October 6, 1959 (1959-10-06) – May 31, 1960 (1960-05-31)
Startime is an anthology show of drama, comedy, and variety, and was one of the first American television shows broadcast in color. The program was aired Tuesday nights in the United States on the NBC network in the 1959–60 season.
Summary
The show was known as either Ford Startime—TV's Finest Hour or Lincoln–Mercury Startime, depending on which division of the Ford Motor Company was presenting commercials within that show. The contents varied from week to week – dramas, musical comedies, and variety shows were all presented.[1]
The show was always broadcast on Tuesday nights. Initially, from the premiere through the end of 1959, the show was broadcast 9:30–10:30 PM (EST) - but, starting on January 5, 1960, the show was broadcast 8:30–9:30 PM (EST). Furthermore, some of the shows first broadcast in 1959 were ninety minutes long, continuing to 11 PM.
Dean Martin hosted two variety episodes within this series and later began his own variety show. Mitch Miller had "Sing Along with Mitch" on May 24, 1960, which led to his own show of the same name beginning in 1961.[1][2]
The February 23, 1960, episode, "Talent Scouts", was an adaptation of Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, which had been broadcast on CBS.[3]
The Music Corporation of America (MCA), under Lew Wasserman, was the "packager" of the series, providing stars who would not ordinarily appear on American television, such as Alec Guinness and Rex Harrison at reduced rates, in exchange for an overall packaging fee for the entire series paid to MCA. Wasserman was also the agent for Alfred Hitchcock, who directed one Startime episode, "Incident at a Corner" (aired April 5, 1960).
For example, Ingrid Bergman, who at that time commanded a salary of $750,000 per film, and who had never appeared in a dramatic role on American television, was paid $100,000 for her role in Startime's presentation of The Turn of the Screw. Though MCA only received $10,000 (10% of Bergman's salary) as commission, the company also received, as packager, 10% of the entire production schedule of the entire Startime season (which was $7.24 million). In other words, MCA received $724,000 solely for providing to Startime the services of stars such as Bergman, in addition to the commissions for each individual star.[4]
NBC had to pay a royalty fee to CBS in order to present the "Talent Scouts" episode.[3]
Ford ended the series on May 31, 1960, rather than continuing through the originally planned June 28, 1960, ending. The network said it was cutting four episodes "... so that Ford can go into an extensive summer schedule."[5]The New York Times reported that essentially the reallocation of advertising money enabled Ford to purchase one-third sponsorship of Laramie and Riverboat, both of which were on NBC. The Times' article said, "Judging from the general reaction of viewers, 'Startime' failed to live up to the billing ('TV's Finest Hour') assigned to it by N. B. C. and the sponsor."[5] The article also noted that Robinson was no longer actively involved with Startime.[5]
The initial competition for Startime included The Red Skelton Show on CBS. Although NBC executives thought that Startime's budget and stars might draw more viewers than Skelton's show, the comedian commented that the ratings indicated otherwise, with his show in the top 10, while Startime was "down around 100".[6]Startime was moved to an hour earlier time slot in January 1960, but it was no more successful.[6]
Alec Guinness starred in this drama about a middle-aged bank employee who resents having worked for over twenty years at the same job without a promotion.
Ethel Merman sang a musical review of her career on Broadway, with guests Tab Hunter, Fess Parker, and Tom Poston, covering songs ranging from her debut in 1930 right up to her then-current starring role in Gypsy.
9
"Something Special"
60 minutes
December 1, 1959 (1959-12-01)
Red Buttons starred in this comedy about a country boy who has come to the city to meet a woman he might marry.
James Stewart, Lois Smith, and George Gobel starred in this adaption of the Cinderella fairy tale set in the 19th century American West, originally presented as an episode on Stewart's 1953-54 radio show "The Six Shooter".
Ed Wynn and Bert Lahr starred in this black comedy about a solitary widower who, in order to place some attention on his unnoticed life, decides to commit suicide by hanging himself, only to be thwarted by well-meaning strangers.
Joan Fontaine and John Ireland starred in this behind-the-scenes drama about a famous Hollywood actress who wants to break out of her stereotypical roles and do a "quality film". Agnes Moorehead also starred.
Robert Horton, Anne Francis, and Ricardo Montalbán starred in a war story set in the closing days of the American Civil War, where an isolated conflict between Union and Confederate forces continues on for days, even after they all know the war is officially over.
23
"The Swingin' Singin' Years"
60 minutes
March 8, 1960 (1960-03-08)
Ronald Reagan again was the host for another Startime episode of Big Band swing music. Among the musicians appearing were Dinah Washington singing a medley (What a Difference a Day Made / Making Whoopee), Woody Herman (again), and Jo Stafford, Louis Jordan, and Stan Kenton.
24
"Academy Award Songs"
60 minutes
March 15, 1960 (1960-03-15)
Jane Wyman hosted this musical variety special of songs nominated in the Best Song category for the 1959 Academy Awards, and of other Academy Award winning songs from years past.
Tony Curtis starred in and produced this adaptation of The Juggler of Notre Dame, about a young man in a French monastery who has no gift to place before the statue of the Holy Virgin Mary, other than his juggling.
Bob Crosby hosted this musical salute to the USO, the United Services Organization, known for providing free entertainment and recreation to American servicemen stationed overseas.
Mitch Miller hosted this musical performance show, an immediate precursor to his NBC network show Sing Along With Mitch that premiered the following year. Leslie Uggams appeared as a singer.
33
"The Nanette Fabray Show, or Help Me, Aphrodite"
60 minutes
May 31, 1960 (1960-05-31)
Nanette Fabray starred in this musical about a diner waitress who wants to be as famous as such legendary women of the past as Marie Antoinette and Pocahantas. Also in the cast were Jean-Pierre Aumont, Stubby Kaye, and Tony Randall.
A review of the episode "The Man" in The New York Times said that Audie Murphy "never seemed menacing or calculating" in the role of an "unbalanced young man" and that Thelma Ritter was "quite wasted" in her widow's role.[7] Critic Jack Gould described the TV adaptation as "especially flat and thin."[7]
^ abcTim Brooks and Earl March, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows: 1946–Present (Random House, 2007) ISBN0-345-45542-8 p. 976
