Summary

The special is a retrospective of the social history of television programming, circa 1948-1961. Host Charles Kuralt describes and illustrates the kinescope process. Excerpts include coverage of the following topics and people: Burns and Allen; news programs with Edward P. Morgan and Douglas Edwards; newsreels and propaganda; Art Carney and Jackie Gleason; children's programs, including "Captain Video"; the growth of television; performers Milton Berle, Ernie Kovacs, Red Skelton, Alan Young, Dick Van Dyke and Lucille Ball; reporter Edward R. Murrow; the Korean War; blacklisting; Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy; Mary Martin and Noel Coward; the 1954 Army-McCarthy hearings; Sid Caesar's "Gallipacci"; President Harry S Truman's 1951 dismissal of General MacArthur; Bishop Fulton J. Sheen; a comedy and entertainment montage; quiz show scandals with comments by Frank Stanton of CBS and a look at how shows were rigged; Rex Harrison rehearsing for "My Fair Lady"; anthology drama with Charlton Heston, James Dean, and others; the 1952 Republican Convention; John F. Kennedy's 1956 bid for vice president; the 1960 presidential campaign; and Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series. Includes commercials.

Cataloging of this program was made possible by the CBS Foundation, 1998.