Obscure Classic TV Shows - Post Your Favorites! (1 Viewer)

[The 1960's]

Santa Claus Lane Christmas Parade From Hollywood! (1961)​

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Posted in early December by A Word on Westerns, it's clearly a Thanksgiving Parade but likely due to ratings, the television station billed it as a Christmas Parade.

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Newsman and commentator Bill Welch greets …

2:56 - Gene Autrey
3:44 - Don Defore & family
4:21 - Frank Faylon & family
4:37 - Bozo The Clown (too much caffeine)
5:10 - Ann Francis
5:18 - Johnny & Bobby Crawford
5:46 - Ray “Crash” Corrigan
6:41 - Patti McCormick
6:43 - Ty Hardin
7:51 - John Rusell & Peggy Castle
8:12 - Cast of 87th Precinct
8:20 - Cast of Leave It To Beaver
8:37 - Bullwinkle
8:43 - Julie Redding
9:04 - Cast of Rawhide
9:30 - Tugboat Annie
9:40 - Gene Putnam
10:06 - Merry Anders & daughter
10:34 - Soupy Sales
11:57 - Cast of The Untouchables (best one)
12:40 - Beulah Bondi
13:40 - Cast of Donna Reed
14:54 - Erin O’Brien & sons
15:23 - Ann Tyrell
16:53 - Jack Baily
17:21 - Lawrence Welk
17:43 - Jeanne Cagney
18:05 - Duncan Renaldo
18:19 - Francis X. Bushman
20:55 - Del Moore & family

 

[The 1960's]

Father Knows Best: Home For Christmas (1977)
Stars Robert Young Jane Wyatt Elinor Donahue Billy Gray Lauren Chapin Jim McMullan Susan Adams Hal England Christopher Gardner Kyle Richards Cari Anne Warder Priscilla Morrill Stuart Lancaster June Whitley Taylor Elizabeth Farley Hugh Gillin Paul Vaughn Odessa Cleveland Jan Jorden Lawrence Levine Oliver Aubrey Richard Balin Wallace Ford​

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The original cast of "Father Knows Best" returns for the second reunion movie. After learning that none of the children will be home for Christmas, Jim and Margaret decide to sell their house.

Father Knows Best: Home For Christmas (1977)
Stars Robert Young Jane Wyatt Elinor Donahue Billy Gray Lauren Chapin Jim McMullan Susan Adams Hal England Christopher Gardner Kyle Richards Cari Anne Warder Priscilla Morrill Stuart Lancaster June Whitley Taylor Elizabeth Farley Hugh Gillin Paul Vaughn Odessa Cleveland Jan Jorden Lawrence Levine Oliver Aubrey Richard Balin Wallace Ford​

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The original cast of "Father Knows Best" returns for the second reunion movie. After learning that none of the children will be home for Christmas, Jim and Margaret decide to sell their house.​

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Merry Christmas 2023 & Happy New Year 2024!!​

 

[The 1960's]

Professional Father (1955)
Stars Stephen Dunne Barbara Billingsley Ted Marc​

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Whimsical situation comedy involving a child psychologist and his family.

S01E04 Episode #1.4 (Jan.29.1955)
Stars Stephen Dunne Barbara Billingsley Phyllis Coates Anne O'Neal Beverly Washburn Ted Marc Joseph Kearns Ralph Dumke Jimmy Moss​

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Dr. Wilson's plans to go fishing with Fred Allen are canceled when he's drafted to umpire his son's baseball game.​

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[The 1960's]

Climax (1954-1958)
Stars William Lundigan Art Gilmore Mary Costa Michael Rennie Harry Townes Cedric Hardwicke Byron Foulger Everett Sloane Peter Lorre Morris Ankrum​

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This was an anthology series that presented a different story and different set of characters on each episode. It ran from 1954 to 1958 and featured Casino Royale of James Bond fame, which led to two theatrical movies of the same name.

S01E03 Casino Royale (Oct.21.1954)
Director William H. Brown Jr.
Writers Ian Fleming Antony Ellis Charles Bennett
Stars Barry Nelson Peter Lorre Linda Christian William Lundigan Michael Pate Eugene Borden Jean Del Val Gene Roth Kurt Katch Herman Belmonte Joe Gilbert Frank McLure Hans Moebus Paul Power Paul Ravel Cosmo Sardo​

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American spy James Bond must outsmart card wiz and crime boss Le Chiffre while monitoring his actions.​

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[The 1960's]

Byline/New York Times (1971) Unsold Pilot ​

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[Richard V]

A fun Kids Show only ran 1 year, befor Bennie and Cecil.

Are these the same puppeteers from Kukla, Fran, and Ollie?

 

[The 1960's]

The Ames Brothers Show (1955)
Stars Cheerio Meredith Joe Ames Gene Ames Vic Ames Ed Ames​

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Music & songs by the Ames Brothers musical quartet. Highlights of their career were injected into each programme.

Episode Dated April 2, 1955 (One-Shot)
Stars Ed Ames Gene Ames Joe Ames Vic Ames Cheerio Meredith​

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[The 1960's]

Fair Exchange (1962-1963)
Stars Eddie Foy Jr. Lynn Loring Victor Maddern​

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Former World War II buddies Eddie Walker of New York City and Tommy Finch of London, England decide to swap teenage daughters Patty and Heather for a year. More about Fair Exchange.

S02E07 How You Gonna Get 'Em Back from the Farm (Apr.11.1963)
Stars Eddie Foy Jr. Audrey Christie Lynn Loring Flip Mark Victor Maddern Diana Chesney Judy CarneDennis Waterman Maurice Dallimore​

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Here's a rare one from the Desilu Studios! Even the premise is unusual. The series centered on two different families. One that lives in New York City, the other in England (each 'family' was actually filmed in their respective nations.) Each family had young daughters that were 'exchanged' and would experience the (comic) lifestyle of their new environment. It was here Desilu introduced to the USA Judy Carne (Laugh-in). The series had 27 total Episodes, the first season (1962) had 15 one-hour episodes. The second season (1963) had 12 half-hour episodes.

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[Capt D McMars]

Climax (1954-1958)
Stars William Lundigan Art Gilmore Mary Costa Michael Rennie Harry Townes Cedric Hardwicke Byron Foulger Everett Sloane Peter Lorre Morris Ankrum​

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This was an anthology series that presented a different story and different set of characters on each episode. It ran from 1954 to 1958 and featured Casino Royale of James Bond fame, which led to two theatrical movies of the same name.

S01E03 Casino Royale (Oct.21.1954)
Director William H. Brown Jr.
Writers Ian Fleming Antony Ellis Charles Bennett
Stars Barry Nelson Peter Lorre Linda Christian William Lundigan Michael Pate Eugene Borden Jean Del Val Gene Roth Kurt Katch Herman Belmonte Joe Gilbert Frank McLure Hans Moebus Paul Power Paul Ravel Cosmo Sardo​

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American spy James Bond must outsmart card wiz and crime boss Le Chiffre while monitoring his actions.​

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I decent copy was added to the 1960s swing version with David Niven, and Peter Sellers and all star cast/ As a bonus feature!!

 

[The 1960's]

The Tim McCoy Show (1952)
Star Tim McCoy​

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The Tim McCoy TV show was an afternoon hour on KTLA channel 5 in Los Angeles at 5 pm, LIVE. He hosted the show showing old Westerns. He would talk about the movie and the actors. (IMDb)

There were 39 filmed episodes of this show; about 25 or so exist and we will be posting over the next year. Special thanks to Ronnie James for archiving this material. (jeffsabu)

Covered Wagon (E21)



Cowboy Gear (E22) (1954)

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[The 1960's]

Chun King Chow Mein Hour (1962) (TV Special)
Director Jack Donohue Writer Stan Freberg
Stars Stan Freberg June Foray Sterling Holloway Arte Johnson Peter Leeds Mike Mazurki Frances Osborne Patty Regan Frank Sinatra Ginny Tiu Gloria Wood​

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Stan Freberg satirizes contemporary television, particularly commercials.​

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[The 1960's]

Phyllis Coates (January 15, 1927-October 11, 2023)
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Today, January 15th, 2024 would have been the 97th Birthday of Phyllis Coates. In celebration of her life, below I have posted just a few of her classic television and motion picture appearances. Feel free to add any others.

Superman and the Mole Men (1951)
Stars George Reeves Phyllis Coates Jeff Corey​

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When underground beings explore the surface world from a deep oil well and inadvertently cause a panic, only Superman can prevent a tragedy.

Invasion U. S. A. (1952)
Stars Gerald Mohr Peggie Castle Dan O'Herlihy​

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A group of people at a bar witness the unfolding events of a Soviet invasion of the USA.



Canyon Ambush (1952)
Stars Johnny Mack Brown Phyllis Coates Lee Roberts​

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A mysterious masked rider and his gang are murdering ranchers and robbing stages. Government Agent Johnny Mack Brown has been called in to help the Sheriff. Capturing a henchman he learns of everyone involved except the boss, the masked rider. He eventually suspects the Wells Fargo Agent and has a plan that will trick him into a confession.

Jungle Drums of Africa (1953)
Stars Clayton Moore Phyllis Coates Johnny Sands Phyllis Coates​

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The daughter of a medical missionary in Africa carries on her father's work after he dies. She befriends two adventurers prospecting for uranium, and before long she finds herself in danger from crooks trying to get the uranium for themselves and a local witch doctor who sees her as a threat to his power.

General Electric Theater (1953-1962)
Stars Ronald Reagan Don Herbert Nancy Reagan​

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An American anthology series, with a new episode and different actors and actresses each week. Hosted by Ronald Reagan, the series was sponsored by General Electric's Department of Public Relations.

S02E16 Here Comes Calvin (Feb.21.1954) Unsold Pillot
Directed by William Asher Writing Credits Marc Lachmann, Charles Stewart
Produced by Desi Arnaz, Lucille Ball
Stars Phyllis Coates Mabel Albertson Jack Carson Robert Carson Gabriel Curtiz Allen Jenkins Moroni Olsen Herb Vigran​

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Calvin is an unemployed comedian who tries to make some easy money in a gold mine venture, which leads to the usual sitcom complications One of the reasons Phyllis Coates turned down the second season of the Superman TV series as the feisty and beautiful reporter Lois Lane is partially due to this TV pilot. She was told that this pilot would sell. It didn’t, and it opened the way for Noel Neil to be Lois Lane in the classic Superman television show that lasted six seasons. This rare sit-com stars Jack Carson, Phyllis Coates, Allen Jenkins and Mabel Albertson. Transferred from 16mm b-w film. (Moviecraft Inc.)

Public Defender (1954-1955)
Stars Reed Hadley John Close Herschel Graham​

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Bart Matthews defends the poor and others who cannot afford an attorney. All episodes are based on actual cases from across the country.

S02E17 Moonshine (Dec.23.1954)
Stars Reed Hadley Michael Emmet Phyllis Coates​

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During a raid on the Carter family still, a warden is shot and killed. Jesse Carter, fresh home from the service, is arrested for the killing.

Professional Father (1955)
Stars Stephen Dunne Barbara Billingsley Ted Marc​

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Whimsical situation comedy involving a child psychologist and his family.

S01E04 Episode #1.4 (Jan.29.1955)
Stars Stephen Dunne Barbara Billingsley Phyllis Coates Anne O'Neal Beverly Washburn Ted Marc Joseph Kearns Ralph Dumke Jimmy Moss​

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Dr. Wilson's plans to go fishing with Fred Allen are canceled when he's drafted to umpire his son's baseball game.



Four Star Playhouse (1952-1956)
Stars David Niven Dick Powell Charles Boyer​

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This show featured four rotating stars, Charles Boyer, David Niven, Ida Lupino, and Dick Powell in individual episodes consisting of everything from comedy to drama.

S04E20 Once To Every Woman (Mar.01.1956)
Stars Teresa Wright Arthur Franz Phyllis Coates​

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Episode of the popular 1950s anthology series. This episode stars Teresa Wright and is about a very lonely woman who meets a man. Aired 1 March 1956 on CBS at 9:30PM, aired against "Ford Television Theatre" on NBC and "Down You Go" on ABC (DuMont was barely broadcasting by this point. In NYC, its station showed wrestling during that slot). This copy uses the "Star Performance" opening titles. There were also repeats under the "Golden Playhouse" title.

So You Want to Play the Piano (1956)
Stars George O'Hanlon Phyllis Coates Lester Dorr Charlie Hall Jess Kirkpatrick Ralph Sanford Frank J. Scannell​

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Alice neglects her housework because she is enthralled with the long-haired piano player, Gregor Flatsorsharpsky, next door. Joe buys a piano, and the accompanying free lessons, and sets out to impress Alice. Alice is vastly unimpressed.



Frontier (1955-1956)
Stars Walter Coy Scott Forbes Dabbs Greer​

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An unglamorized look at the settling of the American West with pioneers dealing with the elements, beset with nefarious characters and other problems that test their fortitude.

King Of The Dakotas (Unknown Episode)
Stars Tom Tryon Phyllis Coates Alan Hale Jr.​

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King Of The Dakotas western TV series episode starring Tom Tryon, Phyllis Coates, Alan Hale Jr., Dabbs Greer, Raymond Bailey, Paul Langton and Dennis Moore. Directed by Worthington Miner. This is among the rarest of western TV show episodes. In this episode The Marquis de Mores along with his wife Medora and other rich business men plan to dominate the cattle industry and create an empire out of the Dakota Badlands in the late 1800s. (WesternsOnTheWeb)

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[Capt D McMars]

The TV Western series new to me was Tate, the fiest episode has James Coburn as a covicted killer, waiting to hang...and Tate is coming home to help the sherrif of the town go against all of the killers kin folk. Sponcered by Kraft, it shows only one season...any other info?

 

[Flashgear]

Neal, very nice compilation of Phyllis Coates' video rarities! She was a lovely woman for sure, here's my long time favorite publicity photo of Phyllis Coates...

Todd, to answer your question about Tate...it only ran 13 episodes, shot on video tape by singer Perry Como's production company as a summer 1960 replacement in the same timeslot as Perry Como's own variety show that returned that fall. Too bad it ended when it did, as it deserved to last longer, being a very fine western with loads of familiar faces and up and coming stars.

 

[Capt D McMars]

Neal, very nice compilation of Phyllis Coates' video rarities! She was a lovely woman for sure, here's my long time favorite publicity photo of Phyllis Coates...
View attachment 209569

Todd, to answer your question about Tate...it only ran 13 episodes, shot on video tape by singer Perry Como's production company as a summer 1960 replacement in the same timeslot as Perry Como's own variety show that returned that fall. Too bad it ended when it did, as it deserved to last longer, being a very fine western with loads of familiar faces and up and coming stars.

Thanks, Agreed...in the first episode film a joung James Cobern does a wonderful job!

 

[The 1960's]

This is the Life aka The Fisher Family (1952-1988)
Stars Nelson Leigh Forrest Taylor Onslow Stevens​

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Long-running religious series featuring dramatizations of contemporary problems and how they were resolved using a Christian solution.

S01E01 The Fisher Family (Sep.09.1952)
Stars Forrest Taylor Onslow Stevens Nan Boardman Randy Stuart Michael Hall David Kasday Robert Clarke Helen Wallace Maudie Prickett John Bryant Bruce Garrick Nelson Leigh​

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An Agnostic Journalist from the city meets Emily Fisher and her family. Soon he discovers that this family who he thought were ignorant people have something that he never had, that something is life - abundant life through Jesus Christ. Sunday Morning TV program.

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[Indy Guy]

Longstreet with James Franciscus.

This series is avaliable on DVD in Japan with an english soundtrack. Probably released in Japan due to the 3 episodes featuring Bruce Lee.

 

[The 1960's]

Concordia ‘More Than Conquerors’ (1964)​

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A film from the Concordia Publishing House starring Marion Ross. Her portrait-painting husband loses his eyesight, and they both have to adjust. A program typically shown Sunday mornings in the early years of television broadcasting.

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[JohnHopper]

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Dog and Cat (1977)
police series created by director Walter Hill
starring Lou Antonio and Kim Bassinger
Never watched that show. It is a complete mystery.

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[Jack P]

My recording of the pilot episode of "Operation Petticoat" (1977) which was a near-remake of the original 1959 movie and aired in a two hour timeslot. This aired in syndication under the title "LIfe In The Pink" and it was one of the first things I ever recorded on a VCR when I saw it on the TV Guide listings for a 3 AM showing on the WCBS "Late Late Show" in June 1985 because I had fond memories of watching the show during its ABC run. I bailed out on the show when it fired John Astin and almost the entire cast and tried to retool it with Randolph Mantooth and a 95% new cast (Melinda Naud and Jim Varney were among the few holdovers).