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Startime, an anthology of drama, comedy and variety, was one of the first American television shows broadcast in color.
Themes
Episodes
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- E1 The Wonderful World of EntertainmentNext upOct 6, 1959 · 60 min
Synopsis
A musical variety show revolving around the music of the 1930s through 1950s, in which the history of show business—including motion pictures, radio, television, and vaudeville—is used as a thread to hold together the songs, sketches, and dances.
Guest stars: Rosalind Russell (Self – Host), Arthur O'Connell (Self), Ernie Kovacs (Self), Polly Bergen (Self), Eddie Hodges (Self), Kate Smith (Self), Tommy Rall (Self), Jack Paar (Self)
- E2 The Jazz SingerOct 13, 1959 · 60 min
Synopsis
A young Jewish man is torn between tradition and individuality when his old-fashioned family objects to his career as a jazz singer.
Guest stars: Jerry Lewis (Joey Rabinowitz / Joey Robin), Eduard Franz (Cantor Morris Rabinowitz), Molly Picon (Sarah Rabinowitz), Anna Maria Alberghetti (Ginny Gibson), Alan Reed (Nathan Gittleson), Joey Faye (Tony De Santos), Barry Gordon (Larry), Del Moore (Harry Lee)
- E3 The Turn of the ScrewOct 20, 1959 · 82 min
Synopsis
In a mid-19th century Essex country house, a young governess for two children becomes convinced that the house and grounds are haunted by ghosts and that the children are being possessed.
Guest stars: Ingrid Bergman (Governess), Hayward Morse (Miles), Alexandra Wager (Flora), Isobel Elsom (Mrs. Grose), Laurinda Barrett (Miss Jessel), Paul Stevens (Peter Quint)
- E4 The Secret World of KidsOct 27, 1959 · 60 min
Synopsis
Art Linkletter's variety episode pays tribute to children with guests Richard M. and his mother Hannah Nixon; comedian Ed Wynn; motion picture actors Ann Blyth and Vincent Price; child performers Jon Provost of Lassie, Teddy Rooney, and Angela Cartwright of The Danny Thomas Show; the Mitchell Boys Choir; and animal performers Lassie and Jerry. Includes a modern television version of Tom Sawyer, a skit on the importance of the first baby, musical and dance numbers, interviews with children and with Richard Nixon and his mother on the Vice President's childhood, and Vincent Price's talented chimpanzee.
Guest stars: Art Linkletter (Self – Host), Vincent Price (Self), Richard Nixon (Self), Teddy Rooney (Self), Angela Cartwright (Self), Ed Wynn (Self), Ann Blyth (Self), John F. Kennedy (Self)
- E5 The Dean Martin ShowNov 3, 1959 · 60 min
Synopsis
An hour of songs, dances and comedy with Dean Martin as the host and his guests are Frank Sinatra, Mickey Rooney, and the dance team of Augie and Margo.
Guest stars: Dean Martin (Self – Host), Frank Sinatra (Self), Mickey Rooney (Self), David Rose (Self – Orchestra Leader), Augie Rodriguez (Self (as Augie and Margo)), Margo Rodriguez (Self (as Augie and Margo))
- E6 The Wicked Scheme of Jebal DeeksNov 10, 1959 · 60 min
Synopsis
A disgruntled bank employee executes an elaborate corporate sabotage against his employers.
Guest stars: Alec Guinness (Jebal Deeks), Patricia Barry (Miss Calhoun), Charles Coburn (Colonel Sykes), William Hickey (The Painter), Conrad Bain (The Minister), David Doyle (The Tailor), Henry Jones (Byrnes), Albert Linville (Carpouec)
- E7 George Burns in the Big TimeNov 17, 1959 · 50 min
Synopsis
A musical variety episode featuring comedians and performers George Burns, Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor, and George Jessel reliving their early days in vaudeville.
Guest stars: George Burns (Self – Host), Jack Benny (Self), George Jessel (Self), Eddie Cantor (Self), Bobby Darin (Self), Nick Reynolds (Self), John Stewart (Self), Bob Shane (Self)
- E8 Merman on BroadwayNov 24, 1959 · 50 min
Synopsis
Ethel Merman presents showtunes from her Broadway hits, with Hollywood stars Tab Hunter and Fess Parker, and comedian Tom Poston. Bobby Sherwood's trumpet accompanies one Merman number.
Guest stars: Ethel Merman (Self – Host), Tab Hunter (Self), Fess Parker (Self), Tom Poston (Self), John K.M. McCaffery (Self – Ford Falcon Spokesman), Bobby Sherwood (Self – Trumpet Player)
- E9 Something SpecialDec 1, 1959 · 60 min
Synopsis
Two lonely singles are paired by a matrimonial bureau.
Guest stars: Red Buttons (Joe Henders), Jeannie Carson (Ruth Turner), Jack Carson (Albert Maddon), Sydney Pollack (Harry), Cliff Norton (Bert), Barbara Baxley (Hannah), Eli Mintz (Mr. Baumstein), Anna Minot
- E10 My Three AngelsDec 8, 1959 · 75 min
Synopsis
Three convicts escaping from Devil's Island take refuge with a struggling storekeeper and his family, and are able to help them out of their straits.
Guest stars: Peter Donat (Paul), George Grizzard (Alfred), Walter Slezak (Joseph), Will Kuluva (Felix Ducotel), Carmen Mathews (Emilie Ducotel), Henry Daniell (Uncle Henri), Barry Sullivan (Jules), Byron Sanders
- E11 Cindy's FellaDec 15, 1959 · 60 min
Synopsis
Peddler Azel Dorsey and a drifter wander into a town and help young Cindy find her prince, in this old-west take on the Cinderella fable.
Guest stars: Lois Smith (Cindy), James Stewart (Azel Dorsey), Mark Allen (Swaney Rivers), George Gobel (Drifter), Kathie Browne (Phyllis), Alice Backes (Esther), Mary Wickes (Myrtle), George Keymas (Zack Riney)
- E12 Christmas Startime with Leonard BernsteinDec 22, 1959 · 60 min
Synopsis
A musical Christmas celebration featuring Leonard Bernstein, the New York Philharmonic, Marian Anderson, the Schola Cantorum, the Choir of St. Paul's Cathedral in London and others.
Guest stars: Marian Anderson (Self), Joseph N. Welch (Self – Host), Leonard Bernstein (Self), Russell Oberlin (Self), Betty Allen (Self), Lee Venora (Self), Charles Bressler (Self)
- E13 Meet Cyd CharisseDec 29, 1959 · 60 min
Synopsis
A musical variety show starring dancer Cyd Charisse, with guest stars Eve Arden; James Mitchell; Charisse's husband, singer Tony Martin; and a company of over twenty dancers. Includes Charisse and Mitchell in a dramatic ballet set on the Hong Kong waterfront, involving an ill-fated romance between an Oriental entertainer and a thief; Charisse and Mitchell in a romantic dance story set to Gershwin's 'Love Walked In'; Martin in song and dance numbers with Charisse and two featured dancers; and Arden and Ray Kellogg educating coffeehouse beatniks on the culture of the flapper generation.
Guest stars: Cyd Charisse (Self), Tony Martin (Self), James Mitchell (Self), Eve Arden (Self), Ray Kellogg (Self)
- E14 The ManJan 5, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
In a small town, elderly Mrs. Gillis, who in a large Victorian home, receives a visit from a man just out of the army. He's seeking a job and a place to stay, and he knew the woman's late son, so she gives him room and board and small tasks to do. Slowly though, he becomes more and more aggressive and paranoid until it's obvious he's a psychopath that wants to get rid of her and take over the house.
Guest stars: Thelma Ritter (Mrs. Gillis), Audie Murphy (Howard Wilton), Michael J. Pollard (Doug), Renne Jarrett (Judy), John McGovern (Franks), Joseph Campanella (Repairman), Joseph Sullivan (Bartender), William Hickey (Bill – A Bowler)
- E15 The Dean Martin ShowJan 12, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
Dean Martin returns to host; appearing in this show: musical comedy star Nanette Fabray, pianist André Previn, and singer Fabian.
Guest stars: Dean Martin (Self – Host), Nanette Fabray (Self), André Previn (Self), Fabian (Self), Carl Fortina (Self)
- E16 Crime, Inc.Jan 19, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
A survey employing dramatic recreations show how organized crime has infiltrated legitimate business and labor organizations.
Guest stars: Lloyd Nolan (Narrator), Stanley Adams (Dale), Parley Baer (Congressional Committeeman), Harry Townes (Man in Court), Jan Arvan (Detective), Joel Fluellen, Nan Boardman, Nancy Hale
- E17 The Wonderful World of Jack PaarJan 26, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
Jack Paar hosts a show in the casual style of his late-hours stanza. Guests include singer Pat Suzuki, comics Jonathan Winters and Alice Pearce, dancer Betty Bruce, pantomimist Harry Minno, mimic singer Duke Hazlett, a novelty act called the Strong Brothers, and Jack's young daughter Randy.
Guest stars: Jack Paar (Self – Host), Pat Suzuki (Self), Jonathan Winters (Self), Alice Pearce (Self), Betty Bruce (Self), Harry Minno (Self), Duke Hazlett (Self), Randy Paar (Self)
- E18 The Greatest Man AliveFeb 2, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
An elderly inhabitant of a dingy Manhattan apartment, decides that his life has been a failure and prepares to hang himself when a researcher calls.
Guest stars: Ed Wynn (Amos Benedict), Nancy Olson (Peggy Thomas), Bert Lahr (Tom Hopkins), Russell Nype (Steve Boyle), Joe Boland (Lt. Scanlon), Laurence Hugo (Harry), Henry Lascoe (Policeman)
- E19 The Swingin' YearsFeb 9, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
Ronald Reagan hosts a celebration of the big band era of the 1930s and 1940s.
Guest stars: Ronald Reagan (Self – Host), Jack Sperling (Self), Count Basie (Self), Glen Gray (Self), Guy Lombardo (Self), Anita O'Day (Self), Bob Crosby (Self), Helen O'Connell (Self)
- E20 Closed SetFeb 16, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
Hollywood starlet Julie Forbes has used ruthless and vindictive tactics to reach the top and maintains her popularity in the same manner. After a succession of stereotyped films, she decides to make a 'quality' film and hires a young, sensitive director, Cliff Harriston. However, when he rebuffs her advances, she aims to ruin him by using her power and influence to turn the film into 'just another Julie Forbes picture'.
Guest stars: Joan Fontaine (Julie Forbes), John Ireland (Cliff Harrison), Peter Lazer (Timothy Forbes), Agnes Moorehead (Carmen Lynch)
- E21 Talent ScoutsFeb 23, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
Dave Garroway hosts this showcase for several talented young show-business professionals, each 'sponsored' by an established performer.
Guest stars: Dave Garroway (Self – Host), Colleen Dewhurst (Self), Paul Wallace (Self), Joan Crawford (Self), Richard Rodgers (Self), Hugh Downs (Self), Maureen O'Hara (Self), John Brascia (Self)
- E22 Jeff McCleod, the Last RebMar 1, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
Set within the twenty-four hours of April 17, 1865, in and around the Tressler farm in Missouri, Confederate soldier Captain Jeff McCleod has been wounded and left for dead on a small Missouri battlefield. He is found by 15-year-old Yankee boy Jannie, and brought home to a household of women who, reluctantly, hide McCleod in the cellar and lie about his presence to a search party of Union soldiers.
Guest stars: Robert Horton (Captain Jeff McCleod), Don Grady (Jannie), Anne Francis (Emma), Priscilla Gillette (Hannah), Kathleen Widdoes (Rachel), Marshall Thompson (Lt. Train), Ricardo Montalban (Turk)
- E23 The Swingin', Singin' YearsMar 8, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
Ronald Reagan returns to hosts anotjer celebration of the big band era of the 1930s and 1940s that recall the greatest recordings made during the swing era.
Guest stars: Ronald Reagan (Self – Host), Jack Sperling (Self), Woody Herman (Self), Dinah Washington (Self), Charlie Barnet (Self), Vaughn Monroe (Self), Louis Jordan (Self), Ella Mae Morse (Self)
- E24 Academy Award SongsMar 15, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
Jane Wyman hosts a showcase of movie songs that won an Academy Award and features the five tunes nominated for this year's Oscar.
Guest stars: Jane Wyman (Self – Host), Charles Laughton (Self – Co-Host), Nat King Cole (Self), Tex Ritter (Self), Buddy Bryan (Self), Elsa Lanchester (Self), Kay Starr (Self), Becky Varno (Self)
- E25 Dear ArthurMar 22, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
Sophisticated international rogue Fred Cortin has devoted a lifetime to the study and practice of imaginative confidence games. When he encounters his divorced, wealthy daughter, Edith Brooks, on the French Riviera, he devises a plan to protect her from a rash of unwanted suitors by creating a husband for her who doesn't exist. As the moneyed international set in Monaco and along the Riviera—led by Emerald Dane—tends to its fun and games, Cortin sets about achieving his greatest deception.
Guest stars: Rex Harrison (Fred Cortin), Sarah Marshall (Edith Brooks), Hermione Baddeley (Emerald Dane), Nicholas Pryor (Robert Griffiths), Olga Fabian (Julie), John Garson (Ribaud), Robert Dryden (Lawyer), Gaby Rodgers (Client)
- E26 The Young JugglerMar 29, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
Medieval French monks find a freezing, ill juggler and take him in. Upon recovering, the impoverished man wishes to illustrate his tremendous gratitude.
Guest stars: Tony Curtis (The Juggler), Nehemiah Persoff (Prior Andry), Harvey Johnson (Brother Roger), Robert Carricart (Brother Franc), Bert Freed (Couver), Elisha Cook Jr. (Trick), Kelton Garwood (Poet), Russell Saunders (Tumbler)
- E27 Incident at a CornerApr 5, 1960 · 60 min · ★ 7.8
Synopsis
A school crossing guard reprimands the PTA president for careless driving. He is later dismissed from his job on the basis of an anonymous note accusing him of being too friendly with little schoolgirls.
Guest stars: Vera Miles (Jean Medwick), George Peppard (Pat Lawrence), Paul Hartman (James Medwick), Bob Sweeney (Uncle Jeffrey), Alice Backes (Aunt Pauline), Leora Dana (Mrs. Tawley), Warren Berlinger (Ron Tawley), Philip Ober (Malcolm Tawley)
- E28 Well, What About You?Apr 19, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
Figures from politics and entertainment join forces to get people to vote in November. The parties are represented by Vice President Richard Nixon, as well as by Paul Butler, Democratic national chairman; Massachusetts Sen. John Kennedy. Thruston Morton of Kentucky, Butler's Republican counterpart; Gov. Nelson Rockefeller of New York; and Adlai Stevenson.
Guest stars: Marian Anderson (Self), Polly Bergen (Self), Richard Nixon (Self), John F. Kennedy (Self), Eddie Albert (Self – Host), Mike Wallace (Self), Joseph N. Welch (Self), Nelson Rockefeller (Self)
- E29 Soldiers in GreasepaintApr 26, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
A 20th anniversary tribute to the USO with host Bob Crosby and performances by singer Jane Morgan, comedian Don Adams, and the vocal group The Modernaires. Film clips are shown of USO entertainers doing shows behind the lines during WWII and in Korea.
Guest stars: Bob Crosby (Self – Host), Jane Morgan (Self), Don Adams (Self), Paula Kelly (Self), The Modernaires (Themselves)
- E30 Fun FairMay 5, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
Celeste Holm hosts a salute to the American county fair. Her guests include Cliff Arquette as Charley Weaver, singers Marion Marlowe and Jaye P. Morgan, comedienne Hermione Gingold, character actress Margaret Hamilton, musical-comedy performer Peter Palmer, and magician Carl Ballantine.
Guest stars: Celeste Holm (Self – Host), Cliff Arquette (Self / Charley Weaver), Jaye P. Morgan (Self), Marion Marlowe (Self), Peter Palmer (Self), Margaret Hamilton (Self), Hermione Gingold (Self), Carl Ballantine (Self)
- E31 Tennessee Ernie Ford Meets King ArthurMay 10, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
Tennessee Ernie Ford is transported back to England in the time of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
Guest stars: Ken Carpenter (Self – Announcer), Tennessee Ernie Ford (Self), Alan Mowbray (King Arthur), Carl Ballantine (Merlin), Vincent Price (Sir Bors), Alan Young (Clarence), Danny Arnold (Fricke), John Dehner (Commentator)
- E32 Sing Along with MitchMay 24, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
Conductor-arranger Mitch Miller transfers his 'Sing Along with Mitch' format from records to television. In this program, he is joined by the vocal group Brothers Four, singers Leslie Uggams and Diana Trask, the Sing Along Chorus, and an aggregation of singing children. The studio audience is encouraged to participate.
Guest stars: Mitch Miller (Self – Host), Bob Flick (Self (as The Brothers Four)), Mike McCoy (Self (as The Brothers Four)), Mark Pearson (Self (as The Brothers Four)), Karl Olsen (Self (as The Brothers Four)), Diana Trask (Self), Leslie Uggams (Self)
- E33 The Nanette Fabray ShowMay 31, 1960 · 60 min
Synopsis
An original musical, 'So Help Me, Aphrodite', with Nanette Fabray starring as Sally, a diner waitress owned by Ernest Jones, who earnestly wants to marry her. But Sally dreams of being famous — like Marie Antoinette or Pocahontas.
Guest stars: Nanette Fabray (Sally), Tony Randall (Ernest Jones), Jean-Pierre Aumont (Louis), Stubby Kaye (Joe), Robert Strauss (Frank), Jack Albertson (Cob), Peter Leeds (Charlie)
Cast & crew
Created by Hubbell Robinson
