TOAST OF THE TOWN {A.K.A. THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW}: A SALUTE TO LUCY & DESI (TV)
Summary
One in this series of variety programs presided over by Ed Sullivan.
This program presents a special tribute to Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball. It begins with a sketch featuring Ball and Arnaz portraying themselves learning about Sullivan’s tribute to them. Sullivan visits them as they become increasingly nervous about the tribute show. They are soon joined by "I Love Lucy" regulars Vivian Vance and William Frawley, who perform their “Hullabaloo” duet. Several clips are screened, including an excerpt from the first “I Love Lucy” episode, a clip from the film “Bataan” featuring Arnaz and Robert Taylor, a clip from the film “The Long, Long Trailer” featuring Arnaz and Ball, and a selection from the episode of “I Love Lucy” wherein Lucy gives birth to her baby. Arnaz performs his signature song, “Babalu” before Sullivan presides over a formal toast honoring Ball and Arnaz, joined by baseball player Dusty Rhodes, Philip Morris vice-president Harry Chesner, Frawley, “toastmaster” Tex O’Rourke, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer vice-president Howard Dietz, film actor John Hodiak, and INS correspondent Don Dixon.
The assembled guests each make their comments about Arnaz and Ball. O’Rourke begins by discussing Ball and Arnaz’s childhoods and early work in show-business, and Rhodes makes brief comments of his own. Ball is called up make her own remarks, thanking the networks and production staff of “I Love Lucy,” and Arnaz makes comments of his own about his appreciation for Ball and the United States for giving him the opportunities he has enjoyed. Both become visibly emotional while making their speeches. Also includes in-studio commercials for Lincoln-Mercury automobiles from Sullivan and featuring Julia Meade.
(Series title varies; as "Toast of the Town," 1948-1955; as "The Ed Sullivan Show," 1955-1971.)
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: October 3, 1954 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:59:24
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: 106008
- GENRE: Variety
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Music; Variety
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1948-1971
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV – Commercials – Lincoln-Mercury automobiles
- TV – Promos – “Toast of the Town”
CREDITS
- Marlo Lewis … Producer
- Ed Sullivan … Producer
- John Wray … Director
- Ray Bloch … Music by
- Ed Sullivan … Host
- Desi Arnaz … Guest, Performer
- Lucille Ball … Guest, Performer
- Vivian Vance … Guest, Performer
- William Frawley … Guest, Performer
- Dusty Rhodes … Guest
- Harry Chesney … Guest
- Tex O'Rourke … Guest
- Howard Dietz … Guest
- John Hodiak … Guest
- Don Dixon … Guest
- Julia Meade … Guest
- Robert Taylor