Category Archives: Television 1950s

Elvis Presley censored during ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ performance 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 6 1957)

1950s, Elvis Presley, Popular Music 1950s, Television 1950s


Video: 'Elvis Presley "Medley" plus "Don't be cruel" Ed Sullivan'

(Sunday, January 6, 1957, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) — Elvis Presley performed “Hound Dog,” “Love Me Tender,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Too Much,” “When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again” and “Peace in the Valley” 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 Elvis Presley censored during ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ performance 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 6 1957) →

‘Marty’ wins Best Motion Picture at 28th Academy Awards 60 years ago this hour (Mar 21 1956)

1950s, Movies 1950s, Television 1950s


Video: '1956 Oscars' (20 videos)

(Wednesday, March 21, 1956, 7:30-9:00 p.m. PST) — Marty, a romantic drama film about a lonely butcher who finds love despite the opposition of his friends and family, won four Oscars tonight at the 28th Academy Awards, including Best Motion Picture, Delbert Mann for Best Director and Ernest Borgnine for Best Actor. Continue reading ‘Marty’ wins Best Motion Picture at 28th Academy Awards 60 years ago this hour (Mar 21 1956) →

‘Producers’ Showcase’ and ‘The Phil Silvers Show’ big winners at Emmy Awards 60 years ago this hour (Mar 17 1956)

1950s, Television 1950s


Video: 'I'm Flying (Peter Pan - 1956 Broadcast)'

(Saturday, March 17, 1956, 6:00-7:30 p.m. PST) — Mary Martin of Peter Pan and Lloyd Nolan, the neurotic captain of The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, walked off with 8th Primetime Emmy Awards tonight as the best actress and actor on television in 1955. Continue reading ‘Producers’ Showcase’ and ‘The Phil Silvers Show’ big winners at Emmy Awards 60 years ago this hour (Mar 17 1956) →

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

1950s, Movies 1950s, Television 1950s


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)

1950s, Television 1950s


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)

1950s, Broadway, Popular Music 1950s, Television 1950s


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.

‘Disneyland’ anthology series debuts on ABC-TV 60 years ago this hour (Oct 27 1954)

1950s, Television 1950s


Video: 'The Disneyland Story' (6 videos)

(Wednesday, October 27, 1954, 7:30 p.m. EST) — Disneyland, an anthology television series which would air under different titles for several decades, including The Wonderful World of Disney, debuted tonight on ABC.

James Bond character makes onscreen debut 60 years ago this hour (Oct 21 1954)

1950s, James Bond, Television 1950s


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.

‘Father Knows Best’ debuts on CBS 60 years ago this hour (Oct 3 1954)

1950s, Television 1950s


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.