Fred Allen

CHESTERFIELD SOUND OFF TIME
Fred Allen hosts this comedy/variety show, featuring Zeke Manners. Opening with "Sound Off For Chesterfield," an adaptation of an army marching song, Allen does a few parodies of current events as blackout sketches, including one about a future date when presidential candidates have sponsors, just like tv shows, and mercilessly plug the manufacturers backing them during speeches. He also turns up on a set decorated by an apparently "dead" body, which turns out to be Dave Garroway, plugging the upcoming debut of The Today Show.
--- APPX. 55 MINUTES --- $19.99 --- BLACK AND WHITE ---

ODD MOVIE REELS #5
HOLLYWOOD ON PARADE
(1932): Richard Arlen and his wife are seen at home, talking with their mailman, who then runs into Mary Pickford, Bing Crosby, and Tom Mix on a visit to the studio.
MAKING STARS
A 1935 Betty Boop cartoon depicting a baby talent contest with some racist stereotypes of the era included.
RUBINOFF AND HIS VIOLIN
The violin virtuoso showing off his prowess on a very flamboyant rendition of Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumble Bee." A Mattel toys spot announcement precedes.
MOVEMENT
A short documentary look at how movies were invented, going back to Edison and the Lumiere brothers, the early kinetescope, and studies of the motions of sharp shooters, dancers, and body builders in action, leading up to the first public showing of a motion picture on a screen in 1895.
MEMORIES OF OUR PAST
A silent documentary depicting a 1903 joyride in a buggy down New York's Riverside Drive, ending at a very fancy (and long-gone) restaurant on the drive. Tommy Burns and Bill Squires battle each other in highlights from their May 7, 1907 championship fight in Colma, California; and the aftermath of the April 18, 1906 San Francisco earthquake is shown with scenes of chaos in the streets. Men and women dance in a nightclub, and the New York City subway makes its first official run in wonderful 1904 footage depicting station entrances, VIP guests, and the trains themselves running along the tracks at Grand Central Station. The documentary concludes with some miscellaneous scenes from stage dramas from early in this century, and footage from the pioneering full-length comedy feature "Tillie's Punctured Romance," starring Marie Dressler and Charlie Chaplin.
THE MARCH OF TIME
A close look at radio broadcasting in the post World War II era, pointing out that 82 of every 100 Americans own radios. We get a close look at the radio rating service of G.E. Hooper, and glimpses of Jack Benny and Rochester, Fibber McGee &Molly, Edgar Bergen and Charley McCarthy, Fred Allen, and Walter Winchell at work behind the scenes; and criticism of radio from one of its founders, Lee De Forest, for the low-garde content of most radio; attacks on music programming for its supposed excess of commercials; and shots of legendary producer Norman Corwin, along with renowned conductors Arturo Toscanini, Sergie Kousevitsky, and others, along with glimpses of radio soap operas such as "Ma Perkins" being performed in the studio.
--- RUNTIME N/A --- $19.99 --- BLACK AND WHITE ---

BACK IN THE 30's (1954)
Fred Allen narrates this fast-paced, entertaining remembrance of life and history during the 1930's, including the Great Depression. What makes this documentary even more effective than most is that it opens up focusing on the actions behind the events usually associated with the 1930's. We get a good glimpse of the Jazz Age of the 1920's and its loose, freewheeling morality and money-management, and the depiction of the gradual deterioration of life, business and jobs as the effects of the October 1929 Stock Market Crash ripple outward to drive thousands of businesses into bankruptcy. The human side of the Depression is also seen, in the stark image of haggard men and hungry children. Also, we get a glimpse at the popular culture of the era, including such radio stars as Jack Benny and his arch-nemesis... Fred Allen. For his part, Allen narrates with great warmth and involvement with the material (this was, after all, the decade of his own heyday on radio).
--- APPX. 60 MINUTES --- $19.99 --- BLACK AND WHITE ---

TV'S CLASSIC GUESSING GAMES
These popular panel shows all contain original commercials.
1. WHAT'S MY LINE? (2/21/54). John Daly introduces Dorothy Kilgallen, Steve Allen, Arlene Francis, Deborah Kerr, and there's the famous mystery guest!! (?)
2. WHAT'S MY LINE? (10/2/55). Once again, John Daly is on hand to welcome Dorothy Kilgallen, Arlene Francis, Robert Q. Lewis, and Bennett Cerf. Yes, there's a mystery guest, and no, we're not telling who!!
3. WHAT'S MY LINE? (2/5/56). Panelists: Arlene Francis, Dorothy Kilgallen, Fred Allen (in one of his last TV appearances), and Desi Arnaz. Mystery Guest: ??
4. I'VE GOT A SECRET (2/9/56). Garry Moore presents Bill Cullen, Jayne Meadows, Henry Morgan, and Lucille Ball as panelists. Desi Arnaz appears as the celebrity guest. Watch, as some of the most interesting secrets are discussed.
--- 120 MINUTES --- $19.99 --- BLACK AND WHITE ---

TV VARIETY, XXXVII
1. 4-STAR REVUE (1951), with Jimmy Durante, Fred Allen, and Eddie Cantor. Here's a great hour - they don't make 'em like this anymore! Lots of comedy, lots of music, and lots of original commercials. Even Abe Vigoda gets into the act! A live kinescope - watch during the cabin sketch as Durante tries to get his line out - there was no going back then!
2. THE COLGATE COMEDY HOUR (1954), with your skating host, Sonia Henie. Other performers include Keefe Brasselle and Gene Wesson. Another great hour of music and comedy, also complete with commercials.
--- 120 MINUTES --- $19.99 --- BLACK AND WHITE ---

JACK BENNY, III
1. APRIL 19, 1952: Jack's guest is Fred Allen. It's the final show of the 1951-52 season, so Jack goes to see his sponsor. He finds Fred Allen there trying to steal away the show. Eddie Cantor makes a cameo. (Note: The program is short at the end, skipping to credits while Benny thanks his guests.)
2. JANUARY 6, 1957: Jack's guest is Jayne Mansfield. Jack holds his annual talent competition to showcase the stars of tomorrow. Mel Blanc does a funny segment as an animal impersonator. All commercials are included.
3. NOVEMBER 15, 1953: Guest: Singer Johnnie Ray. Jack blows up after he books Ray on the show only to find that Ray requires $10,000 an appearance. Danny Thomas makes a cameo appearance. With original commercials.
4. JANUARY 17, 1954: Liberace guests, and tries to persuade Jack to appear at a benefit. Original commercials are included.
--- 110 MINUTES --- $19.99 --- BLACK AND WHITE ---

Last updated June 19, 1997.

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