The Colgate Comedy Hour

Sep 10, 1950

Eddie Cantor hosts the premiere episode of the series, joined by actor/dancer Tommy Wonder, opera soprano Yma Sumac, dancer Danny Daniels, Yiddish theatre star Joseph Buloff, Lew Hearn, Robert Gari, Jack Albertson, the ballet team of Val Buttingnol and Joy Williams, and Al Goodman and his Orchestra. The program was promoted in the NY Times as "a nostalgic review recalling the halcyon days of the New Amsterdam theater at Broadway and 42nd Street".

Sep 17, 1950

Hosted by Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, has Dean and Jerry alongside gorgeous Marilyn Maxwell ("The Lemon Drop Kid") and comedian Leonard Barr. Sketches include a backstage bit with Martin and Lewis goofing around in their dressing room, and another with Jerry playing a little kid who goes to the movies with grown up Dean.

Sep 24, 1950

Fred Allen makes his hosting debut. His guests include actors Monte Woolley and Peter Donald; Risë Stevens from the Metropolitian Opera; ballet stars Sono Osato, Hugh Laing and Zachary Solov; Tony award winner David Burns; Fred Allen's radio co-horts Kenny Delmar, Minerva Pious, Parker Fennelly; with Al Goodman and his Orchestra.

Oct 1, 1950

In this episode sponsored by Frigidaire, Bobby Clark makes his debut as host. His guests include actress Joan Blondell and Broadway composer Sigmund Romberg. Clark appears in a comedy sketch about TV cameras in the courtroom.

Oct 8, 1950

Eddie Cantor returns as host with Al Goodman and his Orchestra. Cantor does a sketch with his character 'Maxi the Taxi', and performs 'Dinah' in a production number.

Oct 15, 1950

Kitty Kallen; The Skylarks; Mayor Ralph Villani of Newark, N.J.; Mayor Walter Sterling of Steubenville, Ohio; and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra.

Oct 22, 1950

Fred Allen hosts and welcomes guests Broadway actress/singer Ella Logan; dancers Anthony, Allyn and Hodges; comedians Mort and Art Havel; and from Allen's radio program comedian (and Allen's wife) Portland Hoffa, Parker Fennelly and Peter Donald.

Oct 29, 1950

Vaudeville and film comedian Bobby Clark hosted this show sponsored by Frigidaire. Clark welcomes baseball announcer Mel Allen; singer/actress Frances Langford; tennis player Gussie Moran; Argentinian jugglers Atilio and Hector, The Peiro Brothers; and comedy act The Albins

Nov 5, 1950

Eddie Cantor hosts and is joined by his wife, Ida Cantor; his son-in law actor Robert Gari; radio comedian Charlie Cantor (no relation); dancers Fred and Sledge; Lesli Scott; Bil and Cora Baird's Marionettes; and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.

Nov 12, 1950

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis return with guests singer/actress Kitty Kallen; future 'Jackie Gleason Show' co-star Joyce Randoph; comic dancer Leonard Barr; comic actor Sammy Petrillo; the dance team of De May and Moore; singers The Skylarks; and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra.

Nov 19, 1950

Fred Allen hosts with guests humorist/author H. Allen Smith; Tony award winning actress Sheila Bond; and Broadway performer Billy Tabbert.

Nov 26, 1950

A nervous-looking Bob Hope makes his debut as host in this Frigidaire-sponsored episode. His guests include: Marilyn Maxwell; country singer Jimmy Wakely; vocalists The Taylor Maids; dance troupe The High Hatters; dancer Judy Kelly; Nelson Case; and Les Brown and his Band of Renown. This show is performed before an all-military audience.

Dec 3, 1950

Eddie Cantor hosts and welcomes guests jazz pianist Joe Bushkin; actor Jack Albertson; co-star of the TV series 'Mama', Dick Van Patten; actress Connie Sawyer; acrobats The Amadis; June Keegan; and dancers Les Zoris.

Dec 10, 1950

Comic dancers Paul and Grace (The Hartmans) star in this adaptation of their just-ended Broadway review, 'Tickets, Please!" Joining them are cast members from the show: Jack Albertson, Tommy Wonder, Dorothy Jarnac, Patricia Bright, Bill Norvas, Mildred Hughes, Warde Donovan, The Upstarts.

Dec 17, 1950

Fred Allen makes his final appearance as host. His guests include: comic Doc Rockwell; opera singer Eileen Farrell; The Christianis acrobat act; and from Allen's radio show Kenny Delmar, Minerva Pious, Peter Donald, and Parker Fennelly. Music is provided by Al Goodman and his orchestra.

Dec 24, 1950

Bob Hope hosts this episode, sponsored by Frigidaire. His guests include: His guests include: opera star Lily Pons; Elanor Roosevelt; Bob Cummings; harpist Robert Maxwell; New York Mayor Vincent Impellitteri; the Boys' Choir from the Cathedral of St. John the Divine; and Charles Sandford and his Orchestra.

Dec 31, 1950

Danny Thomas, Ed Wynn and Sigmund Romberg.

Jan 7, 1951

Abbott and Costello's first time as hosts. Several comedy routines including their classic: "Who's On First".

Jan 14, 1951

Joan Bennett; Fred Allen; Pat O'Brien; Kukla, Fran & Ollie; The Mello-Larks the cast of Broadway Open House: Dagmar; David Street; Jack Adrian; Milton DeLugg; and Wayne Howell.

Jan 21, 1951

Julie Wilson; Willie, West and McGinty; The Maxwells; Miriam Wakefield; Bobby Lane and Claire; Jack Mann; Dick Dana; and Tom Jones and his Orchestra.

Jan 28, 1951

Lee Fairfax, Basil O'Connor, Dave Powell, Joe Marks, and Estelle Sloan.

Feb 4, 1951

Polly Bergen, Mary Ann Niles, Bob Fosse, and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra. Note: Martin & Lewis had not hosted in nearly three months only because they were off in Hollywood making a movie.

Feb 11, 1951

The City Slickers, George Rock, Sir Frederick Gas, Freddy and Dick Morgan, Bill King, The Wayne Marlin Trio, Lois Ray, Gale Robbins, and Laverne Pearson Note: There was also a cameo appearance by the Today Show's Dave Garroway and a look at a very young announcer, Mike Wallace.

Feb 18, 1951

Basil Rathbone, Sarah Churchill, Walter Abel, Nelson Case, Mary Boland, Fran Warren, and Danny Scholl.

Feb 25, 1951

Lena Horne, Jack Albertson, Charlie Cantor, Bil and Cora Baird Marionettes, Landre and Verna, Phil Kramer, Marcia Walter, Chris Barbery, and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.

Mar 4, 1951

Milton Berle, The Andrews Sisters, and Leonard Sues.

Mar 11, 1951

Lon Chaney Jr.; Sid Fields; Jarmila Novotna; Jesse, James & Carnell; Milton Frome; Ann Thomas; Gregg Sherwood; and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.

Mar 18, 1951

Rex Harrison, Wally Cox, Nelson Case, Jean Sablon, Valerie Bettis.

Mar 25, 1951

Jimmy Durante, Eddie Jackson, and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.

Apr 1, 1951

Eddie Fisher, Joel Grey, William Warfield, Evelyn Gould, Gehrig and Weismuller, Tony and Eddy, and Michell Auclair.

Apr 8, 1951

Rex Harrison, Frank Sinatra, Eddie Cantor, Ed Wynn, Jimmy Durante, Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Lilli Palmer, Janis Paige, Arthur Treacher, Frank "Sugar Chile" Robinson, Tex and Jinx McCrary, Faye Emerson, Ken Murray, and Toots Shor.

Apr 15, 1951

Tony Martin hosts this installment. His guests include: comedian Fred Allen; actress Celeste Holm; ballet star Kathryn Lee; jazz clarinetist Peanuts Hucko; Broadway performer Joe Silver; character actor Richard Loo; actress Lynn Loring; comedians Art & Mort Havel; and Al Goodman and his Orchestra. Martin's songs include 'If', 'You', and 'For Every Man There's a Woman'. In comedy, Fred Allen portrays Chinese detective One Long Pan.

Apr 22, 1951

Eddie Cantor hosts this weeks show. His guests include: actress Anne Jeffreys; Robert Gari; Charlie Cantor; dancers Gehrig and Weismuller, Hal Loman and Joan Field. Cantor performs a 'Maxi the Taxi' sketch, and joins Jeffreys for a comic bit from 'Taming of the Shrew'.

Apr 29, 1951

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis host this telecast from Chicago. Their guests include: singer Helen O'Connell; dance team Bob Fosse & Mary Ann Niles; Ladd Lyon; announcer Mike Wallace; and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra. Martin's songs include 'I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now.'

May 6, 1951

Phil Silvers hosts this week's edition. His guest list includes: Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis; singer Vivian Blaine; comic Joey Faye; and Al Goodman and his Orchestra. Blaine and Silvers duet on 'When You And I Were Young Maggie Blues', and so she does 'What Is This Thing Called Love?'

May 13, 1951

Beatrice Lillie hosts this episode sponsored by Frigidaire. Her guests include: singer Dick Haymes; comic actor Wally Cox; actor Victor Moore; singer/actor Harold Lang; and Broadway star Helen Gallagher. Music includes 'Without a Song' and 'Bye Bye Blackbird' from Haymes.

May 20, 1951

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis host this week's show. Their guests include: singer Jane Morgan; the dance team of Bob Fosse & Mary Ann Niles; a cameo by Eddie Cantor; and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra.

May 27, 1951

Eddie Cantor hosts this week's show. His guests include: a teen-aged Joel Grey; big band vocalist Connie Haines; Charlie Cantor; Herbert Coleman; Monsieur Crayone; TV actor Joe Silver; Lou Wills Jr.; and a cameo from active Army member Eddie Fisher. Cantor performs another 'Maxi the Taxi' sketch.

Jun 3, 1951

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis host this week's episode. Their guests include: The DeMarco Sisters; comedian/singer Sonny King; actor Tommy Farrell; Rosette Shaw; comic actor and 'Colgate' writer Danny Arnold; The Johnny Conrad Dancers; cameo by Tony Curtis; and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra. Dean's songs include 'Isle of Capri' and 'Too Young' The DeMarco Sisters perform 'I'm Late.'

Jun 10, 1951

Jackie Gleason, starring on DuMont's 'Cavalcade of Stars', hosts this episode sponsored by Frigidaire. His guests include: Fred Allen; Vivian Blaine and actress Joan Carroll.

Jun 17, 1951

Eddie Cantor is the host and welcomes guests including: 'Mr. Television' Milton Berle; comics Jack E. Leonard and Phil Foster, bombshell Dagmar; Junie Keegan; and Ida Cantor. Also, appearances by Cantor's daughter Marilyn and Berle's daughter Vicki. Cantor performs another 'Maxi the Taxi' comedy sketch with Foster. Also, there's a musical salute to songwriter Irving Berlin.

Jun 24, 1951

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis host this first season closer. Their guests include: singer Janis Paige; comic and show writer Danny Arnold; The Johnny Conrad Dancers; cameos by Tony Martin and Joe Louis; and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra. Music includes Paige doing 'Those Old Phonograph Records'.

Sep 2, 1951

Sep 9, 1951

Sep 16, 1951

Sep 23, 1951

Sep 30, 1951

Oct 7, 1951

Oct 14, 1951

Oct 21, 1951

Oct 28, 1951

Nov 4, 1951

Nov 11, 1951

Nov 18, 1951

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello host with guests actors Errol Flynn and Bruce Cabot, actress Rhonda Fleming, A C stalwarts Sid Fields and Joe Kirk, The Pied Pipers, Al Goodman and his Orchestra, and a cameo by George Raft. On the way to work on Fleming's ranch, the boys encounter berserk Flynn doing the classic "Niagra Falls" routine ("Slowly I turn, step by step..."). Lou attempts to milk a cow, and he and Bud get the giggles, start ad libbing, and start spitting milk at each other. Sheriff Lou battles bad guy Flynn in a saloon. Rhonda Fleming performs "Don't Blame Me" and "I'm in Love With a Wonderful Guy."

Nov 25, 1951

Dec 2, 1951

Dec 9, 1951

Dec 16, 1951

Dec 23, 1951

Dec 30, 1951

Jan 6, 1952

Jan 13, 1952

In one sketch, Abbott and Costello are offered a job on Cabot's dude ranch. On the way, they encounter Flynn, with whom they do the old "Niagara Falls" sketch. In another western bit, the boys have a run-in with bad guy Flynn. Rhonda Fleming performs "Don't Blame Me" and "I'm in Love With a Wonderful Guy".

Jan 20, 1952

Jan 27, 1952

Feb 3, 1952

Feb 10, 1952

Feb 17, 1952

Feb 24, 1952

Mar 2, 1952

Mar 9, 1952

Mar 16, 1952

Mar 23, 1952

Mar 30, 1952

Apr 6, 1952

Apr 13, 1952

Apr 20, 1952

Apr 27, 1952

May 4, 1952

May 11, 1952

May 18, 1952

May 25, 1952

Jun 1, 1952

Jun 8, 1952

Jun 15, 1952

Sep 21, 1952

Features songs "You Belong To Me" and "Hominy Grits"

Sep 28, 1952

Oct 5, 1952

Oct 12, 1952

Oct 19, 1952

Lizabeth Scott, Gisele macKenzie, The Four Pipers, Les dassie, Dudley Dickerson, Milt Bronson, Bobby Barber, Sid Fields and Al Goodman and his Orchestra

Oct 26, 1952

Nov 2, 1952

Nov 9, 1952

Nov 16, 1952

Nov 23, 1952

Nov 30, 1952

Dec 7, 1952

Dec 14, 1952

Abbott & Costello present a comedy/variety Christmas Special, including their routines, singing, dancing, and acrobats.

Dec 21, 1952

Dec 28, 1952

Jan 4, 1953

Jan 11, 1953

Victor Borge, Gisele MacKenzie, Grace Hartman, Allan Jones, Sid Fields, Harry Lang, The Four Pipers, Bobby Barber, R. J. Otis and Abner, The Hollywood Stunt Group

Jan 18, 1953

Jan 25, 1953

Feb 1, 1953

Feb 8, 1953

Feb 15, 1953

Feb 22, 1953

Mar 1, 1953

Mar 8, 1953

Mar 15, 1953

Mar 22, 1953

Mar 29, 1953

Apr 5, 1953

Apr 12, 1953

Apr 19, 1953

Apr 26, 1953

Hoagy Carmichael, Teresa Brewer, The Four Pipers, The Amin Brothers, Sid Fields, Michael Ross, Jack Lomas, Sherry Morland, Evelynne D'Smith, Sid Marion, Bobby Barber and Al Goodman and his Orchestra

May 3, 1953

May 10, 1953

May 17, 1953

May 24, 1953

May 31, 1953

Jun 7, 1953

Jun 14, 1953

Oct 4, 1953

Skits: Burt plays an escaped lunatick. Songs: "Great To Be Home", "You're The Right One", "That's Amore", "There's No Tomorrow"

Oct 11, 1953

Oct 18, 1953

Oct 25, 1953

Nov 1, 1953

Nov 8, 1953

Nov 15, 1953

Nov 22, 1953

Nov 29, 1953

Highlights include a take-off on TV westerns where all the characters speak in voice-overs and a salute to the songs of Harold Arlen.

Dec 6, 1953

Dec 13, 1953

Dec 20, 1953

Dec 27, 1953

Jan 3, 1954

Jan 10, 1954

Jan 17, 1954

Jan 24, 1954

Jan 31, 1954

Feb 7, 1954

Feb 14, 1954

Feb 21, 1954

Gene Wesson hosts with guests Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, skater Sonja Henie, comic/singer Keefe Brasselle, with Carolyn Jones, Joyce Jameson, Michael Ross, Will J. White, Jud Conlon Singers, Norman Abbott, Glen Stangle, and announcer Hal Sawyer. Wesson and Brasselle perform dueling impressions, a sketch depicts a mob-run coffee shop, and Abbott and Costello encounter the Frankenstein Monster and the Gill Man in the Universal Studios' prop room.

Feb 28, 1954

Mar 7, 1954

Mar 14, 1954

Mar 21, 1954

Apr 4, 1954

Apr 11, 1954

Apr 18, 1954

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello welcome guests including: Jane Russell; Rhonda Fleming; A&C stalwarts Connie Haines, Bobby Barber and Mike Ross; actress Beryl Davis; actors Tony Martinez, Nestor Paiva, Frank Richards, Benny Rubin, Jim Hayward and Ken Mayer; Jack Shea; Baby Mistin; Donna Kaye; announcer Hal Sawyer; and Al Goodman and his Orchestra. In comedy highlights, the boys are flat broke in a bording house in the Latin American country of Bolamania. They rehearse a magic trick, hoping to get a job at a nightclub. Then Lou gets the great idea of impersonating the El Presidente! Also, take offs on Liberace and You Bet Your Life.

Apr 25, 1954

May 2, 1954

May 9, 1954

May 16, 1954

May 23, 1954

One in this comedy/variety series with rotating hosts. The comedy team of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello star in this live episode. Highlights include the following: Bud and Lou get fired from their jobs at a department store after attempting to sell nylons; Abbott and his friends sucker Costello out of his pay, but Lou gets his revenge; Hoagy Carmichael sings and is visited by child actor Ricky Vera; Costello and Vera try to tell each other the tale of Little Red Riding Hood and crack each other up in the process; Abbott cons Costello out of his money, but Vera gets the last laugh; Peggy Lee sings "Johnny Guitar," "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered," and the "Halo Shampoo" song; Costello gets appliances with meters and has to pay a quarter every time he uses one, prompting a lot of mayhem as he attempts to try each one out; the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra plays "Midnight Sleigh Ride" and "Holiday"; and Costello attempts to dance with a woman who is almost twice his height.

May 30, 1954

Sep 19, 1954

Sep 26, 1954

Oct 3, 1954

Oct 17, 1954

Oct 24, 1954

Oct 31, 1954

Nov 14, 1954

Nov 21, 1954

Nov 28, 1954

Dec 12, 1954

Dec 19, 1954

Skits: Jerry serves spaghetti at Dean's diner. Dean and Vera adopt Jerry. Songs: "Longface", "Without a word of warning", "Mambo Italiano", "Every street's a boulevard"

Dec 26, 1954

Jan 9, 1955

Jan 16, 1955

Jan 23, 1955

Feb 6, 1955

Feb 13, 1955

Feb 20, 1955

Mar 6, 1955

Mar 13, 1955

Mar 20, 1955

Apr 3, 1955

Apr 10, 1955

Apr 17, 1955

May 1, 1955

May 8, 1955

May 15, 1955

Recorded at March Air Force Base in California.

May 29, 1955

Jun 5, 1955

Jun 12, 1955

Jun 26, 1955

Jul 3, 1955

Jul 10, 1955

Broadway Director George Abbott introduces scenes from two of his hit musicals, "Damn Yankees" and "The Pajama Game," in this tribute to songwriters Richard Adler and Jerry Ross.

Jul 24, 1955

Jul 31, 1955

Aug 7, 1955

Aug 21, 1955

Aug 28, 1955

Sep 4, 1955

Sep 18, 1955

Sep 25, 1955

Oct 2, 1955

Oct 16, 1955

Oct 23, 1955

Oct 30, 1955

Nov 13, 1955

Dean Martin sings "It Must Be True" and "Memories Are Made of This". He and Jerry Lewis sing "Two Lost Souls" and "Sometimes I'm Happy". Jerry a Japanese actor in Martin's Mighty Midnight Matinee Movie "Eggroll is a Many Splendored Dish."

Nov 20, 1955

Nov 27, 1955

Dec 11, 1955

Dec 18, 1955

Dec 25, 1955