Lawrence Welk Show Network Pilot 1955

[@anniem.4204]

Saturday nights at my Grandparents in the 1960's.....❤ Saturday nights in the 1990's watching on PBS....with my young children. ❤❤ Watching this pilot episode in 2024...❤❤❤ 60 years of Lawrence Welk and it never is not pure joy and fun. Thank you Lawrence Welk and Welk cast...bet none of you ever imagined your music plays on and on 69 years later.👍👍❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jeffneis553]

There truly was NO ONE like Lawrence Welk and the American people knew it.

[@joannekonders1244]

I watch episodes of Lawrence Welk quite often and always in search of older shows like this one. I watched this every Sunday night with my parents. Sometimes they would dance in the living room when I was young. I am 71 now. Love this nostalgia and lots of memories. ❤

[@gregorykayne6054]

I have the same memories. I am 71 also.

[@SharonKofoed]

Ohhh...how fun that we can watch the pilot! Thanks for finding this and preserving it on KZbin!

[@josephlawson2400]

Thanks so much for posting this wonderful video. It was nice to see the people who were on the show from 1955 to 1982. Myron Floren, Bob Lido, Jimmy Roberts, Dick Dale, Larry Hooper. I really got a kick out of Rocky Rockwell's number. Lawrence and Alice Lon were great doing their waltz.

[@jeffneis553]

He addressed everyone as my good friends and people felt he really meant it !

[@ToddB987]

Laurence Welk was the go to show when we went to my grandparents. They are gone now, however this brings fond memories of the big bowl popcorn sitting on the floor with my uncles.

[@Richard53445]

I have this show on my reel to reel record in July 2, 1955 along with the one tape from KTLA 1954 show at the Argon Ballroom in Venice, Ca. I have 3hrs on my phone. I will not give it away or sell it.

[@debrareisdorf309]

Lol, I was 2 years old in 1955!! Interesting to see this show.

[@barryobrien7935]

I think you mean The Aragon Ballroom. Also video tape was not available until Fall of 1956. Maybe your tape was transferred from kinescope?

[@angelkey6336]

Oh I love it love it love it Love it!!!

[@DCdrumz59]

Those Welk/Cates bands/orchestras were second to none. Top notch musicianship!!!!

[@405liner]

Ah the wonderful 1950s! When the performers were honored guests in the home.

[@SlyDellian]

@Matt Owens We regularly hear of people wanting to bring back this kind of entertainment, so there must be an audience for it. It’s time for a culture shake-up.

[@virginiadavies6280]

I was born when Lawrence Welk went on TV in 1955

[@NewYorxx]

I wonder if I’m the only person here in my 30’s watching and enjoying this lol

[@jasongreek2342]

Nope. lol

[@anniem.4204]

Love it...☺

[@eandsm4620]

Jimmy! That kind Kentucky gentleman!!! 555th BIG LIKE, June 30, 2024!

[@Laine2539]

Memories of my Grandma🎉

[@jackd6148]

2 of my great uncles played in his band.

[@denecos3468]

🌈🤍THIS IS A BLAST!!! YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER LAWRENCE WELK, YET, I THOUGHT, IT WAS OLD STUFF. I DIDN'T HAVE FAMILY, THAT EVER WATCHED IT...AND EVEN CAME FROM AN ENTERTAINMENT FAMILY. ILOVE THE BIO THAT A&E DID ON HIS LIFE!! I HOPE THERE ARE MORE BACKGROUND VIDEO'S ON HIM & HIS FAMILY!! I LIKE THE OLD MOVIES & MUSIC FROM THE 30'S 40'S 50'S . I STARTED ALL OF THIS, BECAUSE OF TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES...ALOT OF THE BANDS..ALL THE TALENT!!! LASTLY, I ENJOY THE BEGINNINGS OF MR WELKS TELEVISION 📺 PROGRAM. JUST WONDERING, IF YOU COULD SHOW SOME THE BAND DATES FROM THE 30'S 40'S. SOMEONE PUT ONE OF MR WELK'S BAND ENGAGEMENTS ON UTUBE. IT WAS AWESOME!!! THANK YOU

[@kellycoleman715]

I thought this was the corniest show imaginable when I was a kid but I grew to love it. Of course I had a crush on the Lennon sisters and really appreciated how professional and well-rehearsed it was. Truly a phenomenal show.

[@lawrencephelps3181]

I loved Joanne Castle

[@virginiadavies6280]

I was born when Lawrence Welk went on TV in the year 1955.

[@lawrencephelps3181]

Wow! Was a mandate to watch this every Sunday night.

[@lawrencephelps3181]

Same here.

[@rhondabitler5474]

It was Saturday night in my area.

[@simonf8902]

Wow. Amazing retro.

[@arno52]

This is tremendous to see! I hated this show when I was a kid especially in the '60's when I wanted to see Get Smart and other shows but I love seeing all these guys when they are so young. I appreciated this music much more now at 68 then when I was a kid!

[@packingten]

Alan I just turned 70 in January and I hated those -##@$%& Lovely Lennon Sisters-sa...I called one of them Old Coconut face😊

[@SlyDellian]

Same here. As a teen, I used to poke fun at this show, and would get upset when my folks watched Lawrence Welk instead of the “cool” TV shows. Nowadays at age 62, I absolutely love this wholesome “square” music.

[@rgrif777]

Same as everyone else. I didn't care for the show much back in the day, but love it now. My grandfather loved Lawrence Welk and a show in our area called Polka Variety. Yes, it was about polkas and older people dancing to the music. I love remembering the Christmas specials with Andy Williams, Bing Crosby, and Perry Como on the air back then. I don't know if we can pass this knowledge onto the younger generations, but it would be a shame to lose it, especially for them. And, how much do you want to bet the three people that disliked this video don't appreciate the talent and quality of these skilled people. We were there also when we did not understand, as well as historical knowledge of the times. And, this was just shows let alone the tv tubes having to warm up and the bad antenna signals, and then the real life times back then also at the gas stations, stores, and everything in general was different and amazing to look back.

[@cybersee9966]

I never hated the show. Also, Perry Como’s theme song was not easy to sing. (Dream along with me, I’m on my way to the stars),

[@jrn008]

The beginning of something wonderful , wonderful.

[@davecanoy3248]

Welk takes the cake, doesnt he?

[@farmert9679]

Ahhhh. Memories.

[@StevenTorrey]

You can recognize so many of the old stalwarts. Lawrence himself would be about 53 in 1955, so already a seasoned performer/conuctor.

[@dickiegreenleaf750]

What a great time. Pretty sick world in 2021. Such destruction in such a short time. I think we all know what happened.

[@harrykuheim6107]

Welcome to 1984 Comrade Dickie...

[@dougduvall7825]

Trump!

[@peredavi]

It’s like looking into a time capsule. I was born in 1961. I vaguely remember my parents watching the show in 1960s. I do enjoy accordion and some polka.

[@lydiaozuna3751]

Thank you for another treasure. I also LOVED the A&E Biography of Lawrence Welk., I appreciate him and the musical family all the more. 🙏🌈

[@josephbendzinski5797]

Myron Floren was a demendous top notch accordian player - so talented

[@goblue9828]

Too bad in this age of re-releasing the welk organization doesn't offer these shows on DVD or a streaming service.

[@stevenlester2606]

According to Wikipedia Welk had a local show in Los Angles from 1951 until 1955 when he went national on ABC. hence this pilot. I forgot that Welk played the Accordion, although not that well. I'm glad he gave it up in years to come. The audience clapping must have been added later.

[@sdecay]

Welk was a fine accordionist but everyone sounds like a hack compared to Myron Floren.

[@ambulet]

Myron Floren was enough of a pro to remember never to show up the boss. This is showmanship in addition to musicianship.

[@faridamistry1670]

Mind blowing performances.

[@danpetersen4993]

Wow, where in the world did you find this pilot? Lawrence was so young looking. Great music, which reminds me of my Mom and Dad. Thanks for uploading the video and the info about the program, God bless you.

[@denecostantino8542]

🌲SUCH A BLAST FROM ANOTHER TIME

[@bruceanderton1518]

As noted, an excellent quality kinescope. I own a similar 16mm print from 1960 which is also in good condition and is very nostalgic to watch.

[@39thala]

The Darktown Strutters Ball - Bob Lido & Alladin showed some pretty good slapstick potential on that one.

[@germanico4401]

SALUDOS MISTER....WELK....RIP.......QUE PENA NO VOLVER A VER MUSICOS DE CALIDAD.....COMO LOS SUYOS.....SOY DEL AÑO 51.....ALCANSE A ESCUCHAR SU BELLA MUSICA CUANDO PEQUEÑO......MUCHAS GRACIAS POR HABERLO CONOCIDO........ADIOS HASTA PRONTO........MISTER L. WELK..........CHILE 2021.......................

[@reedhagen8509]

Wonderful program. Thank you so much.

[@garyburg9504]

Johnny Klein on the drums. He was Lawrence's cousin.

[@faithfulforever6331]

Wunnerful! Wunnerful! And a one-na and a two-a!

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

Looks like ol Bob Lido forgot to shave - that's one heck of a 5 o'clock shadow!

[@danielarick2105]

In the 70's Welk did a show spotlighting Canada and Mexico, one of the songs played was "La Golondrina", played by Jack Immel On the marimba

[@MikeDianaCO]

My Uncle Chuck Coffee played with Lawerence for many years. Would love to see film of my Uncle with Lawerence if possible..Thanks

[@marybranicki3354]

LOVED THIS 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Super Cool!!!!

[@pericogonzalez8067]

Epoca de ORO !!!!!!!!!!-----------

[@khc161]

Alice Lon is fantastic!

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

If you watch really close - you'll notice Mr. Welk does NOT use his left hand on the accordion except to make the bellow move.. he never learned how to play the chords for the left hand.

[@rjnordin]

Hmm... I find that hard to believe. He may not have used the left hand here but I'm sure he could play with it.

[@cybersee9966]

I’ve watched 4 videos so far of Welk playing the accordion, and his left hand is hidden in all of those videos. In this video I noticed that the index and middle fingers of Welk’s left hand were pointing and not playing.

[@harrykuheim6107]

A Lost World...

[@upnywhiteb]

Hard to find much info on the Dodge Texan, but Mecum Auctions has one coming up for auction. It is a 1956 and they say only 289 were made. Built for and only sold to Texans. Lawrence was obviously the shows first "dancer", he's got the moves. Wish we had something like his show today. The really old ones are my favorites as the later ones got kind of silly and the 70's fashions have not aged well. I think that is the youngest I have ever seen Bert Parks.

[@rhondabitler5474]

He's got the moves like Jagger! LOL

[@rhondabitler5474]

I recognize Dick Dale, Larry Hooper, Jimmy Roberts and Myron Florin and Bob Lido. To name a few.

[@upnywhiteb]

@@rhondabitler5474 I don't know Rhonda, but I am inclined to say Lawrence has him beat.

[@rhondabitler5474]

@@upnywhiteb LOL

[@upnywhiteb]

@@rhondabitler5474 Make sure you are alone when LOL, people might think you are crazy. I know you aren't.

[@jeffneis553]

Did anyone enjoy working as much as Lawrence did, we think not !!

[@williamcrook4943]

It was to be on PBS , plus it aired before HNIC.

[@debbutcher9087]

I always thought it was a church that they recorded this in, but there’s nothing to confirm this.

[@LawrenceWelkLPs]

I have the same suspicion.

[@barryobrien7935]

I wonder if it was the Music Hall Theatre in Beverly Hills. I mention this as it was a studio theatre for KLAC and Don Fedderson ran that station when Betty White and Liberace did their programs there. Also the director of this pilot, Duke Goldstone, was a director at KLAC (now KCOP).

[@ambulet]

It looks like the same set that Hammond organ used for one of their promotional films selling Hammonds for use in a church that couldn't afford a pipe organ

[@karenhickson8848]

Alice Lon probably had the best female voice ol' Lawrence ever had on his program.

[@packingten]

I agree Karen,She was sexy as well without trying to be&Without showing her body just a beautiful LADY😊.

[@billwerick]

Odd that the ads cover a 1954, 1955 and 1956 Dodge

[@LawrenceWelkLPs]

I thought so too

[@cybersee9966]

Welk’s accent wasn’t very thick on this first show. His accent seemed a lot thicker years later.

[@keithhyttinen8275]

I noticed that too. I think ABC and the audience liked tthe accent. So Larry made it a bit more entertaining.

[@crl6355]

I just noticed that too. They tried much harder to wash out foreign accents on TV in the 1950's than in later years. The network tried hard not to hire Desi Arnaz (for "I Love Lucy") because his accent was so thick, and they thought that the audience would not relate to his character. I'm glad that they finally relented and just let Desi & Lucy do their thing!

[@jpenneymrcoin6851]

man, imagine growing up with this horrifying saccharine claptrap and then having to face real life in the 60s. ugh.