Article by Larry Roberts (TV Oldies)

Television was in its infancy in the early 1950′s and many early programs are almost forgotten now. I Love Lucy and a few others are still in the limelight, but, they are the exception. I have made a list in two parts of some of the best of a group that is often overlooked. Take a look and you may discover a new realm of great entertainment.

PART I 1951-55

1) AMOS’n ANDY (1951-53)

This show originated from the radio version and mainly concerned itself with George “Kingfish” Stevens’s (Tim Moore) get rich schemes which usually involved his Brothers of the Mystic Sea Lodge. “Andy” Hogg Brown (Spencer Williams) was usually one of the victims of the Kingfish. Amos Jones (Alvin Childress) did much of the narration each week.

2) LIFE WITH ELIZABETH (1952-55)

This little gem was a low budget show put together by a TV station in Los Angeles. It is in a 3 part interactive format that involves the hilarious situations created by Elizbeth (Betty White) who is married to a perplexed Alvin (Del Moore). The narrator (Jack Narz) is also involved in the interaction. This show is classic Betty White.

3) MY LITTLE MARGIE (1952-55)

Rambunctious, young Margie Albright (Gail Storm) lives with her widowed father, Vern Albright (Charles Farrell) in a New York City penthouse. The show revolves mainly around Margie’s adventures which usually includes involving herself in her father’s business problems.

4) OUR MISS BROOKS (1952-56)

This wonderful comedy revolves around Connie Brooks (Eve Arden) who teaches English at Madison High. She often is at odds with her principal, Osgood Conklin (Gale Gordon) and also trying to keep one of her students, Walter Denton (Richard Crenna), on the straight and narrow. This was a superb cast with Eve Arden, Gale Gordon, who you might remember as Mr. Mooney from the Lucy Show, and Richard Crenna, who went on to another successful series, The Real McCoys. He also had a successful movie career with films like The Sand Pebbles with Steve McQueen and Summer Rental with John Candy.

5) THE ADVENTURES OF OZZIE AND HARRIET (1952-66)

Almost a fifties reality show, with father Ozzie Nelson and wife Harriet raising their 2 sons, David and Ricky every week on this long running show. You saw the boys grow up and go through all the typical problems of the different stages of childhood. Ricky Nelson actually grew into a teenage singing sensation on the show and eventually a rock star.

6) MAKE ROOM FOR DADDY (1953-65)

Nightclub entertainer, Danny Williams (Danny Thomas), tries to balance his career and family situations in this long running show. His wife, Kathy Williams (Marjorie Lord), daughter Terry (Sherry Jackson), and son Rusty (Rusty Hamer) round out the cast. The show ran so long, a cute little darling, Linda Williams (Angela Cartwright), was added. Danny Thomas’s real-life daughter, Marlo, went on to her own successful series, That Girl.

7) DECEMBER BRIDE (1954-59)

Lily Ruskin (Spring Byington) lives with her daughter and son-in-law, who, along with her friend Hilda Crocker (Verna Felton), are trying to find her a marriage partner. One of the best parts on this show belongs to Harry Morgan as the neighbor Pete Porter. Of course, Harry Morgan went on to star in the successful Dragnet and MASH series.

FATHER KNOWS BEST (1954-60)

Jim Anderson (Robert Young) heads a family with wife Margaret (Jane Wyatt), older daughter Betty (Elinor Donohue), son Bud (Billy Gray), and youngest child Kathy (Lauren Chapin). Good family entertainment with Jim trying to show he knows best, after consultation with Margaret. This show had been a big hit on radio and made a good transition to television. Elinor Donohue was later seen on the early episodes of the Andy Griffith Show playing Ellie Walker.

9) THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW (1955-59)

Master SGT. Ernie Bilko (Phil Silvers) runs a motor pool at a small U.S. Army Camp in Kansas but his main efforts are involved in bilking people out of their money with the con games he runs.

10) THE HONEYMOONERS (1955-56)

This Television Classic relates the get rich schemes of Gotham City bus driver Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason) who usually involves his friend and upstairs neighbor, Ed Norton (Art Carney). Their wives, Alice Kramden (Audrey Meadows), and Trixie Norton (Joyce Randolph) try to keep the boys straight, but to no avail. One of the great things about this show is that it was done live and practically unrehearsed. The four performers were a good fit and worked well together, which shines through in each episode.

About the Author

Larry Roberts, Baby Boomer, grew up when Televison was also in its early stages. My other interests are History, Humor, Cats, and a bunch of other stuff. Check me out at: THE HISTORY ATTIC and TV WESTERNS

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