1954-03-28, NBC, 71 min.
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the General Foods Corporation has taken over the NBC and CBS networks from 8:00 to 9:30 P.M. to present highlights from the musical productions of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, 2nd. The shows to be represented in this review of eleven years of musical-comedy achievement are: Oklahoma, Carousel, Allegro, South Pacific, The King and I, and Me and Juliet.
Clarence Francis, chairman of General Foods, opens the program which is hosted by Mary Martin. The first musical number, "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'," sung by Gordon MacRae, comes from "Oklahoma!", Rodgers and Hammerstein's first musical collaboration together. Jack Benny then appears in a sketch in which he recalls buying a ticket to "Carousel" for only six dollars and sixty cents. Then John Raitt sings "You're a Queer One, Julie Jordan," and is joined by Jan Clayton in singing "If I Loved You"; both songs are from "Carousel." After Martin sings "It Might as Well Be Spring," from the score to the movie "State Fair," Edgar Bergen and his dummy, Charlie McCarthy, introduce Bill Hayes and Janice Rule in "You Are Never Away," from the musical "Allegro." The following segment is an excerpt from Groucho Marx's "You Bet Your Life" television series, in which he interviews Rodgers and Hammerstein. Then Martin and Ezio Pinza perform "Some Enchanted Evening," and Martin sings "A Wonderful Guy." Both pieces are from the musical "South Pacific." Ed Sullivan then introduces excerpts from "The King and I," which feature Patricia Morison singing "Getting to Know You," with dancing by Michiko, as well as Yul Brynner performing "A Puzzlement." Jack Benny returns to showcase Tony Martin in "The Big Black Giant" and Rosemary Clooney in "No Other Love"; both pieces are from "Me and Juliet." The program ends with MacRae and Florence Henderson performing a duet from "Oklahoma!" titled "People Will Say We're in Love."
1957-03-14, WNBC, 54 min.
Presented on "LUX VIDEO THEATRE." The Victor Herbert-Henry Blossom comic opera about an Irish rebel who falls in love with a beautiful English girl.
1957-03-14, WNBC, 54 min.
October 2, 1950-June 24, 1954 (CBS). August 26, 1954-September 12, 1957 (NBC). A dramatic anthology series in a half-hour format on CBS and in a one-hour format on NBC.
During the NBC TV 1954 season, the program was hosted initially by James Mason, and succeeded by Otto Kruger, and Gordon MacRae.
Presented on "LUX VIDEO THEATRE." The Victor Herbert-Henry Blossom comic opera about an Irish rebel who falls in love with a beautiful English girl.
1958-12-09, CBS, 46 min.
A one-hour musical version adapted from the classic O'Henry Christmas story, set in New York in1905, about an impoverished young couple who sacrifice their most precious personal treasures to buy Christmas gifts for the other. This early video taped musical contains seven original songs by Richard Adler.
Narrated by Eli Wallach.
SONGS:
"The Name's the Same"...............Howes, MacRae
"He's a Company Man".................Office Staff
"Christmas in Your Heart"..............Howes
"My Sugar is the Salt of the Earth"............Quartet
"A Better Worde Than Love"......................MacRae
"What to Do?".....................................Howes
"It's Much Too Nice to Cut"...................Howes, Osterwald
NOTE:
This CBS TV musical broadcast was the very first to be presented on VIDEO TAPE. It remains a "lost" broadcast.
A Sheaffer Pen Company Special Presentation.
1961-02-24, WCBS, 23 min.
Gordon MacRae and Sheila MacRae ad lib with Jackie Gleason. For two months, Jackie conducted this informal talk show replacing the abortive quiz show "You're in the Picture."
1961-10-13, WNBC, 52 min.
January 12, 1959-April 26, 1968. This musical series ran semiregularly for almost ten seasons-sometimes weekly, sometimes biweekly, and sometimes as irregularly scheduled specials. All types of music were presented on the hour series; Donald Voorhees conducted the Bell Telephone Orchestra.
1961-10-13, WNBC, 52 min.
January 12, 1959-April 26, 1968. This musical series ran semiregularly for almost ten seasons-sometimes weekly, sometimes biweekly, and sometimes as irregularly scheduled specials. All types of music were presented on the hour series; Donald Voorhees conducted the Bell Telephone Orchestra.
Bell Telephone Orchestra, Anita Bryant, The Brothers Four, The Buster Davis Singers, Red Nichols and The Five Pennies, Jacques d'Amboise, Gianna D'Angelo, Sheila MacRae, Jan Peece, Carla Fracci.
Host: Gordon MacRae.
Announcer: Mel Brandt.
Duplicate of # 1332.
1961-11-23, WNBC, 52 min.
Special musical variety show starring Gordon MacRae, Patrice Munsel, Carol Haney, Al Hirt and the Brothers Four.
1961-12-03, WNBC, 52 min.
The first of three special programs presenting musical journeys throughout regions of the U.S. with Gordon MacRae as host and star.
1961-12-31, WNBC, 52 min.
The second of three Video Taped special programs presenting musical journeys throughout regions of the U.S. with Gordon MacRae and his wife Sheila MacRae hosting.
Highlights:
"Louisiana".....................................................Gordon MacRae
"The Rythum of the Dixieland Band".............Jack Jones
"Yes Indeed"....................................................George Chakiris
"Moon River"...................................................Gordon MacRae
"Y' All Come"...................................................Buddy Ebsen
"Life Upon the Wicked Stage"......................Sheila MacRae
"Kisses Sweeter than Wine"........................Jane Morgan
"Goin' to Chicago".........................................Rita Moreno
"Chicago"............................................Gordon & Sheila MacRae
"Ma, She's Makin' Eyes at Me"....................Buddy Ebsen
"Bye, Bye, Blackbird.....................................Jack Jones
"After the Ball"................................................Kathryn Grayson
"Chicago Style" Twist..................Rita Moreno & George Chakiris
"Auld Lang Syne".................................Gordon & Sheila MacRae
NOTE: An early COLOR VIDEO TAPED broadcast that unfortunately was wiped and not extant in any broadcast form.
1962-02-23, WABC, 15 min.
Gordon MacRae and Sheila MacRae sing a winter medley of songs. Louis Armstrong plays trumpet and sings "Up a Lazy River" and "Sunny Side of the Street" with Roberta Peters.
1962-04-22, WNBC, 52 min.
The third of three special programs presenting musical journeys throughout regions of the U.S. with Gordon MacRae Sheila MacRae hosting. Writers Tom and Frank Waldman.
1962-11-04, WCBS, 55 min.
From Carnegie Hall, a Salute to Richard Rodgers with Gordon MacRae, Roberta Peters, Steve Lawrence, Nancy Dussault, Peggy Lee, Cesare Siepi and Diahann Carroll. Ed Sullivan reads telegrams in tribute from Herbert Hoover, Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Adlai E. Stevenson and others.
1962-11-04, WCBS, 55 min.
The music of Richard Rodgers has set a Broadway standard for four decades, during which Rodgers has been half of two of the most successful teams in musical-comedy history- Rodgers and Hart, and Rogers & Hammerstein. Tonight, live from Carnegie Hall, Ed Sullivan presents an hour's highlights from Rodgers' career.
Performers include pianist Peter Nero and singers Diahann Carroll (who sings two songs from "No Strings," for which Rodgers wrote both words and music), Nancy Dussault (star of "Sound and Music"), Steve Lawrence, Peggy Lee, Gordon MacRae, Roberta Peters and Cesare Siepi.
Ed talks to Rodgers' new partner, lyricist Alan Jay Lerner of "My Fair Lady" fame. Arthur Fiedler conducts the orchestra, with Rodgers taking over the baton for "You'll Never Walk Alone."
1962-11-04, WCBS, 00 min.
From Carnegie Hall, a salute to Richard Rodgers. Diahann Carroll performs numbers from Richard Rodgers Broadway musical drama, "No Strings."
Dupe of 303.
1962-12-18, CBS, 00 min.
September 25, 1962-June 23, 1970. One of television's most inventive and popular comedians, Red Skelton hosted his own series for twenty years, seven of them in a one-hour format, "The Red Skelton Hour" on CBS. Skelton began his television career on NBC September 30, 1951 with a half-hour filmed variety series lasting until June 21, 1953. He then began his CBS affiliation, and began hosting "The Red Skelton Show," a half-hour variety show broadcast live until October 18, 1960, and subsequently on videotape. This series aired from October 13, 1953, continuing until June 26, 1962. From July 21, 1954 through September 8, 1954, "The Red Skelton Revue" was broadcast live on CBS in a one-hour format. Red Skelton returned to NBC in a half-hour taped format for his final series. "Red" as the show was known, premiered September 14, 1970. The first four broadcasts included introductions by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew (September 14, 1970), Dean Martin (September 21, 1970), Jack Benny (September 28, 1970), and Johnny Carson (October 5, 1970) who got his big break writing for Skelton in the early 1950's. Red Skelton's last first-run regularly scheduled television program aired on March 15, 1971.
1963-11-17, ABC, min.
October 20th 1963-December 22nd,1963 (ABC)
Hal March hosted this comedy/variety show that ran for one season. Guest comics perform material submitted by fledgling comedy writers; after the performance, the material is evaluated and offered for sale.
Guests are Jim Backus, Gordon MacRae, Sheila MacRae, Shecky Greene
1964-06-07, WCBS, 26 min.
April 5, 1964 - September 9, 1965
Host Carl Reiner welcomes celebrity guests Mickey Rooney, Lee Marvin, Nanette Fabray, Agnes Moorehead, Oscar Levant, Ann Blyth, Gordon MacRae, Sheila MacRae and Sal Mineo to this primetime comedy quiz.
NOTE: Very few examples of this series in video or audio survive.
1965-04-29, WABC, 52 min.
Gordon MacRae & his wife Sheila MacRae tour the World's Fair. Our guides offer "The Great World's Fair" in song and then in fact, leading us to the entertainment being staged at some of the national pavilions, including: Africa, Spain, Mexico, Morocco, & Polynesia.
1965-05-11, WNBC, 52 min.
January 12, 1959-April 26, 1968. This musical series ran semiregularly for almost ten seasons-sometimes weekly, sometimes biweekly, and sometimes as irregularly scheduled specials. All types of music were presented on the hour series; Donald Voorhees conducted the Bell Telephone Orchestra.
1965-05-11, WNBC, 52 min.
January 12, 1959-April 26, 1968. This musical series ran semiregularly for almost ten seasons-sometimes weekly, sometimes biweekly, and sometimes as irregularly scheduled specials. All types of music were presented on the hour series; Donald Voorhees conducted the Bell Telephone Orchestra.
Guests: Bill Hayes, Carol Lawrence, Gordon MacRae, Matt Mattox, Peter Nero, Leslie Uggams.
Host: Hoagy Carmichael
Announcer: Mel Brandt
Duplicate of # 1384.
1965-07-22, WABC, 54 min.
Joseph Cotten narrates and the Kingston Trio, Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Gordon MacRae perform a musical profile of John F. Kennedy and the Kennedy family. The emphasis is on the lesser known aspects of the JFK youth. Introduced by ABC's Bill Beutel with a prologue by N.Y. State Senator Jacob Javits. Music and lyrics by Allan Jay Friedman and Paul Francis Webster.
1965-10-10, WNBC, 52 min.
January 12, 1959-April 26, 1968. This musical series ran semiregularly for almost ten seasons-sometimes weekly, sometimes biweekly, and sometimes as irregularly scheduled specials. All types of music were presented on the hour series; Donald Voorhees conducted the Bell Telephone Orchestra.
1965-10-10, WNBC, 52 min.
January 12, 1959-April 26, 1968. This musical series ran semiregularly for almost ten seasons-sometimes weekly, sometimes biweekly, and sometimes as irregularly scheduled specials. All types of music were presented on the hour series; Donald Voorhees conducted the Bell Telephone Orchestra.
Guests: Pete Fountain, Lena Horne, Grant Johannsen, Gordon MacRae, Robert Merrill, Richard Tucker.
Hostess: Florence Henderson.
Announcer: Mel Brandt
Duplicate of #1385.
1965-10-10, WNBC, 52 min.
January 12, 1959-April 26, 1968. This musical series ran semiregularly for almost ten seasons-sometimes weekly, sometimes biweekly, and sometimes as irregularly scheduled specials. All types of music were presented on the hour series; Donald Voorhees conducted the Bell Telephone Orchestra.
Guests: Pete Fountain, Lena Horne, Grant Johannsen, Gordon MacRae, Robert Merrill, Richard Tucker.
Hostess: Florence Henderson.
Announcer: Mel Brandt
Duplicate of #1385.
1965-12-05, WNBC, 52 min.
January 12, 1959-April 26, 1968. This musical series ran semiregularly for almost ten seasons-sometimes weekly, sometimes biweekly, and sometimes as irregularly scheduled specials. All types of music were presented on the hour series; Donald Voorhees conducted the Bell Telephone Orchestra.
1965-12-05, WNBC, 52 min.
January 12, 1959-April 26, 1968. This musical series ran semiregularly for almost ten seasons-sometimes weekly, sometimes biweekly, and sometimes as irregularly scheduled specials. All types of music were presented on the hour series; Donald Voorhees conducted the Bell Telephone Orchestra.
Dinah Shore is the hostess as The Bell Telephone Hour salutes the music of Harold Arlen. Arlen is on hand as he joins in with other guests paying tribute.
Guests: Harold Arlen, Duke Ellington and his Orchestra, Gordon MacRae, Patricia McBride, Leslie Uggams, Edward Villella, Gretchen Wyler.
Hostess: Dinah Shore
Announcer: Mel Brandt
1966-03-11, WNBC, 52 min.
January 7, 1966-April 22, 1966. Variety show hosted by Sammy Davis Jr.
1967-11-05, WCBS, 52 min.
June 20, 1948-June 6, 1971. Television's longest-running variety show ran on Sunday nights for twenty-three years. Its host, Ed Sullivan.
1968-11-21, WNBC, 52 min.
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).
1968-12-31, WABC, 78 min.
Beginning in 1929, a New Year's Eve Tradition...Guy Lombardo & his Royal Canadians. Guy Lombardo was best known to TV audiences for his annual New Year's Eve telecasts. His brothers Carmen (the band's musical director), Victor, & Lebert were all members of the orchestra. Guy, the eldest, was designated the leader. For most of his years in television, Guy Lombardo represented nostalgia for the '30s and '40s. At midnight the traditional welcoming in of the New Year at Times Square is presented. John Schubeck brings in the New Year at Times Square.
As the nation gets ready to "rign out the old, ring in the new," Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians make music at New York's Waldorf-Astoria. Singing along are Gordon MacRae, the Times Square Two, comedy singers, and Tonia Bern-Camp;bell.
Just before midnight the broadcast switches to Times Square where John Schubeck describes the thousands of street revelers who await the countdown for the coming of 1969.
HIGHLIGHTS:
"Dear World," "Why Can't I Walk Away?" "Hello, Young Lovers," "KIiss Her Now," "Try to Remember,"
"Come Back to Me" ....................Gordon MacRae
"A Man and a Woman," "Live of the Party," "My Man," Tonia Bern-Campbell states was Maurice Chevalier's favorite song.
.....................................Tonia Bern-Campbell
"Boo Hoo," ..........................Carmen Lombardo Trio
"Auld Lang Syne," "Gentle on My Mind," "Mrs. Robinson," "Hello, Dolly!" "Somewhere My Love," "Mame," "Seems like Old Times," "High Society," "Harper Valley PTA," "Mack the Knife," "Fascination" ......................Royal Canadians
1969-07-06, WCBS, 52 min.
June 20, 1948-June 6, 1971. Television's longest-running variety show ran on Sunday nights for twenty-three years. Its host, Ed Sullivan.
1969-11-20, WNBC, 52 min.
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).
1974-03-30, CBS, 60 min.
Tribute to Academy Award-Winning songs.
Gene Kelly is the host of this hour-ling tribute to the songs that have won Academy Awards. Singers perform the Oscar winners, beginning with "The Continental" (1934). Other favorites include "Lullaby of Broadway," "Over the Rainbow," "When you Wish Upon a Star," "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," "The Last Time I saw Paris," "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing," "Gigi," "Moon River," "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," "Que Sera, Sera," "Baby It's Cold Outside," "White Christmas," "The Way You Look Tonight," "Sweet Leilani," "It Might as Well Be Spring," "All the Way," "Three Coins in the Fountain," "On the Atcheson, Topeka and Santa Fe."
1976-05-22, WNBC, 52 min.
1975 (SYNDICATED). A variety hour with no regulars, "Vaudeville" consisted of assorted vaudeville acts, introduced by celebrity guest hosts.
1979-10-07, NBC, min.
Best of The Dean Martin Show variety special.
Guests: Some in archive footage: Louis Armstrong, Ann-Margret, Jack Benny, Shirley Booth, Victor Borge, Raymond Burr, Ruth Buzzi, Johnny Carson, Suzy Cadham, Dom DeLuise, Jimmy Durante, Dale Evans, Ella Fitzgerald, Greg Garrison, Goldie Hawn, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly, Ken Lane, Gordon MacRae, Ed McMahon, Kay Medford, Bob Newhart, Don Rickles, Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Orson Welles, James Stewart, Roy Rogers.
