Category Archives: Television 1950s

Phil Silvers fills in for injured Ed Sullivan 60 years ago this hour (Aug 12 1956)


Video: 'The Very Best of the Ed Sullivan Show 2 hosted by (Burt Reynolds) | 1991 CBS Full Special' (Aug. 6, 1956, at 1:00:34)

(Sunday, August 12, 1956, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT) — Comedian Phil Silvers hosted The Ed Sullivan Show tonight on CBS-TV, filling in for Ed Sullivan, 54, who was injured in a head-on collision on Aug. 6, 1956, in Seymour, Connecticut. Continue reading Phil Silvers fills in for injured Ed Sullivan 60 years ago this hour (Aug 12 1956)

DuMont Television Network concludes final broadcast 70 years ago this hour (Aug 6 1956)


Video: 'DuMont Network Ushers Modern Television Era - Decades TV Network'

(Monday, August 6, 1956, 9:00-11:00 p.m. EDT) — The DuMont Television Network, one of the world’s pioneer commercial television networks, went off the air tonight with the conclusion of a boxing match after a decade of operations. Continue reading DuMont Television Network concludes final broadcast 70 years ago this hour (Aug 6 1956)

TV host Ed Sullivan injured in head-on collision 70 years ago this hour (Aug 6 1956)


Video: 'The Very Best of the Ed Sullivan Show 2 hosted by (Burt Reynolds) | 1991 CBS Full Special' (Aug. 6, 1956, at 1:00:34)

(Monday, August 6, 1956, at about 2:00 a.m. EDT) — Television host Ed Sullivan, 54, narrowly escaped with his life early today when the car he was driving crashed head-on into another automobile on a narrow, winding country road in Seymour, Connecticut. Continue reading TV host Ed Sullivan injured in head-on collision 70 years ago this hour (Aug 6 1956)

Louis Armstrong, Julie Andrews perform on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 70 years ago this hour (July 15 1956)


Video: 'Louis Armstrong "Muskrat Ramble" (July 15, 1956) on The Ed Sullivan Show'

(Sunday, July 15, 1956, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT) — Louis Armstrong peformed “Muskrat Ramble” and Julie Andrews performed “I Could Have Danced All Night” on tonight’s live edition of the CBS-TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show from CBS Studio No. 50 in New York City. Continue reading Louis Armstrong, Julie Andrews perform on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 70 years ago this hour (July 15 1956)

Dick Clark debuts as ‘Bandstand’ music and dance program host on WFIL-TV 70 years ago this hour (July 9 1956)


Video: 'July 9, 1956: Dick Clark makes his first appearance on American Bandstand'

(Monday, July 9, 1956, 2:30 p.m. EDT) — Dick Clark, 26, made his debut today as host of Bandstand on WFIL-TV in Philadelphia. Continue reading Dick Clark debuts as ‘Bandstand’ music and dance program host on WFIL-TV 70 years ago this hour (July 9 1956)

Elvis Presley performs live on ‘The Steve Allen Show’ variety show from New York City 70 years ago this hour (July 1 1956)


Video: 'Elvis Presley on the Steve Allen Show & Hy Gardner Calling (July 1, 1956)' (Steve Allen Show 0:00-17:58)

(Sunday, July 1, 1956, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT) — Elvis Presley performed “Hound Dog” singing to an actual hound dog live tonight on NBC’s The Steve Allen Show at the Hudson Theater in New York City. Continue reading Elvis Presley performs live on ‘The Steve Allen Show’ variety show from New York City 70 years ago this hour (July 1 1956)

Elvis Presley performs on final ‘Milton Berle Show’ 70 years ago this hour (June 5 1956)


Video: 'Elvis Presley at Milton Berle Show (Live TV 5th June 1956) Full Appearance Remastered HD | S8 E13'

(Tuesday, June 5, 1956, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT) — Elvis Presley performed “Hound Dog” doing his hip-gyrating act live tonight on the final episode of the original The Milton Berle Show in Los Angeles. Continue reading Elvis Presley performs on final ‘Milton Berle Show’ 70 years ago this hour (June 5 1956)

Tony Curtis’ birthday celebrated on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 70 years ago this hour (Jun 3 1956)


Video: 'TONY CURTIS on The Ed Sullivan Show - RIP'

(Sunday, June 3, 1956, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT) — Film actor Tony Curtis celebrated his 31st birthday tonight with Ed Sullivan and Burt Lancaster (during a promotional spot for the film Trapeze) on tonight’s live edition of The Ed Sullivan Show from CBS Studio No. 50 in New York City. Continue reading Tony Curtis’ birthday celebrated on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 70 years ago this hour (Jun 3 1956)

‘Lucy’s Italian Movie’ episode airs on ‘I Love Lucy’ 70 years ago this hour (Apr 16 1956)


Video: 'I Love Lucy | Lucy Stomps Grapes In Italy (S5, E23) | Paramount+'

(Monday, April 16, 1956, 9:00-9:30 p.m. EST) — En route to Rome by train, Lucy is spotted by a famous Italian cinema director and chosen to play a part in his new movie Bitter Grapes on tonight’s episode of the CBS sitcom television series I Love Lucy. Continue reading ‘Lucy’s Italian Movie’ episode airs on ‘I Love Lucy’ 70 years ago this hour (Apr 16 1956)

First practical videotape recorder demonstrated in Chicago 70 years ago today (Apr 14 1956)

(Saturday, April 14, 1956) — Ampex Corp. demonstrated the first practical videotape recorder (in a format known as 2″ Quadruplex) today at the National Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters (NARTB) convention in Chicago. Continue reading First practical videotape recorder demonstrated in Chicago 70 years ago today (Apr 14 1956)