MORE REAL LIFE
412 PROBLEMS, 1950s STYLE
There were troubles in the 1950s, but when viewing these shows today, they're funnier than the comedy programs produced back then. All these are from the collection of Christopher Hawley.
1. STAND UP AND BE COUNTED (1956). Hosted by Bob Russell, this show
has a guest come out to discuss a personal problem on the air.
Members of the live studio audience are then invited on stage to
give their advice. This particular episode is unique for two
reasons: One, during the audience advice segment, members
disagree so much that loud arguing and fighting keeps the host
from continuing the show, and two, the first 10 minutes of the
kinescope consists of the audience warm-up segment before the
show actually goes on the air. As the host begs and pleads the
audience to take part once they go on the air, the camera focuses
on people falling asleep while he's talking and other inanimate
objects throughout the studio. Very interesting and very, very
funny.
2. PEOPLE IN CONFLICT (1959). A moderator and a panel of experts a
lawyer, a welfare worker, and a psychologist offer advice to
guests seeking help. The first guest is a 19-year-old who got
his girlfriend pregnant but doesn't want to marry her. The second
guest is a woman who wants to have her mother put away. Just your
average, light 1950s TV show.
3. THE VERDICT IS YOURS (1958). This is sort of a 1950s version of
cable's Court TV, jazzed up for prime time. Sponsored by Lever
Brothers, this 60-minute courtroom trial consists of a jealous
husband accusing his neighbor of being overly friendly to his
wife. As a countersuit, the neighbor accuses the husband of
attempted murder because he was threatened with a gun. It's fun
for the entire family! Jim McKay's the court reporter who narrates
the trial as if he was calling a sports event (which he would later
do).
--- 110 MINUTES --- BLACK AND WHITE ---
VHS: $29.95
486 YOU ASKED FOR IT (1951)
Art Baker's the host in these four live kinescopes of the popular
show that answers viewer requests, complete with original commercials.
This is the original version of the show, and since it's live, mistakes
and mishaps run rampant!
1. A reunion of the "Our Gang" kids, now all grown up; Hawaiian cowboys; an appearance by those famous old birds, Bill and Coo.
2. Movie special effects; a live octopus!
3. Wrestling chimpanzees; card sharks at work.
4. A "reverse" escape artist; live extraction of venom from snakes (eww)!
--- 120 MINUTES --- BLACK AND WHITE ---
DVD: $14.95 / VHS: $29.95
436 CANDID HOLLYWOOD (1962 COMPILATIONS)
The famous home movies of Ken Murray are featured on this cassette
two complete 1-hour programs that spotlight over 100 stars at play
in their homes, on vacation, and behind the scenes at movie studios.
There are lots of shots of vintage Hollywood streets, as well. These
films span over 30 years and contain rare, candid clips of Bob Hope,
Pat Boone, Jack Lemmon, W.C. Fields, the Marx Brothers, Lucille Ball,
Clark Gable, Jimmy Durante, Carole Lombard, Dick Powell, Ralph Bellamy,
Fred MacMurray, Gary Cooper, and many, many more!
--- 110 MINUTES --- BLACK AND WHITE ---
VHS: $29.95
433 STAR-GAZING (1959/1931)
1. THE 11TH ANNUAL EMMY AWARDS (5/6/59). Live from New York, Hollywood,
and Washington, D.C., here's a unique presentation of TV honoring
its own when it was barely over a decade old. All the big stars of
the era are on hand as presenters: Raymond Burr, Donna Reed, Robert
Young, Art Carney, Dinah Shore, Phil Silvers, Jack Benny, Walter
Brennan, Ann Sothern, Mickey Rooney, and more. The program also
features some clips of American programs dubbed into foreign
languages. This one's a real treat!
2. THE STOLEN JOOLS (1931). A short subject sponsored by Chesterfield
cigarettes. There are more screen stars in this film than there are
in the sky! The plot involves a diamond heist, and everyone's a
suspect: Laurel and Hardy, Our Gang, Buster Keaton, Edward G.
Robinson, Hedda Hopper, Joan Crawford, Gary Cooper, Joe E. Brown,
Maurice Chevalier, Barbara Stanwyck, and many more!
--- 110 MINUTES --- BLACK AND WHITE ---
DVD: $14.95 / VHS: $29.95
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