"The Price Is Right" (1956) TV series 1956-1965

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Directors:

Paul Alter
Don Bohl

Seasons:

unknown

Release Date:

26 November 1956 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Game-Show

Plot:

The original version of an American icon, "The Price is Right" rewarded contestants with valuable prizes for their ability to price items.

Plot Keywords:

Shopping | Non Fiction

Cast

Bill Cullen	...	Himself-Host (1 episode, 1956-1965)
Joe E. Ross	...	Himself-Guest (1 episode, 1963)
Don Ameche	...	Himself (1 episode, 1964)
Wally Cox	...	Himself (1 episode, 1964)
Marty Ingels	...	Himself (1 episode, 1964)
Chester Morris	...	Himself (1 episode, 1964)
Jan Sterling	...	Herself (1 episode, 1964)
Marty Allen	...	Himself (1 episode, 1965)
Ann Sheridan	...	Herself (1 episode, 1965)

Runtime:

USA:30 min (2263 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (1956-1963) | Black and White (1963-1965)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-G

Filming Locations:

Colonial Theater, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Cosby Show: The Price Is Wrong (#8.14)" (1992)

Soundtrack:

Window Shopping (Theme from 'The Price is Right' #2)

Great for Its Day

The original TPIR would likely never fly today; the bidding process would be considered to be entirely too tedious; it should be noted that what is now handled in "Contestant's Row" during this early run comprised the bulk of the show as contestants were allowed to bid and rebid or conversely "freeze" to avoid going over. The highlight of the show would often be what Bill Cullen called his "gimmick", usually a mechanical toy that had caught his fancy. My father really loved this part and was a fan of Cullen and the show in general; I'm surprised how vividly that I remember this early version given my age at the time that it ran.