About
Startime is an anthology show of drama, comedy, and variety, and was one of the first American television shows broadcast in color. The program was aired Tuesday nights in the United States on the NBC Television network in the 1959-60 television season.
Seasons
Episodes
Season 1
The Wonderful World of Entertainment
Musical variety episode revolving around the music of the 1930s through 1950s, in which the history of show business--including motion pictures, radio, television, and vaudeville--is used as a thread to hold together the songs, sketches, and dances. This series premiere was hosted by Rosalind Russell. Introduction by Rosalind Russell -- 1927 narration with film clips by Russell -- Vaudeville sketch / performed by Polly Bergen, Eddie Foy, and Eddie Hodges -- Talkies movie clips of Greta Garbo and Al Jolson -- Herbert Morrison's radio broadcast on the Hindenburg disaster -- Radio in the '30s / performed by Kate Smith ; with audio clips of Fred Allen, Joe Penner, Edgar Bergen as Charlie McCarthy, Rudy Vallée, and Bing Crosby -- Western ballet / performed by Tommy Rall and ensemble -- Career girl sketch / performed by Russell and Ernie Kovacs -- Hit songs of the '40s (medley) / performed by Smith, Bergen, Foy, and Hodges -- War years comedy monologue / performed by Jack Paar -- Scene fro
The Jazz Singer
In this adaptation of the Rafaelson play, Lewis plays a small time night club comic-singer who is about to get a big break on national television but is at odds with his father who is a Cantor that feels his son is not in the proper vocation. When the father falls ill, Jerry must grapple with filling in for his ailing father or perform on television for his big break.
The Turn of the Screw
Dramatic story of a mid-19th century English governess who tries to save her two orphaned charges, Miles and Flora, from torment by the evil ghosts of the former butler Peter Quint and his lover, former governess Miss Jessel.
The Secret World of Kids
Based on his book of the same name, Art Linkletter's variety episode pays tribute to children with guests Richard M. and his mother Hannah Nixon; comedian Ed Wynn; motion picture actors Ann Blyth and Vincent Price; child performers Jon Provost of Lassie, Teddy Rooney, and Angela Cartwright of The Danny Thomas Show; the Mitchell Boys Choir; and animal performers Lassie and Jerry. Includes a modern television version of Tom Sawyer, a skit on the importance of the first baby, musical and dance numbers, interviews with children and with Richard Nixon and his mother on the Vice President's childhood, and Vincent Price's talented chimpanzee. Open -- Vincent Price and his chimpanzee Jerry -- Tom Sawyer sketch / performed by Jon Provost, Teddy Rooney, Angela Cartwright, Lassie, Ed Wynn, and ensemble -- Price playing chess with Jerry -- Baby sketch / performed by Ann Blyth, Art Linkletter, and Wynn -- Price and Jerry playing violin -- Tea for Two soft shoe / performed by Wynn and Rooney -- Pr
The Dean Martin Show
Songs included: ""It's Jubilee Time"" w/Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra & Mickey Rooney. ""Opening Medley"" Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Mickey Rooney. ""When You're Smiling"" Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. ""I Can't Get Started With You"" Frank Sinatra. ""Rodgers & Hart Medley"" Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. ""How About You"" Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Mickey Rooney.
The Wicked Scheme of Jebel Deeks
Dramatic story of middle-aged bank employee Jebal Deeks, who resents having worked for over twenty years at the same bank without a promotion. He abandons an initial scheme to embezzle from the bank when he hears a church sermon on how ""it is more blessed to give than to receive."" Using his own money, Deeks begins to add to the bank's balance, resulting in chaos and an infusion of efficiency experts. Only Deeks is able to bring order to the bank, and advances to vice president in line for the presidency. In the meantime, however, secretary Miss Calhoun has caught on to Deeks' tricks and is using them for her own advancement. When Deeks learns of new discrepancies, he reluctantly turns down the presidency and leaves the bank for good.
George Burns in the Big Time
Musical variety episode featuring comedians and performers George Burns, Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor, and George Jessel reliving their early days in vaudeville. Augustus J. McCann (Don't Take Me Home) / performed by George Burns -- Give My Regards to Broadway / performed by the Burns Girls -- Burns monologue on youth in show business -- Pals / performed by Eddie Cantor and George Jessel -- Burns monologue -- Hard Ain't it/Molly Dee / performed by the Kingston Trio -- Burns monologue on Jack Benny -- Jack Benny -- Clementine / performed by Bobby Darin -- I Ain't Got Nobody (and sand dance) / performed by Burns and Darin -- Red Rose Rag/Where Did You Get That Girl/Change Your Name to Mine / performed by Burns -- Burns and the Burns Girls -- Dressing room sketch / performed by Burns, Cantor, and Jessel -- Pals / performed by Burns, Cantor, and Jessel -- Grace Allen spot (voice on tape) -- Silvery Moon / performed by Burns.
Merman on Broadway
Musical salute to Ethel Merman's career on Broadway, from her 1930 debut in Girl Crazy to her hit performance in Gypsy. Everything's Coming Up Roses / performed by Ethel Merman, Tab Hunter, Fess Parker, and Tom Poston -- Buckingham Palace guard sketch / performed by Merman and Poston -- Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better / performed by Merman and Poston -- Eadie Was a Lady / performed by Merman and dancers -- TV cowboy sketch / performed by Merman and Parker -- The Girl That I Marry / performed by Parker -- You Can't Get a Man With a Gun / performed by Merman -- You're an Old Smoothie / performed by Merman and Parker -- Blow, Gabriel, Blow / performed by Merman and Bobby Sherwood -- Psychiatrist sketch / performed by Merman and Hunter -- You're Just in Love / performed by Merman and Hunter -- Medley / performed by Merman, dancers, and chorus -- Friendship / performed by Merman, Hunter, Parker, and Poston.
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