Starlit Time
GenreMusic
StarringCy Coleman
Gordon Dilworth
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Original release
NetworkDuMont
ReleaseApril 9 (1950-04-09) –
November 19, 1950 (1950-11-19)

Starlit Time is a variety series that was broadcast on the DuMont Television Network. The series aired from April 9 to November 19, 1950.[1] It was also known as The S. S. Holiday.[2][3]

This show aired Sundays at 7 pm ET[4] and replaced Front Row Center.[1]

Format and personnel

Initially Starlit Time consisted of two distinct hours of programming with Minnie Jo Curtis linking the two segments in the role of a switchboard opertor. Bill Williams was the master of ceremonies for the first hour, titled "Welcome Mat",[5] which included Gordon Dilworth and the Sylvia Meredith puppets, dancers Sandra Lee and Sam Steen, and comedienne Bibi Osterwald, with Reggie Beane providing music.[6] The second hour, "Phil Hanna Sings",[5] starred Hanna. Other performers in that segment were singer Holly Harris, the dance team Roberto and Alicia, and comedienne Elaine Stritch. The Cy Coleman trio provided music.[6]

By the end of April 1950, the program had been cut to one hour, broadcast from 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time with Williams and Hanna as co-hosts.[5]

Bela Lugosi made a rare TV guest appearance on May 21.[1] Other guest stars who appeared on the program included Mildred Bailey.[7]

Bob Loewi was the producer, and Pat Fay was the director.[2] Fred Scott was the announcer.[8]

Critical response

A review of the April 9, 1950, episode in the trade publication Billboard said of the two-segment episode, "their coupling remains somewhat of a mystery."[9] The second hour received more praise than the first, and the review complimented camera work and production.[9]

Another review (of the August 13, 1950, episode) in Billboard said that the program "has some excellent, even if not socko, moments of entertainment."[8] The review commended the music of Beane's trio but said that the comedy "was decidedly negative, however, and could be dispensed with."[8]

Episode status

As with most DuMont series, no episodes are known to exist.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 788. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
  2. 1 2 Rhodes, Gary Don (September 3, 2015). Lugosi: His Life in Films, on Stage, and in the Hearts of Horror Lovers. McFarland. p. 210. ISBN 978-1-4766-0077-2. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  3. ↑ Terrace, Vincent (January 10, 2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010, 2d ed. McFarland. p. 1008. ISBN 978-0-7864-8641-0. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Starlit Time". Ross Reports on Television including The Television Index. June 18, 1950. p. 14. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (June 24, 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing Group. p. 300. ISBN 978-0-307-48320-1. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Radio and Television: DuMont Network to Unveil New 2-Hour Sunday Night Revue This Week-End". The New York Times. April 5, 1950. p. 44. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Paul Price". Daily News. California, Los Angeles. August 22, 1950. p. 40. Retrieved April 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. 1 2 3 Chase, Sam (August 26, 1950). "Starlit Time" (PDF). Billboard. p. 10. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  9. 1 2 Morse, Leon (April 22, 1950). "Starlit Time" (PDF). Billboard. p. 21. Retrieved April 7, 2023.

Bibliography

  • David Weinstein, The Forgotten Network: DuMont and the Birth of American Television (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2004) ISBN 1-59213-245-6
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