News review of 1954 by NBC radio.                       

The clown prince of the piano offers some comedy spiced with a little music. The program will begin at the conclusion of the 1955 Rose Bowl game. Sponsored by American Chicle Company. 
Next week at this time: Horace Heidt's Show Wagon will begin its nationwide travels in search of new talent.

Highlights:

"Rhapsody In Blue" Victor Borge
A poem read to music: "Thank You, God." 

The show is an hour-long situation comedy which features variety acts.

Guest: Senor Wences. 

September 15th, 1954-May 4th, 1955 (CBS)

Series of specials, every fourth Wednesday for one season, replacing the Pabst Blue Ribbon boxing matches. Martin Manulis was the producer.

This episode: "Arsenic And Old Lace" starring Helen Hayes and Billie Burke. 

Series of television specials presented by the Rexall Pharmaceutical Company for NBC television. 

"Naughty Marietta" starring Alfred Drake. Music by Victor Herbert.

The big musical production is a jazz version of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operetta "HMS Pinafore" 

Highlights:
"Blue, Blue, Blue"- Chorus
"Buttercup Baby"- Pat Carroll 
"Give Three Cheers"- Danny Scholl
"Ah,Well-A Day"- Bill Hayes 
"Admiral's Boogie"- Jack Russell
"De Queen's Navee Mambo"- Jack Russell 
"Ring The Merry Bells"- Jack Russell, Danny Scholl, Kitty Kallen
"Carefully"- Bill Hayes, Kitty Kallen, Danny Scholl, Pat Carroll 
"All That Glitters"- Pat Carroll 
"Say It Ain't So"- Pat Carroll
"Cool New Captain Of Pinafore"- Ensemble 

Note: Final 25 minutes of broadcast.

Broadcast from 11:30 pm to 1:05am, pre-empling Tonight Show starring Steve Allen, The seventh annual Emmy Awards , and for the first time televised Nationally. From Hollywood Steve Allen. From New York Emcee Dave Garroway. Commercials included.                                       

The third televised Academy Awards with M.C's Bob Hope in Hollywood and Thelma Ritter and Conrad Nagel in New York.
                                                    

On March 31st, 1955, President Dwight Eisenhower held a White House luncheon for members of Congress. Topics discussed included a briefing on Europe by Secretary Of State John Foster Dulles, preparation for the Big Four Conference of 1955, (Geneva Summit) and the defense of Formosa.                 

Series of television specials presented by the Rexall Pharmaceutical Company for NBC television. 

" The Merry Widow" starring Anne Jeffreys.

Series of television specials presented by the Rexall Pharmaceutical Company for NBC television. 

"Desert Song" starring Nelson Eddy 

The Salk vaccine is successful!             

The world lost one of it's great scientists, physicists, and thinkers with the death of Albert Einstein.  
Einstein refused surgery after experiencing internal bleeding caused by a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, which previously had been surgically reinforced in 1948.
Einstein said "I've done my part, it's time to go and I'll do it gracefully." He died in Princeton Hospital at the age of 76 on April 18th, 1955. 
                                    

A tribute to the 15th anniversary of the Bell Telephone Hour radio program which began on the NBC radio network April 29th, 1940 and was heard until June 30th, 1958, moving to television on January 12th, 1959.

Donald Voorhees conducts the Bell Telephone Orchestra. 

Series of television specials presented by the Rexall Pharmaceutical Company for NBC television. 

"Chocolate Soldier" starring Rise Stevens.

A special filmed at Universal International revolving around the soon to be released feature "The Benny Goodman Story" Starring Steve Allen. Other UI stars upcoming films are previewed via clips and introductions, included in this broadcast, are solid entertainment and comedy segments, a dramatic sequence from the studio's upcoming "Bright Victory," reenacted live with Rex Reason, Grant Williams and in his television debut, Clint Eastwood.             

President Eisenhower suffers heart attack in Colorado.         

Miss America for 1956 is crowned. Sharon Richie, Miss Colorado, wins the top prize. 

Co-hosts are Bert Parks, John Daly, Bess Meyerson, and Lee Meriwether, (Miss America 1955). 

October 18, 1954-June 24, 1957.
 Presented on "PRODUCER'S SHOWCASE." Some of television's most notable single programs were presented on this highly acclaimed series, one of the most costly to be produced during the "Golden Age Of Television."



Frank Sinatra stars in this story of family life in the fictional town of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire.             

Series of television specials presented by the Rexall Pharmaceutical Company for NBC television. 

"The Great Waltz" starring Patrice Munsel. 

The year 1955 is reviewed.             

Series of television specials presented by the Rexall Pharmaceutical Company for NBC television. 

"Babes In Toyland" Version 2 starring Barbara Cook. 

News review of 1955 by NBC radio.            

President Dwight Eisenhower gives a campaign speech in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.                                       

"SALUTE EISENHOWER" rally for President Dwight Eisenhower at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Among those in attendance are former New York Governor Al Smith and Father Edward Coughlin.         

September 10, 1950-December 25, 1955.
 Most shows were comedy-variety hours with guest hosts Martin & Lewis, Abbott & Costello, Eddie Cantor, Donald O'Connor, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, & Gordon MacRae. Starting in the Fall of 1952, occasional revues and musicals were broadcast. In the summer of 1955, the name of the series was changed to "Colgate Variety Hour," and when Colgate dropped its sponsorship, the show continued in January 1956 for one half season as the "NBC Comedy Hour." Woody Allen was one of the writers. 

This episode stars Tom D'Andrea and Larry Blake. Includes comedy routine by Jonathan Winters and Joey Carter. Also, horror bit with Bert Wheeler, Tom D'Andrea, and Larry Blake.


                   

September 10, 1950-December 25, 1955.
 Most shows were comedy-variety hours with guest hosts Martin & Lewis, Abbott & Costello, Eddie Cantor, Donald O'Connor, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, & Gordon MacRae. Starting in the Fall of 1952, occasional revues and musicals were broadcast. In the summer of 1955, the name of the series was changed to "Colgate Variety Hour," and when Colgate dropped its sponsorship, the show continued in January 1956 for one half season as the "NBC Comedy Hour." Woody Allen was one of the writers. 

Guest: Groucho Marx and a clip from his popular TV show, "You Bet Your Life." 


                   

Television comes in for 90 minutes of ribbing tonight. Heading the company of spoofers is Imogene Coca, once a regular Saturday-night ornament of Max Liebman's "Show Of Shows" series. Reunited with Liebman for this show, she is joined by actor Tony Randall, pop singers Eileen Barton, Alan Dale, Johnny Desmond, and another Show Of Shows alumnus, Bill Hayes, dancers Bambi Linn and Rod Alexander, Bil and Cora Baird and their marionettes, and musical-comedy performer Robert Gallagher.   

Highlights:

Grand Opening-Ensemble
"Faithfully-Unfaithfully" (film clip)-Coca, Gallagher
Hollywood Star Interview-Coca, Randall
Forgotten Songs-Barton, Dale, Desmond, Hayes, Linn, Alexander
"Wide,Wide, Wonderland"- Coca, Randall
"Get Your Audience"- Randall
Tenacious Commercial- Coca, Marionettes 
"The Merriest Widow"- Ensemble
"You'll Love Love In Paree"- Coca
"Maxim's"- Hayes, Coca
"Come To The Pavilion"- Coca
"Merry Widow Waltz"- Ensemble
Encores- Coca
"Jim," "Maywalk", "Strip", "Tramp", 

Host: Art Linkletter. 



                                

President Eisenhower announces he's running for reelection. He assures a nationwide television audience his health will not be an issue.        

September 10, 1950-December 25, 1955.
 Most shows were comedy-variety hours with guest hosts Martin & Lewis, Abbott & Costello, Eddie Cantor, Donald O'Connor, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, & Gordon MacRae. Starting in the Fall of 1952, occasional revues and musicals were broadcast. In the summer of 1955, the name of the series was changed to "Colgate Variety Hour," and when Colgate dropped its sponsorship, the show continued in January 1956 for one half season as the "NBC Comedy Hour." Woody Allen was one of the writers. 

Standup comedy from Jonathan Winters. 


                   

Presented on "FORD STAR JUBILEE." September 24, 1955-November 3, 1956. Broadcast entirely in color and sponsored by the Ford Motor Company, this series was a lavish presentation of  monthly specials. The Judy Garland variety special  launched the series to a rousing start on September 24, 1955.    Based on a 1937 Broadway drama by Maxwell Anderson about the ghost of a 16th century Dutch girl, who aids a man struggling to keep his mountain from a group of people who are seeking to purchase it. At the end of the broadcast, the announcer states to viewers that the music from this production is available in stores on Decca Records.    

Duplicate of 5987.                      

Series of monthly specials featuring musical and comedy revues.
Story centers around the hard-working women of the garment industry. Garment workers boss portrayed by Bert Lahr with Tony Randall as program host and salesman in the presentation. Only the musical numbers are heard in this 45-minute special.

Musical Highlights:

"Make A Miracle"- Janet Blair
Working Woman's Fantasy- Helen Gallagher
"Breakfast In Bed"- Tammy Grimes
"Ten Cents A Dance"- Connie Russell
"Poor Young Girl"- Bert Lahr
"Ladies Who Sing With A Band"- Female cast members. Fats Waller rendition. 

This program was telecast in color.

Announcer: Don Pardo. 


                                     

Judy Garland stars in this TV special.

Guest: Jazz pianist Joe Bushkin.

No commercials.                        

A salute to America's pasttime as the 1956 baseball season gets underway.

Highlights: Art Carney portrays pitcher "Pee Wee" Carney and is interviewed by sportscaster Red Barber.
A skit by Don Adams: "Umpire School." 

Series of television specials presented by the Rexall Pharmaceutical Company for NBC television. 

"The Music Of George Gershwin" with Alfred Drake. 

September 12th,1954-June 6th, 1956.

Series of monthly specials presented on Saturday and Sunday evenings by "Your Show Of Shows" producer Max Liebman. 

Selections:

Vocal: 

"S Wonderful"- Girl Quartet 
"Soon"- Alfred Drake
"Nice Work"- Toni Arden
"Can't Take That Away"- Tony Bennett 
"Embraceable You"- Ethel Merman 
"Bidin My Time"-Trio
"Mine, "Foggy Day"- Alfred Drake
"I've Got A Crush On You"- Toni Arden
"But Not For Me"- Ethel Merman
"Swanee"- Quintet
"Do, Do, Do"- Toni Arden
"Our Love Is Here To Stay"- Tony Bennett 
"I Got Rhythm"- Ethel Merman 
"Wintergreen For President- Ensemble 

Dance:

"Love Is Sweeping The Country" - Harrison, Muller Tap
"Slap That Bass"- Dance Team
"My One And Only"- Peter Conlow
"Half-Of-It- Dearie Blues"- Muller
"Someone To Watch Over Me"- Team
"Looking For A Boy"- Peter Conlow 
"Sam And Delilah"- Bob Hamilton Trio
"By Strauss"- Dance Ensemble 
"Sweet And Lowdown"- Ballerinas Diana
Adams,  Tanaquil leClercq, Patricia Wilde
"Clap Yo Hands"- Ensemble 

Instrumental:

"American In Paris"- (Excerpts)- Orchestra 
"Liza"- Robert Maxwell, Harp
"Who Cares?"- Art Van Damme Quintet
"Somebody Loves Me"- First Piano Quartet 
"Let's Call The Whole Thing Off"- Orchestra 
"Love Walked In"- Robert Maxwell
"They All Laughed"- Art Van Damme Quintet 
"Fascinatin Rhythm"- Piano Concerto
"Man I Love"- Richard Hayman, Harmonica 
"Lady Be Good"- Art Van Damme Quintet 
"Strike Up The Band"- Orchestra
"Rhapsody In Blue"- Eugene List, Piano 

"Porgy And Bess":
Soloists: Cab Calloway, Lawrence Winters, Camilla Williams. 

            October 18, 1954-May 27, 1957. 
Live ninety minute productions aired every fourth week. The range of material was vast, from dramas to musicals.

Presented on "PRODUCER'S SHOWCASE." A romantic musical comedy about feminist and abolitionist Dolly Bloomer. This was the only adaptation of the 1944 Broadway hit to be presented on television. A proposed film version in the late 40's and early 50's never materialized due to the blacklist. Partial open, no end credits.                          

Presented on "FORD STAR JUBILEE." An original 90 minute special. An American Army Major serving in the Italian village of Adano, falls in love with a local girl and helps to retrieve the town bell, taken by the Germans. Only a dialog preface and the musical numbers exist on this audio air check.             

Presented on "SUNDAY SPECTACULAR." A 37 year old advertising executive cannot decide whom to choose between the three women he is dating. Score by Steve Allen and Ervin Drake. Steve Allen wrote what became his trademark theme song for this musical comedy, "This Could Be The Start Of Something Big."