54th Street Revue
54th Street Revue | |
---|---|
Genre | Variety |
Written by | |
Directed by | Ralph Levy |
Presented by |
|
Music by | Al Selden and Bill Scudder |
No. of seasons | 2 |
No. of episodes | 29 |
Production | |
Executive producer | Barry Wood |
Running time | 44-52 minutes |
Original release | |
Network | CBS |
Release | May 5, 1949 January 20, 1950 | –
54th Street Revue is an American variety television program that was broadcast on CBS from May 5, 1949, through March 25, 1950. The program was a "showcase for up-and-coming professionals", originating from a theater on 54th Street in New York City.[1]
Hosts for 54th Street Revue included Jack Sterling, Al Bernie,[2] Billy Vine,[3] and Joey Faye.[4] Regular performers on the program included Bambi Lynn, Annabel Lyons, Joe Silver,[5] Pat Bright, Russell Arms, Marilyn Day, Cliff Tatum, Butch Cavell,[6] Bob Fosse, Mort Marshall, Wynn Murray, and Carl Reiner[1] The regular cast changed frequently as entertainers found other jobs "that were more substantial than employment in early television".[7]
Barry Wood was the executive producer, with Ralph Levy as director. Al Selden and Bill Scudder created original music and lyrics for the show.[1] Writers included Alan Sands, Jess Kaplan,[8] George Axelrod, Allan Sherman, and Max Wilk.[1] Harry Sosnick directed the orchestra.[9] The program initially was on Thursdays from 8 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. In September 1949 it moved to Fridays from 9 to 10 p.m., ET, and in January 1950 it moved to Saturdays from 8 to 9 p.m. ET.[7]
Although the program was scheduled to end in late November 1949, its time on the air was extended "at least through Dec. 23".[10] In late January 1950, its run was extended again on an alternate-weeks schedule as two advertising agencies showed interest in its "rising ratings and its low budget".[11]
A review in the February 1, 1950, issue of the trade publication Variety noted that the program's pace had "become too even and placid for its own good."[12]
References
- ^ ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
- ^ "Radio and Television: S. L. Weaver Named Video Vice President at NBC — F. W. Wile Jr. to Be His Assistant". The New York Times. July 6, 1949. p. 50. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
- ^ "Radio and Television: The Aces, Comedy Team Since 1930, to Make Video Debut on WABD Next Wednesday". The New York Times. November 28, 1949. p. 42. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
- ^ "Tele Chatter: New York". Variety. February 8, 1950. p. 32. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
- ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ ISBN 0-345-42923-0.
- ^ "Short Scannings". Billboard. July 23, 1949. p. 13. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Radio and Television: WJZ-TV Expects to Be Transmitting From the Empire State Tower by Jan. 1". The New York Times. November 22, 1949. p. 58. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
- ^ "CBS-TV reprieves '54th Street Revue'". Billboard. January 28, 1950. p. 8. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
- ^ "Tele Follow-Up Comment". Variety. February 1, 1950. p. 32. Retrieved December 24, 2022.