The Witness - Ma Barker

Kind of a hypothetical,what if type courtroom drama,where unsavory characters of the past testify before a congressional commitee.Not the greatest show ever,but at least it has original commercials.Starring Joan Blondell as Ma.Originally broadcast January 12,1961.

[@JAY-lo3sx]

What a actress this lady is. I don’t know who she is playing this part but that is how you get an Oscar. If only today’s actresses were this enjoyable to watch. 🇬🇧

[@gaylebarker8163]

Joan Blondell

[@whiteelephantvideos1343]

Look up Joan Blondell

[@behmog]

The actors and actresses play their roles so naturally that I was immersed in it as if I was witnessing the real testimony. I had known Ma Barker through Boney M’s Ma Baker song for the first time. I read a lot about her and saw some documentaries and a movie (1960), which allowed me to have some background information. Having watched this program, I appreciate how well the actors and actresses hired their emotions to make an extraordinary performance. Another noticeable thing is the language. Despite showing an environment where we should hear lots of F-words, the screenwriters and all the people in the set have been dedicated to not use any graphic language. That’s especially contrary to nowadays movies, videos, and music where F-words have become almost a must. Thanks for uploading this video.

[@RLFLOWS]

Very interesting show. Joan Blondell does an excellent job as Ma Barker. BTW Ms. Blondell was a fine looking woman in her earlier acting career in the 1920s-1930s. Do an search of her pictures back then you'll see what I mean.

[@hippiedachshunds1632]

Never even knew this series existed until seeing this. Interesting concept for a show. Joan Blondell is obviously having the time of her life here. Love her performance, which is just the right distance from over the top. Thanks for posting this little gem!

[@carlo6230]

It's Joan Blondell, one of my old school Hollywood favorites

[@benjomoreno1391]

I couldn't find the right words of phrase on this actress. She is so believable that as this drama progressed, i am being hypnotized in seeing the real person, ma barker.

[@dorothysmom]

Ma Barker is played by actress Joan Blondell.

[@DwighttFrye]

Actually do have several more episodes.Has been difficult uploading much of anything lately,but will try to post one here and there.

[@CarlDuke]

Thanks so much for this. I thought that I was perhaps the only one who remembered this show that I saw as a very young boy. Didn't know any episodes of this still existed.

[@DwighttFrye]

Glad you like it.I actually have about 10 episodes,think somebody else posted one of them on here.Would put on more,but the response to the latest episode I uploaded has been underwhelming,to say the least.

[@james5460]

Great post, that was a golden age for tv when you had real old-school stars doing routine television shows. Joan Blondell runs rings around everyone else with her acting. Love the commercial narrated by Christopher Plummer narrating, still going strong today.

[@doolally1478]

@Randy Kirk i thought the same

[@Greywolfgrafix]

Anthony George from the commercial they showed went on to play Jeremiah Collins in ABC-TV's Dark Shadows.

[@fromthesidelines]

In those days, Matthew, only SIX minutes of commercials were programmed during a typical hour-long network program. TODAY, there are as many as SIXTEEN minutes per hour, with DOZENS of 15 second commercials sandwiched inbetween.

[@jamesjeffreypaul]

Thanks so much for posting.

[@reelspilltv]

I can see either Kathy Bates, Rosanne Barr or Stockard Channing playing the role of Ma Barker on the big screen. Let's get Netflix, Amazon or one of the old Hollywood studios to do this by registering a like on this comment. Thanks!!!

[@CodyJarvis-jy4it]

Ma Barker lived right up the road from where I’m from they still talk about that family today

[@johnwaldrop3211]

Where is this ? If I may ask ?

[@newstarcadefan]

Wow, this is a time capsule, and I haven't heard of this before. I am surprised the original known episodes of Night Court (not the comedy) are not up here yet.

[@higher_pwr8178]

"Since when did the police ever tell the truth. . ." Hahahaaaaaa

[@c.calliecoleman1531]

I actually was hoping a psychologist would explain Ma Barker's mind. Seems like extreme narcissist. This was a very good pretend trial for Ma Barker. Esp. the scene with the brother, Lloyd, on stand. Just seems like his words made it alright, for him, and his brothers. Seeing that Ma Barker was actually the only villian, the mastermind. And those boys just loved their mama, as boys usually do. Sometimes your love can be so blind, that you don't see the wrong in that person.

[@jamesmiller4184]

Jeepers! The commercials are GREAT! I remember ones like these And I still use "Tender Touch" which reminds me, I'm almost out!

[@feurigerStern]

What s cool concept. This should be redone in modern times.

[@daveverplank]

I was on a gangster tour in Saint Paul a few years back. Ma and the boys hid out in a house in West Saint Paul for a short time. At the end of the tour, it was revealed that Ma Barker was an urban legend. There really was a Kate Barker, but she was not the leader of the gang. She was actually a sweet old lady that cooked and cleaned for her sons. But unfortunately she was killed in the gunfight and so the legend was born in order to justify having killed an old woman.

[@coyleigh2860]

Exactly right.

[@connormurphy7684]

The Ma Barker image was created by J Edgar Hoover after she was killed

[@daveverplank]

@@connormurphy7684 and after that Hoover and Clyde Tolson dressed up like women😂😆😅

[@connormurphy7684]

@@daveverplank Cworrrr!🤣🤣

[@mikehiggins2694]

A correction, Ma Barker was never declared Public Enemy Number 1 as the announcer claimed.

[@hlongrider]

WOW! That was Great!!! Thank You!!!

[@dawnearly1600]

hlongrider f

[@ronaldrickard3551]

These are very good thank you for the post

[@franciscosalles7981]

Há um filme moderno, colorido, mostrando a mãe e seus filhos. Foi estrelado por uma atriz gordinha, parecida com essa aí. Fez sucesso. Será que o you tube não tem o vídeo desse filme?

[@parttysetzer6247]

This woman was a great actress and so wherever actors and actress they don't show this on TV except John dillinger this great.

[@scottgroves3814]

The meanest monster Godzilla would ever fight it be Mabarker

[@mikepowers9265]

When asked if Ma Barker was the mastermind of the Barker Gang,one of the thugs responded "Ma? She couldn't plan breakfast let alone a bank robbery." So was she really a dupe or the leader?

[@coyleigh2860]

She was just an old lady murdered by J. Edgar Hoovers new F.B.I. they did'nt want the public to know the truth. They murdered an innocent old lady.

[@deborahsojourner6755]

Hoover made it up

[@Greywolfgrafix]

The date and place are wrong. Herman shot himself in the head August 29, 1927 in Wichita, Sedgewick County, Kansas. He, Porter Clay Meeks, and Charles Henry Stalcup, had robbed the Crystal Springs Ice Company in Newton, Harvey County, Kansas earlier that night. They were speeding through Wichita when motorcycle patrolmen Joseph Earl Marshall and Frank Bush pulled them over. Herman shot Marshall three times, and Bush returned fire, mortally wounding Barker. Barker was able to take off down 11th Avenue, then right down St. Francis until crashing his car into a tree at the corner of St. Francis and East Pine Street. He stumbled out of the car a short distance, then shot himself in the head. Porter Meeks was shot and killed the following day by officer Merle Colwell. Stalcup was sentenced to life in prison at Kansas State Penitentiary.

[@browningautomatic2393]

GREAT SHOW ! WEDNESDAY 11/3/21 NOVEMBER 3, 2021

[@michaelvolgare9441]

Fantastic show, do you have any other episodes of this great show? If you do please upload them. Thank you very much.

[@kristineanderson4983]

I can't wait to watch this! They kidnapped my grandfather! True!!!

[@bobbycolley2247]

Kristine Anderson People glorify criminals ,who are really just the scum of the earth. To lazy to work so the steal.

[@judedeprey6831]

Kristine Anderson 🌹❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️😳

[@MikeDomino]

"Ma's Hideout" - The home of Ma Barker's Last Stand

[@jamesmiller4184]

I'm 100% with MA! Badgering! Railroading! Hectoring! Do-gooders! They should have brought in J. Edgar and let Ma question him!

[@charlieirvin5423]

Ma Barker's attorney Looks like a wolfman

[@davidmorris6443]

HAAAAA A WOOOOOO

[@fromthesidelines]

Matthew, the series had a shortage of sponsors during its entire run- throughout most of the first half of the season, R.J. Reynolds [Camel] sustained the first half of each episode.....and the network had to "hunt" for other advertisers for the second half. At the start of January 1961, Reynolds "pulled out" of the program.....and lining up sponsors became more difficult. American Home Products {through their Whitehall Laboratories [Anacin, Dristan] and Boyle-Midway [Easy-Off, Aerowax] divisions} and Helene Curtis bought a few spots, but mostly the network aired promos for other shows. Without firm sponsorship, the series was cancelled at the end of January.

[@SKYLANDBAK]

What a shame, this series had a good entertaining structure for putting across the facts & backgrounds that led up to the demise of notorious & infamous criminals...

[@richardatyeo9903]

Great Show

[@reginaldblaylock6937]

First time I herd of and seen this show.

[@pervanvalkenburg8507]

Well sir, I've written way back on Custer days. Any event if possible please post more of this, often ignored classic of early television. More Please. Thanks.

[@DwighttFrye]

Hi.Remember you from Custer.That movie Custer of the West was on TV just this morning.As for The Witness,actually did upload another episode.But guess what? When the upload was concluded,got a message from You Tube saying that in order to upload anything longer than 15 minutes,had to provide "additional information".I dont like this extra infringement on my privacy,so just said screw this.So it could be awhile before I upload anything else,if ever.At least anything of any length.And I really dont like posting stuff in segments of say,10 or 15 minutes.If they decide to scrap that additional information bit,have 7 or 8 more episodes.

[@pervanvalkenburg8507]

Thanks for being so friendly and honest. Needless to say I'm more than aware of the situation. Even 4 X 15 is more fun then never seeing these classics at all. Of course your call; have a Happy Thanksgiving!

[@debisybesma5855]

her "shootout house" is somewhere in my area. relocated it for some reason a few years ago...i saw a piece on a tour of the place, bullet holes and all.

[@michelleregis6181]

court cases of famous criminals... very interesting.

[@Cicadelic60s]

This narrator sounds like Dan Akroyd during his SNL days

[@fromthesidelines]

Originally seen on CBS' Thursday night schedule at 7:30pm(et). There was a 30 second "station break" at 32:07, following this kind of program note/network I.D.: "Diane Cilento stars in the 'FAMILY CLASSICS' production of 'Vanity Fair'- tonight, on the CBS Television Network." 58:38- "'DICK POWELL'S ZANE GREY THEATER' is next, on the CBS Television Network."

[@rhondaklemple4855]

Omg the background music lol

[@parttysetzer6247]

Like these videos

[@rhinohouse]

Why don't they bring in Alvin Karpis? Was it because he was still alive? He was more important to the gang than anybody that they brought in. Weird TV dramatized.

[@angelorivera3611]

Alcohol? That was the second husband the first one wanted nothing to do with a life of crime so he couldn't control them so he took off ! Ma barker was tired of being poor she thought crime was the only way to prosper,so she taught her boys to use guns and take orders from her. Moved from place to place she was a woman without moral ,principal and no fear for the lord. Church goer ,not a Christian ! Maybe a Catholic,yes with that attitude she made a name for herself and had a hard heart and because of this she is to blame for their upbringing, no father ! The father said no to the way they were being brought up but Ma barker resisted him ,went over him, didn't listen to him so he took off, the boys were only listening to their mothers orders. She went through those years of crime without pitty nor remores... The only way to go was down, she paid for it,sadly her boys died the same way. Because of the way they were brought up she would give accountability for her socalled responsibilities.

[@MsColetha]

Wowwwwww Cold Blooded very dramaticcccccc

[@mmckissack2379]

that lady is an actor, they all are...

[@annmitchell4663]

M Mckissack We know..!

[@colonelpain210]

Ma Barker A Real Woman you don't mess around with. 😈😈😈😈😈

[@tonyperez7907]

Just learned about Ma Barker the other day and came across this video.. was this a weekly show? going to watch the Dillinger one. really good show..looked and sounded real...

[@henryweaver667]

Just wondering if that announcer uses that broadcast voice with his wife.......

[@thewoodwardreport2806]

Wow that's a great act. Ma was a Sociopath.

[@johnshedlock7894]

Hillary must have been a student of Ma's ...

[@charlieirvin5423]

LOL

[@everettseay8505]

Donald's Trump's Ma"

[@roysjsg]

@42:30.. Jerry Jerry Jerry 🤣

[@danwheeler5410]

Public Domain. Commercials are illegal Utube.

[@kevinwilson510]

I don't understand in one movie ma banker died in this movie she's on trial ?

[@jaynewman1821]

Ma Barker actually murdered all her sons to a degree, she was the gang, if u crossed her u ended up dead. She forced all her sons to listen to her & she made all the decisions for them, they never had a life, she controlled everyone. In the end she & her boys got what they deserved. When Jesus was here helping people & trying to get them to live a godly life & made many statements, 1 of statements was this- "When you live by the sword, you die by the sword." so to update this statement-"You live by the gun, you die by the gun." Anyone who lives by this statement will die by this statement as proof of the gangs in the 1930's & anyone today will follow the same fate.

[@daves2552]

That’s not what everyone that personally knew her said.

[@Joebunkyss1]

the very second i see a b/w shampoo comercial i can sense that horrible blue clinic smell from my childhood....geyakkk.....way more than a photographic memory.....they must have had lice killer in it.

[@SKYLANDBAK]

I bet those Dristan pills were heavy duty, probably packed with Laudinum & cocaine....

[@matthewoffenbacher6548]

the real trash is well demonstrated by the sponsors... commercialized garbage

[@janetwestwood9194]

🤔🤣☝🇬🇧

[@stewballsrbig]

Ma Barker reminds me of Hillary Clinton, u know the way she talks & even acts, kind of fits it to a T, u know what I mean !

[@mikedoran9851]

We know what you want to mean, what your prejudices are, what you want everybody to believe. I'd ask about how your therapy is going, but you're plainly well past the point where it would do any good.

[@cocobrown709]

What is this? Are these actual facts or movie

[@cescoxx1933]

What year was this

[@Harbalz]

The film or the real events? And the year is 2020 now 😀

[@cescoxx1933]

Yes the real event

[@quester09]

is that Sheree North as Freddy's girlfriend?

[@AidanMcGinn1959]

Yes it is.

[@obizzil]

Spoiler alert Donald Trump is ma Barker slaying Democrats without a care

[@elainetwum3465]

Please research ma barker for yourself. Her part in the barker gang was a figment of Hoover's imagination.

[@lennieallison]

that a background music has to go~!!

[@adacarr8744]

She was a bad ass wants she

[@tommy765100]

this whole thing is a compleat lie. watch the 1969 interview with alvin karpis \

[@pattimccraw6168]

i thought ma barker died before court started. i like the other ma barker didnt herman shoot himself in the head not to be graphic not that joan blondell wasnt a great actress

[@judywarren7830]

😂

[@ronsmith8800]

Seems a bit scripted

[@patrickparker8417]

That woman was nothing but a complete reprobate .

[@paulthompson8996]

She was nothing to do with the gang at all, the FBI lied and created her image as a mobster in order to cover up the fact that they shot her dead even though she was unarmed and had never committed a crime in her life other than live off the money that her sons stole.

[@Madmen604]

She has the same schtick as Donald Trump.! I ain't done nothin wrong...