amsterdam, Walter Cronkite, and Wayne and Shuster.

NOTE: This broadcast was aired in the time slot normally seen as  The Ed Sullivan Show,  8-9pm Sunday evenings. 

This program is a video tape of a recent Friar's Club Testimonial Dinner staged by Nat Hiken. It was to be the first of many Friar's Club dinners to be televised under the over-all title "Man of the Hour.' In actuality it was the only one that was produced and broadcasts. 

                                                   

   On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the founding of the California chapter of the Friar's Club, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz are "roasted." 
   
This recording comes from two electronic transcription disc recordings which was never intended to be sold commercially. 

It represents one of the biggest turn outs for a Friar's Roast in Hollywood held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.  

Barry Mirkin leads the audience gathered to sing "Here's to the Friars" theme song. 

The emcee for this night is legendary television and radio host, Art Linkletter. He reads a since telegram from Eddie Cantor who could not attend. Other "funny" telegrams are read from those including Liberace, Jack Benny and Fidel Castro. 

Others heard "roasting their guests, are Barry Mirkin, George Murphy, Tony Martin, Milton Berle, Dean Martin, George Burns and comedian Harry "Parkyakarkus" Einstein who died from a massive coronary right after delivering his speech, seconds after Art Linkletter responds that Harry should have his own prime time TV show. 
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz cannot continue with the tribute and are not heard. 

NOTE:
Processed by Phil Gries to CD improving sound quality.    
                                              

     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. 

               

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

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

A tribute to actor Henry Fonda with film clips and anecdotes from directors and co-stars. 

Host: Burgess Meredith