| THIS COULD ENTERTAIN YOU ALL Spring LONG - I think these will bring back some memories.......
This has to be one of the finest emails I've received in years and will keep you occupied for hours. That is of course if you were born prior to 1960. And even after then I think you'll love to see entertainment as it once was.
1 JACKIE GLEASON ON THE ROCKY MARCIANO SHOW THE MAIN EVENT (1960)
Jackie recalls his early days as a night club comic in Newark , NJ (and the brawl);
Also, Jackie receives a humanitarian award from Rocky and salutes sidekick Art Carney ( Du Mont )
Bloopers fromThe Honeymooners on TVch 11 alsoch. 30; Marciano v. Wolcott fight onch. 64
2 JAMES DEAN: HIS FINAL TV APPEARANCE (1954)
Rebellious trait obvious, James Dean talks about car racing and safety on Gig Young's show;
Walks off set a mention of speeding; eerily, Dean was killed days later in a tragic carcollision. ( Du Mont )
3 ELVIS SINGS BLUE SUEDE SHOES (1956)
The King lives here! Elvis Presley debuts on "The Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey Show." (CBS)
In the house: Elvis sings many more of his hits on our Classic Oldies Video Juke Box below!
5 THE EDSEL INTRODUCED ON NBC(1957)
Ford paid the network big dollars (in those days) to run this filmedTheEdsel Show promotion.
Ford canned the car shortly after; it is today a revered automotive classic. (NBC) More 50s cars ch.63v
6 BOBBY DARIN'S "MACK THE KNIFE" (1959)
Bobby opened his first of hour variety shows performing his biggest number one hit.
(and his label,Atco, didn't want him to record it!) (CBS)
*There's more Bobby below: hosting a beauty contest & on theOldiesTeleVision Video Juke Box.
7 WESTINGHOUSE DEBUTS HI-TECH "ADVANCED TV" (1951)
Show the kids hi-tech video blossoming before anyone heard of cable, satellite or HDTV. They may chuckle,
The "one knob-no antenna-black matrix pix tube" had viewers inawe.but it was a technical disaster. (TVC)
8 WILLIAM BENDIX AS LOVABLE CHESTER A. RILEY (1956)
The Life Of Riley with Marjorie Reynolds, TomD'andrea,Lugene Sanders, Wesley Morgan
Once played byGroucho Marx & Jackie Gleason,Bendix's Riley was the definitive blue collar family guy.
Watch Riley, delirious over having his tonsils removed, drive family, Gillis, & hospital nurse (Honeybee) crazy!(CBS)
10 THE PATTI PAGE SHOW (1958)
TheSingin' Rage sings the immortalTennessee Waltz, it doesn't getany better than this.
Also from her show, Patti croons over that cute littleDoggie In The Window. (syndicated)
11 BLOOPERS FROM THE HONEYMOONERS (1957-58)
On live TV: Audrey misses her entrance cue, Jackie's fly is open (watch how brilliantly heimprovs).
Jackie slips on the set (happened again at CBS, where he broke his leg) ( Du Mont ) see also ch.30 & 82,
13 A TRUE 50's DOO WOP TV CLASSIC(1958)
Rare Clip: The Del Vikings PerformJitterbug Mary (taped at WOOK-TV Baltimore)
*There's many more classic Doo Wop Originals OnThe Classic Oldies Video Jukebox below.
14 the original FAMILY AFFAIR (1966)
Brian Keith & Sebastian Cabot sin the last of the sentimental family sitcoms (despite failed 2004 remake_.
An affluent bachelor and his butlersuddenly gain custody of adorable orphaned nieces and nephew (CBS)
16 THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW (1957)
Steverino's classic rock and roll poetic hate reading ofBe Bop A Lula, no apology to Gene Vincent.
Steve snubbed rock, had no rock acts on his show, but then booked them on his shows to get ratings (NBC).
17 The Inventor Of TV Sketch Comedy ERNIE KOVACS (1954)
Long before SNL, imitated by his contemporaries (Berle, Gleason, Skelton), he was the true inventor of TV sketch satire.
Ernie's Kovacs; vignettes could have been taped yesterday~still look contemporary, he was a TV comedy visionary
There are more Ernie Kovacs comedy innovation in our Oldies Television Trivia Quiz, link below.
18 THE RED SKELTON SHOW (1959)
Red as Clem Kaddiddlehoffer going to college, with guests: Reed Haley ("Racket Squad") & Marvin Kaplan ("Meet Millie")
We included Red's traditional, eye candy June Taylor Dancers' sketch opening and Red laughing at his own jokes (CBS)
20 FATHER KNOWS BEST (1953)
Full Episode of The definitive aspartame family sitcom: Betty & Kathyfeud begin over a bathing suit
Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, Lauren Chapin. (CBS)
21 PETTICOAT JUNCTION (1962)
Bea Bernadette and Edgar Buchanan bring up three perky teenage countrypolitan girls in Hooterville,
at the Shady Rest Hotel; this show was the precursor toGreen Acres Toottoot! (CBS)
22OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST BOB MATTHIAS (1956)
1952 OlympicTriathlon Champ Discusses The games & movie debut with mild mannered Herb Sheldon.
Sheldon hosted several shows ranging from talk, to teen dance, toRicky Tick Piano. ( Du Mont )
23 : DANCES OF THE 1950's: THE HAND JIVE (1957)
Teens perform the Hand Jive dance to Johnnie Otis'Willie & The Hand Jive adlib withRockette precision (DuMont )
What do Johnny Otis, Grateful Dead, Eric Clapton &Grease have in common? Read how the Jive goes on today.
24 GROUCHO MARX YOU BET YOUR LIFE (1959)
Contestants: Then 11 year old Candice Bergen appearing with dad, Edgar; alsoGroucho's daughter, Melinda.
Are the dads smarter than the 6th graders? In part 2, Dads join daughters in the quiz. Say the secret word! (NBC)
25 the original DRAGNET(1959)
Thegranddaddy of all TV cop shows and the definitive police melodrama with Jack Webb as Sgt. Joe Friday,
Ben Alexander as Officer Frank Smith. Olan Soule as the lab tech. Just the facts, ma'am. (NBC)
28 ABBOTT & COSTELLO:L WHO'S ON FIRST? 1951
This is the signature Bud Abbot and Lou Costello comedy routine that is often imitated, never duplicated.
The duo did hosting stints onTheColegate Comedy Hour andHollywood Palace . (NBC)
29 MORE DANCES OF THE 1950's THE JITTERBUG 1958
It started with Cab Calloway and ended up the most popular moves onAmerican Bandstand, et al.
Here, it becomes the domain of Bill Haley & The Comets' ripping off Little Richards' "Gonna Rip It Up." (AIP).
30. THE HONEYMOONERS ..IN COLOR! 1969
Ralph & Ed are jailed in Paris , accused of counterfeiting. Ed's escape plan backfires with hilarious results.
Gleason wanted the show taped byWometco TV in Miami , Audrey Meadows & Joyce Randolph had NYC commitments
ShielaMacrae & Jane Kean played wives Alice &Trixie; TV audiences didn't accept the change. (CBS)
32 Full Episode THE LONE RANGER 1955
Hi Ho, Silver! It's thegranddaddy of weekly TV western series starring oft masked Clayton Moore.
The Lone Ranger was the top rated #1 of the many Saturday afternoon "thataway" exciting oaters
Here is the full version of the debut episode,Enter The Lone Ranger Hi, Ho Silver! (syndicated).
33 THE ENDEARING GRIMACES OF EDDIE CANTOR 1952
HostingTheColegate Comedy Hour, Eddiepantomimes a sketch as the hapless victim of a vixen.
A forgotten legend, Cantor's expressive face and singing style warmed the cockles of viewer's hearts. (NBC)
34 BOBBY DARIN NERVOUSLY HOSTS A BEAUTY CONTEST 1957
Long before having his own weekly show, Bobby's first TV emcee gig, hosting a product hyped beauty pageant
Uh oh, , what a disaster! The contestant names are mixed up and so are the sponsor's promo lines ( Du Mont )
35 MORE DANCES OF THE 1950's: THE LINDY HOP 1959
From American Bandstand inPhilly, to a Dick Clark special in St. Louis to The Jersey Shore,
everybody was Lindy Hopping to Danny & The Juniors "At The Hop" You can swing it, you can do it (ABC)
...and there's more Danny & The Juniors, here to stay, on our Classic Oldies Video Jukebox (below)
37. THE DANNY THOMAS SHOW 1958
"Make Room For Daddy" with rare Danny Thomas,Marjorie Lord, Rusty Hammer, AngelaCartwright.
The kids wreak havoc on daddy and mommy with a divide and concur tactic. (CBS)
38 SID CAESAR: YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS 1957
Legendary sketch comedy with co-stars Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner &Howie Morris as "Uncle Goofy"
doing their classic takeoff onThis Is Your Life, also a glimpse ofThe Timepiece (CBS)
39 HERE COMES TOBOR! 1954
Before Captain Video got a hold ofTobor, little Robbie ran the prequel to "Tobor The Great."
Madison Ave jumped on ship with a cardboardTobor mask. Don't laugh, they sold. ( Du Mont )
40 THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN 1954
After the animation came TV's live Superman series starring George Reeves and Noel Neill as Lois Lane
Lois gets is abducted by a gangster, Superman sans Clark Kent saves the damsel in distress. (CBS)
41 THE ADVENTURES OF FLIPPER 1964
Let's get our minds off killer whales and go back to this beloved, adorable dolphin.
Each week this amazing mammal fascinated kids and adults by solving mysteries! (synd.)
42 SPIKE JONES 1951
Spike & the gang of hilarious musicalwhackies perform their signature "Cocktails For Two."
As you see this wild musical circus, know Spike Jones choreographed the zany antics. ( Du Mont )
43 CAPTAIN VIDEO & HIS VIDEO RANGERS 1950
Before Captain Kirk, there was Captain Video chasing those bad guys around the galaxy.
The "Star Trek" ofit's time, network program directors made the very same mistake. ( Du Mont )
44. THE LIBERACE SHOW 1952
Walter Liberace brought style to candlelight piano music, with, of course, brother George on violin.
This rare clip captures the musical heart and soul of the flamboyant pianist. ( Du Mont )
45 MEDIC 1954
First and still best medical drama series. Richard Boone asKonrad Steiner MD.
Still as relevant:prizefighterbefelled by Diabetes. This is pioneer medical TV drama. (NBC)
46 THE BIG VALLEY 1965
Outstanding Western series with BarbaraStanwyck, Lee Majors and Linda Evans
Full episode: "Heritage" Fanatics threaten to blow up the Bartley mine (NBC)
47 THE ROOTS OF TV BASEBALL 1950-57
Visual newsreel memories of baseball's great early years, featuring a tribute to Jackie Robinson
So relevant now: Robinson broke the color line in baseball, Obama in the US presidency. (Movietone)
48 Mc HALE'S NAVY 1962
Before cracking up HarveyKorman, Tim Conway was sidekick to ErnestBorgnine on this military sitcom
View a full half hour episode and watch Tim fall (literally) for a Lt. Commander Nurse. (NBC)
49 HOPALONG CASSIDY 1952
The Saturday afternoon TV Western staple starring William Boyd as frontier vigilante Hoppy.
Of the many Saturday TV matinee oaters, this ranked #2 in ratings.Giddyap! (syndicated)
50 DARK SHADOWS 1966
The first Weekday afternoon TV gothic soap opera, JonathanFrid as the Vampire Barnaby Collins.
For a brief time, this breakthrough gothic drama out-ranked established serial dramas in ratings. (ABC)
51 FADS & FANCIES OF THE 50s & 60s
The Hula Hoop, Twist, Palisades Park Beauty Contests, Rock-Ola Juke Box, Ford Thunderbird, more
set to the music of The Olympics' "Dance By The Light Of The Moon" (edited by CI)
52 I LOVE LUCY 1952
Highlights from TV episodes involving the coming of "Little Ricky" that captured viewer's hearts.
Ricky gets the news during his club performances, he and theMertzes go frenetic when "it's time".
Lucille Ball,DesiArnaz, Vivian Vance, WilliamFrawley. (CBS)
53 full episode THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW 1962
You asked for it, here it is, Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore with guest Bob Crane (Hogan'sHeroes .
Dick is directing a community theatre show, Mary sings & dances a vampy Calypso songOhhh, Rob! (CBS)
54 THE BEATLES FIRST TELEVISION APPEARANCE 1963
Not yet on Sullivan or in the U.S., theFab Four debuted "She Loves You" OnThe Mersey Sound (BBC)
*There's more Beatles & other British Invasion classics on the Classic Oldies Video Juke Box below.
55 BAT MASTERSON 1958
Gene Barry stars as the debonair Bat Masterson, this episode "TheStampede In Tent City
Guest stars Robert Conrad as the vigilante out to avenge his brother's killer (NBC)
56 MARTY ROBBINS ON THE JOHNNY CASH SHOW 1964
Back in the 60's, Holiday Inn funded half hour shows for Dolly Parton, Bobby Vinton & Marty Robbins
Before his own show aired, Marty sang "El Paso" on Johnny Cash's short lived TV gig (syndicated)
57 FRANK SINATRA SPEAKS CANDIDLY 1954
Would you believe, a humble Frank Sinatra? He speaks openly about the bad years,
gratitude to Bob Hope & his all time favorite movie role (can you guess which one?). (CBS)
58 PASSWORD 1962
AllenLudden hosted this enormously popular game show 1962 to 1971 on all 3 networks & syndication
Allen vies celebs Carol Burnett and Gary Moore against contestants to win $250-big prize then (CBS)
59 The Phenomenon STAR TREK TV ON DEMAND 1966-present
Now youdon't have to sit up and wait until 3AM when stations run Star Trek episodes. Get them here right now!.
Watch Full Episodes of Star Trek, StarTrek: The Next Generation, Deep Space 9, Voyager, Enterprise (synd Paramount)
Also a clip of Trek's post cancellation UK placebo,SPACE:1999wMartin Landau,Barbara Bain (ITV).
60 MORE DANCES OF THE 50's: THE SWINGBACK 1958
New York teens dance TheSwingback (also called The Sway) to Duane Eddy's "Forty Miles Of Bad Road"
The hips swayed and the preachers prayed rock & roll would go away. It didn't. (MGM)
61 THE LIVE TV FRIDGE COMMERCIAL CATASTROPHE 1954
Poor Westinghouse. If their built in antenna TV fiasco wasn't enough, more flawed, chagrin causing infamy:
the automaticrefrigerator door that jammed on this live nationally broadcast commercial. Bet heads rolled! (CBS)
62 THE ARTHUR GODFREY SHOW 1957
He ridiculed sponsors, fired staff on the air, fixed talent contests and made Godlike demands on execs, crew;,
yet still got big ratings, ruled corporate airwaves and network, sort of like Oprah does now, sans chicanery (CBS)
63 BUILDING THE 1958 DODGE 1957
What a retrospect! A TV industrial film goes inside the Dodge automotive plant foundry to finish. In 1979, Chrysler received a government bailout to make new Dodge cars. Sound familiar? (commercial).
64 FIGHT CLASSIC: ROCKY MARCIANO vs. JERSEY JOE WALCOTT 1952
Highlights from that historic championship boxing match in Philadelphia September 12, 1952. Of course you'll see thatboffo KO comeback in the 13thround. This is the true Rocky, Sly. (DuMont).
Check out Dynamite JoeRindone's fights, too, on Oldies Television Ch 79!
66 ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS 1959
With a "good evening," came melodramatic thrillers from the Master Of Suspense, AlfredHitchcock
The man whose big screen movies kept us on the edge of our seats brought the same to small screens (CBS).
67 SATURDAY NIGHTLIVE~~ BEFORE SNL 1954-58
All Broadcast Live Sat Eves: The Bob Hope Show, The Liberace Show, The Ken Murray Show,
Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis, The Steve Allen Show, The Pat Harrington Show, The Jackie Gleason Show
Sid Cesar's Your Show Of Shows. Watch many surprises with regulars & guests. (ABC-CBS-DuMont-NBC).
68 FELIX THE CAT 1959
In 1928, RCA testing VladimirZworkyn's iconoscope , Felix The Cat was the first image ever on TV;
Oldies Television's roster would not be complete without Otto Mesmer's historic cartoon icon.
Here is his 1959 Saturday cartoon show with a new, hip updated opening that we can just ignore.(NBC).
69 THE DONNA REED SHOW 1958
Donna mugs nervously to the camera when daughter, Mary (ShelleyFabares) sings at a school dance.
The song she sings? "Johnny Angel," of course. Dad (Dr. Stone, Carl Betz) allays Mom's fears.
Full episode soon and check out the Donna Reed Christmas Show below on ch 79 (NBC)
70 full episode THE GOLDBERGS 1952
Gertrude Berg served as executive producer and co-writer as well as star
of this beloved sitcom about the matriarch (Molly) of a middle class Jewish family.
Frank Sutton, who would later be |
