Wow, I didn't know there was so much diversity in that era. And he gave everyone a warm welcome, no matter what race, age, type of act. There was a little bit of everything. That was amazing. Ed Sullivan was ahead of his time.
Ed cared about good entertainment and good taste ... the networks were nervous about minority performers but Ed knew his audience: the American people.
The Ed Sullivan Show (aka Toast of the Town) is an incredible, irreplaceable museum of American culture. It is as important as any museum of paintings and sculpture in the United States.
I'm always amazed at what can be found on You Tube. Never did I think I would see Mr. W.C. Handy , composer of the St. Louis Blues on a 1949 broadcast of The Ed Sullivan Show. Thank you for posting the broadcast.
@@chuckschafer6728 Does it really matter? (or should I say RILLY matter?). Viewers always informally spoke of it as "The Ed Sullivan Show" right from the start (posted on the 75th anniversary of the first Ed Sullivan show....er I mean 'Toast of the Town').....
Ed had been on since June 1948. Sofa Entertainment should release or otherwise make available complete episodes of the series. The TOTT/ ESS 24 year run represents the history of stage entertainment with many acts having been shown in their only TV appearance along with legendary performers who were perennial favorites. Like other great showmen before him, Sullivan had a knack to find talent from all over the world to appear each week.
@@chuckschafer942 Nearly all were filmed or taped as they went out "live", that is why Sofa has a neverending pile of material. Towards the end of the show's run, most episodes were not live.
I had tears of joy listening to the legendary W.C. Handy playing St. Louis Blues. Wish I was alive back then and could attend a filming of one of these shows. It would have been so exiting.
George Kirby was brilliant for back then And Sullivan used to have him on frequently for 2 decades. Sullivan didn't care what color or creed you were if you had talent you were on.
What a great show thanks for posting hard to believe these people were in the prime of their life in the 1890s… while I wonder what people will think of us in the future
"Sweet Adeline" was written 53 years before this show. It wasn't even published until 1903, so it had been in the popular consciousness for 46 years. Currently in 2024, that's akin to The Rolling Stones performing "Miss You" on a television show today. Handy playing "Saint Louis Blues" 35 years after its publishing is akin to Billy Joel playing "We Didn't Start The Fire."
It's amazing how America's "racist past" is so often called out yet this television display from 1949 illustrates the melting pot better than anything on television today.
Early TV in post war America was surprisingly open to minority performers ... but after the NAACP and others complained strongly about some programs (like Amos & Andy) the networks backed away completely from minority actors until the late 60's when they finally opened up to the idea. It's worth noting that it was NOT the American people that refused to accept such diversity ... it was the network executives. Even Lucy and Desi were first considered "questionable" by CBS as a mixed race couple ... but the American people never cared, they loved them from the start.
@@blackcaesar1441 Typical extremist response. The poster is pointing out that since in todays world we are taught that blacks were still living in chains in slums and had NO participation at all in society this show actually shows that wasn't true as we can all see for ourselves. There wasn't a complete absence of rights either. More misinformed pablum. Your inflammatory statement just incites division, finger pointing and hate.
The show's opening was spliced in from another telecast (Ed's wearing a different suit until it abruptly changes at 1:10, after saying, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! A very cordial welcome to ANOTHER, in the series of Lincoln-Mercury dealer shows--- 'TOAST OF THE TOWN'! Now, tonight......").
Interestingly, while George Kirby (who is sadly forgotten today) does an excellent imitation of the Amos and Andy radio show characters, many years later he hosted an interesting documentary on the Amos and Andy comedies. \
Miroslav Panciutti This is so cool ! Hey I'm looking for an specific episode of this show, the one from february 5th, 1950 do you have it ? or know where can I find it. I hope you can read this
NO TOAST OF THE TOWN WAS ORIGINALLY A 13 WEEK SUMMER REPLACEMENT THEY HIRED ED SULLIVAN BECAUSE IT WAS A LOW BUDGET SHOW AND THEY DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GET A MASTER OF CERIMONIES"ED JUST WALK THE GUESTS ON AND WALK THE GUESTS OFF"
My dad had that Merc...2nd hand. Golden age of television...and NYC.
Flathead V8.
Wow, I didn't know there was so much diversity in that era. And he gave everyone a warm welcome, no matter what race, age, type of act. There was a little bit of everything. That was amazing. Ed Sullivan was ahead of his time.
Ed cared about good entertainment and good taste ... the networks were nervous about minority performers but Ed knew his audience: the American people.
When the Southern affiliates asked if he would carry Black artists, he basically said, "Yes. And?". He cared about talent, not color of skin.
Ed's wife was Jewish, so they happily observed both Christmas and Hannukah.
Is that how you think?
Makes you realize that the US wasn’t as racist back then as they teach you in school
The Ed Sullivan Show (aka Toast of the Town) is an incredible, irreplaceable museum of American culture. It is as important as any museum of paintings and sculpture in the United States.
Totally 💯 true my friend. Let’s keep the legacy alive and god bless America 🇺🇸
I'm always amazed at what can be found on You Tube. Never did I think I would see Mr. W.C. Handy , composer of the St. Louis Blues on a 1949 broadcast of The Ed Sullivan Show. Thank you for posting the broadcast.
DID NOT BECOME THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW UNTILL 1955
@@chuckschafer6728 Does it really matter? (or should I say RILLY matter?). Viewers always informally spoke of it as "The Ed Sullivan Show" right from the start (posted on the 75th anniversary of the first Ed Sullivan show....er I mean 'Toast of the Town').....
Ed had been on since June 1948.
Sofa Entertainment should release or otherwise make available complete episodes of the series.
The TOTT/ ESS 24 year run represents the history of stage entertainment with many acts having been shown in their only TV appearance along with legendary performers who were perennial favorites.
Like other great showmen before him, Sullivan had a knack to find talent from all over the world to appear each week.
A LOT OF THAT WAS DONE LIVE
@@chuckschafer942 Nearly all were filmed or taped as they went out "live", that is why Sofa has a neverending pile of material.
Towards the end of the show's run, most episodes were not live.
I was being born as this was aired.
Do you remember the show?
Hazards of live TV. Curtain fails to open. Someone opens it. Show never misses a beat. Couldn't have that today.
I had tears of joy listening to the legendary W.C. Handy playing St. Louis Blues. Wish I was alive back then and could attend a filming of one of these shows. It would have been so exiting.
George Kirby was brilliant for back then And Sullivan used to have him on frequently for 2 decades. Sullivan didn't care what color or creed you were if you had talent you were on.
Wow, St Louis Blues performed by the master himself! Thumbs Up!
What a great show thanks for posting hard to believe these people were in the prime of their life in the 1890s… while I wonder what people will think of us in the future
I feel compelled to go visit a Lincoln-Mercury dealer
LOL Good luck finding a dealer!
Ask to see a 1950 Mercury.
Yeah, you could come out with a brand new 1950 Lincoln Continental.
The real W.C. HANDY!
👴🏻WC HANDY? I THOUGHT DAT WAZ THE KING FISH.
Great Show always!
"Sweet Adeline" was written 53 years before this show. It wasn't even published until 1903, so it had been in the popular consciousness for 46 years.
Currently in 2024, that's akin to The Rolling Stones performing "Miss You" on a television show today.
Handy playing "Saint Louis Blues" 35 years after its publishing is akin to Billy Joel playing "We Didn't Start The Fire."
Live TV. Curtain gets stuck. Someone moves it. Show goes on.
It's amazing how America's "racist past" is so often called out yet this television display from 1949 illustrates the melting pot better than anything on television today.
Yes, the vile filth and hate taught in schools today totally ignores this part of reality.
Early TV in post war America was surprisingly open to minority performers ... but after the NAACP and others complained strongly about some programs (like Amos & Andy) the networks backed away completely from minority actors until the late 60's when they finally opened up to the idea.
It's worth noting that it was NOT the American people that refused to accept such diversity ... it was the network executives. Even Lucy and Desi were first considered "questionable" by CBS as a mixed race couple ... but the American people never cared, they loved them from the start.
Yeah that changes everything. Forget about the complete absence of rights. A couple black ppl were on TV! 🤣
@@blackcaesar1441 Typical extremist response. The poster is pointing out that since in todays world we are taught that blacks were still living in chains in slums and had NO participation at all in society this show actually shows that wasn't true as we can all see for ourselves. There wasn't a complete absence of rights either. More misinformed pablum. Your inflammatory statement just incites division, finger pointing and hate.
That puppet act would not go over well today. Even the 1949 audience sounds a little shocked.
I remember watching George Kirby in the 60's and 70's, I had no idea that he was on television back in the 40's and 50's.
The Magick Mirror Matrix Machine ...
If mankind would had only known what they'd created.(smh)
Too late, now. Pray.
I saw George Kirby in 1976 at the Alameda County Fair. Great comedian and impressionist.
What a honey of a car.
22:50
One of my most favorite songs 🎵 ❤ 💛 💕 💓 ♥ 🎵.
Try it when you feel cranky or sad or blue.
Sing it until you get past SONG SUNG BLUE stage.
I was 12 days old.
I didn’t realize it was George Kirby until it got REALLY good... then it hit me it could ONLY be Kirby. Lol
The show's opening was spliced in from another telecast (Ed's wearing a different suit until it abruptly changes at 1:10, after saying, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! A very cordial welcome to ANOTHER, in the series of Lincoln-Mercury dealer shows--- 'TOAST OF THE TOWN'! Now, tonight......").
Rest in peace, Ed.
Man, I want that 1950 Merc!
Hi, I am desperate to find footage from a July 16 1950 episode, anyone know where I can find it? willing to pay
george kirby was great !!!
We watched The Ed Sullivan Variety Hour every Saturday evening back in the mid 1960s.
I thought it was Sunday.
You mean Sunday evening
Interestingly, while George Kirby (who is sadly forgotten today) does an excellent imitation of the Amos and Andy radio show characters, many years later he hosted an interesting documentary on the Amos and Andy comedies.
\
Hello, did you have the 9/13/1953 toast of the town program?
Hey! I'm looking for an episode of this show, the one from the 5th of february 1950. Do you know where can I find it? thank you
Do you have the Episode with the singing nun?
Miroslav Panciutti This is so cool ! Hey I'm looking for an specific episode of this show, the one from february 5th, 1950 do you have it ? or know where can I find it. I hope you can read this
I never knew Ed was a newspaper columnist. Apparently he had the connections despite his lack of MC experience.
NO TOAST OF THE TOWN WAS ORIGINALLY A 13 WEEK SUMMER REPLACEMENT THEY HIRED ED SULLIVAN BECAUSE IT WAS A LOW BUDGET SHOW AND THEY DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GET A MASTER OF CERIMONIES"ED JUST WALK THE GUESTS ON AND WALK THE GUESTS OFF"
All rights go to Andrew Solt and SOFA Entertainment
2:06 No seatbelts?
Jurassic Television. Where where the dinosaurs?
Lenny Kent's awful stand up routine reminded me of the unfunny comedian played by Johnny Haymer in "Annie Hall."
Hola estoy buscando un programa de 1951-52 de este show, ¿Sabes donde podria encontrarlo?
glad es said indians instead of the politically correct native americans.
Yes, except I don't think there is any such "tribe" as he said. Maybe they were from Cochiti Pueblo, that was the closest i could think of.
The stage transitions are comical. Early TV finding it's way.