Star Time (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Star Time is a short-lived TV series which aired on the DuMont Television Network
from September 5, 1950 to February 27, 1951, and starred singer-actress Frances Langford
. (The 1950-51 US network TV grid [see below] shows the hour-long show as airing both Sundays at 7pm EST and Tuesdays at 10pm EST.)
which spotlighted several regulars and guest performers. One feature of each telecast was a lengthy skit, written and directed by Philip Rapp
, with Langford and Lew Parker performing as The Bickersons, a quarrelsome married couple that migrated from radio as a distinctively-unhappy sitcom man and wife.
With Langford as a first-class singer, music was an integral component of the series. The premier telecast spotlighted The Harmonicats
, a trio of versatile harmonica players who had achieved great prominence in the 1940s. But the program soon settled on a regular slot called Club Goodman in which the Benny Goodman Sextet
-- with Goodman, Teddy Wilson
, and Terry Gibbs
, among others -- played jazz arrangements of popular songs.
With Wilson's weekly appearances, Star Time became one of the first sponsored national TV series to offer an African-American performer as a cast regular.
has four complete episodes, along with excerpts from a fifth episode.
The J. Fred and Leslie W. MacDonald Collection of the Library of Congress contains five half-hour segments of Star Time--including the first half-hour of the premier telecast which featured The Harmonicats; plus an opening half-hour of another show; and three closing half-hour segments highlighting the Benny Goodman Sextet as well as The Bickersons skits.
DuMont Television Network
The DuMont Television Network, also known as the DuMont Network, DuMont, Du Mont, or Dumont was one of the world's pioneer commercial television networks, rivalling NBC for the distinction of being first overall. It began operation in the United States in 1946. It was owned by DuMont...
from September 5, 1950 to February 27, 1951, and starred singer-actress Frances Langford
Frances Langford
Julia Frances Langford was an American singer and entertainer who was popular during the Golden Age of Radio and also made film appearances over two decades.-Birth:...
. (The 1950-51 US network TV grid [see below] shows the hour-long show as airing both Sundays at 7pm EST and Tuesdays at 10pm EST.)
Broadcast history
Star Time was an hour-long comedy-variety showVariety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
which spotlighted several regulars and guest performers. One feature of each telecast was a lengthy skit, written and directed by Philip Rapp
Philip Rapp
Philip Rapp was a film and television director and screenwriter. He wrote for Eddie Cantor and for a brief period, wrote film scripts for Danny Kaye. Rapp is perhaps best known as the creator of Baby Snooks and The Bickersons...
, with Langford and Lew Parker performing as The Bickersons, a quarrelsome married couple that migrated from radio as a distinctively-unhappy sitcom man and wife.
With Langford as a first-class singer, music was an integral component of the series. The premier telecast spotlighted The Harmonicats
The Harmonicats
Jerry Murad's Harmonicats were an American harmonica-based group. Originally they were named The Harmonica Madcaps and the group consisted of Jerry Murad , Bob Hadamik , Pete Pedersen , and Al Fiore, . They reformed later as a trio with Murad, Fiore, and bass harmonica player Don Les...
, a trio of versatile harmonica players who had achieved great prominence in the 1940s. But the program soon settled on a regular slot called Club Goodman in which the Benny Goodman Sextet
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
-- with Goodman, Teddy Wilson
Teddy Wilson
Theodore Shaw "Teddy" Wilson was an American jazz pianist whose sophisticated and elegant style was featured on the records of many of the biggest names in jazz, including Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.-Biography:Wilson was born in Austin, Texas in...
, and Terry Gibbs
Terry Gibbs
Terry Gibbs is an American jazz vibraphonist and band leader.He has performed and/or recorded with Tommy Dorsey, Chubby Jackson, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman, Louie Bellson, Charlie Shavers, Mel Tormé, Buddy DeFranco, and others...
, among others -- played jazz arrangements of popular songs.
With Wilson's weekly appearances, Star Time became one of the first sponsored national TV series to offer an African-American performer as a cast regular.
Episode status
The UCLA Film and Television ArchiveUCLA Film and Television Archive
The UCLA Film and Television Archive is an internationally renowned visual arts organization focused on the preservation, study, and appreciation of film and television, based at the University of California, Los Angeles. It holds more than 220,000 film and television titles and 27 million feet of...
has four complete episodes, along with excerpts from a fifth episode.
The J. Fred and Leslie W. MacDonald Collection of the Library of Congress contains five half-hour segments of Star Time--including the first half-hour of the premier telecast which featured The Harmonicats; plus an opening half-hour of another show; and three closing half-hour segments highlighting the Benny Goodman Sextet as well as The Bickersons skits.
See also
- List of programs broadcast by the DuMont Television Network
- List of surviving DuMont Television Network broadcasts
- 1950-51 United States network television schedule