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The Big Show - Single Episodes

Old Time Radio2012Creative Commons
Poster for The Big Show - Single Episodes

About this film

THE BIG SHOW In 1950, the advent of television was not only causing concern in the film industry but radio was beginning to feel the effect as well. In short, audiences were dwindling. To combat the problem, NBC spent lots of money to produce The Big Show , a 90 minute radio program which would feature famous guests performing skits, songs, and comedic routines. Tallulah Bankhead was asked to host the show. She had guested in various radio programs in the past but had never done anything on an ongoing basis before. She was nervous and didn't really know what to expect or what her duty actually was so she approached the show with guarded anticipation. The Big Show premiered on November 5, 1950 and played every Sunday night for the next three years. It was a rousing success and Tallulah was a great success. The guest list varied but included such names as Ethel Merman, Danny Thomas, Fanny Brice, Phil Silvers, Bob Hope, Clifton Webb, Gloria Swanson, Marlene Dietrich, Judy Holliday, Ethel Barrymore, Jimmy Durante, Milton Berle, Josephine Baker, Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, George Sanders, Yul Brynner, Shirley Booth, Peggy Lee, Rosalind Russell and Merv Griffin. NOTE: Updated Release…

Directors & creators

Old Time Radio Researchers Group

Subjects

OTRR; Old Time Radio Researchers Group; OTR; Old Time Radio; OTRR Set; OTRR Single Episodes; Big Show, The; The Big Show; Variety; NBC; Tallulah Bankhead; Bankhead, Tallulah; OTRR Updated Release; OTRR - 2012-07

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