From Radio to Television
by joe_538 | created - 21 Sep 2013 | updated - 21 Sep 2013 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Candid Camera (1948–1952)
30 min | Comedy, Family, Reality-TV
Unsuspecting people are placed in confusing, impossible, embarrassing, ridiculous, and hilarious positions, while their reactions are recorded on a hidden camera.
Stars: Allen Funt, Ken Roberts, John Garfield
Votes: 158
Candid Microphone
2. The Milton Berle Show (1948–1956)
60 min | Comedy, Family
The Texaco Star Theatre was one of the most popular shows in the history of television. In the first year, Milton Berle was not the permanent emcee, but once he replaced the rotation, the ... See full summary »
Stars: Milton Berle, Sid Stone, Jimmy Nelson, Arnold Stang
Votes: 164
3. College of Musical Knowledge (1949– )
60 min | Comedy, Family, Game-Show
A short-lived television version of the radio musical quiz program "Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge" (1938-1949). It was again hosted by the bandleader Kay Kyser, and featured a ... See full summary »
Stars: Kay Kyser, Mike Douglas, M.A. Bogue, Sue Bennett
Votes: 21
4. The Ed Wynn Show (1949–1950)
30 min | Comedy, Music
The comedy on The Ed Wynn Show consisted mostly of old vaudeville schtick, with lots of corny jokes and silly sight gags. Each week, the show would end with Ed retiring to his bed, delivering quips as the credits rolled.
Stars: Ed Wynn, Lud Gluskin, Bob LeMond, William Frawley
Votes: 65
5. The Goldbergs (1949–1957)
30 min | Comedy
Comedy-drama about a Jewish-American family living in New York City.
Stars: Gertrude Berg, Arlene McQuade, Eli Mintz, Robert H. Harris
Votes: 218
6. It Pays to Be Ignorant (1949–1951)
30 min | Family, Game-Show
A spoof of game shows.
Stars: Tom Howard, Harry McNaughton, Lulu McConnell, George Shelton
7. The Life of Riley (1948–1950)
30 min | Comedy
Riley worked in an aircraft plant in California, but viewers usually saw him at home, cheerfully disrupting life with his malapropisms and ill timed intervention into minor problems. His ... See full summary »
Stars: Rosemary DeCamp, Jackie Gleason, Lanny Rees, Sid Tomack
Votes: 135
8. The Lone Ranger (1949–1957)
TV-G | 30 min | Western
The adventures of the masked hero and his Native American partner.
Stars: Jay Silverheels, Clayton Moore, John Hart, Bill Ward
Votes: 2,873
9. One Man's Family (1949–1955)
30 min | Drama
This soap opera was the TV version of the radio serial that had begun in 1932. It tells the story of San Francisco banker Henry Barbour and his family, i.e., Paul, the eldest son; Hazel, ... See full summary »
Stars: Bert Lytell, Marjorie Gateson, Lillian Schaaf, Eva Marie Saint
Votes: 31
10. The Quiz Kids (1949–1956)
30 min | Family, Game-Show
Quiz show in which brilliant children answer difficult questions.
Stars: Joe Kelly, Melvin Miles, Pat Conlon, Joel Kupperman
Votes: 12
11. Abe Burrows' Almanac (1950– )
30 min | Comedy, Music, Talk-Show
Host Abe Burrows, before he was a big singing star, invites other popular singers to perform.
Stars: Abe Burrows, Milton Delugg, Alan Lund, Blanche Lund
Votes: 13
12. Beulah (1950–1953)
Not Rated | 30 min | Comedy
The misadventures of a maid named Beulah.
Stars: Ethel Waters, Louise Beavers, Amanda Randolph, Ernest Whitman
Votes: 162
13. The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950–1955)
60 min | Comedy, Romance
This was a Colgate-sponsored comedy hour that featured many notable comedians and entertainers of the era as guest stars.
Stars: Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Al Goodman, Eddie Cantor
Votes: 588
14. Dick Tracy (1950–1952)
30 min | Crime, Drama
Intrepid detective Dick Tracy tangles with a bizarre rogue's gallery of villains. But as always our stoic officer of the law, virtuous to a fault, proves himself up to the task of putting the criminals behind bars.
Stars: Ralph Byrd, Joe Devlin, William Woodson, Dick Elliott
Votes: 157
15. The Gene Autry Show (1950–1955)
30 min | Western
The already legendary singing cowboy rode with his comic pal Pat from town to town bringing justice, song and his horse Champion to the old Southwest.
Stars: Gene Autry, Champion, Pat Buttram, Bob Woodward
Votes: 266
16. The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950–1958)
30 min | Comedy
Neighbor Blanche Morton frequently joined Gracie in escapades which annoy hubby Harry and provides George with an opportunity to offer a humorous soliloquy.
Stars: George Burns, Gracie Allen, Bea Benaderet, Harry von Zell
Votes: 1,536
17. The Jack Benny Program (1950–1965)
Not Rated | 30 min | Comedy
The comic misadventures of the "skinflint" comedian and his friends.
Stars: Jack Benny, Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, Don Wilson, Dennis Day
Votes: 1,647
18. The Kate Smith Hour (1950–1954)
60 min | Comedy, Family, Music
An hour variety program which aired on NBC television late afternoons Monday thru Friday with host Kate Smith. It ran from September 25, 1950 to June 18, 1954.
Stars: Kate Smith, Ted Collins, The Evelyn Tyner Trio, Charles Ruggles
Votes: 32
19. The All New Truth or Consequences (1950–1988)
30 min | Game-Show
Contestants must perform an embarrassing stunt if they fail to answer a question correctly.
Stars: Bob Barker, Jack Bailey, Ralph Edwards, Jerry Lawrence
Votes: 98
20. The Steve Allen Show (1952– )
60 min | Comedy
Stars: Steve Allen, Denise Darcel, Renzo Cesana, Billy Eckstine
Votes: 37
21. What's My Line? (1950–1967)
30 min | Family, Game-Show
Four panelists must determine guests' occupations - and, in the case of famous guests, while blindfolded, their identity - by asking only "yes" or "no" questions.
Stars: John Daly, Arlene Francis, Bennett Cerf, Dorothy Kilgallen
Votes: 1,769
22. You Bet Your Life (1950–1961)
30 min | Comedy, Family, Game-Show
Groucho Marx hosts a quiz show which features a series of competitive questions and a great deal of humourous conversation.
Stars: Groucho Marx, George Fenneman, Melinda Marx, Tuulikki Woods
Votes: 745
23. The Amos 'n Andy Show (1951–1953)
30 min | Comedy
Stories mostly centered on The Kingfish's schemes to get rich, often by duping his brothers in the Mystic Knights of the Sea Lodge. Andy was particularly dupable. Amos mostly narrated.
Stars: Alvin Childress, Spencer Williams, Tim Moore, Johnny Lee
Votes: 836
24. The Bob & Ray Show (1951–1953)
15 min | Comedy
A comedy show, featuring the popular comedy duo of Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding. Audrey Meadows regularly performed with them in the show's first season, but was replaced by Cloris Leachman... See full summary »
Stars: Audrey Meadows, Bob Elliott, Ray Goulding, Mindy Carson
Votes: 39
25. The Dinah Shore Show (1951–1960)
15 min | Comedy, Music
Dinah hosted this 15 minute live musical and variety show, two nights a week. It led to her own hour long show in 1956.
Stars: Dinah Shore, Art Baker, The Skylarks, Ticker Freeman
Votes: 69
26. Meet Corliss Archer (1950– )
30 min | Comedy
Stars: Sally Hester, Dick Shufflebotham, Lugene Sanders, Robert Ellis
Votes: 16
27. Mr. District Attorney (1951–1952)
30 min | Crime, Drama
"Mr. District Attorney! Champion of the people! Guardian of our fundamental rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The opening lines to a TV adaptation of a radio serial about a D.A., his investigator, and secretary.
Stars: Jay Jostyn, Vicky Vola, Len Doyle, Philip Sterling
28. The Red Skelton Hour (1951–1971)
TV-G | 60 min | Comedy
A comedy-themed variety show, hosted by the popular comedian Red Skelton. It run with no interruption from 1951 to 1971. From 1956 to 1962, the show's head writer was Sherwood Schwartz, who... See full summary »
Stars: Red Skelton, David Rose and His Orchestra, Art Gilmore, Tom Hansen Dancers
Votes: 1,392
29. The Roy Rogers Show (1951–1957)
30 min | Family, Western
The Double R Ranch featured "The King of the Cowboys" Roy, his "Smartest Horse in the Movies" Trigger, "Queen of the West" Dale, her horse Buttermilk, their dog Bullet, and even Pat's jeep, Nellybelle.
Stars: Dale Evans, Roy Rogers, Trigger, Pat Brady
Votes: 744
30. The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952–1966)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
Ozzie and Harriet Nelson raise their two sons Ricky and David. As the sons age, they experience teenage dating problems, marriage and careers.
Stars: Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, Ricky Nelson, David Nelson
Votes: 1,605
31. The Bob Hope Show (1950– )
60 min | Comedy, Family, Talk-Show
The Bob Hope Show hosted by Bob Hope.
Stars: Bob Hope, Les Brown, Les Brown and His Band of Renown, Peter Leeds
Votes: 263
32. A Date with Judy (1951–1953)
30 min | Comedy
Translation to TV of a radio show begun in 1941. Comic trials and tribulations of hyper-kinetic teenager Judy, her sedate and therefore tormented parents, younger brother and boyfriend.
Stars: Mary Linn Beller, Peter Avarmo, Flora Campbell, John Gibson
Votes: 15
33. Death Valley Days (1952–1970)
TV-PG | 25 min | Western
Western stories and legends based, and filmed, in and around Death Valley, California. One of the longest-running Western series, originating on radio in the 1930s. The continuing sponsor was "20 Mule Team" Borax, a product formerly mined in Death Valley.
Stars: Stanley Andrews, Robert Taylor, Ronald Reagan, Dale Robertson
Votes: 1,045
34. Double or Nothing (1952– )
30 min | Family, Game-Show
Contestants won $10, $20 and $40, then went "double or nothing" on their accumulated $70 for a total of $140. Win or lose, they went on to the "red and white sweepstakes" round - the colors were those of Campbell soups.
Stars: Bert Parks, Joan Meinch, Bob Williams, Walter O'Keefe
35. Gang Busters (1952– )
30 min | Crime, Drama
True crime stories and their investigations are dramatized.
Stars: Robert Bice, Mike Ragan, Myron Healey, Don C. Harvey
Votes: 87
36. Guiding Light (1952–2009)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Romance
This show took place in the fictional Midwestern town of Springfield and centered on the middle class Bauer family.
Stars: Kim Zimmer, Beth Chamberlin, Maureen Garrett, Robert Newman
Votes: 1,860
37. Information Please (1952– )
30 min | Family, Game-Show
Viewers would submit questions and try to stump three panelists, two regulars and one guest.
Stars: John Kieran, John K.M. McCaffery, Gene Lockhart, Gregory Ratoff
38. Life with Luigi (1952– )
30 min | Comedy
An American radio situation comedy series that was short lived as a TV series.
Stars: J. Carrol Naish, Alan Reed, Vito Scotti, Jody Gilbert
Votes: 21
39. My Little Margie (1952–1955)
30 min | Comedy
Margie lives with her father Vern and her crazy schemes get him into trouble especially with his boss Mr. Honeywell. She frequently involves Charlie and Mrs. Odetts in her plans. Freddie is her boyfriend while Roberta likes Vern.
Stars: Gale Storm, Charles Farrell, Clarence Kolb, Don Hayden
Votes: 448
40. Our Miss Brooks (1952–1956)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Miss Brooks is an English teacher who has a low paying job, lousy boss, has a crush on a teacher and whose student drives her to school. She lives in a boarding house.
Stars: Eve Arden, Gale Gordon, Jane Morgan, Robert Rockwell
Votes: 716
41. Terry and the Pirates (1952–1953)
30 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Colonel Terry Lee travels to the orient in search of a gold mine left to him by his grandfather. While searching, he is a pilot employed by a "no questions asked" airline run by Chopstick ... See full summary »
Stars: John Baer, Jack Reitzen, Gloria Saunders, William Tracy
Votes: 87
42. This Is Your Life (1950–1987)
30 min | Biography, Family, Reality-TV
Each week, an unsuspecting celebrity would be lured by some ruse to a location near the studio. The celebrity would then be surprised with the news that they are to be the featured guest. ... See full summary »
Stars: Ralph Edwards, Bob Warren, Eddie Cantor, Bob Hope
Votes: 314
43. The Bing Crosby Show (1954 TV Special)
60 min | Comedy, Music
As this is Bing Crosby's first television special, comedian Jack Benny with his latest girlfriend Crystal Pond (aka dancer Sheree North) drop by to provide a few pointers. Bing sings five ... See full summary »
Director: Frederick De Cordova | Stars: Bing Crosby, John Scott Trotter, Jack Benny, Sheree North
Votes: 23
44. The Brighter Day (1954–1962)
25 min | Drama
"Our years are as the falling leaves. We live, we love, we dream, and then we go. But somehow, we keep hoping that our dreams come true on that brighter day." These words opened this ... See full summary »
Stars: Blair Davies, Mona Bruns, Hal Holbrook, Mary Linn Beller
Votes: 34
45. December Bride (1954–1959)
30 min | Comedy
Charming and wise Lily Ruskin lives with her daughter and son-in- law who, along with her close friend Hilda Crocker, are always trying to find suitable older marriageable companionship for her.
Stars: Spring Byington, Frances Rafferty, Dean Miller, Harry Morgan
Votes: 268
46. Duffy's Tavern (1954)
30 min | Comedy
A television adaptation of the radio sitcom "Duffy's Tavern" (1942-1951). The main setting was "a seedy bar and grille on New York's Third Avenue", owned by the unseen character Duffy. The ... See full summary »
Stars: Ed Gardner, Jimmy Conlin, Alan Reed, Pattee Chapman
Votes: 34
47. Father Knows Best (1954–1960)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The popular radio show comes to life in this hit sitcom about a wise family man, Jim Anderson, his common-sense wife Margaret and their children Betty, Bud and Kathy.
Stars: Robert Young, Lauren Chapin, Jane Wyatt, Billy Gray
Votes: 2,640
48. Inner Sanctum (1954)
27 min | Horror, Mystery
"Inner Sanctum" was a hosted horror and mystery anthology series hosted by Paul McGrath, and later by House Jameson as "Your Host".
Stars: Paul McGrath, House Jameson, Warren Stevens, Edward Binns
Votes: 65
49. The Jimmy Durante Show (1954–1956)
30 min | Comedy, Music
A half-hour variety show, hosted by the veteran vaudevillian Jimmy Durante. The show aired on NBC from October 1954, to June 1956.
Stars: Jimmy Durante, Eddie Jackson, Jack Roth, Jules Buffano
Votes: 45
50. People Are Funny (1954–1961)
30 min | Comedy, Family, Game-Show
Contestants were asked to carry out stunts.
Stars: Art Linkletter, Tammy Marihugh, Pat McGeehan, Ed Herlihy
Votes: 52
51. The Spike Jones Show (1954)
30 min | Comedy, Music
A music-themed variety show, hosted by the experienced bandleader Spike Jones. The regular cast included the singer Helen Grayco (Jones' wife) and Jones' band, "The City Slickers". The ... See full summary »
Stars: Spike Jones, Helen Grayco, Earl Bennett, Freddy Morgan
Votes: 37
52. The Great Gildersleeve (1954–1956)
30 min | Comedy
Throckmorton Gildersleeve is a blustery "ladies" man who often finds himself in unusual predicaments. Raising his too smart nephew Leroy, he leans on his secretary Bessie and tries to ignore the advice of housekeeper Birdie.
Stars: Willard Waterman, Ronald Keith, Lillian Randolph, Stephanie Griffin
Votes: 67
53. Gunsmoke (1955–1975)
TV-PG | 60 min | Western
Marshal Matt Dillon keeps the peace in rough-and-tumble Dodge City.
Stars: James Arness, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Ken Curtis
Votes: 8,751
54. Queen for a Day (1956–1964)
TV-G | 30 min | Game-Show, Reality-TV
Four women, each with a sob story, vie to become "Queen for a Day."
Stars: Jack Bailey, Fort Pearson, Suzanne Alexander, Maxine Reeves
Votes: 116
55. A Show Called Fred (1956)
30 min | Comedy
Stars: Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, Graham Stark, Kenneth Connor
Votes: 32
56. The Real McCoys (1957–1963)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy, Family
From the hills of West Virginia, Amos McCoy moves his family to an inherited farm in California. Grandpa Amos is quick to give advice to his three grandchildren and wonders how his neighbors ever managed without him around.
Stars: Walter Brennan, Richard Crenna, Kathleen Nolan, Tony Martinez
Votes: 1,294
57. The Tex and Jinx Show (1957–1958)
30 min
Stars: Jinx Falkenburg, Tex McCrary, Pat White, Nina Foch
58. Bold Venture (1959– )
30 min | Adventure
An adventurer and his pretty young ward live in a house boat in Trinidad.
Stars: Dane Clark, Joan Marshall, Bernie Gozier, Richard Peel
Votes: 25
59. The Charlie Weaver Show (1959– )
30 min | Comedy
Stars: Cliff Arquette, Charles R. Althoff, Pat Carroll, Chuck McCann
Votes: 13
60. Fibber McGee and Molly (1959–1960)
30 min | Comedy
Fibber McGee and Molly was the finest husband and wife comedy team. It ran on the radio from 1935 to 1959 then switched to television in 1959. Its running gags and characters inspired many imitators.
Stars: Bob Sweeney, Cathy Lewis, Pat McGeehan, Paul Smith
Votes: 42
61. Green Acres (1965–1971)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
A New York City attorney and his wife attempt to live as genteel farmers in the bizarre community of Hooterville.
Stars: Eddie Albert, Eva Gabor, Tom Lester, Pat Buttram
Votes: 7,636
Granby's Green Acres
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