"The Amos 'n Andy Show" (1951) TV series 1951-1953

Creators:

Freeman F. Gosden
Charles J. Correll

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

28 June 1951 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Stories mostly centered on The Kingfish's schemes to get rich, often by duping his brothers in the Mystic Knights of the Sea Lodge...

Plot Keywords:

Controversial | African American | Canned Laughter | Cult TV | Based On Radio Show

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Alvin Childress	...	Amos Jones (69 episodes, 1951-1953)
Spencer Williams	...	Andrew 'Andy' Hogg Brown / ... (69 episodes, 1951-1953)
Tim Moore	...	George 'Kingfish' Stevens / ... (69 episodes, 1951-1953)
Johnny Lee	...	Algonquin J. Calhoun / ... (48 episodes, 1951-1953)
Ernestine Wade	...	Sapphire Stevens (46 episodes, 1951-1953)

Also Known As:

Amos 'n Andy (USA) (short title)
The Adventures of Kingfish (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

30 min (78 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Hal Roach Studios - 8822 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Hal Roach Studios

Trivia:

In order to assemble their dream cast, the producers enticed veteran performers Tim Moore (George "Kingfish" Stevens) and Spencer Williams (Andrew Brown) with very lucrative (for the time) offers, as both had already retired after long careers in show business.

Quotes:

Algonquin J. Calhoun: [Kingfish is trying to get Calhoun to help him dupe Andy] What? Do you think I is low down enough to deceive Brother Andy?
[begins hitting fist on desk]
Algonquin J. Calhoun: Do you think I is crooked enough! Do you think I is spineless enough!
[Kingfish puts $20 on the desk]
Algonquin J. Calhoun: Uh, well, just call me Jellyfish
[pockets the $20]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "NewsRadio: Zoso (#2.15)" (1996)

One of the funniest comedies ever.

Seeing the amos N andy show in reruns when i was 5 in the late 50's in new york, i remembered some of the funniest shows I had ever seen. Having recently obtained the 73 shows known to be in existence, I am still laughing uproariously. It is a shame more people have not been exposed to these fine actors and the hilarious sketches they perform. It is also distinguished by the first show in TV history to have blacks perform in white collar occupations such as judges, lawyers, business owners and the like. if the Kingfisher isn't one of the most talented comedians in early TV, i don't know who is. The rubbery face and big sad eyes made him perfect for this part. The kingfisher was not the main performer in the radio program, but became so in the TV series. He is really the first actor to become prominant in a TV program where he was not intended to be when the stories were originally written. much the same as fonzi became the star at Happy Days. if you do not see these most funny shows, you are missing some of the early and funniest history of TV.