"The Lawrence Welk Show" (1955) TV series 1955-1982

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

James Hobson

Writer:

Bernice McGeehan (-1982)

Seasons:

3 | 5 | 18 | 22 | 25 | unknown

Release Date:

2 July 1955 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Music

Plot:

One of the most successful and fondly-remembered shows in TV history, "The Lawrence Welk Show" featured musical numbers and skits, with host Welk leading the band.

Plot Keywords:

Variety | Concert Film | Non Fiction | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Lawrence Welk	...	Himself / ... (4 episodes, 1955-1982)
The Lennon Sisters	...	Themselves (2 episodes, 1957-1959)

(more)

Series Directed by
James Hobson		(unknown episodes, 1955-1982)

Series Writing credits
Bernice McGeehan		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Don Fedderson	....	associate producer (unknown episodes, 1955-1982)
Sam Lutz	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
Charles Koon		(unknown episodes)

Series Costume Design by
Rose Weiss		(unknown episodes, 1955-1980)

Series Makeup Department
Joe Blasco	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1979-1980)

Series Sound Department
Shawn Murphy	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes, 1979-1980)
Dick Wilson	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Jim Balden	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)
Herm Falk	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)
Truck Krone	....	lighting director (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Bob Calame	....	composer: theme music (unknown episodes, 1955-1970)
Frank Loesser	....	composer: theme music (unknown episodes, 1955-1970)
Lawrence Welk	....	composer: theme music (unknown episodes, 1955-1970)
George Cates	....	composer: theme "Champagne Time" / musical director (unknown episodes, 1970-1982)

Series Other crew
James Woodworth	....	stage manager (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Teleklew Productions (1955-1982)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1955-1971) (co-production)
• Welk Group, The (1987-)
• The Oklahoma Network (1987-)

Distributors

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1955-1971) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) (1987-) (USA) (TV) (reruns)
• Don Fedderson Productions (1971-1982) (USA) (TV) (first-run syndication)

Also Known As:

"Memories of Lawrence Welk" (USA) (repeat compilations title)
"The Dodge Dancing Party" (USA) (new title)
"The Plymouth Show" (USA) (alternative title)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White (1955-1965) | Color (1965-1982)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-G

Filming Locations:

Hollywood Palladium - 6215 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Teleklew Productions

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Tripping the Rift: The Devil and a Guy Named Webster (#1.5)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Bubbles in the Wine

A comforting show indeed!

I first saw this show in my grandparents' house in Binghamton, NY in the 1960s, and enjoyed The Lennon Sisters. This show was so fun to watch! When I got hooked on the show again in Texas in 1996, I took a liking to the peppery singer Bob Lido.

Perhaps the show seemed like old hat in 1974. However, when it ran on ABC from 1955 to 1971, it really reflected the tastes of much of Middle America, to which I belonged to. The 1960s did not just belong to the Flower Children; it belonged just as much to those who liked the performers on this show (as well as other shows, such as The F.B.I.). And I condemn no side; I am a Green Party type who likes this sort of show. I especially like the older episodes, and am fond of Alice Lon.

This show should be praised for preserving big band music at a time when it had fallen out of favor. And so many of the performers should be recognized for their efforts. I am sorry Bob Lido is gone, but at least Dick Dale, Anacani, Ken Delo and--yes--Joe Feeney are still around to provide great performances. I also enjoy Bobby Burgess, Mary Lou Metzger and the others as well, too.

May this show keep running on PBS for many years to come!!