DuMont Network shows that survive at UCLA Film and Television Archive
DuMont Television Network, one of the first commercial television networks, broadcasted from 1946 to 1956. The network existed in a time when preserving television programming was not taken seriously, also, it is well known that the archive of the network was disposed of some time in the 1970s. Nevertheless, a surprising amount of DuMont content has survived.
The following is a list of DuMont Television Network programs for which episodes are preserved by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. It is probably incomplete, for example, 2 episodes of "Chance for a Lifetime" that aired on the network may exist at the archive, but this is unconfirmed. UCLA has 30 episodes of "Boxing From Eastern Parkway" and three episodes of "Boxing With Dennis James", neither of which are listed on IMDb.
Please note that more episodes of DuMont series surviving at the Museum of Broadcast Communications, The Paley Center for Media, the Library of Congress, elsewhere, and in private collections.
The following is a list of DuMont Television Network programs for which episodes are preserved by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. It is probably incomplete, for example, 2 episodes of "Chance for a Lifetime" that aired on the network may exist at the archive, but this is unconfirmed. UCLA has 30 episodes of "Boxing From Eastern Parkway" and three episodes of "Boxing With Dennis James", neither of which are listed on IMDb.
Please note that more episodes of DuMont series surviving at the Museum of Broadcast Communications, The Paley Center for Media, the Library of Congress, elsewhere, and in private collections.
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- StarsSid CaesarImogene CocaMarge ChampionA comedy/variety show featuring the early performances of Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca.1 Episode (March 4, 1949) (note: a near-complete run survives at the Library of Congress)
- DirectorBarry ShearStarsBarbara Bel GeddesLouie BellsonVictor BorgeClosed circuit fund raising performance telecast live from the Adelphi Theatre in New York City to 31 movie theaters across the country. The project was a joint venture by the American National Theatre & Academy and CARE.Special shown March 28, 1955.
- StarsDennis JamesChris SchenkelA television series consisting of boxing matches.5 incomplete episodes (also includes several more episodes that aired on WABD after DuMont's demise)
- StarsDon HastingsAl HodgeHal Conklin"Guardian of the Safety of the World", private citizen-scientist Captain Video, assisted by his teenage helper The Ranger and an army of Video Rangers, preserves the peace in the far-off future, fighting the evil Dr. Pauli of the Astroidal Society and a bunch of other baddies (Nargola, Mook, Kul, Clysmok). The show appeared nightly Mon-Fri, featured many outlandish weapons and techno-gimmicks, and was run on a minuscule prop budget.24 episodes ranging from 1949-1953
- StarsSammy Spear and His OrchestraJackie GleasonJack LescoulieAn hour of live variety, in the classic sense of television's Golden Age.15 episodes (some incomplete).
- StarsAdrienneA fifteen-minute Monday-night musical show.Two episodes (with guests Eric Thorsen and Yul Brenner)
- StarsCloris LeachmanJohn McQuadeKevin O'MorrisonA half-hour private-eye crime show set in New York.2 episodes (plus more episodes from the CBS and ABC runs)
- CreatorEverett Rhodes CastleStarsAlan MowbrayFrank JenksEliot SharfeColonel Humphrey Flack is the consummate con-man, swindling swindlers at every opportunity.12 episodes
- StarsChicago Symphony OrchestraGeorge SchickFritz ReinerAn hour of classical music performed by the Chicago Symphony.1 episode
- StarsCarl LowMichael GarrettJoe HelgesonThe drama of this show took place in real locations in and around New York City including Bretano's Books, Idlewild Airport, and Schaeffer Brewing. The story revolved around a new set of characters each episode.One episode (January 30, 1953)
- StarsJohnny OlsonThe Four TophattersThe Ned Harvey OrchestraAn early TV talent show. It is believed that none of the 20,000 people who auditioned ever achieved any great fame beyond this show.Two episodes (March 30 and April 1949)
- StarsJan MurrayMarilyn MaxwellJoan FieldsOne episode
- StarsFrank BlairOne episode (December 13, 1951)
- CreatorGertrude BergStarsGertrude BergArlene McQuadeEli MintzComedy-drama about a Jewish-American family living in New York City.22 DuMont Network-aired episodes survive of this series, along with a surprisingly good amount of the CBS and NBC episodes, plus all the first-run syndication. Shout! Factory gave this series a DVD release!)
- StarsRobert HuttonSteve BrodieBonita GranvilleAn American dramatic anthology series that was known as Gruen Guild Playhouse when it debuted on ABC. "Guild" was dropped from the title when it was shown on the DuMont Television Network in 1952. Sponsored by the Gruen Watch Company.Two episodes (May 22 and June 19, 1952)
- StarsThe Airmen of NoteFred KepnerDon Russell18 episodes
- 12 episodes (but not all have been confirmed as DuMont episodes)
- StarsConrad JanisMarian RussellDorrit KeltonJimmy Hughes, a Korean War veteran now on the New York Police force, seeks the killer of his father, also a policeman.1 episode (May 8, 1953)
- StarsLynn PooleJoel ChasemanWernher von BraunA regularly-aired documentary series covering a very wide range of subjects related to science.3 episodes (note: a much larger number of episodes survive at the Johns Hopkins university)
- StarsJoseph SchildkrautSylvia SidneyEdward BinnsA filmed dramatic anthology series.1 episode (November 18, 1953)
- StarsJohnny OlsonHam FisherLeslie UggamsA Saturday-morning chidren's series.1 episode (series finale)
- StarsFulton J. SheenDon RussellThe show featured Most Reverent Fulton J. Sheen, the Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of New York City, offering anecdotes and moral lessons. Many of the talks were about the evils of the Communist form of government.Four episodes (note: a much larger number episodes are preserved by a Catholic organisation)
- StarsPat MeikleDon HastingsRuth WhiteA well-received children's series that was broadcast live from New York City.Two episodes
- StarsDick StarkJess CainMarge GreeneA domestic sitcom about a Manhattan newlywed couple.27 episodes (yes, I am too shocked by the large number of surviving episodes of this series).
- StarsTony MottolaElliot LawrenceA presentation of music, in which a group of performers lip-synced to other artists hits. This series was short-lived, but the format later had success....in Australia, under the title "Hit Parade".2 episodes, plus an excerpt from another episode
- StarsMorey AmsterdamArt CarneyJohnny GuarnieriThe show had two venues. In December 1948 to March 1949, Morey Amsterdam was the emcee at a small fictional nightclub in New York City's Times Square. Charlie the Doorman (later Newton the Waiter) and Lola the cigarette girl were also employed at the club. Between April 1949 and October 1950, the show shifted to a different network and the scene shifted to the Silver Swan Cafe with Newton and Lola still employed.A near-complete run of the 1948-1950 series, consisting of many episodes, and even including a couple of the 1948 CBS episodes. We can only hope this gets a DVD release some day)
- StarsErnest K. LindleyJohn DalyWhittaker ChambersA prime-time public-affairs program featuring editors of Newsweek magazine interviewing guests and discussing current events.Two episodes (both from 1950)
- StarsJerome CowanWilliam AdlerJon SiloCollins is an investigative reporter for the New York Ledger in this dramatic series.12 episodes
- StarsTed MackPat BooneBarney RossA direct descendant of radio's "Major Bowes Original Amateur Hour" (1934-1946), hosted by Major Edward Bowes until his death. After a one-year hiatus, Ted Mack, who had directed Bowes' auditions, revived the show (which lasted into 1952) and brought the concept to the DuMont Television Network. The at-home audience voted by postcard for the favorite, winning performer(s) each week.3 (incomplete?) episodes, plus an excerpt from another episode
- CreatorMike StokeyStarsMike StokeyVincent PriceSebastian CabotTelevision's first treatment of "Charades" as played by Hollywood celebrities. The giveaway was the use of gestures that defined "film", "TV show", "book" or "song" as well as "small word (a, an, the)" and gestures for syllables, number of words, and expand or stretch.2 episodes (there is also a much larger number of surviving episodes from the CBS and ABC runs at the archive).
- StarsPaul DixonDottie MackWanda LewisLocal talk and variety show that ABC picked up for only one season. It was picked up again a couple of years later by DuMont. Continued locally for another 23 years. Some of the regulars also appeared on two other locally produced shows, Ruth Lyons 50-50 club and Midwestern Hayride. All produced in Cincinnati, Ohio.1 episode (network premiere from September 29, 1952)
- CreatorRobert AltmanStarsOwen BushKermit EcholsArt Ellison3 episodes
- StarsRoscoe KarnsTodd KarnsGrace CarneyAt the end of each show, Rocky King (Roscoe Karns) calls his wife, Mabel, and says, "Case is closed Mabel, I'm coming home".37 episodes
- StarsFrances LangfordLew ParkerBenny GoodmanFour episodes, plus an excerpt from another episode
- StarsAlexander GrayNancy CarrBruce Foote2 episodes
- StarsMerle KendrickGil LambThis show featured entertainers from all over the world. Scenes o the performers homeland would be shown behind the entertainer as they performed.One episode (March 25, 1949)
- StarsJack BarryMarcia Van DykeRonny Moluzzo1 episode
- StarsArt BakerJack SmithJackie CooganThis show responded to requests from the viewer, e.g., a look into the vaults at Fort Knox, showing $1 million dollars in $1 bills, etc.2 episodes
- CreatorFrank TelfordStarsRobert CarrollDonald BriggsNehemiah PersoffThe Stranger was a mysterious man who would appear at the moment some distressed person needed assistance.1 episode (12 November 1954)