The Prime Time Of Our Lives (Phase 2): The 1957-58 Network TV Season

[@marshaharris4268]

I was born in 1950 and can remember alot of these programs even at a young age. Why can't I remember what happened yesterday? Thanks Fred!!

[@stanleycostello9610]

Me, too. I can remember Christmas 1966, but I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday.

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Marsha.

[@ernestcruz6316]

Watching these, I often wish I'd been born a few years earlier so that I could've seen the shows attached to these intros. Thanks Fred!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Ernest.

[@doughoward6401]

We didn't have a t v at that time . They were too expensive .

[@ronbloomberg]

I watched Rin-Tin-Tin in syndication as a child in the early 70's (maybe even the late 60's.) And I watched Life of Riley as well.

[@ernestcruz6316]

@@ronbloomberg I watched Rin Tin Tin in reruns as well. Most of the older shows I saw as a child were the really well known ones that were syndicated everywhere, like I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, Beaver, Dennis the Menace, etc.

[@senatorjimdracula1603]

"Corky" from Circus Boy is Mickey Dolenz (known then as Mickey Braddock), later of The Monkees!

[@richardsylvanus2717]

Not to be confused with Corky from the tv show Life Goes On. The kid who burned down the family restaurant.

[@5argetech56]

You beat me to the punch on that one! 😃

[@kennethanway7979]

Cool...I thought he looked familiar! Thank you!

[@budgarner3522]

Rarely missed Rinnie and Rusty. Circus Boy, Riley, People's Choice, Sgt. Preston, Yukon King .. You really outdid yourself, Fred!

[@FredFlix]

Thanks, Bud.

[@breathedeep2060]

I wasn’t born yet but this makes me nostalgic for early morning tv when I was a kid. They always seemed like simpler times. I’m sure you talk to anyone alive then they’ll tell you differently. I love these videos! Thanks FredFlix!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, BD.

[@luisreyes1963]

Due to racism, The Nat King Cole show wasn't carried by network affiliates in the South. True story. Thanks again for the clips, FredFlix. 📺

[@FredFlix]

Sad but very true, Luis. But we've come a long way.

[@jehobden]

@@FredFlix I just checked newspaper listings for my local NBC affiliate in DFW, WBAP-TV, being in the "Southwest" if not the South. I found ads in the Ft Worth Star Telegram for Sat. Nov. 23, 1957, stating that the show was being moved to 10:40 PM Saturday night, but it was still being carried, and the station had an ad letting the audience know about the new time.

[@Gobear1]

Sad, but true. Back then segregation was still legal in many states until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed.

[@continentalgin]

@@Gobear1 I remember it was basically apartheid before 1964 in Texas, where I've always lived. I have vivid memories of the 'whites only' signs. One time, my sister and brothers and I went to see the Saturday matinee in Lufkin. Texas and the sign had a cheaper ticket price for the balcony seats. We told the ticket lady we wanted to sit in the balcony. She said we weren't allowed because it was "colored only" in the balcony. We wondered, 'Why do they get to sit up there and we can't, that's not fair!'

[@johnnysea7]

Yup. I'm not nostalgic for that time, at all. I'm glad things are better now. Not perfect, but better. Still love the vintage intros and commercials though. Keep up the great work, FredFlix! ❤

[@brendajeanproffitt6919]

These are so wonderful❤❤❤❤❤ amazing Fred thank you so much

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, friend Brenda.

[@buya3671]

Thanks again for another great episode Fred. Really appreciated your putting the times as well as the stations for these shows.I was pretty young in 57-58 and there is a strong correlation between the shows I remember and the ones that my parents would allow me to stay up for.

[@FredFlix]

I'm with ya, buya.

[@continentalgin]

I used to lay in bed at night and hear my parents watching Alfred Hitchcock Presents. The theme song was great! What's weird is that I haven't thought of Circus Boy at all since the 1950s, and yet the memory was there instantly, watching this video. Fred works magic like that. Jogging your memory and making you realize how vast the memory bank is in your brain. It's amazing!

[@Modeltnick]

Boy, these take me back to my childhood! Thanks for posting!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Modeltnick.

[@stevegardner9258]

Excellent! Thank you for digging in the past to show us "the time of our lives!"

[@FredFlix]

My pleasure, Steve.

[@billhowes7937]

I remember just about all of these shows. Thanks for the memories.

[@nickteck3179]

That was fantastic. This is when televsion was fun for the whole family. Thank you Fred

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, NT.

[@continentalgin]

Pretty much everything was wholesome and geared to family life back then. Of course, there was a downside: all the adults smoked and there were no seat belts in cars, stuff like that.

[@davidjaap2130]

Great job Fred. I remember almost all of them. My father used to like to watch Navy Log. Us kids liked Circus Boy & another one you may have forgotten about, "Sky King", with a plane called The Songbird. Really glad to see "color" instead of b& w. Thanx again. 🙏❤☺

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, David. I would never forget Sky King, but it wasn't a prime time show.

[@leftylou6070]

GOOOOOOO RINNY!!! Thanks again Mr. Flix for another fine video!

[@FredFlix]

Sure thing, Lou.

[@emilysantoyo918]

Nice video Fred. You don’t get to see TV line ups like these shows from the 50s anymore.📺

[@FredFlix]

Thanks, Emily.

[@emilysantoyo918]

My pleasure Fred.

[@JStrike42]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I didn't know Sinatra had a TV show. Bravo Fred.

[@Nezmund]

I loved William Bendix in "The Life of Riley".

[@5argetech56]

This is going to be great..

[@sheriheffner2098]

I can remember a channel that used to show Circus Boy around nine years ago.

[@merce10554]

Rin Tin Tin and Circus Boy, that's about all I remember from this batch. Ready for the next one, Fred. 💜🤟

[@FredFlix]

It's already out of the oven and cooling, Mercedes.

[@merce10554]

​@@FredFlixGreat! 🧁💜🤟

[@eringo-bragh4243]

Yes, those 2 stood out for me

[@sonnytoo9077]

Thanks Fred 👍

[@davidbaise5137]

Anyone out there, can you tell us the song that Nat Cole opens with? Know it, forgot the name. What a voice! And thanks to Fred Flix we all can enjoy 😊

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, sonnytoo.

[@frankwafer6919]

Thank you for the memories of yesteryear!🙂😮💯💫👍!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Frank.

[@Juliaflo]

Don't figure out my age, but I remember all of these openings.

[@FredFlix]

You're getting up there, Juliaflo.

[@bridgetmccracken1381]

Wow that was awesome!! I never heard of several of these shows, thank you for this video Fred

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Bridget.

[@Litauen-yg9ut]

WOW, my parents had Patty Paige records when I was a kid. And Mogen David at Christmas... haven't heard that name in ages...

[@continentalgin]

And I loved seeing the Everly Brothers in this video. They sounded awesome on the car radio back then.

[@continentalgin]

I was just a toddler, but I remember Corky & Bimbo. Also, Ted Mack and the Amateur Hour. I vaguely remember seeing reruns of Rin Tin Tin and Sgt. Preston of the Yukon. I can clearly remember my parents' favorite show in those days was Alfred Hitchcock Presents. They loved Perry Mason and Peter Gunn, too. All of which you've featured on previous FredFlix episodes. Thanks, Fred!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, CG.

[@jerryfarmer5737]

Born in 1950, many of these I remember .

[@markbeauseigneur5947]

Look forward to watching the good stuff this year from Fred Flix. 👍

[@FredFlix]

I'm here for you, Mark.

[@banjo1241]

Great shows! Thanks, Fred!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Banjo.

[@RobertR3750]

Great stuff, Fred! As usual, you nail the nostalgia button. Of course, I'm too young to remember any of this. :)

[@FredFlix]

That's both good and bad, Robert.

[@2nostromo]

Top Man! Thanks for these. I was 3-4. I was looking for "Frontier Circus" with Chill Wills. Maybe that came later

[@FredFlix]

I'd have to look that up, 2nostromo.

[@2nostromo]

@@FredFlix I asked ChatGPT! "Frontier Circus" is a Western television series that aired during the 1961-1962 season. Created by Ric Hardman and San Gallardo, the show was set in the 1880s and followed the adventures of a traveling circus as it moved from town to town in the American West. The central characters were Ben Travis, played by Chill Wills, the owner of the circus, and Tony Gentry, played by John Derek, the circus manager. The series focused on the challenges and experiences faced by the circus troupe as they dealt with various situations in each new location. "Frontier Circus" aimed to provide a unique twist to the traditional Western genre by incorporating the circus setting. Despite its interesting premise, the show faced tough competition in its time slot, particularly from popular series like "Wagon Train" and "Hazel." Unfortunately, "Frontier Circus" was canceled after just one season, comprising a total of 26 episodes. While it didn't achieve long-term success, "Frontier Circus" is remembered by some for its attempt to blend elements of the Western and circus genres, offering a different perspective on the challenges of life in the Old West.

[@CuppaTeaandaSliceoCake]

Superb ... thank you very much indeed.

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, CT&SC.

[@TheStrmcliffae46]

this wasthe year i was born and when I was a little kid i remember seeing these, wow I feel so old 😆

[@coolaunt516]

I didn't remember any of these but I loved watching them!

[@fob1xxl]

I was 11 and loved to watch "Rin Tin Tin." Patti Page was the top female singer back then. Who knew Corky would star in "The Monkees" years later. We always watched Betty White. It was after "Life With Elizabeth." Loved her. We always watched anything that had Sinatra in it. He was the best ! We always watched "Life Of Riley" and "Meet Mcgraw" every week. He was very cool ! "Adam and Eve" was a show my folks watched every week. "Name That Tune" was a fun show. I'd always play along. My folks loved "Nat King Cole" . No one like him. Really liked "People's Choice". I used to have a crush on Patricia Breslin. She's famous for that episode with William Shatner in the diner and the "Fortune Teller" . Ted Mack was a must too ! Hard to believe this was so long ago. I'll soon be 79 and I remember them all. Thanks for the memories !

[@SueBoo2]

These shows were a bit before I could remember , but. still provoke a feeling of warmth & familiarity, nonetheless! Like being home!❤

[@ChantelleBrown-fb7gy]

Thank you so much Fred! I enjoyed this video but am still a bit pouty over your wonderful weather! I so wish i could send a pic....we got a total of 21 inches and our terrible governor has cut our snow removal budget! Its never been this bad! My son had to come jump my car today. Its truly awful and remember to appreciate how lovely it is there! Im wearing two pairs of pants and two pairs of socks, a tank, a shirt and a cardigan.....at home!!! Please let it end!!!

[@FredFlix]

I hope you get a break in the weather soon, Chantelle. I'll be envious of YOU in the eat and humidity down here in July and August!

[@ChantelleBrown-fb7gy]

@@FredFlix oh honey we get our worst heat and humidity in late July and all of August! There is no time where we are superior! LoL! Des Moines is a nice size city and was a great place to raise kids. Not so much now but that is through the eyes of someone who has seen a lot of changes. It has its good points and it is home . I would love to winter elsewhere tho if it were in my budget!!!:)

[@daviddavenport1485]

I want MeTV or Antenna TV to show these gems

[@jenna2431]

That's my birth year. I remember Rin-Tin-Tin, Eve Arden, The Life of Riley, Name That Tune, Ted Mack, Walter Winchell, and the test pattern. 😆

[@FredFlix]

The test pattern had a long run.

[@dave3657]

4:27 Look how young Betty White was. 🙂 I love how integrated the sponsors were in the shows. Very strong resemblance to radio shows that preceded these shows. 📺 They should remake some of these shows now.

[@RusstheTroubadour]

7:19 The legendary Johnny Olson announcing for "Keep It In The Family". "The Eve Arden Show" was a one season flop after the cancellation of "Our Miss Brooks" the previous season.

[@BeachsideHank]

The one actor from "Brooks" who went the distance professionally was Richard Crenna, he hit acting gold with the "Rambo" franchise and "Sand Pebbles".

[@Fenris4464]

1952 here wish I could see them again, and theirs times I don't know what day it is. Sucks getting old well time for my meds. lol

[@BlueSky-eb7ru]

I was 7 years old in 1958 . The only show I remember watching was RIN-TIN-TIN . Nor do I remember any of the commercials .

[@thetraveler2561]

Just great Fred!

[@FredFlix]

Glad you enjoyed it, Traveler.

[@rolfsinkgraven]

A great episode loved it.

[@FredFlix]

Thanks, Rolf.

[@garyfrancis6193]

I never heard of these shows.

[@BeachsideHank]

Patrick O'Neal, I never knew he had a series. Dick and the Duchess (25 episodes, 1957-1958). O'Neal was seen mostly as a guest star on television throughout four decades, beginning in the 1950s. He and his wife Cynthia Baxter ​(m. 1956) With his wife and his brother Michael, O'Neal co-owned a number of successful restaurants beginning in 1963, including "The Ginger Man" on West 64th St. (later renamed O'Neal's); "O'Neal's" on West 57th St., briefly the flagship of an O'Neal's chain; "The Landmark Tavern" on 11th Avenue; and “O’Neal’s Saloon” at West 63rd St. and Columbus Ave., soon retitled "O'Neal's Baloon" (because the word “Saloon” had been outlawed during Prohibition but the neon sign for Saloon had already been created). All were located on the West Side of Manhattan. He was a solid guy it seems, no dirt about him cheating or being obnoxious, a rarity in the acting world.

[@Johnnycdrums]

This intro swings wicked hard.

[@gcfifthgear]

I can see where "Bewitched" got the idea for its animated opening ("A Date with the Angels")...and the way the cloud morphed into a '58 Plymouth convertible is even sneakier than Samantha's broom zapping into the Chevrolet bowtie

[@tenfourproductionsllc]

I wonder how many of these shows are now considered lost????????

[@tigre7739]

Looked like some cool and fun stuff in the earlier days television! The only one I think I've ever seen was Rin-Tin-Tin, which I enjoyed watching in reruns, as a young kid in the early '70's. The only Bowie I remember growing up was David Bowie 😊, but I don't think I would have minded watching 'The Adventures of Jim Bowie', with Scott Forbes, what a looker!🤩 Cool seeing a much younger Betty White, little did anyone know at the time how much fun and zest she would bring for decades to come! The vintage ads were very cool also especially the autos. I had forgotten about Mogen David wine, when I was an altar boy, I used to have to fill the Communion cups with it 😊 Thanks for more cool stuff Fred!😎😀

[@FredFlix]

Did you ever sneak a sip, tigre?

[@continentalgin]

My grandma used to have a little glass of Mogen David wine every evening "strictly on doctor's orders" she used to say. Unfortunately, she died from a heart attack anyway.

[@tigre7739]

@@FredFlix nope, seriously I didn't. Let's just say my mother could put the fear of God regarding such matters LOL. I couldn't wait though to get to the age of catechism so I could partake in the communion. 😊

[@Laceykat66]

The Harmonicats !!?? My grandparents had all their records. 5:00 "The wine like Grandma used to make" ?? Really? That was your sales pitch? Hey, your grandma was a bootlegger well we have something for you! Thank you for these snippets of history. With the exception of Rin-Tin-Tin, I had not heard of any of these.

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Laceykat.

[@stanleycostello9610]

Peg O' My Heart. I still listen to the Harmonicats sometimes. They are terrific.

[@ernestcruz6316]

Then here's something for you about Circus Boy (if you don't already know, that is): That little boy Corky went on to be Micky Dolenz of The Monkees.

[@continentalgin]

@@stanleycostello9610 I still have my dad's Harmonicats record with Peg O' My Heart on it. That was one of my dad's favorite tracks. Man, that big, console, all-tube stereo sounded magnificent. If something went wrong, we would have to go to the Western Auto and work with the tube tester.

[@stanleycostello9610]

@@continentalgin I remember my parents had a big console stereo in the early '60s. The loudness (not volume) went up to 10. It never went above 5. Even so, the pictures would dance on the walls and the plates would dance in the china cabinet. I still have that sound in my head...

[@schallrd1]

A kid's escapism in the 50's is to run away to the circus or be in the cavalry in the old west.

[@mariannecoon7250]

This is fun since i was born in 57

[@mlongpre100]

9:35 remember when ralph kramden was on this show ? did not get past the first song

[@Gobear1]

I wonder if any of these shows still exist in a film vault somewhere. I'd love for one of the nostalgia channels like Antenna or MeTv to show The Eve Arden Show or some of the ancient variety shows if they can be found. Per the stinginess of the networks, many shows were destroyed or erased to reuse the tape; Bill Nimmo's Keep It In The Family being an example where only one episode survives. Nearly all of Johnny Carson's Tonight Show episodes from the Sixties are gone. Thanks for these glimpes into our TV past, Fred!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Gobear.

[@eringo-bragh4243]

There are some bootlegs out there, I've picked up a few.

[@twold4this]

Absolutely cracking stuff. I must Wikipedia the *Adams and Eve* show cos I couldn't understand if the *they are married in real life* was the *real life* of the series when they weren't *playing a married couple* or if ... anyway, you get the drift!

[@FredFlix]

Do I?

[@twold4this]

@@FredFlix .... Wikipedia to the rescue The lead actors WERE married IRL. Also reading about *EVE* (Ida Lupino) makes me want a biography of her.... What a woman!

[@barryputterman2412]

So, the game is we have to name the actors in Circus Boy and Rin Tin Tin? Circus Boy - Robert Lowery, Noah Beery Jr., and Mickey Braddock (aka Dolenz). Rin Tin Tin - Lee Aaker, James L. Brown and --um-- Rin Tin Tin....Zurelum?

[@jons.6216]

Ahh, those good old mid Atlantic accents actors and announcers used back in the day like "teeyoon" for tune, etc ! Haha!

[@NeonZX4]

Great vid. How many channels were available back then?

[@FredFlix]

Three networks, though in my town there were only two stations. We didn't get NBC shows until 1962. The bigger cities had extra UHF stations.

[@continentalgin]

We had 3 and then got UHF channels in the sixties. When we went to visit grandma in the country, she could get only one channel clearly, but if conditions were favorable, she could get a second channel. Everyone had to master the fine art of 'tuning in' on a farther away channel. Mess with the rabbit ears while twisting the tuning knob very precisely.

[@edrabago4874]

I remember vividly most of these shows. I’ve been looking for “Adam and Eve” but keep coming up empty 😢

[@eringo-bragh4243]

I'm shocked I remember some of these being I was 4 years old

[@Zombywoof92553]

fun thank you

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, ZW.

[@MrMenefrego1]

This is outstanding, Fred! Young folks can say, "You're living in the past, old man," all they want; our exceptional Boomer past is much preferred over the current degenerate BS they are cramming down our collective throat. Great memories, Fred; you are the best!

[@FredFlix]

Thanks, MrM. It was a unique time, and we ere fortunate to have experienced it.

[@samcorcione9111]

The theme for THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE, is Jack Benny's closing theme

[@peternighswander9629]

The William Bendix Life of Riley was the second treatment of the very popular radio program which of course had Bendix (the only Riley frankly). The first only lasted 1 season despite the great Jackie Gleason. Jackie is a comedy demigod but he was miscast in that role

[@tomklock568]

Ah just a hair before my time...born at the very end of 1958! But still interesting. Wine just like grandma used to make?? Ha ha.

[@mikedrown2721]

I was born in 1946😊

[@dennislyon8030]

Was the best time to grow up in Andy's gang little Rascals what kid's have missed out today 😊😊😊

[@jashary15]

The "Nat King Cole Show" was a legendary show that unfortunately only lasted one season because the White-dominated Sponsors of that time wasn't willing to sponsor a black man to which Cole exclaimed "I guess Madison Avenue is afraid of the dark."

[@Johnnycdrums]

You got the show?

[@FredFlix]

It's from the ABC Sunday Night Movie from the '70s.

[@kathleenobrien3473]

The Big Record should come with a seizure warning

[@johnpanagiotopoulos8539]

Where is that nervous kid with the shaky legs and sideburns? 😊

[@eringo-bragh4243]

Mickey Dolenz was Circus Boy

[@joeyjojo5986]

i'm kind of obsessed with this time period. it really was the apex of american culture.

[@MisterPersuasion]

What I find fascinating about these shows is hardly any of the stars were still on TV by the 1960's. It's like they all faded into oblivion. It seems like if you didn't work for Lucille Ball or Walt Disney you were retired by 1960. And only ONE color TV show. How did they ever convince people to buy those cutting edge $1,000 color TV's in the 1950's?

[@jlthomps1]

Micky Dolenz as Corky Circus Boy.

[@thewkovacs316]

he was forced to bleach his hair

[@davidrosler5413]

Well done, Fred! Some pretty weird stuff happening before i was born. Two notes of interest: 1. Sheldon Reynolds based in the UK created one of the best shows I have ever seen of that era, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Note 2 is an observation: it strikes me as disasterous advertising for a car company to sponsor a show called "Date With The Angels". Too many implications. Oh, number 3, i was horrified to see that two of the genuinely least likeable low budget movie actors, Howard Duff and Ida Lupino, were married in real life. Somehow I imagine a household where smiles were few but thick with the smell of whiskey and unfiltered cigarettes. Very interesting collection, Fred. Thank you.

[@mlongpre100]

4:02 this means you are gonna die

[@kennethanway7979]

Betty white was so hot!!!!

[@schallrd1]

I hate to tell you but Rin Tin Tin was a S.O.B.

[@remmymafia3889]

I sure hope that Mickey Dolenz in Circus Boy isn't wearing a Confederate cap- if so, the PC police might have to take action. (lol)

[@littleblackduck3134]

Geez, I'm now happy that my grandparents Didn't have a TV in the 50's

[@johnsain]

1950's - Mr Adams and Eve 2000's - Mr Adams and Steve

[@sixtoes2313]

FredFlix....Old forgetful here...Did I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years....

[@FredFlix]

I'm not sure, sixtoes, because I get a lot of holiday greetings here. But I'll take your well wishes now and return them back to you.

[@sixtoes2313]

Sorry Fred. I should have worded that differently. Happy "Belated" Holidays....@@FredFlix