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Season 4 (NBC) (1961-62)
Episode Guide
compiled by The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by: Rina Fox
references:
TV Guide /
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://us.imdb.com)
UCLA Film and Television Archive
############ The Bell Telephone Hour #########
############## season 4 1961-62 ##############
##############################################
NBC Fridays 9:30-10:30pm ET
Shared this times slot with "The Dinah Shore Show" (season 5)
4.01 [33] OPENING NIGHT
61-1848
29Sep1961
Directed by Sid Smith
Produced by Burt Shevelove
Executive producer, Barry Wood ; conductor, Donald Voorhees ; choreographer,
Richard France ; Grand pas [ballet segment] choreography by George Balanchine ;
[American Ballet Theatre segment] restaged by Frederic Franklin.
starring
Harry Belafonte, Dorothy Collins
Anna Moffo, Richard Tucker
Ferrante and Teicher
Eddie Condon's All-Star Jazz Combo
American Ballet Theatre Group
Lupe Serrano, Royes Fernandez
Highlights:
Ballet dancers Lupe Serrano and Royes Fernandez head their troupe in the "Grand
Pas de Dix".
Harry Belafonte's songs include "I Just Love Her So", "Jump Down Spin Around",
"I Think I Heard Him" and "Fare Ye Well".
Medley of popular songs -- Raimonda / Aleksandr Konstantinovich Glazunov -- La
Boheme. Act 1 / Giacomo Puccini
*Note: Harry Belafonte's illness precludes his appearance "live", but a repeat
of his taped visit from January 1959.
*Note: Rosemary Clooney refused to go on because of a song. At the time Rosemary
likely quit because of her pending divorce from Jose Ferrer.
4.02 [34] SALUTE TO AUTUMN
61-1963
13Oct1961
Written by Draper Lewis
Directed by William Graham
Produced by Frederick Heider
Executive producer, Barry Wood ; conductor, Donald Voorhees ; choreographer,
Robert Pagent ; White swan segment staged by Frederic Franklin.
Hosted by Gordon MacRae
with performances from
Sheila MacRae, Anita Bryant
Jan Peerce, Gianna d'Angelo
Jacques d'Amboise, Carla Fracci
The Brothers Four
Red Nichols & His Five Pennies
Highlights:
Red Nichols & His Five Pennies perform "Bill Bailey".
Anita Bryant sings "Danny Boy".
Carla Fracci and Jacques D'Amboise perform "Pas de Deux" from "Swan Lake".
Gianna d'Angelo & Jan Preece sing the love duet between Duke and Gilda from
Verdi's "Rigolette".
College days with the Brothers Four taking off with "Viva la Compagnie".
Gordon MacRae and Sheila MacRae sing "Sail Away", "Subways Are for Sleeping" and
"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying".
4.03 [35] TRIO
61-2068
27Oct1961
Written by Robert Herridge
Directed by Robert Scheerer
Produced by Robert Herridge
Executive producer, Barry Wood ; conductor, Donald Voorhees ; Swan lake
production staged by Ludmilla Chiriaeff.
Hosted by Mel Brandt
with performances
The Benny Goodman Trio (Gene Krupa, Teddy Wilson, Benny Goodman)
Les Grands ballets Canadiens
The Kingston Trio (John Stewart, Bob Shane, Nick Reynolds)
The McGuire Sisters (Phyllis, Dorothy, Christine McGuire)
Phyllis Curtin, Nicolai Gedda and Theodor Uppman.
Highlights:
Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa and Teddy Wilson perform "Avalon", "Body and Soul",
"China Boy" and more.
The Kingston Trio sing "Jesse James", "Take Her Out of Pity" and "Wherever We
May Go".
Phyllis Curtin, Nicolai Gedda and Theodor Uppman perform a melodramatic scene
from "Die Fledermaus".
4.04 [36] THE MUSIC OF RICHARD RODGERS
61-2179
10Nov1961
Hosted by Ray Bolger
with performances by
Howard Keel
Martha Wright
Dolores Gray
Anita Darian
Ron Husmann
Helen Gallagher
Elizabeth Howell
and Richard Rodgers who conducts the Bell Telephone Orchestra.
Highlights:
Dolores Gray sings "My Funny Valentine" from Babes in Arms and "Wonderful Guy"
from "South Pacific".
Ray Bolger who rose to fame in Rodgers and Hart's great 1936 hit "On Your Toes"
performs songs from this musical.
Ron Husmann's 1959 graduate speech is featured.
*Note: In less than three years since his graduation. Husmann has a long list of
credits. He has appeared on Broadway in "Fiorello", "Tenderloin" and as an
understudy to Anthony Perkins in the short-lived "Greenwillow". He also toured
with the "Tenderloin" company and played in "Brigadoon" in Dallas.
At Northwestern Ron Husmann starred in Waa-Mu. University Theatre and Party of
Six, a group of student entertainers sponsored by the university.
In December 1959, he married a Northwestern coed, the former Patsy Peterson.
They have a six-month-old son, Mark and make their home in New York City.
In tonight's show, Ron will be featured with Howard Keel, Martha Wright and Ray
Bolger, in a show dedicated to the music of Rodgers and Hart.
Later this year, Ron will appear on the Jack Paar Show and in December will go
into rehearsal for Josh Logan's new musical, "All American", a spoof on college
life.
After out-of-town tryouts, the show will open in the Winter Garden Theatre on
Broadway February 21.
To spotlight Ron's current musical successes, Capitol records has released an
album featuring him in a selection of songs done in the Frank Sinatra style.
4.05 [37] DESIGNS IN MUSIC
61-2406
08Dec1961
written by Burt Shevelove
directed by Sid Smith
produced by Burt Shevelove
Executive producer, Barry Wood
Conductor, Donald Voorhees
The Firebird, Pas de deux choreography by Michel Fokine
with performances by
Joan Sutherland
Roy Rogers
Dale Evans
Margot Fonteyn
Michael Somes
Pierre Luboshutz
Genia Nemenoff
and the Raymond Scott Quintet with Dorothy Collins
Highlights:
Joan Sutherland performs from Verdi's opera "Emani".
A ballet deux by Dame Margot Fonteyn and Michael Somes.
Dorothy Collins with the Raymond Scott Quintet perform "I Got Lost In His Arms",
"Song of India", "Singing in the Rain", "Powerhouse" and "Then I'll Be Happy".
Roy Rogers and Dale Evans perform a medley of songs from Western USA.
Finale is "Let There Be Peace on Earth".
4.06 [38] TRIP TO CHRISTMAS
61-2535
22Dec1961
Written by Draper Lewis
Produced by Sid Smith
Executive producer, Barry Wood
Conductor, Donald Voorhees
Choreographer, Robert Pagent
Choral director, Mel Pahl
Hosted by Jane Wyatt
with performances by
singers John Raitt
and Jane Morgan,
Soprano Phyllis Curtin,
Soprano Lisa della Casa,
The Lennon Sisters,
ballet dancers Edward Villella
and Violette Verdy,
AT & T chairman Frederick R. Kappel
and The Schola Cantorum.
Highlights:
Lisa della Casa sings "Gesu Bambino".
Edward Villella and Violette Verdy performs in the Nutcracker ballet.
Phyllis Curtin sings "O Holy Night".
The Lennon Sisters perform "Santa Claus is Coming to Town".
Earl Wrightson and Lois Hunt sing traditional carols in a Victorian setting ,a
scene which is capped off by the Columbus Boychoir filing indoors in a
procession and singing three carols.
Jane Wyatt closes the progam with a reading of "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa
Claus".
4.07 [39] A MEASURE OF MUSIC
62-162
19Jan1962
Written by Robert Herridge
Directed by Robert Scheerer
produced by Robert Herridge
Executive producer, Barry Wood
Conductor, Donald Voorhees
Choreographers, Marc Breaux and Deedee Wood
The Bell Telephone Orchestra, The Buster Davis Singers.
Hosted by Jane Powell
with performances by
guitarist Andres Segovia
ballet dancers Rudolf Nureyev
and Maria Tallchief
singer-actress Sally Ann Howes
singer Earl Wrightson
and The Chad Mitchell Trio.
Highlights:
Rudolf Nureyev and Maria Tallchief perform Flower Festival in Genzano "Pas de
Deux". Music of Helsted & Paulli, choreography by Erik Bruhn.
Andres Segovia plays "Danza Espanola" by Grandos, "Prelude" by Seriabin,
Mendelssohn's "Song Without Words" and part of a concerto by Castelnuovo-Tedesco.
The Chad Mitchell Trio perched on railroad station trunks perform three
travelling songs.
Sally Ann Howes and Earl Wrightson salute operetta in a turn-of-the-century
garden with a series of solos and duets.
4.08 [40] WEAVERS OF SONG
62-289
02Feb1962
Written by Burt Shevelove
Directed by Sid Smith
Produced by Burt Shevelove
The Bell Telephone Orchestra, The Buster Davis Singers.
Executive producer, Barry Wood ; conductor, Donald Voorhees.
Hosted by Polly Bergen
with performances by
coloratura soprano Joan Sutherland
pianist André Previn
violinist Michael Rabin
singer-actress Janet Blair
and the Red Norvo Quintet.
Highlights:
Joan Sutherland performs "Mad Scene" aria from "Lucia di Lammermoor.
Violinist Michael Rabin's tribute to the late, revered Fritz Kreisler and his
compositions "Caprice Viennois" and "Tambourin Chinois".
Andre Previn at the piano for Cesar Franck's "Symphonic Variations for Piano and
Orchestra".
Polly Bergen sings love songs.
Janet Blair and the Red Norvo Quintet perform "Mean to Me" and "Sweet Georgia
Brown".
4.09 [41] PORTALS OF MUSIC
62-407
16Feb1962
Written by Robert Herridge
Directed by Robert Scheerer
Produced by Robert Herridge
Executive producer, Barry Wood
conductor, Donald Voorhees
choreographers, Marc Breaux and Deedee Wood.
Performances by
Carol Lawrence
Mahalia Jackson
Isaac Stern
Anna Moffo
George London
Ray Eberle
Paula Kelly
Tex Beneke and His Orchestra
The Modernaires
The Buster Davis Singers
Highlights:
Mahalia Jackson sings "Joshua Fit the Battle", "Sometimes I Feel Like a
Motherless Child" and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands".
Isaac Stern performs the third movement from Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E
Minor.
Baritone George London and soprano Anna Moffo sing a duet from Mozart's opera
"Don Giovanni".
Carol Lawrence performs "Someone to Watch Over Me" from Oh, Kay! (G. Gershwin/I.
Gershwin)and "Something's Coming" from West Side Story (Bernstein/Sondheim).
4.10 [42] THE SONGS OF IRVING BERLIN
62-543
02Mar1962
Written by Lucille Kallen
Directed by Sid Smith
Produced by Frederick Heider
Executive producer, Barry Wood
Conductor, Donald Voorhees
Choreographer, Robert Pagent
Choral direction, Maj. Mark Azzolina.
Hosted by Ginger Rogers
with performances by
John Raitt
Johnny Desmond
Mindy Carson
Janet Blair
Joe Bushkin Trio
The NORAD Command Band
The ARADCOM Choral Group
The Bell Telephone Orchestra, The Buster Davis Singers.
Highlights:
John Raitt and Janet Blair sing "You're Just in Love".
Joey Bushkin Trio perform "The Best Thing For You is Me".
Mindy Carson sings "It's a Lovely Day Today".
Ginger Rogers and the dancers perform to nostalgic tunes as "Cheek to Cheek" and
"Change Partners".
The 80 man NORAD band and 36 man ARADCOM chorus are featured on a medley of
seven of Irving Berlin's patriotic tunes, "This is the Army, Mr. Jones" and
such.
The finale includes all 122 with "God Bless America".
4.11 [43] THE MUSIC OF LOVE
(aka Salute to Vienna)
62-669
16Mar1962
Written by Robert Herridge
Directed by Robert Scheerer
Produced by Robert Herridge
Executive producer, Barry Wood ; conductor, Donald Voorhees ; choreographer,
John Butler ; The still point [ballet segment choreography], Todd Bolender.
The Bell Telephone Orchestra, The Buster Davis Singers
Hosted by Alfred Drake
with performances by
singer-actress Barbara Cook
singer Patti Page
pianist Grant Johannesen
soprano Lisa della Casa
tenor Franco Corelli
ballet dancers Melissa Hayden
and Jacques d'Amboise.
Highlights:
Selections from Viennese Operettas ...... Drake, Cook
Ballet dancers Melissa Hayden and Jacques d'Amboise do "Still Point".
Lisa della Casa and Franco Corelli perform arias from "Tosca".
Grant Johannesen performs First Movement of Grieg Piano Concerto.
With Alfred Drake and The Bell Telephone Hour Chorus): "Emperor Waltz" by Johann
Strauss, Jr., "Don't Ask Me Why" from The Song is Ended, "I'm Off to Chez
Maxim's" from The Merry Widow, "Merry Widow Waltz" from The Merry Widow, "Blue
Eyes" from White Horse Inn, "Vienna, City of My Dreams" , "Two Hearts Swing in
Three-Quarter Time"
4.12 [44] GALA PERFORMANCE
62-792
30Mar1962
Written by Lucille Kallen
Directed by Sid Smith
Produced by Frederick Heider
Executive producer, Barry Wood
Conductor, Donald Voorhees
Choreographer, Robert Pagent
Hosted by Shirley Jones
with performances by
Maureen O'Hara
singer Steve Lawrence
pianist Lorin Hollander
Max Hollander
ballet dancers Edward Villella
and Violette Verdy.
The Bell Telephone Orchestra, The Buster Davis Singers
Highlights:
Steve Lawrence sings songs by Frank Loesser including "I've Never Been in Love
Before" from "Guys and Dolls" and "I Believe in You" from "How to Succeed in
Business Without Really Trying".
Lorin Hollander plays Rachmaninoff's "Concerto No. 2".
Maureen O'Hara sings a medley of Irish numbers.
Violette Verdy and Edward Villella perform "pas de deux" from the ballet
"Giselle".
Shirley Jones sings "Till There Was You" from "The Music Man" and "If I Loved
You" from "Carousel".
4.13 [45] SPRINGTIME IN THE PARK
62-921
13Apr1962
Written by Robert Herridge
Directed by Robert Scheerer
Produced by Robert Herridge
Executive producer, Barry Wood
Conductor, Donald Voorhees
Choreographer, Donald Saddler.
Hosted by Lanny Ross
with performances by
Jo Stafford
Jose Iturbi
Tommy Sands
Sandy Stewart
Allegra Kent
Gene Nelson
The Wiffenpoofs
The Bell Telephone Orchestra, The Buster Davis Singers.
Highlights:
Songs include, "It's a Most Unusual Day", "Spring is Here", "Sunday in the Park"
and "I'm Glad There is You".
Jose Iturbi plays Tchaikovsky's "Concerto No. 1 in B Flat.
Allegra Kent and Gene Nelson dance an original number by Donald Saddler "A Dance
in the Park".
4.14 [46] TILL AUTUMN
62-1029
27Apr1962
written by Lucille Kallen
directed by Sid Smith
produced by Frederick Heider
Executive producer, Barry Wood ; conductor, Donald Voorhees ; choreographer,
Robert Pagent.
Hosted by Earl Wrightson
with performances by
Rhonda Fleming
Mischa Elman
Anna Moffo
Phyllis Curtin
Eric Hyrst
Nicolai Gedda
Royes Fernandez
Lupe Serrano
The American Ballet Theatre
and special guest Benny Goodman and His Orchestra
The Bell Telephone Orchestra, The Buster Davis Singers
Highlights:
Violinist Mischa Elman plays Wieniakski's "Concerto No. 2 in D Minor".
Anna Moffo and Nicolai Gedda sing excerpts from Verdi's "La Traviata".
Rhonda Fleming and Earl Wrightson sing a medley of George Gershwin songs.
Lupe Serrano and Royes Fernandez dance the "Dance of Death" from "Giselle".
############ The Bell Telephone Hour #########
################ end of season 4 #############
##############################################
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