SALE OF THE CENTURY MARCH 1983, Ep. 5--MORT KAMINS

Fifth and last show of my original week on Sale of the Century. This allowed me to be one of the contestants in the first Tournament of Champions.

[@jasonbeard4713]

Mort, congratulations! You seem very humble and appreciative. Obviously very intelligent, it was a pleasure to see you win. I especially enjoyed watching the first year when it first aired. Congratulations again.

[@mortkamins4943]

🙏

[@franklincourten8281]

Hearing the old cues for the car and the whole lot took me back! It was a while before the cash jackpot was introduced!

[@franklincourten8281]

And the cheap prices?! 😯

[@reginaldsmith2619]

I sure miss game shows like this.

[@QHMCQ]

Fantastic stuff. Congrats on the wins and thank you again for posting these RARE gems. Amazing video/audio quality still today!

[@mortkamins4943]

Thanks-after one or two viewings the old.videotapes sat in a closet for 30 years before we digitized them. I had no idea that these were rare or that anyone other than family and friends would want to see them. I was wrong.

[@saleofthecenturyarchives1406]

Thanks so very much Mort Kamins for uploading these episodes and preserving them in the sale of the century archives library

[@mortkamins4943]

If I’d known they were apparently unavailable elsewhere, I wouldn’t have waited 36 years to post them.

[@saleofthecenturyarchives1406]

The Other Big Winners wish to Remain in Private which I think is Totally Wrong Mort Kamins they should be Shared with the Public You do know Fremantle Media U.K. Has No Episodes of the 1983-84 Episodes in there Data Search they were Erased by Reg Grundy Productions Your Collection is A Great Gift to the Game Show Community We Thank You Mort Kamins

[@jasonbeard4713]

@@saleofthecenturyarchives1406 Why were they erased? All were erased?

[@tirmyta]

Thanks for sharing this. It’s great to see an early episode.

[@BillyM82094]

Mort was also on Jeopardy! at the end of the 16th season and the start of season 17

[@libertubey2199]

Wow, an episode from the first year of $OTC, and in good quality, too. Thanks for this. To see one of the earliest undefeated champions, Summer Bartholomew's predecessor, Lee Manning (who replaced Sally Julian) and the fact that the game was as close to its Australia counterpart, complete with a replica of its set, photos of popular celebrities at the time on the board, instead of the numbers, and a lack of a cash jackpot, is a real treat. Personally, for me, the show's best years were when they changed the set, replaced the photos on the board with numbers and, added both the speed round and the cash jackpot. And while I like Lee, the show really gelled when Summer replaced Lee. This was roughly from mid-1984 to near the end of 1985. I hated that NBC deviated the show from this format.

[@jasonbeard4713]

I did too. I loved the original format.

[@stephengreen5865]

I remember this show in early 80's when school was closed i would watch this game show at 9am channel 12 NBC Richmond va my top 5 game show of all times

[@morgan8757]

thank you for putting this up i once had this on audio tape when it first aired but lost it

[@mr2del]

WELL DONE, MORT! I was watching the day you beat Tom. Poor Lenore stood no chance, but you came out on top, and I applaud you!

[@EightCrosstown]

I'm laughing at the 'Seal of the Century'. Congrats on all of that!

[@dwcushman1]

Mort was the champion of champions. He was prob the best overall player in the history of the show!! To say the man was smart is an understatement!!

[@mortkamins4943]

Well, that's a very nice comment. To be clear, I do not write under the pen name of " Douglas Cushman."

[@kambreesuncle2]

That was awesome!!! SOTC's 1st Big Winner!!! Mort, You're the man!!! Thank you so much.

[@louistenore2185]

I think i recall this i believe that it was a snow day for me here in New Jersey and i was able to see it the first time i saw anyone win it all

[@bellantonioabraham6920]

1st Season Premiere Week of Sale of Century Aired March 1983. Mort Kamins wins 5th game all prizes everything on the stage!! Retiring as biggest winner in Sale of Century Daytime total of $107,369 in cash and prizes!! He would later return Tournament of Champions Playoffs!!

[@tyrese3745]

14:20 YES! All right, Mort! I knew, just knew, you'd have this great episode of you winning the entire $95,000 lot of cash and prizes! Congratulations, buddy!

[@danbarker4857]

I'll say one thing, the pic quality is terrific considering this is from 1983.

[@tyrese3745]

14:38 Now that's what I call a surprise celebration!

[@brianschwartz1372]

Awesome to see the first person to win the lot. I would however like to see the entire journey to the lot if you have the other 4 episodes.

[@mortkamins4943]

I have them but I haven't looked at them in many years. I'll have to see whether they're in good enough shape to post--and if I can live with the feeling of self-indulgence these posts awaken in me. It's great, though, that people want to see them.

[@tyrese3745]

@@mortkamins4943 Well, this IS something very big, you being on America's Biggest Bargain Sale game show (exported from Sydney, Australia's (The Land Down Under) Nine Network). The only big win we see nowadays are from the 1985-86 $OTC syndicated version.

[@jamesmoss3424]

Mort Kamins you did brilliant on your five day appearance what happened to the prizes that you won on your five days and one day I will go to Ireland 🇮🇪. 😀👍

[@marchoffman6017]

Sale of the century

[@damienchance2622]

Welcome to the Mort show

[@marchoffman6017]

This game show makes me want to go to stores and go shopping at any time

[@rebelwrest]

Mort, first of all congratulations on winning what was a life changing amount of cash and prizes back in 1983 including your tournament win. The reason you have had a few game show fans get excited over the episodes you've posted is that there is quite little in terms of video out there of the first 2 years of "$ale of the Century". Your episodes give us a rare glimpse into those early years especially before the introduction of the cash jackpot. We hope you post more, but you post whatever and how much you want. Because of the limited information, fans of the show are trying to piece together the history of those first years. I hope we don't overwhelm you with questions, so I will just ask one question: how many episodes did it take for you to win everything on the stage?

[@mortkamins4943]

Thanks! Not sure how to answer-- I did 5 shows in my original appearance, 5 shows in the semi-finals of the T of C, and 5 shows in the finals.

[@LogoMan7777]

@@mortkamins4943 That's not what is being asked here. During your first run (before the Tournament of Champions), did you win all the prizes on stage (the car, the boat, and everything else)? That's commonly known as the Lot. And if you did, how long did it take you to win the Lot?

[@LogoMan7777]

Never mind, you did win everything.

[@MetroShadow1]

When you’re hot, you’re hot! Congrats on pulling off this feat!

[@zachhoran]

No Cash Jackpot then, it didn't debut until May 1983, I think May 30th was the first show with it, also the first show with $10 $15 and $25 money cards on the Fame Game

[@jeprice08]

First of all, it is a pleasure to know that you're still with us. I've heard of you but this is the first time I've ever seen you. I've always loved "Sale of the Century" ever since I was a baby. I was actually born the very year it debuted. In conclusion, I'd just like to ask you, kind sir, what took you so long to put this up?

[@danbarker4857]

Huh, the show premirered in Jan., but it took 2 months for its first BIG winner.

[@ronfranklin3759]

Michael Todaro, Cathy Powers and Helen Duvall were lot winners at $95,000. Mort was the 4th person to do it.

[@kellierogers1559]

Congrats and thank you so very much for these uploads!! What a treat it has been watching them! I do have one question for you... I've always wondered how long at takes to receive the prizes after you won them.. Do you have to wait until your specific shows aired or do you get them right after? Without the presence of social media i'm sure was a lot easier to keep the results quiet until the show aired. Again, thanks so very much!

[@mortkamins4943]

Thanks, Kellie--I don't remember exactly how long we had to wait, but it was always after air date. Then, the prizes would start to trickle in and we would look forward to the mail or the UPS truck, wondering what might be coming to us that day.

[@aaronbruceladner1983]

This was Before the Cash Jackpot and the Speedround were Added.

[@bradhig]

That's what I miss in the later seasons. Those spinning lights when they buzz in.

[@aaronbruceladner1983]

Champion Mort Kamins has Won Cash and Prizes Totaling... $107,369!

[@zachhoran]

This is either from March 4, 11, 18 or 25, 1983, since it's a Friday in March 1983.

[@zachhoran]

Jim says at the 20:00 mark" Lee, great first week", so this is her first week

[@timglende8869]

6:16 - Why did they get rid of this fame game prize cue? I like it

[@briangreenberg6021]

Well done Mort. I was wondering if there was a Cash Jackpot,would you have taken the money,or go for the jackpot plus all the prizes?

[@mortkamins4943]

Honestly, I have no idea what I would have done. The guy that was playing the game 35 years ago is partly me and partly a vaguely familiar acquaintance.

[@damienchance2622]

Whoo for a moment I thought Mort is about to cuss during the question of Wyoming @3:28

[@timglende8869]

For those who don't know, Taxi went to NBC from for its final season (1982-83) in a haphazard deal. The air dates were sporadic to say the least. A sad end for a fine show.

[@tyrese3745]

Jay Stewart made one little boo-hoo in my opinion. The intro for you should've been this: "This is our returning champion Mort Kamins from Studio City. Stand by to see Mort play for cash and prizes totaling $95,000!"

[@bmasters1981]

Yes, because Jim said on the last show that $59 and the win would get that for Mort (everything, that is), and says so again here.

[@Loogaroo1]

Beats Double Dare '76, doesn't it.

[@mortkamins4943]

That is an accurate assessment!

[@louistenore2185]

@@mortkamins4943 Out of my own curious mind Mort if i may call you that how many shows have you been on ?

[@mortkamins4943]

@@louistenore2185 Double Dare (1976-1977) Sale of the Century (1983, plus later appearances on the Australian version) The Challengers (1990-1991) Jeopardy! (2000) Win Ben Stein's Money (2002) Merv Griffin's Crosswords (2007-2008) You Don't Say (1964!!!!) Jeopardy with Art Fleming (1978) The Krypton Factor (in England, 1983)

[@danalong1237]

6:40, “If you like tickets to see $ale of the Century in person, send a self-addressed stamped envelope and PLEASE make sure it’s a self-addressed stamped envelope! Send it to: $ale of the Century P.O. Box 67519 Los Angeles, CA 90067 And now, back to Jim Perry and $ale of the Century!”-Jay Stewart.

[@estestim]

I got a question for you. Im trying to get on Jeopardy, Do you read a lot of facts or encyclopedias?

[@mortkamins4943]

You can't start from scratch. If you already have good general knowledge, you can prep in areas that are finite--state & world capitals, geography, etc.

[@gameshowfanatic9311]

Just wondering, did you hold true to what you said that you were able to work something out with your brother in law to give him that Rockwell lithograph?

[@mortkamins4943]

Hell no, we sold it. I wasn't always telling the truth on those shows--just trying (not always successfully) to be interesting.

[@gameshowfanatic9311]

@@mortkamins4943 Ah, I see. That makes sense. I mean you got to meet at least three of the best in the business: Jim Perry, Dick Clark, and Alex Trebek. Your broad array of knowledge as well as your fellow competitors is astounding. Some of the things you all came up with I never would have.

[@robertdonahoo8183]

It was pretty much catch Mort time after finding that $25 Money Card at the 10:44 mark. NOTE in the early days the $10 and $15 Money Cards were not featured yet.

[@danbarker4857]

Even though it's not featured here, did that music interlude to RG logo at the end debut yet?

[@donnapodhurst6552]

Mort can have a yard sale to get rid of the junk he wasted money on

[@mortkamins4943]

Hey, anything left from 40 years ago almost qualifies as an antique. Maybe 20 or 30 years down the road we'll do a yard sale and clean up.

[@danbarker4857]

Is Mort the only lot winner prior to the CASH JACKPOT?

[@Tubewings]

Yes.

[@tyrese3745]

You betcha! But when the Cash Jackpot was introduced, it would eventually be Barbara Phillips of Phoenix, AZ that would be the biggest winner in both $ale of the Century and NBC Daytime television history, winning $151,689 in cash and prizes. Now THAT'S something!

[@tyrese3745]

@Brandon Bennetzen ikr?

[@ronfranklin3759]

There were 3 others prior to Mort. It was mention on his 2nd show

[@DemocracyManifest]

Poor Jacque couldn't get an answer in to save herself 😂

[@richardhernandez4490]

Mort, how much was your cash total?

[@mortkamins4943]

I really don’t know-37 years can fade the memory. It was a very nice sum in 1983 dollars.

[@zachhoran]

Age be damned, Millionaire should book Mort as a contestant if he tries out of it. Mort's son that appeared when he won the TofC is now about 40. Millionaire books contestants of all ages. I think some of the 80s and 90s J! champions who are about the same age as Mort should be invited back to this season's Team TofC, but J! said nay.

[@marchoffman6017]

Sale of the century