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PERRY COMO’S KRAFT MUSIC HALL 1961-1962 SEASON Kraft Music Hall Players, Don Adams, Kaye Ballard, Jack Duffy, Paul Lynde, Sandy Stewart Caterina Valente #8 … October 11, 1961 Guest: Caterina Valente Sketch about the “inside story” of the troubles that confronted Christopher Columbus when he sought ships to discover America … aired on eve of Columbus Day Martha Raye #9 … October 18, 1961 Guests: Rita Moreno , Martha Raye, Ted Weems “The highlight of tonight’s show is a skit featuring Martha Raye as a lunatic Peter Pan. Perry’s other guests are Rita Moreno and Ted Weems and his group who recreate the ‘good old days,’ when they traveled the country by bus for one-night stands.” Tony Bennett #10 … October 25, 1961 Guest: Tony Bennett Send up of nightclubs, with Paul Lynde as head waiter, Sandy Stewart as cigarette girl, Kaye Ballard as photographer, and Jack Duffy as drunk… “After a charming opening soft shoe number that accompanies Perry’s ‘My Blushin’ Rosie’ and ‘Everything Is Rosie,’ stay tuned for a cute, whacky nightclub skit where Paul Lynde, Sandy Stewart and Kaye Ballard browbeat lonely Per. Also, Tony Bennett’s medley is a high spot of the show, Sandy and Kaye are fun in a Halloween-type number, and there’s a segment on the great state of Pennsylvania (Como’s, of course) for bits of her history and personalities in song.” Shirley Booth #11 … November 1, 1961 Guests: Shirley Booth , Gloria DeHaven Paul Lynde sings “torch” song “You’re Following Me” Betty Hutton #12 … November 8, 1961 Guests: Tom Bosley, Betty Hutton “Lively opening to ‘Five Foot Two’ has Perry accompanying himself on the ukulele, and Betty Hutton doing the Charleston. Betty is also in there pitching with songs like ‘Doctor, Lawyer and Indian Chief’ and ‘It Had to Be You.’ Other headline notes include Tom Bosley in complete La Guardia regalia (a la his starring role in ‘Fiorello’) singing ‘The Name’s La Guardia,’ an absurd but timely skit on the staff of a mayor in a mythical town today; and a salute to the State of New York with bow to its endless list of celebrities, political and theatrical, that will leave you as breathless as the cart.” Rudy Vallee #13 … November 15, 1961 Guests: Tommy Sands , Nancy Sinatra, Rudy Vallee “Songs familiar to radio listeners of yesteryear, current tunes, a comedy sketch and a salute to another one of the Fifty Nifty United States will be presented during Perry Como’s Kraft Music Hall color broadcast on NBC tonight at 9. Como’s guests will be Rudy Vallee, star of the new Broadway hit, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Sands (Nancy Sinatra). Thanksgiving #14 … November 22, 1961 Guests: Dorothy Collins , Kane Triplets, Gwen Verdon Perry Como will mark Thanksgiving Day with his traditional program of American songs of the holiday and the harvest in the color broadcast of Perry Como’s Kraft Music Hall tonight at 9. Como’s guests will be Broadway musical dancer Gwen Verdon, singer Dorothy Collins, comedian Paul Lynde and the Kane Triplets, vocal trio. A modernistic barn will be the selling for the show, opening with Como singing Home for the Holidays. Then Como, his guests and the Peter Gennaro dancers and Ray Charles singers, aboard a hay rig join in a production of Happy Harvest. Perry’s pal Paul Lynde offers to help with the dinner. He takes orders from the group, gets requests for 28 drumsticks … and devises an unusual solution! George Sanders #15 … December 6, 1961 Guest: George Sanders “George Sanders is in good form in Perry’s pre-Christmas show, uncomfortable of course, but game. He has to sing children’s songs with Perry (‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,’ for example), do a dance with a bunny, and even croon ‘I’m an Old Cow-hand’ when the Texas salute comes around. And it all begins with his opening pair of ‘tails.’ Also Sandy Stewart solos to ‘Singing In The Rain,’ and Perry closes with ‘The Rosary.’” Also a spoof of Jack Paar. Carnival #16 … December 20, 1961 Guests: Tom Techenor’s puppets “The highlights of Perry’s hour include Tom Techenor’s wonderful puppets from the Broadway musical ‘Carnival’ and a series of Christmas Cards. You’ll love Carrot Top and the Fox; the Walrus will amuse and captivate you. Also, there’s a bit of serious talk from Santa Claus about frivolous people and ‘peace on earth’; a charming dance to the ‘Parade of the Wooden Soldiers’; a many-piano-playing group of youngsters, and Perry’s ‘Ave Maria’ after his yearly retelling of the Nativity tale.” Singing Siblings #17 … December 27, 1961 Guests: Caterina Valente, Silvio Francesco “Perry Como will invite his viewers, guests and cast ‘to the house’ for his New Year’s Eve party during Perry Como’s Kraft Music Hall color broadcast on NBC tonight at 9. Performers at the party will be guest stars Caterina Valente, international singing star and her brother Sylvio Francesco in his American TV debut and Como’s regular cast ...the Music Hall Players.” Bonanza #18 … January 3, 1962 Guests: Dan Blocker, Lorne Greene “Pretty lively doings on the show tonight as Perry and his Bonanza guests (Lome Greene and Dan Blocker) dominate the content of the hour. The saloon scene is the most amusing, with Gunsmoke’s Kitty and Chester (Jack Duffy) confusing guests and networks, too. Also, Duffy and Sandy Stewart are fine in a song and dance number to ‘Comes Once in a Lifetime,’ and the salute to New Jersey ranges wide, from memories of Atlantic City’s beauty contests to Washington’s Farewell Address to His Soldiers (Lorne Greene).” Juliet Prowse #19 … January 10, 1962 Guests: Art Linkletter, Juliet Prowse “Perry’s songs, a salute to Indiana, a dance specialty by Juliet Prowse, and an ‘interview’ by Art Linkletter are among the featured segments of the show.” Polly Bergen #20 … January 17, 1962 Guest: Polly Bergen “Perry and company are in good mood tonight from the ‘Minstrel Show’ type opener. Polly Bergen is Como’s special guest and she’s fine singing ‘Two to Tango,’ and spoofing her panelist self in a skit. Also, Don Adams is fun in his monologue; and Jack Duffy is fine as ‘Bing’ in the Salute to the Evergreen State of Washington.” Includes spoof of To Tell the Truth. Burns & Horne #21 … January 31, 1962 Guests: George Burns, Peter Gennaro, Lena Horne “Songs, comedy and dance will be spotlighted when Perry Como is host to song stylist Lena Horne, comedian George Burns and dancer-choreographer Peter Gennaro on Perry Como’s Kraft Music Hall color broadcast tonight at 9. Como’s songs will include the opening production of ‘On The Street Where You Live’ and a medley of ‘My Favorite Things’; ‘My Baby Just Cares for Me’; and ‘If You Were the Only Girl in the World.’” Barrie Chase #22 … February 7, 1962 Guest: Polly Bergen Paul Lynde & Kaye Ballard play wealthy couple who don’t own a TV but buy Perry & his whole show. Blissful Love #23 … February 14, 1962 Guests: Dorothy Collins, Lorin Hollander State of Blissful Love saluted. Here's Johnny #24 … February 21, 1962 Guest: Johnny Carson, Perry lets Johnny Carson try out his evening talents before D Date next season, so take a gander for yourself. There’s some “sword crossing” between them, some “subtle” advice at the end from Perry, a take-off on Edward R. ‘‘you know who” by Johnny, and a mad scramble of a skit on a new game show with Carson leading the troupe. Also, the salute to the state of Virginia with songs, skits and such in the spirited finale. Blissful Love #25 … March 7, 1962 Guests: Don Herbert, Carol Lawrence Perry & Paul act as Mr. Wizard’s assistants. Car 54 #26 … March 14, 1962 Guests: Cast of Car 54, Where Are You? After an opening salute to St. Patrick’s Day, Perry can hardly call his show his own tonight Officers Toody and Muldoon (Joe E. Ross and Fred Gwynne) of “Car 54, Where Are You?” want Perry to do a Sunday night benefit, or else, so he parades the available talent before them. The script is amusing, particularly the Garry Moore take-off to head them off, and Toody and Muldoon get to sing. Stay with it for the Salute to the State of Hawaii. There’s some native dancing you’ll enjoy. Blissful Love #27 … March 21, 1962 Guest: Anna Marie Alberghetti “Spring is bustin’ out all over” on Perry’s show tonight. Anna Mana Alberghetti sings “Love Makes the World Go Round”; Perry duets with her to “It’s a Big Wide Wonderful World”; the team of Duffy-Lynde-Adams joins Perry for a cantankerous game of golf; and even the Salute to the State gets by-passed for a wide-ranging gander at “The Meaning of Spring,” (love, baseball, poetry, internal revenue, et al). There’s a nice Gennaro dance, too, by Dee Erickson, one of the regular gang. , Paul Lynde & Kaye Ballard do sketch about two bears coming out of hibernation. Alice Faye #28 … March 28, 1962 Guest: Alice Faye This is a sentimental night with grandmother Alice Faye and grandfather Perry Como exchanging baby pictures, singing songs like “You Made Me Love You” and “I’m Glad I’m Not Young Anymore,” and generally being charming in between. Perry’s Players do an inspired bit about babies in their cribs during “visiting hours” and the Salute to the State of Arizona gets a tuneful tribute highlighted by a dance to Ferde Groffes famous “Grand Canyon Suite.” Review: Grandma Alice Faye went over the hill to Grandpa Perry Como’s show last Wednesday to make her first show biz appearance in more than a dozen years… The regular cast of the NBC color hour, Paul Lynde, Don Adams, Kaye Ballard, Sandy Stewart and Jack Duffy…were seen…in a skit as regards the view from the kid side of the maternity ward window—-a fair but predictable bit. (Variety, 4/4/62) Anne Bancroft #29 … April 4, 1962 Guest: Anne Bancroft Dramatic actress Anne Bancroft takes another fling at the lighter side of her craft. Perry lets her sing (“When the World Was Young” and “Up a Lazy River”), and even dance a little while she’s at it. He also lets her star in a goofy tragi-comedy with his regulars and some dwarfs. As for the Salute to the State, it’s Illinois tonight, and Bobby Haggart gets a chance to whistle his “Big Noise from Winnetka” tune with drummer Don Lamond, and Anne turns serious for Sandburg’s poem “Chicago.” Easter #30 … April 18, 1962 Guests: Jane Morgan, Kukla & Ollie, Jane Morgan, Burr Tillstrom’s puppets Kukla and Ollie, and the St. Monica Children’s Choir, directed by Father John Cannon Tonight’s Perry Como Show was taped last June, to give Perry and company a vacation now. It’s his Easter show, and the motif is mostly children. Perry ends on his usual religious note with “The Lord’s Prayer.” Derby Week #31 … May 2, 1962 Guest: Lola Albright “In honor of Derby Week and the upcoming Derby Saturday, Perry salutes the state of Kentucky and has an amiable chat with Eddie Arcaro and Sam Renick about their careers. Of course, he wants a tip on the winner and gets a few more he can chew. Other high spots on the show are Lola Albright’s solo ‘I Got a Right to Sing the Blues,’ and her skit with the boys of the cast on her specialty, ‘allure.’” Caterina Valente #32 … May 9, 1962 Guests: Jane Morgan, Kukla & Ollie Perry’s guest in this fast-moving show is singer-guitarist Caterina Valente, a tireless performer. North Carolina is the state of the week. All the regulars take part in tonight’s show, including Don Adams, Kaye Ballard, Jack Duffy, Paul Lynde, Sandy Stewart, Ray Charles singers, Gennaro dancers. Gunsmoke's Chester #33 … May 16,1962 Guest: Dennis Weaver “Dennis Weaver’s admirers get a long look at their idol, even if it’s Perry who acquires the ‘Chester’ limp. Since Dennis claims he’s a bathtub singer, Perry dutifully rolls two on the stage; and when he wants a straw hat, too, that pops up so he can dance. It’s all a lot of amiable fun, and the show is sparked by the songs and poets of the State of Maine in the weekly Salute at the end.” Anne Bancroft (Again) #34 … May 23, 1962 Guest: Anne Bancroft “The nicest things about this show are its guest and its setting. The guest is Anne Bancroft and the set is the beach that beckons in the summer. It’s a gay and light little affair with songs like ‘When the Beach Umbrellas Bloom,’ ‘Picnic Song’ and ‘Moon Glow;’ a picnic medley from the cast; a song and dance to ‘Let Me Sing and I’m Happy’ from Anne; and a nutty little bit on picnic games between Perry and game director Don Adams. The Salute to the State is Michigan’s turn and the Model-T sketch with Bancroft and Como is amusing, and the songs (‘Kalamazoo,’ ‘Hostess with the Hostess’) are good.” Season Finale #35 … June 6, 1962 “Perry Como, following tradition for his last show of the season, will feature his regular cast members as the guests on Music Hall color broadcast, at 9 tonight... Joining Como in his season’s finale will be Mitchell Ayres and his orchestra, Peter Gennaro and his dancers, Ray Charles and his singers, Frank Gallop, the Music Hall Players – Don Adams, Kaye Ballard, Jack Duffy, Paul Lynde (in a taped message from Hollywood) and Sandy Stewart – and members of the production staff.” |