July 27, 1953- September 24, 1954
Prior to Steve Allen hosting The Tonight Show (Sept. 27, 1954-Jan. 25,1957) on network T.V. he hosted a similar late night show locally in New York City called the The Steve Allen Show Presented by Knickerbocker Beer (11:20pm-midnight). These Monday through Friday 40 minute telecasts included regulars, Steve Lawrence, Helene Dixon and Bobby Bryne and his orchestra. Sponsor was Knickerbocker beer on Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday, only.
This is the 27th broadcast in the series. Broadcast theme song, "Stay Just A Little While With Me," opens the show. Steve Allen, at the piano, sings "Cecilia." Jim Moran, who appears every Tuesday on the broadcast discusses with Allen "Oysters," as the Oyster season begins. Author James Michener joins in and also discusses his latest movie adaptation screenplay for the film "Return To Paradise," about to open in theaters nation wide. This was the first theatrical contribution for Michener in his literary career.
Incredible relaxed late night television from a bygone era as Steve offers a beer to Mitchener in-between anecdotes. Steve Lawrence, who just turned 18 years of age, sings "C'est si bon." Bobby Byrne & his orchestra plays "Lover." Sign off, as Steve reminds viewers that this new late night series is on the air every weekday night for 40 minutes, 11:20pm to Midnight. Cast sings theme song "Stay Just A Little While With Me."
Sponsored by Knickerbocker Beer (on Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday only) on NBC Local, it was seen in only three states: New York, New Jersey, & Connecticut from 11:20pm to Midnight, Monday to Friday, 40 minutes long, broadcast from July 27, 1953 to September 24, 1954. "The Steve Allen Show presented by Knickerbocker Beer" on NBC Local was the forerunner of the NBC National broadcast of "Tonight Starring Steve Allen" which began its official debut on September 27, 1954.
Broadcast theme song, "Stay Just A Little While With Me," opens the show.
NOTE:
Five Steve Allen Knickerbocker COMPLETE TV broadcasts (August 31, September 1, 2, 3, 4, 1953) were originally discovered (NBC 16" ORTHACOUSSIC NBC RADIO-RECORDING DIVISION discs) in 2008. They were for sale in a Burlington County New Jersey store that sold old Gramophones, Victrola's and Edison Cylinder machines.
A rare discovery for only two kinescopes are known, by this author, Phil Gries, to survive, archived at the NBC Archives (December 30, 1953, and August 31. 1954). 