TV in the 50s and 60s

Posted on 21 May 2010 | 0 Comments

The 50's and 60's certainly left their imprint on our culture.  Through the lens of TV, the following links are sure to cause some nostalgia for the times in which we grew up.  Thanks to Elayne Gwardyak Hallstrom for this amusing discovery. 

If you enjoy this sampling, xoteria.com has many more TV episodes of the 50's and 60's for viewing.

THE RED SKELTON SHOW (1959) <http://xoteria.com/CH18.html>   
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)

JAMES DEAN: HIS FINAL TV  APPEARANCE (1954) <http://xoteria.com/CH2.html>   
Rebellious trait obvious, James Dean talks about car racing and  safety on Gig Young's show; Walks off set at mention of speeding;  eerily, Dean was killed days later in a tragic car collisiom. (Du Mont)

ELVIS SINGS BLUE SUEDE SHOES (1956) <http://xoteria.com/CH3.html>   
The King lives here! Elvis Presley debuts on "The Tommy & Jimmy  Dorsey Show." (CBS)

A TRIBUTE TO ELVIS PRESLEY, THE KING OF ROCK  & ROLL (1959-62) <http://xoteria.com/CH4.html>   
Clips of The King from his early days to induction into the Army,  see The King's mom, dad & Col. Tom.  Hear Elvis' first #1 1957 hit  for RCA, Heartbreak Hotel. (clips from  Movietone & AP News)

THE EDSEL INTRODUCED ON  NBC (1957) <http://xoteria.com/CH5.html>  
Ford paid the network big  dollars (in those days) to run this filmed The Edsel Show promotion. Ford canned the  car shortly after; it is today a revered automotive classic. (NBC) 

THE CENSORED JERRY LEE LEWIS HERE  UNCENSORED! (1957-59) <http://xoteria.com/CH12.html>   
Goodness, Gracious, Great Balls Of Fire! The' "Killer" smooches his  child bride cousin on a filmed news interview on stage, he goes wild  performing (looks like today's metal rockers). The networks nixed both.  (UPI)

THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW (1957) <http://xoteria.com/CH16.html>   
Steverino's classic rock and roll poetic hate reading of Be 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).

FATHER KNOWS BEST (1953) <http://xoteria.com/CH20.html>   
Full Episode of the definitive aspartame family sitcom: Betty and Kathy fued begin over a bathing suit.  Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, Lauren Chapin. (CBS)

PETTICOAT JUNCTION (1962) <http://xoteria.com/CH21.html>   
Bea Bernadette and Edgar Buchanan bring up three perky teenage  countrypolitan girls in Hooterville, at the Shady Rest Hotel; this  show was the precursor to Green Acres Toot toot! (CBS)  

OLYMPIC  GOLD MEDALIST BOB MATTHIAS (1956) <http://xoteria.com/CH22.html>   
1952 Olympic Triathalon Champ Discusses the games and movie debut with mild mannered Herb Sheldon. Sheldon hosted several  shows ranging from talk, to teen dance, to Ricky Tick Piano. ( Du Mont )  

DANCES OF THE 1950's: THE HAND JIVE (1957) <http://xoteria.com/CH23.html>   
Teens perform the Hand Jive dance to Johnnie Otis' Willie & The Hand Jive adlib with Rockette precision (DuMont )

GROUCHO MARX YOU BET YOUR LIFE (1959) <http://xoteria.com/CH24.html>   
Contestants: Then 11 year old Candice Bergen appearing with dad,  Edgar; also Groucho'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)

THE ORIGINAL DRAGNET (1959) <http://xoteria.com/CH25.html>  
The grandaddy 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)  

THE IMMORTAL MUSICAL COMEDY OF VICTOR  BORGE 1951 <http://xoteria.com/CH26.html>   
Victor and the symphony orchestra give a new twist to Listz and it is a classic Borge, both a musical and comedy  genius. Victor Borge's precision piano and satiric  talent are as natural as his warmth. (CBS)

ABBOTT & COSTELLO: WHO'S ON  FIRST? 1951 <http://xoteria.com/CH28.html>  
This  is the signature Bud Abbot and Lou Costello comedy routine that is often  imitated, never duplicated. The duo did hosting stints on The Colegate Comedy Hour and Hollywood Palace. (NBC)

MORE DANCES OF THE 1950's THE JITTERBUG 1958 <http://xoteria.com/CH29.html>  
It  started with Cab Calloway and ended up the most popular moves on American Bandstand, et al.  Here, it becomes the domain of Bill Haley & The Comets' ripping off Little Richards' "Gonna Rip It Up." (AIP).
  

THE ORIGINAL FLASH GORDON  SERIAL theatres-1939;  TV-1960's <http://xoteria.com/CH31.html>  Before TJ's doo wop concerts, PBS used  Buster Crabbe's Flash Gordon cinema serials rattle the PBS tin cup.  From Captain Video to Captains Kirk, Picard & Janeway, scifi and space travel was always a  TV niche. (PBS)

Full Episode THE LONE RANGER 1955 <http://xoteria.com/CH32.html>  
Hi  Ho, Silver! It's the grandaddy 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).  

THE ENDEARING GRIMACES OF EDDIE  CANTOR 1952 <http://xoteria.com/CH33.html>   
Hosting The Colegate Com edy Hour,  Eddie pantomines 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)

MORE DANCES OF THE 1950's: THE LINDY  HOP 1959 <http://xoteria.com/CH35.html>  
From  American Bandstand in Phillie, 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) 

THE DANNY THOMAS SHOW 1958 <http://xoteria.com/CH37.html>   
"Make Room For Daddy" with rare Danny Thomas, Marjoriie Lord, Rusty Hammer, Angela Cartright. The kids wreak havoc  on daddy and mommy with a divide and concur tactic. (CBS)

SID CAESAR: YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS 1957 <http://xoteria.com/CH38.html>   
Legendary sketch comedy with co-stars Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner  & Howie Morris as "Uncle Goofy"  doing their classic takeoff on This Is Your Life, also a glimpse  of The Timepiece (CBS)

THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN 1954 <http://xoteria.com/CH40.html>   
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)  

THE ADVENTURES OF FLIPPER 1964 <http://xoteria.com/CH41.html>   
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.)

SPIKE JONES 1951 <http://xoteria.com/CH42.html>   
Spike and the gang of hilarious musical whackies perform their signature  "Cocktails For Two." As you see this wild musical circus, know Spike  Jones choreographed the zany antics. (Du Mont)

CAPTAIN VIDEO & HIS VIDEO RANGERS 1950 <http://xoteria.com/CH43.html>   
Before Captain Kirk, there was Captain Video chasing those bad guys  around the galaxy. The "Star Trek" of it's time, network program directors  made the very same mistake. (Du Mont)

THE LIBERACE SHOW 1952 <http://xoteria.com/CH44.html>   
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)

MEDIC 1954 <http://xoteria.com/CH45.html>   
First and still best medical drama series. Rich ard Boone as Konrad Steiner MD.  Still as relevant: prizeighter befelled by Diabetes. This is pioneer  medical TV drama. (NBC)

THE BIG VALLEY 1965 <http://xoteria.com/CH46.html>   
Outstanding Western series with Barbara Stanwyck, Lee Majors and  Linda Evans. Full episode:  "Heritage" Fanatics threaten to blow up the Bartley mine (NBC)

THE ROOTS OF TV BASEBALL 1950-57 <http://xoteria.com/CH47.html>   
Visual newsreel memories of baseball's great early years, featuring  a tribute to Jackie Robinson. (Movietone)

Mc HALE'S NAVY 1962 <http://xoteria.com/CH48.html>   
Before cracking up Harvey Korman, Tim Conway was sidekick to  Ernest Borgnine on this military sitcom.  View a full half hour episode and watch Tim fall (literally) for a  Lt. Com mander Nurse. (NBC)

HOPALONG CASSIDY 1952 <http://xoteria.com/CH49.html>  
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)

DARK SHADOWS 1966 <http://xoteria.com/CH50.html>  
The  first Weekday afternoon TV gothic soap opera, Jonathan Frid as the Vampire Barnaby Collins.  For a brief time, this breakthrough gothic drama out-ranked  established serial dramas in ratings. (ABC)

FADS & FANCIES OF THE 50s &  60s <http://xoteria.com/CH51.html>   
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)

I LOVE LUCY 1952 <http://xoteria.com/CH52.html>   
Highlights from TV episodes involving the coming of "Little Rick y"  that captured viewer's hearts. Ricky gets the news during his club  performances, he and the Mertzes go frenetic when "it's time".  Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, William Frawley. (CBS)

full episode THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW 1962 <http://xoteria.com/CH53.html>  
You  asked for it, here it is, Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore with guest Bob  Crane (Hogan's Heros . Dick is directing a  community theatre show, Mary sings & dances a vampy Calypso  song Ohhh, Rob! (CBS)

THE BEATLES FIRST TELEVISION  APPEARANCE 1963 <http://xoteria.com/CH54.html>  Not  yet on Sullivan or in the U.S., the Fab Four debuted "She Loves You"  On The Mersey Sound (BB

MORE DANCES OF THE 50's: THE SWINGBACK 1958 <http://xoteria.com/CH60A.html> New  York teens dance The Swingback (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)

THE LIVE TV FRIDGE COMMERCIAL  CATASTROPHE 1954 <http://xoteria.com/CH61.html>  
Poor  Westinghouse. If their built in antenna TV fiasco wasn't enough, more  flawed, chagrin causing infamy: the automatic referigerator door that jammed on this live  nationally broadcast commercial. Bet heads rolled! (CBS)

THE ARTHUR GODFREY SHOW 1957 <http://xoteria.com/CH62.html>  
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)

BUILDING THE 1958 DODGE 1957 <http://xoteria.com/CH63.html>  
What  a retrospect! A TV industrial film goes inside the Dodge automotive  plant foundry to finish<.br> In 1979, Chrysler received a  government bailout to make new Dodge cars. (commercial).  

FIGHT CLASSIC: ROCKY MARCIANO vs. JERSEY JOE  WALCOTT 1952 <http://xoteria.com/CH64.html>   
Highlights from that historic championship boxing match in  Philadelphia September 12, 1952. Of course you'll see that boffo KO comeback in the 13th round~this is the true Rocky, Sly.  (DuMont).

AND MORE GREAT ICONS OF THE 50's VOL  III 1952-59 <http://xoteria.com/CH65.html>   
Richard Nixon's first scandal, John Wayne's PSA, Marilyn Monroe's  Motor Oil, Jimmy Durante's Schnozz, George Burns & Gracie Allen, Jack Benny & Dennis Day, Laurel & Hardy, Jackie  & Art's "Hello, Ball!"

68 FELIX THE CAT 1959 <http://xoteria.com/CH68.html>  
In  1928, RCA testing Vladimir Zworkyn'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).

full episode THE GOLDBERGS 1952 <http://xoteria.com/CH70.html>   
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 Gomer Pyle's Sarge, guest stars in this episode.  (synd.)

LUCILLE BALL & CAROL  BURNETT 1965 <http://xoteria.com/CH71.html>  
Two  queens of comedy together with Gale Gordon as straight man on "The Lucy  Show."  Lucy wants to join Carol on a trip to Palm Springs, they  scheme to fool Boss Mooney. (CBS)

THE LITTLE RASCALS 1955 <http://xoteria.com/CH72.html>  
The  top Saturday morning TV attraction in the 50's was the re-worked MGM  "Our Gang Comedies"