Starlit Time

Starlit Time is a variety series that was broadcast on the DuMont Television Network. The series aired from April 9 to November 19, 1950.[1] It was also known as The S. S. Holiday.[2][3]

Not to be confused with a similar 1950–51 DuMont series Star Time (TV series).
Starlit Time
GenreMusic
StarringCy Coleman
Gordon Dilworth
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Release
Original networkDuMont
Original releaseApril 9 (1950-04-09) –
November 19, 1950 (1950-11-19)

This show aired Sundays at 7 pm ET[4] and replaced Front Row Center.[1]

Format and personnel

Initially Starlit Time consisted of two distinct hours of programming with Minnie Jo Curtis linking the two segments in the role of a switchboard opertor. Bill Williams was the master of ceremonies for the first hour, titled "Welcome Mat",[5] which included Gordon Dilworth and the Sylvia Meredith puppets, dancers Sandra Lee and Sam Steen, and comedienne Bibi Osterwald, with Reggie Beane providing music.[6] The second hour, "Phil Hanna Sings",[5] starred Hanna. Other performers in that segment were singer Holly Harris, the dance team Roberto and Alicia, and comedienne Elaine Stritch. The Cy Coleman trio provided music.[6]

By the end of April 1950, the program had been cut to one hour, broadcast from 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time with Williams and Hanna as co-hosts.[5]

Bela Lugosi made a rare TV guest appearance on May 21.[1] Other guest stars who appeared on the program included Mildred Bailey.[7]

Bob Loewi was the producer, and Pat Fay was the director.[2] Fred Scott was the announcer.[8]

Critical response

A review of the April 9, 1950, episode in the trade publication Billboard said of the two-segment episode, "their coupling remains somewhat of a mystery."[9] The second hour received more praise than the first, and the review complimented camera work and production.[9]

Another review (of the August 13, 1950, episode) in Billboard said that the program "has some excellent, even if not socko, moments of entertainment."[8] The review commended the music of Beane's trio but said that the comedy "was decidedly negative, however, and could be dispensed with."[8]

Episode status

As with most DuMont series, no episodes are known to exist.

See also

References
  1. McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 788. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
  2. Rhodes, Gary Don (September 3, 2015). Lugosi: His Life in Films, on Stage, and in the Hearts of Horror Lovers. McFarland. p. 210. ISBN 978-1-4766-0077-2. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  3. Terrace, Vincent (January 10, 2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010, 2d ed. McFarland. p. 1008. ISBN 978-0-7864-8641-0. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  4. "Starlit Time". Ross Reports on Television including The Television Index. June 18, 1950. p. 14. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  5. Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (June 24, 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing Group. p. 300. ISBN 978-0-307-48320-1. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  6. "Radio and Television: DuMont Network to Unveil New 2-Hour Sunday Night Revue This Week-End". The New York Times. April 5, 1950. p. 44. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  7. "Paul Price". Daily News. California, Los Angeles. August 22, 1950. p. 40. Retrieved April 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Chase, Sam (August 26, 1950). "Starlit Time" (PDF). Billboard. p. 10. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  9. Morse, Leon (April 22, 1950). "Starlit Time" (PDF). Billboard. p. 21. Retrieved April 7, 2023.

Bibliography
  • David Weinstein, The Forgotten Network: DuMont and the Birth of American Television (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2004) ISBN 1-59213-245-6
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