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 McDowell 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.                                                                   

Live WNEW radio coverage of the "Cleopatra" movie premiere at the Rivoli Theatre on Broadway. William B. Williams interviews "Cleopatra" director Joseph Mankiewicz. Williams also interviews Mrs. Dorothy Williams, (the wife of William B. Williams), Joan Fontaine, Roddy McDowell, Michael Rennie, and Red Buttons. Actress Ilka Chase reviews "Cleopatra." Following the film, Williams speaks to Rex Harrison who spent eight months on the film, and William's wife Dorothy.                                                                            

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 McDowell, 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.                          

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 1970s, the 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 Carson celebrates his 6th anniversary as host of the Tonight Show. This is the first-anniversary show to show clips from past shows.

Highlights include: The James Drury-Doug McClure bar fight
Don Rickles: "The Japanese Bath."
Commercials: "The Way We Have Wanted To See Just One."-Sammy Davis Jr. Tiny Tim
The opening of "Cleopatra" with Bert Parks
Joan Rivers live-mentions first appearance on February 17th, 1965
Derek Commercial-Take off
New York City Mayor John Lindsay appears live-he praises, Carson, as a civil leader
Jack Webb-Carson skit: "Clean Copper Clappers."
Johnny narrates a football game 1963/64. 
Hot Air Ballooning-Jumping out of a plane
Ed Ames Tomahawk throw
Shirley Temple parody-
Carson sings as Shirley Temple. "The Good Ship Lollipop."
Norman Rockwell-Painting of Johnny Carson.
Also appearing is Bill Cosby.

More information on previous clips:
Carson in a barroom fight with Doug McClure and James Drury of the "Virginian."
Johnny is enjoying a Japanese massage but is getting heckled by Don Rickles. Carson then throws Rickles into the tub, clothes and all
Johnny appears as a soap salesman with Sammy Davis Jr. appearing in KKK sheets 
Carson as a mad scientist who turns into Tiny Tim
The opening of "Cleopatra" in which Bert Parks ran into many difficulties trying to interview guests to the opening night, Roddy McDowell, Joan Fontaine, Charles Addams, Mr. and Mrs, Richard Rodgers, Darryl Zanuck, etc. 
Johnny appears as Ralph Willie, a West Coast Teatime movie salesman, Paula Prentiss and Richard Benjamin assisting
Carson as "Derek" a take-off on the Eric Cigar commercial
Carson appears in a skit with Jack Webb about stolen clappers that were taken from a school bell. "Clean Copper Clappers."
Carson plays football with members of the New York Jets football team and ballooning with Don Piccard
Carson's recent skydiving stint in California 
The famous and hilarious 1965 tomahawk throw by Ed Ames. Tomahawk lands in a private area of outlined wall figure.
Johnny dresses as Shirley Temple and sings "On The Good Ship USA." revealing underwear instead of the patriotic petticoat.
Interspersed among film and tape clips guests chatted with Carson. A surprise appearance by New York City Mayor John Lindsay joking with Johnny about strikes and safe streets, etc.
Joan Rivers emerges from a large birthday cake and guest Norman Rockwell presents Johnny with a portrait of himself
Closing credits over montage of Carson in various costumes..