The Patrice Munsel Show (TV series)
The Patrice Munsel Show | |
---|---|
Written by | Larry Gelbart |
Directed by | Clark Jones |
Starring | Patrice Munsel |
Theme music composer | Hugh Martin |
Opening theme | "Breezy and Easy" |
Country of origin | United States |
Production | |
Executive producer | Robert Shuler |
Producer | Clark Jones |
Production company | M-S Productions |
Original release | |
Network | ABC |
Release | October 18, 1957 June 13, 1958 | –
The Patrice Munsel Show is an American television variety show that was broadcast on ABC from October 18, 1957, until June 13, 1958.[1]
Program
Soprano Patrice Munsel, known for her performances with the Metropolitan Opera, starred in this live program. Other regulars were The Martins Quartet and the Charles Sanford Orchestra.[2] Episodes also featured guest stars. Munsel sang popular songs, show tunes, and excerpts from operas and did comedy sketches with guests.[3] She said: "We wanted a show with a basic theme each week, a show with a thread that the audience could follow. It's a matter of giving a viewer not what we think he should get at a specific moment, but what he naturally would want at that moment."[4]
Guests on the show included Robert Merrill, Buddy Hackett,[5] Vic Damone,[6] Martha Raye,[7] Kay Thompson,[8] Eddie Albert, Tony Bennett, John Raitt, and Andy Williams.[9] Nanette Fabray replaced Munsel on the November 8, 1957, episode.[10]
Production
Robert Shuler (Munsel's husband) was the executive producer for M-S Productions, which was founded by Munsel and Shuler.[11] Clark Jones was the producer and director. Writers included Larry Gelbart.[2] Hugh Martin arranged vocal numbers and was the show's musical director.[12]
Broadcast live,[13] the show initially was seen on Fridays from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time;[3] on January 3, 1958,[14] it was moved to 9:30 to 10 p.m. E.T., still on Fridays.[3] It originated from WABC-TV in New York City.[15]
The theme was "Breezy and Easy", composed by Martin.[1] Buick and Frigidaire were the sponsors.[16]
The Patrice Munsel Show replaced Crossroads.[15] The program's competition initially included Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre and The Life of Riley. After the time shift, Schlitz Playhouse of Stars and The Thin Man competed with it.[2]
Critical response
A review of the premiere episode in the trade publication Variety called it "probably the best" of all of "the avalanche of varieties this season."[17] The review complimented Munsel's singing, dancing, banter, and wardrobe. It also praised the work of the show's off-camera personnel and concluded by saying that the show was "a Munsel menu to brighten any home."[17]
References
- ^ ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4766-0515-9. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-307-48320-1. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Friday, November 22". Ross Reports. November 18, 1957. p. C. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
- ^ "Friday November 1". Ross Reports. October 28, 1957. p. C. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
- ISBN 978-0-7864-9583-2. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ISBN 978-1-4391-7654-2. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ Shattuck, Kathryn (August 11, 2016). "Patrice Munsel, a Soprano Who Made Her Met Debut As a Teenager, Dies at 91". The New York Times. p. A 17. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ "Friday November 8". Ross Reports. November 11, 1957. p. A. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
- ^ "All Ingredients Under One Roof Is TV Panacea". Billboard. November 4, 1957. p. 1. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Patrice Munsel Show (Live)". Billboard. August 12, 1957. p. 56. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ "A.B.C. Reverses Film Show Trend". The New York Times. December 16, 1957. p. 51. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ a b "This Week — Network Debuts & Highlights". Ross Reports. October 14, 1957. p. 1. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
- ^ "Scoreboard on TV Fall Plans". Billboard. June 2, 1958. p. 9. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ a b "Patrice Munsel Show". Variety. October 23, 1957. p. 37. Retrieved September 12, 2023.