MUSEUM OF BROADCASTING SEMINAR SERIES, THE: A SEMINAR ON THE TELEPHONE HOUR {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in this series of seminars conducted by The Museum of Television & Radio (known at that time as The Museum of Broadcasting). This seminar pays tribute to television series "The Bell Telephone Hour," the performing arts variety series that aired on television from 1959 to 1968 and on radio as "The Telephone Hour" from 1940 to 1959.
In this part, Museum president Robert M. Batscha introduces the seminar with a series of highlight clips from the series, including pianist Lorin Hollander's debut at the age of 12; "A Tribute to Cole Porter" featuring Ethel Merman; "The Mikado" with Groucho Marx; dancer Rudolf Nureyev's American debut; Harry Belafonte performing; Birgit Nilsson singing an aria from Puccini's "Turandot"; and classical guitarist Andres Segovia performing. Moderator Robert Sherman introduces the panelists -- Hollander, director Kirk Browning, producer Nathan Kroll, producer Dan Lounsbery, and AT&T vice president Kent Planck.
The panelists discuss Donald Voorhees, conductor of the Bell Telephone Orchestra; AT&T's sponsorship of the program; the differences between the radio and television series; the difficulties involved in airing the show live on television; and the use of the latest advances in broadcast technology to make the program a showcase for the arts. The panelists also share anecdotes about violinist Fritz Kreisler, conductor George Szell, cellist Pablo Casals, and singer Renata Tebaldi. Further topics discussed include the viability of contemporary television variety and arts programs; studio cameras and prompters; and how the artists were booked for appearances on the show. Sherman makes closing remarks.
Details
- NETWORK: Paley
- DATE: May 1, 1990 5:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:15:23
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T90:0084
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: Conductors (music); Music - Analysis, appreciation; TV - Technology
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Robert M. Batscha … Host
- Robert Sherman … Moderator
- Lorin Hollander … Panelist
- Nathan Kroll … Panelist
- Kirk Browning … Panelist
- Kent Planck … Panelist
- Dan Lounsbery … Panelist
- Harry Belafonte
- Pablo Casals
- Fritz Kreisler
- Groucho Marx
- Ethel Merman
- Birgit Nilsson
- Rudolf Nureyev
- Andres Segovia
- George Szell
- Renata Tebaldi
- Donald Voorhees