1963-04-14, NBC, 14 min.
A variety show presented as monthly specials on NBC.
Bob's guests are Martha Ray and Dean Martin. Also included are the 4th Annual TV Guide Awards for best TV shows and performances for 1962.
NOTE: The annual TV Guide Awards Special was broadcast only four consecutive years.
March 25, 1960, June 13, 1961, June 24, 1962, April 13, 1963, and finally April 17, 1964.
1963-04-16, CBS, min.
October 28th, 1950- September 15th, 1964 (CBS)
September 25th,1964-September 10th, 1965 (NBC)
Jack Benny's half-hour show mixed variety and situation comedy with a company of regulars: Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, announcer Don Wilson, Dennis Day, Mel Blanc, and Mary Livingston.
Jack's guests are Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Stewart, (Gloria Hatrick McLean).
1963-04-19, WNBC, 52 min.
January 27, 1961-April 21, 1961; September 28, 1961-September 21, 1964. Home viewers were able to participate in this hour-long musical series, as the lyrics to the songs were superimposed at the bottom of their screens; viewers were invited to "follow the bouncing ball" as it moved from one lyric to the next. Goateed composer-arranger Mitch Miller led the Sing-Along Gang, and on-stage aggregation of about two dozen. Among the featured vocalists were Leslie Uggams, Diana Trask, Barbara McNair, and Gloria Lambert. "Sing Along with Mitch" was introduced on "Ford Startime" in 1960 and had a limited run in the spring of 1961, alternating with "The Bell Telephone Hour," before going weekly in the fall of that year. Reruns were exhumed in the spring of 1966 to replace the faltering "Sammy Davis Jr. Show." Bill Hobin produced and directed the series.
1963-04-19, WPIX, 40 min.
June 25th, 1962-1964 (Syndicated)
A daily ninety-minute talk show hosted by Steve Allen and sponsored by Westinghouse
Jerry Lewis makes an unrehearsed phone call to Mr. Sol Segal, owner of Segal's Kosher Restaurant in Chicago. By far, the most hilarious of the many Steve Allen phone calls ever made and unedited as originally broadcast. In addition, there is a question and answer session with Jerry and the members of the audience.
Prior to the actual phone conversation between Jerry Lewis and Sol Segal, which occurs 24 minutes into this air check, Lewis conveys his lively brand of humor with Steve including having Allen repeat his pseudo Limerick, "ONE HEN."
In an attempt to contact Mr. Segal for this "prank" call, Steve first talks to three other people on the phone, including his wife, before finally connecting with Sol Segal at his restaurant. Jerry poses as a potential customer who want to have a catered affair at the Segal's Kosher Restaurant and double talks his way into setting it up with a very patient and unsuspecting owner.
Afterward, Steve and Jerry discuss the joke phone call with Sol Segal. Some more show continues prior to Steve bidding all a good night.
NOTE: In 2001 Sin-Drome Records released an 8:03 minute excerpt of this phone call contained in an album titled, "Jerry Lewis Phony Phone Calls (1959-1972). Of the 12 phone calls heard in the album, only the Mr. Siegal phone call represents a television show broadcast.
The 8:03 excerpt Mr. Siegal telephone call does not contain material prior to the call when Jerry and Steve attempt to locate Mr. Siegal on the phone or the complete discussion with Mr. Siegal after Steve Allen and Jerry Lewis reveal the prank, as recorded by Phil Gries / Archival Television Audio when this show originally broadcast over 60 years ago.
NOTE:
In November 2023 Sol Segal's grandson, Chris Segal, contacted me for a copy of this broadcast. In a letter to me he stated the following anecdotal information.
"Phil, I've been listening to the recording since I was 15. I found it on an album called "Funny Fone Call" in the early 80's. I am now almost 60.
Sol died in 1993 around the ago of 80. The recording captures how kind and patient of a man he was...a good human being. He was quite a character with many funny stories about him. Got lost at O'Hare Airport looking for his kosher ice cream...used 3 day old chicken for salad at the restaurant...stole electricity from Chicago Utility to save money...stared down mobsters trying to get their share of his cigarette machine money.
Many of my family don't like the recording because they felt Jerry Lewis humiliated Sol. One classic retort by Siegal was when Lewis stated that he has a full house of children (Sol heard the audience laughing), and rebounded by stating "I feel sorry for your wife!" which got a huge laugh form everyone including Jerry Lewis and Steve Allen.
Unlike my family I like the recording, especially because Sol gets in his plug for his restaurant at the end.
1963-04-19, WNBC, 29 min.
January 14, 1952-Present. First early-morning network program and longest-running daytime series. Created by Sylvester "Pat" Weaver. Telecast Monday thru Friday, 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, the broadcasts have maintained a format including a News Summary, segments related to Sports, Weather, Interviews, and Features. Throughout its long run, hosts of "The Today Show" have included Dave Garroway (1952-1961), John Chancellor (1961-1962), Hugh Downs (1962-1971), Frank McGee (1971-1974), Jim Hartz (1974-1976), Tom Brokaw (1976-1981), Jane Pauley, Bryant Gumbel, Chris Wallace, Katie Couric, and others.
Hugh Downs interviews Marlon Brando in this very rare television appearance.
1963-04-24, NBC, 58 min.
December 24th, 1948- June 4th, 1950 (NBC) October 2nd, 1950-June 24th 1955 (CBS) September 17th 1955- June 12th, 1963 (NBC)
In 1944, the year his first record was released, Perry Como appeared on radio in The Chesterfield Supper Club; when that show came to television late in 1948, Como came with it, and has remained on television for more than four decades. The Chesterfield Supper Club, which also featured The Mitchell Ayres Orchestra and the Fontane Sisters, was originally seen on Friday nights but soon shifted to a half-hour slot on Sundays, opposite Ed Sullivan's "Toast Of The Town." In the fall of 1950, Como shifted to CBS where he hosted his own show for the next five seasons; the fifteen-minute program was seen Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, following the network news. Also featured were the Mitchell Ayres Orchestra and The Fontane Sisters, together with announcer Frank Gallop. In the fall of 1955 Como returned to NBC, where he hosted a weekly hour show for the next eight years; from 1955 to 1959 it was seen Saturdays and was titled The Perry Como Show. From 1959 to 1963 it was seen on Wednesdays and was titled The Kraft Music Hall. The Mitchell Ayres Orchestra and Frank Gallop were again featured, along with The Ray Charles Singers and The Louis DaPron Dancers (later, The Peter Gennaro Dancers). The Como Music Hall Players included Don Adams, Paul Lynde, Kaye Ballard, Jack Duffy, and Sandy Stewart.
Show of 4-24-63. Guests: Singer Peggy March, The Kessler Twins, and Actor Ken Murray who shows home movies.
Highlights:
Peggy March sings "I Will Follow Him" Kessler Twins sing "Anything You Can Do." Perry Como and Kessler Twins: "I Wish You Love" "Desafinado" "Arrivederci Roma"
Commercials included. Announcer Frank Gallop.
1963-04-28, WABC, 27 min.
September 5, 1949-June 7, 1954 (NBC); June 14, 1954-June 16, 1963 (ABC). "Voice of Firestone," which began on radio in 1928, was a Monday-night perennial for more than two decades before coming to television in 1949; for the next five years it was simulcast on NBC radio and television, until a dispute between the sponsor and the network over the Monday time slot led Firestone to shift the program to ABC. The half-hour musical series presented all kinds of music, but emphasized classical and semiclassical selections. Each week a guest celebrity was featured, and for many years the principal guests came from the Metropolitan Opera Company. The Firestone Orchestra was conducted by Howard Barlow, and the show was hosted by John Daly during its years on ABC; Hugh James was the announcer. "Voice of Firestone" was seen as a series of specials from 1959 until 1962; it returned as a weekly series in the fall of 1962 for a final season (September 30, 1962-June 16, 1963).
1963-04-28, WOR, 42 min.
The 17th Annual Tony Awards for excellence in theatrical performances for 1962 are awarded from the Hotel Americana Imperial Ballroom in New York City. The Master of Ceremonies is Abe Burrows and Robert Morse. Broadcast locally on WOR-TV Channel 9 in New York. WOR radio host Jean Shepherd opens and introduces the show. George Abbott wins the Best Direction of a
Musical award for "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum."
Produced by David Yarnell.
NOTE: This rare television audio air check broadcast was recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records, June 19, 2002 (Claim #5364), for the most money paid for a television soundtrack, sold to The American Theatre Wing, Inc., by Archival Television Audio, Inc., transacted on June 20, 2001.
NOTE: The first 42 minutes of the one hour broadcast.
1963-05-01, NBC, 58 min.
December 24th, 1948- June 4th, 1950 (NBC) October 2nd, 1950-June 24th 1955 (CBS) September 17th 1955- June 12th, 1963 (NBC)
In 1944, the year his first record was released, Perry Como appeared on radio in The Chesterfield Supper Club; when that show came to television late in 1948, Como came with it, and has remained on television for more than four decades. The Chesterfield Supper Club, which also featured The Mitchell Ayres Orchestra and the Fontane Sisters, was originally seen on Friday nights but soon shifted to a half-hour slot on Sundays, opposite Ed Sullivan's "Toast Of The Town." In the fall of 1950, Como shifted to CBS where he hosted his own show for the next five seasons; the fifteen-minute program was seen Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, following the network news. Also featured were the Mitchell Ayres Orchestra and The Fontane Sisters, together with announcer Frank Gallop. In the fall of 1955 Como returned to NBC, where he hosted a weekly hour show for the next eight years; from 1955 to 1959 it was seen Saturdays and was titled The Perry Como Show. From 1959 to 1963 it was seen on Wednesdays and was titled The Kraft Music Hall. The Mitchell Ayres Orchestra and Frank Gallop were again featured, along with The Ray Charles Singers and The Louis DaPron Dancers (later, The Peter Gennaro Dancers). The Como Music Hall Players included Don Adams, Paul Lynde, Kaye Ballard, Jack Duffy, and Sandy Stewart.
Show of 5-1-63. Guests: Mickey Rooney, Connie Stevens, Satirist Allan Sherman. Parody of Jackie Gleason's "Joe The Bartender" Sketches. Connie Stevens: "I've Got Your Number" Mickey Rooney: "Real Live Girl." Perry Como: "If There Is Someone Lovelier Than You" All: "On The First Warm Day" "Hootenanny."
Commercials included. Announcer Frank Gallop.
1963-05-02, CBS, 7 min.
Topics: Report on dictator Francois Duvalier of Haiti,- threatened with invasion by the Dominican Republic, Hughes Rudd reporting from Port-au-Prince Haiti, President Kennedy favors Samuel Stratton for New York Senator, Nixon will live in New York City, comment by Rockefeller (pleased), the police arrest 450 children in Birmingham, Alabama for race demonstrations, Senator Thomas Kuchel says right-wing groups try to scare US with hoaxes, (Chinese Red troops are poised to invade the US from Mexico) President Kennedy talks to the wives of Congressmen).
1963-05-05, WABC, 27 min.
September 5, 1949-June 7, 1954 (NBC); June 14, 1954-June 16, 1963 (ABC). "Voice of Firestone," which began on radio in 1928, was a Monday-night perennial for more than two decades before coming to television in 1949; for the next five years it was simulcast on NBC radio and television, until a dispute between the sponsor and the network over the Monday time slot led Firestone to shift the program to ABC. The half-hour musical series presented all kinds of music, but emphasized classical and semiclassical selections. Each week a guest celebrity was featured, and for many years the principal guests came from the Metropolitan Opera Company. The Firestone Orchestra was conducted by Howard Barlow, and the show was hosted by John Daly during its years on ABC; Hugh James was the announcer. "Voice of Firestone" was seen as a series of specials from 1959 until 1962; it returned as a weekly series in the fall of 1962 for a final season (September 30, 1962-June 16, 1963).
1963-05-06, WPIX, min.
1962-1964 Syndicated.
Mike Wallace narrates biographical retrospectives of notable people. This syndicated filmed 65 half-hour program series was one of the first to be produced by David Wolper.
The life and career of General George Patton are profiled.
Narrated by Mike Wallace.
1963-05-07, ABC, min.
September 27, 1960 - June 4, 1963
BELL AND HOWELL CLOSE-UP! a series of reports produced in the main by ABC News' newly formed CLOSE-UP! unit headed by John Secondari, but often by Robert Drew and his team at Drew Associates in association with Time, Inc. Of particular interest is the fact that John Daly, ABC's vice-president of News and Public Affairs, resigned in protest following the broadcast of Drew's "YANKI NO!" Daly, who in 1953 had become that network's first nightly TV nightly news anchor quit his ABC post in disagreement with the network's new practice of farming out documentay assignments to independent producers.
Unfortunately for Robert Drew Associates, which were creating a new way of making documentaries ('DIRECT CINEMA'), only five different documentaries from his company, three of them filmed by documentary cinematographer Richard Leacock, were broadcast in total (one a two parter) from December 7, 1960 to May 16, 1961.
"YANKI NO!" broadcast December 7, 1960
"X-PILOT" broadcast February 6, 1961
"THE CHILDREN ARE WATCHING" broadcast
February 16, 1961
"ADVENTURES ON THE NEW FRONTIER broadcast
March 28, 1961
"KENYA: LAND OF THE WHITE GHOST, part 1" broadcast
May 9, 1961
"KENYA: LAND OF THE WHITE GHOST, part 2" broadcast
May 16, 1961
"MONEY FOR BURNING," A documentary about the Secret Service (protecting the president from harm and protection of US money from counterfeiters).
Deputy Chief Paul Paterney and agent Richard Roth describe and then raid a counterfeiting distribution center. Undercover agents explain their roles and methods. Tips on spotting bad bills are also offered. Interestingly, in 1962 five hundred thousand dollars' worth of bogus bills was passed in the USA. Three and a half million was intercepted before it went into circulation and 737 do-it-yourself currency producers were arrested.
Narrated by Oscar Rose.
Sponsored by Bell and Howell.
1963-05-07, CBS, min.
Topics: Further racial strife in Birmingham, Alabama, comment by Jackie Robinson, the crisis in Haiti, the 74th American GI dies in the Vietnam war, ship crash in New York Harbor.
1963-05-09, WMCA, min.
Barry Gray was an American radio personality, often referred to as "the father of talk radio." His late-night New York City radio talk show was carried by WOR radio and then later by WMCA.
Barry Gray returned to WMCA in 1950, and stayed there for 39 years, refining the talk show format still utilized today. During the 1960s, he was in the odd position of having an 11 p.m.-1 a.m. late-night talk show on a station otherwise dominated by Top 40 music and the youth-targeted "Good Guys" disc jockey campaign. But for teenagers who kept their radios on into the night, Gray's show was a window into the high-brow New York culture of the 1940s and 1950s.
Topic: The racial strife in Birmingham, Alabama. Barry Gray talks with negro minister Wyatt Tee Walker about the racial strife in Birmingham, also interviewed New York, Congressman Samuel S. Stratton. He talks about and attacks New York Republican Senator Kenneth Keating.
1963-05-12, WABC, 27 min.
September 5, 1949-June 7, 1954 (NBC); June 14, 1954-June 16, 1963 (ABC). "Voice of Firestone," which began on radio in 1928, was a Monday-night perennial for more than two decades before coming to television in 1949; for the next five years it was simulcast on NBC radio and television, until a dispute between the sponsor and the network over the Monday time slot led Firestone to shift the program to ABC. The half-hour musical series presented all kinds of music, but emphasized classical and semiclassical selections. Each week a guest celebrity was featured, and for many years the principal guests came from the Metropolitan Opera Company. The Firestone Orchestra was conducted by Howard Barlow, and the show was hosted by John Daly during its years on ABC; Hugh James was the announcer. "Voice of Firestone" was seen as a series of specials from 1959 until 1962; it returned as a weekly series in the fall of 1962 for a final season (September 30, 1962-June 16, 1963).
1963-05-13, NBC, min.
October 11th, 1961-August 26th, 1963 (NBC)
This program was the winner of both an Emmy and Peabody award in 1962. NBC newsman David Brinkley covered a wide variety of topics during its two-season run. Brinkley appeared live and filmed segments were also featured.
Topic: "Haiti" part 11.
NOTE: See ATA#14080 Part 1 for more details.
1963-05-15, , min.
The last American astronaut to fly alone to date on May 15th and 16th, 1963. Cooper piloted "Faith 7" solo across twenty two orbits. The mission lasted nearly 34.5 hours and focused on making sure that astronauts could work stably in the spacecraft when it was in different modes of operation.
1963-05-15, NBC, 15 min.
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.
Johnny's guests are Zsa Zsa Gabor, Marlon Brando, Howard Duff, Ida Lupino, and Allan Sherman.
15-minute excerpt.
NOTE: Marlon Brando appears slightly inebriated and before long he irritates Ms. Gabor to the extent that she walks off the show.
This was Marlon Brando's first appearance on a late-night talk show. He was preceded on the panel by Zsa Zsa Gabor and when it was Brando's turn, Gabor continually interrupted his conversation with Johnny Carson. It looked like Brando might not get a word in beyond his opening remark, so Carson asked Gabor to leave the show, which she did.
On the May 11, 1968 episode of the Tonight Show, guest Marlon Brando reminisces with Johnny about the 1963 show and how he, without realizing it, drank way to much champagne prior to his guest appearance. He admits he was drunk and barley able to not trip on himself when introduced.
On the July 26, 1979, episode of the Tonight Show, Johnny tells a story about this night. After commenting that his and Ed's mugs contain only coffee and tea respectively (no alcohol.) He reminisces about when they were doing shows in California a few times a year, They had a courtesy bar set up for the guests. He says that Marlon Brando didn't come out till 20 minutes before the end of the program, and by then he had been imbibing champagne for over an hour. He laments that the episode was not on tape.
*Both of the above clips are included in this ATA#14098 air check, preceding the infamous May 15, 1963 broadcast moments. They both run a combined four minutes making this total air check 19 minutes long.
A brief clip from the May 15, 1963 Brando guest appearance is heard in the slightly under three hour biography documentary BRANDO (2007).
1963-05-16, NBC, 165 min.
Extended coverage of Major Gordon Cooper's 22 orbital flights. Jay Barbaree and others join the broadcast of "Faith 7" Flight in progress at 14:24 into orbit.
1963-05-19, WABC, 27 min.
September 5, 1949-June 7, 1954 (NBC); June 14, 1954-June 16, 1963 (ABC). "Voice of Firestone," which began on radio in 1928, was a Monday-night perennial for more than two decades before coming to television in 1949; for the next five years it was simulcast on NBC radio and television, until a dispute between the sponsor and the network over the Monday time slot led Firestone to shift the program to ABC. The half-hour musical series presented all kinds of music, but emphasized classical and semiclassical selections. Each week a guest celebrity was featured, and for many years the principal guests came from the Metropolitan Opera Company. The Firestone Orchestra was conducted by Howard Barlow, and the show was hosted by John Daly during its years on ABC; Hugh James was the announcer. "Voice of Firestone" was seen as a series of specials from 1959 until 1962; it returned as a weekly series in the fall of 1962 for a final season (September 30, 1962-June 16, 1963).
1963-05-19, WBAI, 93 min.
A repeat of a rare July 15, 1962 broadcast for its time. A round table discussion by eight male homosexuals discussing their lives and loves.
Moderator: WBAI Public Affairs Director, Dick Elman.
To humanize homosexuality, Randolfe Wicker brought together a panel of eight homosexuals to speak as they would speak to each other. WBAI public affairs director, Dick Elman moderates a discussion recorded at a Brownstone home in NYC on the West Side.
NOTE:
In early 1962, WBAI New York’s listener-supported “progressive" radio station aired an hour-long special, “The Homosexual In America.” It featured a panel of psychiatrists who described gay people as sick and in need of a cure — a cure that they could provide with just a few hours of therapy.
Gay Activist and founder of the “Homosexual League of New York” Randy Wicker was livid, not only at the ignorance of these so-called “experts,” but also because, once again, there was a panel of straight people talking about gay people they didn’t even know.
Wicker went to the WBAI studios and confronted Dick Elman, the station’s public affairs director. “Why do you have these people on that don’t know a damn thing about homosexuality? They don’t live it and breathe it the way I do. … I spend my whole life in gay society.” Wicker demanded equal time and Elman agreed, provided Wicker find other gay people willing to go on the air as part of a panel. When plans for the program were announced, the New York Journal-American went ballistic. Jack O’Brian, the paper’s radio-TV columnist, wrote that the station should change its callsign to WSICK for agreeing to air an “arrogant card-carrying swish.”
The broadcast titled “Live and Let Live,” featured Wicker and seven other gay men, identified only as Harry, Jack, Bill, Peter, Marty, and two others, talking for ninety minutes about what it was like to be gay. They talked about their difficulties in maintaining careers, the problems of police harassment, and the social responsibility of gays and straights alike. The program’s host guided the programs with questions to the panel. “Is there harassment?” he asked. One panelist described some of the police harassment he had experienced, when one officer “roared up, jumped out of the car, grabbed me, and started giving me this big thing about ‘What are you doing here, you know there are a lot of queers around this neighborhood.’ He said, ‘You know, there’s only one thing worse than a queer, and that’s a nigger’.” (Remember this was 1962.)
The New York Times’s called the program “the most extensive consideration of the subject to be heard on American radio” —
A week before the broadcast, Jack O'Brian, a "right-wing" columnist for the New York Journal American, attacked it as an attempt to present "the ease of living the gay life." Wicker made the rounds to Variety, Newsweek, and The New York Times informing them of the broadcast and the attack on it by O'Brian. The 90-minute program, believed to be the first such in the United States, aired on July 15, 1962. Several mainstream media outlets, alerted by Wicker, covered the broadcast, which received favorable treatment in The New York Times, The Realist, Newsweek, the New York Herald Tribune, and Variety.
As a result of the publicity, from 1962 through 1964 Wicker was one of the most visible gay people in New York. He spoke to countless church groups and college classes and, in 1964, became the first openly gay person to appear on East Coast television with a January 31st appearance on The Les Crane Show which was recorded at the time of the original broadcast by Phil Gries founder and owner of Archival Television Audio.
Wicker is credited with organizing the first known gay rights demonstration in the United States.
1963-05-19, CBS, 6 min.
June 20, 1948 - May 30, 1971
ED SULLIVAN SHOW, THE, (TOAST OF THE TOWN)
Television's longest running variety series. Originally, titled, TOAST OF THE TOWN, the name of the series changed on September 18, 1955 to THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. Most remembered for introducing many stand-up comedians, and musical acts, including The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, The Beatles.
Most of the 1,087 broadcasts, encompassing 10,000 performers, have been archived. The major exceptions are the first half-year of shows circa 1948 of which a few kinescope excerpts survive.
The ED SULLIVAN SHOW was a spectacular show-case that for twenty-three years entertained the American family. In its prime, more than thirty million viewers, young and old, tuned in at the same time to view popular culture.
Ed's guest is President Kennedy impersonator Vaughn Meader.
NOTE: After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy Vaughn Meader's career faded over night. He made three appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show impersonating JFK and one last appearance May 3, 1964 attempting a new routine. His fate was doomed and this would be one of his last television appearances before leaving the business.
It's probably very safe to say that no performer within memory ever became a has-been as quickly as the man born Abbott Vaughn Meader. After toiling away on the small-club circuit for several years, his spot-on impersonation of then-President John F. Kennedy got him noticed by writer/performer/producer Earle Doud, who decided to build a comedy album around the nation's highly popular Presidential family. Built up of a series of satiric audio sketches about the Kennedys, and surrounding Meader with a supporting cast of top New York-based character actors, "The First Family" (Cadence: 1962) became an unprecedented success when it was released around Thanksgiving time in 1962. Its sales were so phenomenal that copies had to be rationed, it occupied several weeks at Number One on the Billboard Album charts, and was one of only two comedy albums ever to be awarded the Grammy for Album of the Year. A follow-up, "The First Family, Part Two" (Cadence: 1963), released the following summer, did almost as well. Both a third album and a TV special were in the works. Kennedy himself was a fan of the album, his biggest criticism being that he felt Meader sounded more like Robert F. Kennedy than himself.
Then, on November 22, 1963, the unthinkable happened. John F. Kennedy was shot and killed in Dallas. Literally within hours of the shooting, all of Meader's engagements were canceled. Meader, who admired Kennedy and was as much in shock as everybody else, was at a loss. His Kennedy impersonation, which comprised a small portion of his club act, could have been easily cut. But, as he himself later put it, "literally overnight, nobody wanted to know from me. As far as they were concerned, I was as dead as the President."
1963-05-19, , min.
January 2nd, 1954-May 8th, 1954-NBC
April 2nd, 1957-August 27th, 1957-CBS
August 1st, 1960-Sept 19th, 1960-CBS
July 17th, 1961-Sept 25th, 1961-CBS
Bandleader Spike Jones hosted several half-hour comedy/variety series. They featured his wife Helen Grayco and the Spike Jones band.
Tonight's show features "Horror music and lyrics."
1963-05-20, NBC, 7 min.
October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992.
Joined in Progress.
Guest is Mort Sahl and Elsa Lancaster, who briefly chimes in at times. Sahl comments on current events which include Time magazine, will there be an election in 1964? his impressions and observations of Governor Nelson Rockefeller, President Lyndon Johnson, race riots at the Shrine Auditorium Rally.
Sahl questions why negroes have become so militant and Jewish people have become minstals?
Impressions of Malcolm X who last month appeared in an interview in Playboy magazine. Mort mentions to Johnny Carson it is interesting that negroes currently seem to be the oppressor fighting for their rights.
Johnny asks Mort if he is a happy guy to which he gets an affirmative response. Mort states that USC is a "dingbat" school to attend, where he studied engineering.
Sahl discusses why he collects wrist watches and has many including one made for astronauts. He tells Johnny that he changes his watch everyday like clothing. Sahl mentions he gave a special watch with a viewable tuning fork to friend Bill Dana who commented that every time he looks at it he feels wanted.
Johnny Carson asks Sahl if he is a happy guy? Sahl responds and also has commentary about appearing on The Steve Allen Show.
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. We are introduced to the show's opening by announcer Ed McMahon, who also jokes with Johnny Carson during his monologue.
1963-05-26, WABC, 27 min.
September 5, 1949-June 7, 1954 (NBC); June 14, 1954-June 16, 1963 (ABC). "Voice of Firestone," which began on radio in 1928, was a Monday-night perennial for more than two decades before coming to television in 1949; for the next five years it was simulcast on NBC radio and television, until a dispute between the sponsor and the network over the Monday time slot led Firestone to shift the program to ABC. The half-hour musical series presented all kinds of music, but emphasized classical and semiclassical selections. Each week a guest celebrity was featured, and for many years the principal guests came from the Metropolitan Opera Company. The Firestone Orchestra was conducted by Howard Barlow, and the show was hosted by John Daly during its years on ABC; Hugh James was the announcer. "Voice of Firestone" was seen as a series of specials from 1959 until 1962; it returned as a weekly series in the fall of 1962 for a final season (September 30, 1962-June 16, 1963).
1963-05-29, NBC, min.
Stars congratulate Bob Hope on his 60th birthday salute. Testimonials from Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.
Included are excerpts from old broadcasts 7/43, 8/43, 8/44.
Bob also marks his 25th year with NBC.
Host: Hugh Downs.
1963-06-02, WABC, 27 min.
September 5, 1949-June 7, 1954 (NBC); June 14, 1954-June 16, 1963 (ABC). "Voice of Firestone," which began on radio in 1928, was a Monday-night perennial for more than two decades before coming to television in 1949; for the next five years it was simulcast on NBC radio and television, until a dispute between the sponsor and the network over the Monday time slot led Firestone to shift the program to ABC. The half-hour musical series presented all kinds of music, but emphasized classical and semiclassical selections. Each week a guest celebrity was featured, and for many years the principal guests came from the Metropolitan Opera Company. The Firestone Orchestra was conducted by Howard Barlow, and the show was hosted by John Daly during its years on ABC; Hugh James was the announcer. "Voice of Firestone" was seen as a series of specials from 1959 until 1962; it returned as a weekly series in the fall of 1962 for a final season (September 30, 1962-June 16, 1963).
1963-06-03, NBC, min.
November 20, 1947-September 5, 1965 (primetime NBC); September 19, 1965-present (non-primetime NBC). Public affairs program which is the longest running series on network television.
Reporters question Governor George Wallace of Alabama.
The moderator is Ned Brooks.
1963-06-08, , min.
January 2nd, 1954-May 8th, 1954-NBC
April 2nd, 1957-August 27th, 1957-CBS
August 1st, 1960-Sept 19th, 1960-CBS
July 17th, 1961-Sept 25th, 1961-CBS
Bandleader Spike Jones hosted several half-hour comedy/variety series. They featured his wife Helen Grayco and the Spike Jones band.
Tonight's show: "Spike Jones and His Monster Rally."
1963-06-08, WOR, min.
World Today is a radio news program broadcast over the Mutual Broadcasting System and hosted by Tony Marvin.
Middle East Airline Flight 444 crashes in Persian Gulf killing 42 passengers and seven crew members.
Host: Tony Marvin.
1963-06-09, WABC, 27 min.
September 5, 1949-June 7, 1954 (NBC); June 14, 1954-June 16, 1963 (ABC). "Voice of Firestone," which began on radio in 1928, was a Monday-night perennial for more than two decades before coming to television in 1949; for the next five years it was simulcast on NBC radio and television, until a dispute between the sponsor and the network over the Monday time slot led Firestone to shift the program to ABC. The half-hour musical series presented all kinds of music, but emphasized classical and semiclassical selections. Each week a guest celebrity was featured, and for many years the principal guests came from the Metropolitan Opera Company. The Firestone Orchestra was conducted by Howard Barlow, and the show was hosted by John Daly during its years on ABC; Hugh James was the announcer. "Voice of Firestone" was seen as a series of specials from 1959 until 1962; it returned as a weekly series in the fall of 1962 for a final season (September 30, 1962-June 16, 1963).
1963-06-10, ABC, min.
September 19th, 1963- March 12th, 1964 (ABC)
The last of the comedy/variety programs hosted by Sid Caesar. A half-hour program that alternated biweekly with "Here's Edie" starring Edie Adams. Regulars were Gisele MacKenzie, Joey Forman, and Charlotte Rae.
1963-06-11, CBS, min.
October 28th, 1950- September 15th, 1964 (CBS)
September 25th,1964-September 10th, 1965 (NBC)
Jack Benny's half-hour show mixed variety and situation comedy with a company of regulars: Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, announcer Don Wilson, Dennis Day, Mel Blanc, and Mary Livingston.
Host: Jack Benny.
1963-06-12, WMCA, min.
Barry Gray was an American radio personality, often referred to as "the father of talk radio." His late-night New York City radio talk show was carried by WOR radio and then later by WMCA.
Barry Gray returned to WMCA in 1950, and stayed there for 39 years, refining the talk show format still utilized today. During the 1960s, he was in the odd position of having an 11 p.m.-1 a.m. late-night talk show on a station otherwise dominated by Top 40 music and the youth-targeted "Good Guys" disc jockey campaign. But for teenagers who kept their radios on into the night, Gray's show was a window into the high-brow New York culture of the 1940s and 1950s.
Barry Gray and others comment on President Kennedy's civil rights speech and other civil rights matters.
1963-06-12, WNBC, 6 min.
Broadcast at 11:15pm preceding THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, NBC correspondent, Edwin Newman reports on the premiere of CLEOPATRA. At the Rivoli theater in New York City NBC TV reporter, Dan Rabel interviews Roddy McDowall, Joseph Mankiewicz and 20th Century head Spyros Skouras who claims CLEOPATRA will be the greatest film in motion picture history. NY Times film critic Leonard Probst gives his review of the film.
In addition, we hear a three minute incisive review from New York Herald Tribune film critic, Judith Crist who would soon begin appearing on THE TODAY SHOW (1964-1973), reviewing films..
NOTE: Probst, who joined NBC NEWS in 1958, was one of the first drama critics to present opening-night reviews on television as an integral part of the news report. He served as a television drama critic until 1971, continuing his reviews on radio afterward.
NOTE: Film critic Judith Crist gives a scathing review about CLEOPATRA.
1963-06-12, NBC, 39 min.
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.
Duplicate of #14160
1963-06-12, , min.
On June 12th, 1963, civil rights activist Medgar Evers was shot to death by a lone assassin, Byron De La Beckwith. Evers, a decorated US Army combat veteran who had served in WW II, was engaged in efforts to overturn segregation at the University of Mississippi, end the segregation of public facilities, and expand opportunities for African Americans including the enforcement of voting rights.
Evers became active in the civil rights movement in the 1950s. In 1963, he was awarded the NAACP Springarn Medal.
On June 12th, 1963, Evers was murdered at his home in Jackson, Mississippi by Byron De La Beckwith. De La Beckwith was a member of the White Citizens Council in Jackson. This group was formed in 1954 to resist integration of schools and civil rights activism. Evers was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Although all-white juries failed to reach verdicts in Beckwith's first two trials, he was convicted of the murder in 1994 based on new evidence.
1963-06-16, WABC, 27 min.
September 5, 1949-June 7, 1954 (NBC); June 14, 1954-June 16, 1963 (ABC). This was the final broadcast of the season. "Voice of Firestone," which began on radio in 1928, was a Monday-night perennial for more than two decades before coming to television in 1949; for the next five years it was simulcast on NBC radio and television, until a dispute between the sponsor and the network over the Monday time slot led Firestone to shift the program to ABC. The half-hour musical series presented all kinds of music, but emphasized classical and semiclassical selections. Each week a guest celebrity was featured, and for many years the principal guests came from the Metropolitan Opera Company. The Firestone Orchestra was conducted by Howard Barlow, and the show was hosted by John Daly during its years on ABC; Hugh James was the announcer. "Voice of Firestone" was seen as a series of specials from 1959 until 1962; it returned as a weekly series in the fall of 1962 for a final season (September 30, 1962-June 16, 1963).
1963-06-16, ABC, 00 min.
September 5, 1949-June 7, 1954 (NBC); June 14, 1954-June 16, 1963 (ABC). This was the first broadcast of the season. "Voice of Firestone," which began on radio in 1928, was a Monday-night perennial for more than two decades before coming to television in 1949; for the next five years it was simulcast on NBC radio and television, until a dispute between the sponsor and the network over the Monday time slot led Firestone to shift the program to ABC. The half-hour musical series presented all kinds of music, but emphasized classical and semiclassical selections. Each week a guest celebrity was featured, and for many years the principal guests came from the Metropolitan Opera Company. The Firestone Orchestra was conducted by Howard Barlow, and the show was hosted by John Daly during its years on ABC; Hugh James was the announcer. "Voice of Firestone" was seen as a series of specials from 1959 until 1962; it returned as a weekly series in the fall of 1962 for a final season (September 30, 1962-June 16, 1963).
Guests are Richard Tucker, Jerome Hines, and Mary Costa. Harry John Brown conducts the orchestra. Richard Tucker performs Gounod's Faust with Jerome Hines and Mary Costa. Also performed is "Around The World in Eighty Days."
Last show of the series.
1963-06-21, WNBC, 52 min.
January 27, 1961-April 21, 1961; September 28, 1961-September 21, 1964. Home viewers were able to participate in this hour-long musical series, as the lyrics to the songs were superimposed at the bottom of their screens; viewers were invited to "follow the bouncing ball" as it moved from one lyric to the next. Goateed composer-arranger Mitch Miller led the Sing-Along Gang, and on-stage aggregation of about two dozen. Among the featured vocalists were Leslie Uggams, Diana Trask, Barbara McNair, and Gloria Lambert. "Sing Along with Mitch" was introduced on "Ford Startime" in 1960 and had a limited run in the spring of 1961, alternating with "The Bell Telephone Hour," before going weekly in the fall of that year. Reruns were exhumed in the spring of 1966 to replace the faltering "Sammy Davis Jr. Show." Bill Hobin produced and directed the series.
1963-06-23, CBS, min.
June 20, 1948 - May 30, 1971
ED SULLIVAN SHOW, THE, (TOAST OF THE TOWN)
Television's longest-running variety series. Originally, titled, TOAST OF THE TOWN, the name of the series changed on September 18, 1955, to THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. Most remembered for introducing many stand-up comedians, and musical acts, including The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, The Beatles.
Most of the 1,087 broadcasts, encompassing 10,000 performers, have been archived. The major exceptions are the first half-year of shows circa 1948 of which a few kinescope excerpts survive.
The ED SULLIVAN SHOW was a spectacular show-case that for twenty-three years entertained the American family. In its prime, more than thirty million viewers, young and old, tuned in at the same time to view popular culture.
Host Ed Sullivan celebrates 15 years on CBS with film clip segments of previous shows featuring guests Julie Andrews, Louis Armstrong, Jack Benny, Fred Astaire, Richard Burton, James Cagney, Art Carney, Maurice Chevalier, Gary Cooper, Bing Crosby, Walt Disney, Jimmy Durante, Henry Fonda, Clark Gable, Jackie Gleason, Robert Goulet, Topo Gigio, Oscar Hammerstein 11, Helen Hayes, Sonny King, Burt Lancaster, Shelley Winters, Johnny Wayne, Charles Laughton, Jack Lemmon, Gertrude Lawrence, Ethel Waters, Raoul Walsh, Sophie Tucker, Rod Steiger, Red Skelton, Phil Silvers, Richard Rodgers, Frank Shuster, Elvis Presley, Cole Porter, Gina Lollabridgida, Robert Mitchum, Maya Plisetskaya, Moiseyev Dancers.
1963-06-28, WNBC, 52 min.
January 27, 1961-April 21, 1961; September 28, 1961-September 21, 1964. Home viewers were able to participate in this hour-long musical series, as the lyrics to the songs were superimposed at the bottom of their screens; viewers were invited to "follow the bouncing ball" as it moved from one lyric to the next. Goateed composer-arranger Mitch Miller led the Sing-Along Gang, and on-stage aggregation of about two dozen. Among the featured vocalists were Leslie Uggams, Diana Trask, Barbara McNair, and Gloria Lambert. "Sing Along with Mitch" was introduced on "Ford Startime" in 1960 and had a limited run in the spring of 1961, alternating with "The Bell Telephone Hour," before going weekly in the fall of that year. Reruns were exhumed in the spring of 1966 to replace the faltering "Sammy Davis Jr. Show." Bill Hobin produced and directed the series.
1963-06-29, ABC, 16 min.
April 6th, 1963- September 12th, 1964 (ABC)
Jack Linkletter hosted television's first folk music series, broadcast from a different college campus each week.
From Syracuse University, New York on hand are The Limeliters, Jo Mapes, Mike Settle and the Clara Ward Singers.
Highlights:
"There's a Meeting Here Tonight," "Wabash Cannonball," "Hammer Song"...................................................Limeliters
"Kisses Sweeter Than Wine".............................Jo Mapes
" Come in the Room".......................................... Ward Singers
"Sing Hallelujah"..............................Limeliters and Mike Settle
"Down by the Riverside".............................................All
1963-06-29, WABC, 3 min.
July 2, 1955-September 4, 1971; 1971-1982 (Syndicated).
The opening of the show with music first number.
"The Lawrence Welk Show" presented middle-of-the-road music for almost three decades. Numbers were performed by the members of Welk's television family. That large group included the Lennon Sisters (Dianne, Peggy, Kathy, and Janet), Alice Lon, Norma Zimmer, Tanya Falan, Arthur Duncan, Joe Feeney, Guy Hovis, Jim Roberts, Ralna English, Larry Hooper, Jerry Burke, and former Mouseketeer Bobby Burgess.
Host: Lawrence Welk.
1963-06-30, CBS, min.
June 20, 1948 - May 30, 1971
ED SULLIVAN SHOW, THE, (TOAST OF THE TOWN)
Television's longest running variety series. Originally, titled, TOAST OF THE TOWN, the name of the series changed on September 18, 1955 to THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. Most remembered for introducing many stand-up comedians, and musical acts, including The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, The Beatles.
Most of the 1,087 broadcasts, encompassing 10,000 performers, have been archived. The major exceptions are the first half-year of shows circa 1948 of which a few kinescope excerpts survive.
The ED SULLIVAN SHOW was a spectacular show-case that for twenty-three years entertained the American family. In its prime, more than thirty million viewers, young and old, tuned in at the same time to view popular culture.
Ed Sullivan's guest is Jack Carter.
1963-07-02, SYN, min.
June 25th, 1962-1964 (Syndicated)
A daily ninety-minute talk show hosted by Steve Allen and sponsored by Westinghouse.
The premiere of the film "Cleopatra" in Hollywood. Interviews with top stars.
Host: Steve Allen.
1963-07-05, WNBC, 52 min.
January 27, 1961-April 21, 1961; September 28, 1961-September 21, 1964. This was the "Toy Segment" broadcast. Home viewers were able to participate in this hour-long musical series, as the lyrics to the songs were superimposed at the bottom of their screens; viewers were invited to "follow the bouncing ball" as it moved from one lyric to the next. Goateed composer-arranger Mitch Miller led the Sing-Along Gang, and on-stage aggregation of about two dozen. Among the featured vocalists were Leslie Uggams, Diana Trask, Barbara McNair, and Gloria Lambert. "Sing Along with Mitch" was introduced on "Ford Startime" in 1960 and had a limited run in the spring of 1961, alternating with "The Bell Telephone Hour," before going weekly in the fall of that year. Reruns were exhumed in the spring of 1966 to replace the faltering "Sammy Davis Jr. Show." Bill Hobin produced and directed the series.
1963-07-05, CBS, min.
EYEWITNESS - September 30, 1960 - July 26, 1963
Originally titled "Eyewitness to History" title shortened to "Eyewitness" by the Fall of 1961
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EYEWITNESS
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'CBS News' Production
US Documentary series 1960-63 30 minute Documentary program
Hosted by Charles Kuralt (1960-61)
Hosted by Walter Cronkite (1961-1962)
Hosted by Charles Collingwood (1962-1963)
Tonight's show: "Goldwater Boom." A rally for Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater running for president in 1964.
Host: Charles Collingwood.
1963-07-12, WNBC, 52 min.
January 27, 1961-April 21, 1961; September 28, 1961-September 21, 1964. Home viewers were able to participate in this hour-long musical series, as the lyrics to the songs were superimposed at the bottom of their screens; viewers were invited to "follow the bouncing ball" as it moved from one lyric to the next. Goateed composer-arranger Mitch Miller led the Sing-Along Gang, and on-stage aggregation of about two dozen. Among the featured vocalists were Leslie Uggams, Diana Trask, Barbara McNair, and Gloria Lambert. "Sing Along with Mitch" was introduced on "Ford Startime" in 1960 and had a limited run in the spring of 1961, alternating with "The Bell Telephone Hour," before going weekly in the fall of that year. Reruns were exhumed in the spring of 1966 to replace the faltering "Sammy Davis Jr. Show." Bill Hobin produced and directed the series.