Historical Television Highlights
The EDSEL Show-October 13, 1957
Here is the oldest use of videotape for network television recording in existence. The Edsel Show was recorded as it was presented live on CBS on Sunday, October 13, 1957. A TV Guide® Close-Up is shown here from the Indianapolis edition showing it aired on WCIA, Channel 3-Champaign, WISH-TV, Channel 8-Indianapolis, WTHI-TV, Channel 10-Terre Haute and WANE-TV, Channel 15-Fort Wayne.
It is truly significant because the videotape was used to delay the broadcast for viewing in the Pacific and Mountain time zones, the previously live broadcast which was broadcast live for Eastern and Central time zones. Bing Crosby did notoriously favor pre-recording his radio shows to fit his schedule. He was considered a financier and developer of audiotape for the AMPEX company to be used for his radio broadcasts. Then, by the mid-1950s, he was working with AMPEX to develop videotape recorders to bring a live broadcast look and feel to pre-recorded programming.
This is also significant for its sponsor, the Ford Motor Company, which introduced one of the largest failures of an American automobile maker in history. The Edsel was named for the son of Henry Ford and was meant to compete with the likes of General Motors Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Buick divisions. Unfortunately, it was introduced during an economic recession, which lowered the sales numbers of the entire automotive industry. Plus, the car developed a reputation for being less than reliable.
Enjoy this fine example of a TV special and a TV spectacular with three huge names in the music industry of the 1950s. Sinatra was enjoying a comeback after being on the skids in the early 1950s. He was now riding high after his Oscar and Golden Globe awards "From Here to Eternity" in 1953. He went on to star in several other popular films of the mid-1950s, including "Young at Heart" with Doris Day, "Suddenly" with Sterling Hayden, "The Man With the Golden Arm" and "High Society" with Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly. "High Society" was one of the highest-grossing movies in 1956, before this TV special. He also rejuvenated his recording career during the mid-1950s with many recorded albums with the likes of Nelson Riddle and his orchestra.
Meanwhile, Bing Crosby was also very active in film, TV, and radio, having hosted a long-running radio variety special and appearing in the "road" pictures with Bob Hope, who makes a cameo appearance in this special. He was also a broadcast owner, purchasing KCOP-TV in Los Angeles in 1954. He also owned, for a time, KPTV in Portland, Oregon.
Rosemary Clooney began with a hit record in the early 1950s called "Come On-a My House," "Botch-a-Me," and many others. She starred with Bing Crosby in the 1950s color version of "White Christmas." She was the mother of actor Miguel Ferrer, the sister of Nick Clooney, and the aunt of actor George Clooney.
Bing Crosby died in 1977, Frank Sinatra in 1998, and Rosemary Clooney in 2002. The Edsel was removed from production in 1960.
This 2-hour, 40-minute video is from a kinescope of a live CBS Special that was broadcast on November 15, 1952 (before any local TV stations were on the air in mid-Illinois to watch it) on CBS. It features stars from its many TV shows, which were broadcast either live or recorded on film at the facility's grand opening.
(Note: Audio might not play on some smaller devices.)
(YouTube)
CBS Sells Its Iconic Studio
In October 2018, it was announced that CBS had decided to sell its iconic studio located in Los Angeles. By December 2018, the announcement came that CBS had sold their home for $750 million to an LA-based real estate developer, Hackman Capital Partners.
This agreement means that Hackman Capital Partners will continue to use the name "Television City," but CBS will continue to produce TV shows there, at least in the foreseeable future.
The network purchased the property in 1950, located at Fairfax Avenue and Beverly Boulevard. The facility was built for 7 million dollars.
On April 27, 2002, CBS celebrated the 50th year of CBS Television City with a variety show that included many who had worked and performed there. Carol Burnett hosted the special.
(YouTube)
This is the oldest videotape recording in existence. The Edsel Show stars Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, and Rosemary Clooney. Produced at CBS Television City on October 13, 1957. Seen live across the USA in all time zones except the Pacific, The Edsel Show was tape-delayed for broadcast 3 hours later in the Pacific Zone. A few early videotapes were saved...most were erased and reused.
See the Edsel Show section at the top of this page
for more details.
(YouTube)
CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow takes us on a tour of Television City in Hollywood. The facility began its life in 1953 and became the originating studio of many of CBS's classic TV shows.
Along with "The Jack Benny Show" and the "Art Linkletter House Party" for example, it was the home of many live and filmed TV shows. It wasn't until some time later, in the late 1950s that videotape was used to record shows.
Other shows included "The Price is Right," "Bold and the Beautiful," "Young and the Restless," "Smothers' Brothers," the Norman Lear shows, including "All in the Family," "Welcome Back Kotter(for ABC), "The Gong Show(for NBC), "The Carol Burnett Show," "One Day at a Time," "Threes Company"(for ABC), "Red Skelton Show," "Wheel of Fortune," "Match Game," "Family Feud," "The Twilight Zone" and "
To see more about CBS Television City, visit the Historical TV Highlights page.
(YouTube)
Here's a glimpse of CBS Television City in 1987, showcasing clips from the 1953 special, beloved classic shows, and memorable moments from the 1960s. This includes the Smothers Brothers' struggle with censorship, the iconic Carol Burnett sketch parodying "Gone With the Wind," and the controversial episodes of "Maude" and "The Jeffersons." (Source: YouTube)
American Bandstand
"American Bandstand" was one of ABC's longest-running TV series and certainly the first musical series to feature rock and roll. It premiered on WFIL-TV in Philadelphia and was hosted by Bob Horn from 1952 to 1956, then Dick Clark. Soon after, in 1957, "Bandstand" became "American Bandstand" when it went national on ABC every afternoon Monday-Friday.
In August 1963, it would cease being a weekday series and only be seen on Saturday afternoons. The following year, it would be relocated to Los Angeles, I assume to fit the schedule and location for what would be Clark's growing empire in entertainment and production of TV series. He would also produce "Where the Action Is" and "It's Happening" for ABC in the mid-1960s.
On April 4, 1959, Edd Byrnes joined "American Bandstand" with his hit (with Connie Stevens) "Kookie, Kookie Lend Me Your Comb." Both were Warner Brothers contract actors and stars of the ABC WB series. Byrnes with "77 Sunset Strip" and Stevens with "Hawaiian Eye."
(YouTube)
Dick Clark
Danny and the Juniors had the hit "The Hop," and this video begins with a shout-out to one of the TV stations featured on this website, KTVI, Channel 2 in St. Louis. See it here as it was broadcast in 1958, right after Channel 2 became a full-fledged ABC affiliate. This was from the prime-time version of "American Bandstand" from 1957-58.
(YouTube)
From 1958: The Silhouettes and "Get A Job." A number one song for 2 weeks.
This is a rare episode of "American Bandstand" that aired on March 8, 1963, from Philadelphia. During this period, the show was shortened to just thirty minutes, but by September of that year, it was expanded back to its original one-hour format. This particular episode is unique in that it is the only known surviving weekday half-hour version of the show. It is worth noting that the Top 10 segment was edited out, according to the submitter on YouTube. The show was hosted by Dick Clark, with Charlies O'Donnell serving as the announcer. (Source: YouTube)
Host Bob Horn from 1952-1956. The First host of "Bandstand" from WFIL-TV, also a DJ at WFIL(Radio).
Host Bob Horn from 1952-1956. The First host of "Bandstand" from WFIL-TV, also a DJ at WFIL(Radio).
The American Bandstand "Scrapbook Gallery"
This is a mostly complete installment of "American Bandstand" from June 18, 1966, we see Steve Alamo, Captain Beefheart, and "Love."
(YouTube)
Here's a nearly complete installment of "American Bandstand" from August 2, 1969, as broadcast on ABC. It's missing the number one song of the week, having been blocked by YouTube for copyright issues. Once again, historic videos are being defaced by copyright issues on YouTube.
(YouTube)
The 50th Anniversary of "American Bandstand" aired on ABC in 2002 and was the final one of the series. This is a short clip from the show's beginning featuring the guest stars of the early 2000s.
(YouTube)
The final American Bandstand edition from the original series was seen in 1987, ending its run on ABC. It was later seen in syndication for a season with Dick Clark, then with replacement hosts. Dick Clark died in 2012 after suffering a stroke in 2004. He continued co-hosting the New Year's Eve Specials on ABC until his death.
KIDS!
Locally Produced
Programs for
Sheriff Sid personal appearance during a local parade in 1962.
Scotty Craig in the earliest WCIA kids show, "Cartoon Time" from 1954
KACY, Channel 14, Festus, MO, "The Cricket and Millie Show." 1954
Sheriff Sid personal appearance during a local parade in 1962.
Children's Panel Show/Cartoons Based
The first is the traditional "kids' panel show," in which at least several children would be a part of the on-camera production. Most of these shows for the kids were modeled after "Howdy Doody," with a host who would be the adult "leader" talking and relating to the local kids on the show. The host would sometimes have a co-host who was usually there as comedy relief and to help keep the show rolling as the kids would participate in games and contests between the airing of local cartoons. Sometimes, the show's theme would coincide with the cartoons being shown. You'll see examples below.
WCIA, Channel 3 late weekday afternoon kids shows included: "The Popeye Show," "Popeye's Circus," "Captain Eddy," and "Sheriff Sid."
WTVP Channel 17 broadcasts "Davey's Locker," "Space Angel," "Dick Tracy's Crimestoppers," and "Kartoon Kampus" as well as others. "Romper Room," the young children's show franchise, is also included.
WICS, Channel 20 aired "Pegwill Circus," "Pegwill Pete," "Clickity Clack(or Clicka T. Clack," "The Funny Company," "Kim's Kiddie Korner," and "Popeye and Kim."
WEEK, Channel 43/25, Peoria had the "Captain Jinks and Salty Sam Show."
WTVH, Channel 19, Peoria, was the franchise holder for "Romper Room."
KTVI, Channel 2, St. Louis broadcast "Mr. Patches."
KMOX, Channel 4, St. Louis featured "Cooky and the Captain."
KSD-TV, Channel 5, St. Louis had "Corky the Clown."
KPLR, Channel 11, St. Louis broadcast " Captain 11's Showboat."
KACY, Channel 14, Festus(St. Louis) featured "Millie and Cricket."
Funny Company was a syndicated concept children's program that would be done locally with local hosts and kids participating. It aired on WICS with Clicka T. Clack as the host. Unfortunately, no videos of the local production are seen on Channel 20. These are the opening titles used by WICS.
(YouTube)
This is a segment from more recent days as WEEK's children's program "Captain Jinx and Salty Sam."
(YouTube)
Here is "Cooky and the Captain" from KMOX-TV, Channel 4, St. Louis. It's unknown when this particular clip from videotape aired but it's definitely from the early 1960s.
(YouTube)
This goes back to February of 1953 with someone's home movies of their child's appearance on "Romper Room" in 1953. This took place at WBAL-TV in Baltimore, Maryland. I'm hoping that someone at WTVP(WAND), WTVH(WIRL, WRAU) has similar home movies of their child's appearance on "Romper Room" or any other locally produced children's show. If you have one in a digital format, I would like to feature it here! Please contact me!
(YouTube)
LOCAL TELEVISION STATION
Teen age Dance Programs
Teenager Dance/Music Shows
The second type of children's show was for teenagers. It was top 40 radio on TV as teens danced to their favorite songs of the day.
They were all pretty much the same format, consisting of a male host who was also the disc jockey. He would interview the teens, perhaps include a "rate-a-record" review of newly released records, and an occasional dance contest.
From the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s, local TV stations would include a Saturday afternoon or sometimes a weeknight hour-long dance program.
WCIA broadcasts "The Hop" with John Coleman and later Ed Mason.
WTVP, Channel 17, broadcast "The Frank Monte Show" and later "Marty's Dance Party."
WICS, Channel 20, aired "The Pepsi Dance Party."
WDAN-TV broadcast "Danville Bandstand."
Unfortunately, virtually no video of local dance shows exists, other than some kinescope segments from "The Hop" that were broadcast on WCIA. I don't have access to those, but I'll try.
"The Hop" logo (The Ed Mason Collection)
John Coleman hosting "The Hop" (WCIA and the Ed Mason Collection)
KSD-TV, Channel 5, St. Louis "St. Louis Hop" unknown year, 50s. (Pinterest)
"The Hop" logo (The Ed Mason Collection)
Disneyland Opening, from ABC July 17, 1955
Seeing current plans by the Disney people to reopen their parks, namely Disneyland and Disney World, it won't be like the original grand opening from 65 years ago, July 18, 1955.
This was broadcast across the ABC television network live with various guest stars, interviews, and many personal observations from Anaheim, California.
From a technical broadcast standpoint, it was an incredible logistic feat to organize and construct a network of video cables all across the park, with black and white video cameras, alongside an audio system in synch with the video and organize the writing and talent to be where they should be on cue. The communication system between everyone in the production was also built. See the video below!
The final step was to link the production with the ABC network feed from Los Angeles(Hollywood) to master control in New York and then via network feed to the ABC affiliates, at least those with a live network feed, to be broadcast to viewers. This production would have been seen in mid-Illinois on WTVP, WBLN, KTVI, and possibly WTVH.
Enjoy this kinescope of the event, which was probably recorded to be sent to ABC affiliates that did not have a live network feed from the network.
Curious about how the live broadcast from Disneyland on July 17, 1955, was produced? ABC produced a 14-minute documentary called "Operation Disneyland" that delves into the technical logistics behind the live TV broadcast. Whether you're in the TV production industry or involved in live field broadcasts or sporting events, it's worth checking out how it was done 65 years ago!
"Disneyland's 10th Anniversary" on "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, NBC 1965
Let's advance 10 years to "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" as broadcast on NBC. This episode celebrates the 10th Anniversary of Disneyland and is hosted by 64-year-old Walt Disney. As a side note, Mr. Disney suffered from lung cancer and died in December.
The show doesn't include commercials, but you'll notice some product placement with Kodak cameras that sponsored the show during a good part of the 1960s.
This would have been seen on NBC affiliates in color on WICS, WCHU, WEEK-TV, WTWO, WGEM-TV, and KSD-TV. It was also seen in black and white on WICD. (Find out why it was in black and white on the History of WICD section of this site).