Startime 

The Ford Motor Company sponsored this hour-long program which rotated between variety shows, dramatic productions, and musical comedies. One of the offerings was turned into a regular series, Sing Along with Mitch (1961).

Stars:

Ethel Merman, Dean Martin, Alice Backes

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 7 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Ethel Merman	...	Self / ... 3 episodes, 1959-1960
Dean Martin	...	Self 2 episodes, 1959-1960
Alice Backes	...	Aunt Pauline / ... 2 episodes, 1959-1960
Jack Albertson	...	Cob / ... 2 episodes, 1960
Marian Anderson	...	Self 2 episodes, 1959-1960
Polly Bergen	...	Self 2 episodes, 1959-1960
John F. Kennedy	...	Self 2 episodes, 1959-1960
Richard Nixon	...	Self 2 episodes, 1959-1960
Jack Paar	...	Self / ... 2 episodes, 1959-1960
Vincent Price	...	Self / ... 2 episodes, 1959-1960
Ed Wynn	...	Amos Benedict / ... 2 episodes, 1959-1960
Carl Ballantine	...	Merlin / ... 2 episodes, 1960
Bob Crosby	...	Self / ... 2 episodes, 1960
Nanette Fabray	...	Sally / ... 2 episodes, 1960
Woody Herman	...	Self 2 episodes, 1960
Ronald Reagan	...	Self - Host 2 episodes, 1960
Jack Sperling	...	Self 2 episodes, 1960

Storyline

The Ford Motor Company sponsored this hour-long program which rotated between variety shows, dramatic productions, and musical comedies. One of the offerings was turned into a regular series, Sing Along with Mitch (1961).

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Plot Keywords:

anthology | one word title | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Musical

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Ingrid Bergman made her television debut in a production of Turn of the Screw.

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Alternate Versions

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. produced its own version of this series, which coincided with the American run. Canadian productions alternated with episodes imported from the NBC program.

User Reviews

The Odd Couple in a Drama

I never heard of "Startime" playhouse on television in 1959. Audie Murphy made a few appearances on television. His performance in "The Man" episode was not good. Mr. Murphy played a disturbed former soldier who is trying to kill his former buddy's mother (Thelma Ritter). Ms. Ritter is terrific. Mr. Murphy tried to keep up with Ms. Ritter. Their scenes together were good, but when he is alone and trying to act like a psycho, he overacts.

The script is not very good. It doesn't explain why he wants to kill his buddy's mother, however, you can't stop watching the entire one-hour show. Another performance that was over Mr. Murphy's head was in "The Quiet American". Mr. Murphy was best in westerns.

The highlight came after the show was when Mr. Murphy spoke to the audience, apparently, it wasn't a routine thing to do for the star of the show, but Mr. Murphy wanted to. It was nice to see this quiet man, standing in front of his sponsor's car, praising his leading lady, the other actors, and the sponsor. That segment showed you a glimpse of the real man. What a waste, when Mr. Murphy died in that plane accident in 1971.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 October 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ford Startime

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hubbell Robinson Productions, Shamley Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min (32 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1