Series synopsis
The Colgate Comedy Hour is an American comedy television series that premiered on NBC on September 10, 1950. It ended on December 25, 1955. It was created by Fred Hamilton. It stars Gloria DeHaven, Ann Sheridan, Kaye Ballard and Frances Langford.
The Colgate Comedy Hour is an American comedy-musical variety series that aired live on the NBC network from 1950 to 1955. The show starred many notable comedians and entertainers of the era, including Eddie Cantor, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Fred Allen, Donald O'Connor, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, Ray Bolger, Gordon MacRae, Ben Blue, Robert Paige, Tony Curtis, Burt Lancaster, Broadway dancer Wayne Lamb and Spike Jones and His City Slickers.
Premise
The Colgate Comedy Hour is an American comedy-musical variety series that aired live on the NBC network from 1950 to 1955. The show starred many notable comedians and entertainers of the era, including Eddie Cantor, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Fred Allen, Donald O'Connor, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, Ray Bolger, Gordon MacRae, Ben Blue, Robert Paige, Tony Curtis, Burt Lancaster, Broadway dancer Wayne Lamb and Spike Jones and His City Slickers.
Premise: This was a Colgate-sponsored comedy hour that featured many notable comedians and entertainers of the era as guest stars.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Gloria DeHaven as Self
- Ann Sheridan as Self
- Kaye Ballard as Self
- Frances Langford as Self
- Kenny Delmar as Self
- Lily Pons as Self
- Beatrice Kay as Self
- Sheree North as Self
Supporting cast
- Paul Douglas as Self
- Jeff Chandler as Self
- Debra Paget as Self
- Dorothy Lamour as Self
- Franklin Pangborn as Self
- Gale Storm as Self
- Constance Moore as Self
- Nelson Eddy as Self
- Larry Fine as Self
- Joel Grey as Self
- Les Paul as Self
- Anita Ekberg as Self
Guest cast
- Gloria DeHaven as Self
- Ann Sheridan as Self
- Kaye Ballard as Self
- Frances Langford as Self
- Kenny Delmar as Self
- Lily Pons as Self
- Beatrice Kay as Self
- Sheree North as Self
- Paul Douglas as Self
- Jeff Chandler as Self
- Debra Paget as Self
- Dorothy Lamour as Self
Episodes
This series spans 6 seasons with 208 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 42 | September 10, 1950 | June 24, 1951 |
| Season 2 | 42 | September 2, 1951 | June 15, 1952 |
| Season 3 | 39 | September 21, 1952 | June 14, 1953 |
| Season 4 | 34 | October 4, 1953 | May 30, 1954 |
| Season 5 | 39 | September 19, 1954 | September 4, 1955 |
| Season 6 | 12 | September 18, 1955 | December 25, 1955 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Revenge with Music Eddie Cantor hosts the premiere episode of the series, joined by actor/dancer Tommy Wonder, opera soprano Yma Sumac, dancer Danny Daniels, Yiddish theatre star Joseph Buloff, Lew Hearn, Robert Gari, Jack Albertson, the ballet team of Val Buttingnol and Joy Williams, and Al Goodman and his Orchestra. The program was promoted in the NY Times as "a nostalgic review recalling the halcyon days of the New Amsterdam theater at Broadway and 42nd Street". |
September 10, 1950 |
| 2 |
Let's Face It Hosted by Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, has Dean and Jerry alongside gorgeous Marilyn Maxwell ("The Lemon Drop Kid") and comedian Leonard Barr. Sketches include a backstage bit with Martin and Lewis goofing around in their dressing room, and another with Jerry playing a little kid who goes to the movies with grown up Dean. |
September 17, 1950 |
| 3 |
Fred Allen Fred Allen makes his hosting debut. His guests include actors Monte Woolley and Peter Donald; Risë Stevens from the Metropolitian Opera; ballet stars Sono Osato, Hugh Laing and Zachary Solov; Tony award winner David Burns; Fred Allen's radio co-horts Kenny Delmar, Minerva Pious, Parker Fennelly; with Al Goodman and his Orchestra. |
September 24, 1950 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackie Gleason | September 2, 1951 |
| 2 | Eddie Cantor | September 9, 1951 |
| 3 | Spike Jones | September 16, 1951 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Martin & Lewis Features songs "You Belong To Me" and "Hominy Grits" |
September 21, 1952 |
| 2 | Eddie Cantor | September 28, 1952 |
| 3 | Donald O'Connor | October 5, 1952 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Martin & Lewis Skits: Burt plays an escaped lunatick. Songs: "Great To Be Home", "You're The Right One", "That's Amore", "There's No Tomorrow" |
October 4, 1953 |
| 2 | Jimmy Durante | October 11, 1953 |
| 3 | Eddie Cantor | October 18, 1953 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eddie Fisher | September 19, 1954 |
| 2 | Johnnie Ray and Joe E. Lewis | September 26, 1954 |
| 3 | Phil Harris and Dinah Shore | October 3, 1954 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martin & Lewis | September 18, 1955 |
| 2 | Jack Carson, Thelma Ritter | September 25, 1955 |
| 3 | Martha Scott, Jack Carson, Harry Belafonte | October 2, 1955 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | NBC |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 10, 1950 |
| Last aired | December 25, 1955 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Sunday at 20:00:00 |