Video: 'Casino Royale James Bond 1954'
(Thursday, October 21, 1954, 8:30-9:30 p.m. EST) — Casino Royale, a television adaptation of the novel of the same name by Ian Fleming and the first onscreen appearance of the character of James Bond (played by Barry Nelson), was broadcast tonight live on the CBS dramatic anthology series Climax!.
Nelson’s character is played as an American agent with “Combined Intelligence” and is referred to as “Jimmy” by several characters.
Video: 'Father Knows Best: Bud Takes Up The Dance' (aired Oct. 3, 1954)
(Sunday, October 3, 1954, 10:00 p.m. EST) — Father Knows Best, a television comedy series which portrayed a middle class family life in the Midwest, debuted tonight on CBS.
It starred Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue and Billy Gray.
Video: 'Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz - Toast of the Town October 3, 1954'
(Sunday, October 3, 1954, 8 p.m. EST) — Tonight’s 60-minute The Ed Sullivan Show on CBS-TV was dedicated to Lucille Ball and her husband Desi Arnaz, the lead actors on the hit sitcom I Love Lucy, including a celebrity testimonial luncheon.
Video: 'The Jimmy Durante Show from 1955 (video)'
(Saturday, October 2, 1954, 9:30 p.m. EST) — The Jimmy Durante Show, a live comedy/variety television series, debuted tonight on NBC.
It starred Jimmy Durante, Peter Lawford and Eddie Jackson.
Video: 'General Electric Theater - Winner By Decision' (Nov. 6, 1955)
(Sunday, September 26, 1954, 9:00 p.m. EDT) — Actor Ronald Reagan debuted tonight as the only host of the CBS television series General Electric Theater. GE added a host to provide continuity in the anthology format.
Video: 'Studio One: Twelve Angry Men'
(Monday, September 20, 1954, 10:00 p.m. EDT) — Twelve Angry Men, a teleplay about a jury that must reach a verdict concerning a teenage boy accused of murder, was presented live tonight on CBS-TV as part of the anthology series Studio One.
Video: 'Lassie - Episode 1 - "Inheritance" - Part 1 - (Originally broadcast 09/12/1954)'
(Sunday, September 12, 1954, 7:00 p.m. EDT) — Lassie, an American television series that follows the adventures of a female Rough Collie dog named Lassie and her companions, human and animal, debuted tonight as a regular television series on CBS. It starred Tommy Rettig, Jan Clayton and George Cleveland. Continue reading ‘Lassie’ series debuts on CBS-TV 60 years ago this hour (Sep 12 1954)
Video: 'Rear Window' trailer
(Wednesday, August 18, 1954) — Dragnet, a crime drama film (based on the weekly TV series) about two homicide detectives who investigate the brutal shotgun murder of a crime syndicate member, opened today in Chicago.
Directed by Jack Webb, the film starred Webb, Ben Alexander, Richard Boone and Ann Robinson.
Video: 'Joseph McCarthy Congressional Hearings'
(Thursday, April 22, 1954; during the Second Red Scare) — The McCarthy-Army hearings, a Senate hearing derived from Senator Joseph McCarthy’s hunt for communists in the United States, were televised live beginning today, continuing through June 17, 1954.
Video: 'Good Night and Good Luck - McCarthy Response'
(Tuesday, April 6, 1954, 10:30 p.m. EST; during the Second Red Scare) — A month after being criticized by newsman Edward R. Murrow on CBS’ See It Now, Wisconsin Republican Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy, given the chance to respond on the program, charged that Murrow had, in the past, “engaged in propaganda for Communist causes.” Continue reading Senator McCarthy replies to Murrow TV commentary 60 years ago this hour (Apr 6 1954)
