The Price Is Right (1956–1965)

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

Stars:

Bill Cullen, Don Pardo, Marty Ingels

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Bill Cullen	...	Himself - Host (12 episodes, 1956-1964)
Don Pardo	...	Himself - Announcer (8 episodes, 1956-1963)

Storyline

In the original version of "The Price is Right," four contestants one a returning champion competed throughout the show. After a merchandise item was displayed (often by beautiful models aka Pretty Purchasers), the contestants, one at a time, bid on the item. Unless otherwise specified, each bid had to be higher than the previous bid; each contestant could "freeze," or stop bidding, if they believed their next bid would cause them to overbid, thus disqualifying themselves from winning the prize. The bidding continued until an undefined time limit expired. Host Cullen then announced the price of the item; the contestant who bid closest without going over won the prize (and on occassion, won either a bonus prize or got to play a bonus game). The last prize of the day usually was the most valuable and often determined the day's champion, who got to return to the next show. A special feature of the original "Price is Right" allowed home viewers to bid on special showcases. When the show ...

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Plot Keywords:

shopping | non fiction

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Genres:

Family | Game-Show

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 November 1956 (USA)

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions, National Broadcasting Company (NBC), American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (2263 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

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

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Family Guy: Brian in Love (2000)

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Soundtracks

"Window Shopping (Theme from 'The Price is Right' #2)"
(1961 to 1965)
Written and Performed by Bob Cobert

User Reviews

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.