Category Archives: Television 1950s

Bill Haley & his Comets perform on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 60 years ago this hour (Aug 7 1955)


Video: 'BILL HALEY & HIS COMETS "Rock Around The Clock" on The Ed Sullivan Show'

(Sunday, August 7, 1955, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT) — Bill Haley & his Comets performed “Rock Around The Clock” on tonight’s live edition of the CBS-TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show from CBS Studio No. 50 in New York City.

Disneyland opens in Anaheim, California during live TV special 60 years ago this hour (July 17 1955)


Video: '1955 Disneyland Opening Day [Complete ABC Broadcast]'

(Sunday, July 17, 1955, 4:30 p.m. PDT) — The theme park Disneyland was dedicated today in Anaheim, California, during a nationally televised “International Press Preview” event on ABC-TV anchored by Art Linkletter, Bob Cummings and Ronald Reagan.

‘The Lawrence Welk Show’ debuts on ABC-TV 60 years ago this hour (July 2 1955)


Video: 'LAWRENCE WELK AND HIS CHAMPAGNE MUSIC - 1955'

(Saturday, July 2, 1955, 9:00-10:00 p.m. EDT)The Lawrence Welk Show, hosted by big band leader Lawrence Welk, premiered tonight on ABC-TV under its original title The Dodge Dancing Party. The musical variety show ran for 27 years, both on the network and in syndication.

Bob Hope performs on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 60 years ago this hour (June 26 1955)


Video: 'BOB HOPE on The Ed Sullivan Show'

(Sunday, June 26, 1955, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT) — Comedian Bob Hope performed “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 Bob Hope performs on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 60 years ago this hour (June 26 1955)

‘The $64,000 Question’ quiz show premieres on CBS-TV 60 years ago this hour (June 7 1955)


Video: '1956 THE $64,000 QUESTION QUIZ TV SHOW'

(Tuesday, June 7, 1955, 10:00 p.m. EDT) — The television version of the quiz show The $64,000 Question premiered tonight on CBS, sponsored by cosmetics maker Revlon and originating live from CBS-TV Studio 52 in New York (later the disco-theater Studio 54).

The first contestant on the show was Thelma Farrell Bennett, a housewife from Trenton, New Jersey, who failed to make it to the first plateau but won a 1955 Cadillac convertible.

‘On the Waterfront’ wins Best Motion Picture at 27th Academy Awards 60 years ago this hour (Mar 30 1955)


Video: '1955 Oscars' (17 videos)

(Wednesday, March 30, 1955, 7:30-9:18 p.m. PST)On the Waterfront, a crime drama film about union violence and corruption amongst longshoremen, won eight Oscars tonight at the 27th Academy Awards, including Best Motion Picture, Elia Kazan for Best Director and Marlon Brando for Best Actor. Continue reading ‘On the Waterfront’ wins Best Motion Picture at 27th Academy Awards 60 years ago this hour (Mar 30 1955)

‘Make Room for Daddy,’ ‘The United States Steel Hour’ big winners at Emmy Awards 60 years ago this hour (Mar 7 1955)


Video: 'Make Room for Daddy: The Children's Governess' (Feb. 1, 1955)

(Monday, March 7, 1955, 8:30 p.m. PST)Make Room for Daddy dominated the 7th Emmy Awards tonight, winning two awards, including Best Situation Comedy. Continue reading ‘Make Room for Daddy,’ ‘The United States Steel Hour’ big winners at Emmy Awards 60 years ago this hour (Mar 7 1955)

‘Peter Pan’ Broadway production airs live on NBC-TV in color 60 years ago this hour (Mar 7 1955)


Video: '"Producers' Showcase" Peter Pan (7 March 1955)' (4 videos)

(Monday, March 7, 1955, 7:30-9:00 p.m. EST) — NBC-TV presented the full-length Broadway production of Peter Pan live tonight in color (only a black-and-white kinescope recording survived) as part of Producers’ Showcase, with nearly all of the show’s original cast.

The show attracted a then-record audience of 65-million viewers, the highest ever up to that time for a single television program.