The Golden Age of TV Comedy

The Golden Age of TV Comedy The 1950s were the Golden Age of Television and, in particular, comedy. Variety shows boasted such pioneers as Sid Caesar, Milton Berle, Steve Allen, and Ernie Kovacs. The new medium also spawned a genre that's still going strong to this day: the sitcom. In this funny and fascinating collection of 25 rare, vintage TV sitcoms, you'll marvel at how so much comedy could be generated with such limited production budgets - often broadcast live, with no chance to re-shoot or retake a scene. Here are such legendary comedians as Jack Benny, George Burns, and Gracie Allen, plus beloved classics such as Topper, The People's Choice, and Love That Bob. See Betty White playing a newlywed nearly thirty years before Golden Girls; stars from Gone With the Wind and Casablanca appearing in one of the earliest black-themed shows; Jimmy Stewart's brother from It's a Wonderful Life starring in TV's first filmed comedy series, and much much more! A nostalgic delight for young and old. Disc One THE GEORGE BURNS & GRACIE ALLEN SHOW: TRT:134 MINUTES First Show (1950) In this, the first episode of the series, an unctuous encyclopedia salesman (Henry Jones from The Bad Seed) is inadvertently outwitted by Gracie. With Carnation commercials worked into the story. (27:30) Gracie's Tax Return (1950) A fussy tax assessor tries to make sense of Gracie's convoluted answers. With Carnation commercials worked into the story. (27:00) Gracie's Checking Account (1950) A banker pays George a visit to complain about Gracie's whacky bookkeeping. With Carnation commercials built into the story. (29:30) THE BEULAH SHOW Beulah and the Stuffed Shirts (1950) Ethel Waters, Dooley (Casablanca) Wilson. Bill (Dooley) thinks he has to join a reading club to appear more cultured. (24:30) The Eel (1951) A neighborhood burglar nicknamed "The Eel" puts everyone in the household on edge. Butterfly McQueen (Gone With the Wind) guest stars as Beulah's friend, Oriole. (25:00) Disc Two TROUBLE WITH FATHER Black Saturday (1952) Stu Erwin, June Collyer, Willie Best. Stu tries to build his own dishwasher. (25:30) Nothing Like a Friend (1953) Chaos ensues when Stu invites a visiting South American diplomat to dinner. A very young Martin Milner guests as Jackie's pal. (26:00) Hate That Love Seat (1952) A misunderstanding leads to confusion over the origin of an ant