See TV Goes Hollywood in LA
Thursday, June 2, 2005
Los Angeles, CA—Remember Samantha's twitching nose on Bewitched? Jackie Gleason's banter with Audrey Meadows in The Honeymooners? The Fantastic Four fighting Doctor Doom? The Museum of Television & Radio in Los Angeles remembers cult favorites from the small screen that inspired a few of this summer's biggest movies. As part of the Museum's Summer Lunchtime Screenings from June 10 through August 19, TV Goes Hollywood presents such a variety of classic programs from the first two chapters of the 1943 Batman serial, which is the first time the Caped Crusader appeared on screen, to those crafty country cousins Luke and Bo Duke always in trouble with the law in Dukes of Hazzard. In addition, the Museum has partnered with Sharkey's Mexican Grill on Beverly Drive, which will offer 20 percent off a lunchtime meal when you show your museum ticket for TV Goes Hollywood. The offer is only good between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. from June 10 to August 21, 2005.
Also travel back in time to 1938 during a MT&R Saturday Matinee presentation of The Mercury Theatre on the Air: War of the World on Saturday, June 25 at 1:30 p.m. In a living room setting, experience Orson Welles's broadcast of War of the Worlds, one of the most terrifying events in radio history that caused mass hysteria across the nation.
TV Goes Hollywood will screen Wednesdays through Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. The schedule is as follows:
June 10–June 23 at 12:30 p.m.
Batman: Chapters 1 and 2 of 15
Batman first appeared on screen in this rarely seen 1943 Batman movie serial, which finds the Caped Crusader and Robin the Boy Wonder opposing an offensively stereotyped Japanese foe. This inaugural Batman remains an uncomfortable and fascinating wartime curio, and demonstrates the character's viability beyond the comic book—despite the wooden acting, absurdly cheap production values, and Neanderthal politics. (1943; 45 minutes)
June 24–July 7 at 12:30 p.m.
Studio One: The Night America Trembled (The War of the Worlds)
Edward R. Murrow hosts this dramatic re-creation of the public reaction to Orson Welles's The War of the Worlds radio program of 1938. We see a broad cross number section of folks enjoying a typical evening playing cards, going on dates, or staying in with the evening paper, only to be driven into a frenzied panic by the verisimilitude of the Mercury Theatre's fake news reports of invading Martians. Sharp-eyed viewers will spot Warren Beatty, Ed Asner, and James Coburn among the large cast. Includes commercials. (1957; 60 minutes)
The Mercury Theatre on the Air: The War of the Worlds
(In the Museum's Radio Listening Room beginning July 6)
Orson Welles's radio adaptation of the classic H.G. Wells story started a nationwide panic when it aired Halloween of 1938. Some listeners actually believed that aliens from Mars had landed on Earth, as the program imitated a series of live news broadcasts. (1938; 60 minutes)
Bewitched: "Man's Best Friend"
Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York star in this series about a witch who marries a mortal. When a spoiled young warlock from Samantha's past makes an appearance in the Stephens's household, Samantha tries to remedy the situation without using witchcraft. A young Richard Dreyfuss guest stars. (1966; 25 minutes)
Bewitched: "Samantha's Magic Sitter"
Esmeralda, a witch who always muddles her spells, agrees to baby-sit for the child of one of Darrin's clients. When her tricky witchcraft lands her in trouble, Samantha comes to the rescue with a mixed-up magic show. Dick Sargent, the second of two actors to play the role of Darrin, stars in this episode. (1972; 25 minutes)
June 25 at 1:30 p.m.
MT&R Saturday Matinee—The Mercury Theatre on the Air: The War of the Worlds
For one Saturday afternoon only, travel back in time to 1938 and experience Orson Welles's broadcast of The War of the Worlds, one of the most terrifying events in radio history. In response to this frighteningly realistic broadcast, many Americans armed themselves and took to the streets in order to combat invading Martians. Listen to this classic, hour-long program in a living room setting, sitting on couches and eating popcorn. A Museum Educator will join you to provide background information about the broadcast and answer questions. Free admission. Reservations required. Call (310) 786-1035.
July 8–July 21 at 12:30 p.m.
I. The Fantastic Four: "Three Predictions of Doctor Doom"
The super powered dysfunctional family goes up against their nemesis Doctor Doom, a hooded madman who, this time out, extorts the United Nations with threats of massive tidal waves in the world's major cities. (Chicago is presumably safe.) (1967; 25 minutes)
II. The Fantastic Four: "It Started on Yancy Street"
The pugnacious Thing faces down the infamous Yancy Street Gang—because though sticks and stones can't break his bones, harsh words will always hurt him. If that weren't bad enough, the Red Ghost shows up with his super apes—and that's just not fair. (1967; 25 minutes)
July 22–August 4 at 12:30 p.m.
The Dukes of Hazzard: "Daisy's Song"
In this series, crafty country cousins Luke and Bo Duke are always in some kind of trouble with the corrupt Hazzard County authorities. In this episode, the action starts when their winsome cousin Daisy realizes she has been the victim of a scam. A record company that published her song didn't pay her royalties, so Bo and Luke devise a plan to expose the shady operation by having Daisy seduce the record producer while they follow her to the studio to raise a ruckus. (1979; 50 minutes)
August 5–August 19 at 12:30 p.m.
I. The Honeymooners: "The Original Sketches"
Jackie Gleason's The Honeymooners originally appeared on the DuMont network's Cavalcade of Stars as short sketches. In these original shorts, some of the roles were filled by different actors than those familiar from the classic series. Look for Pert Kelton as Alice and Elaine Stritch (!) as Trixie. Some of the stars who eventually performed in the series, Art Carney and Joyce Randolph, make appearances as well. (55 minutes)
II. The Honeymooners: "Oh My Aching Back"
Ralph lies his way out of going to dinner at his mother-in-law's house and goes bowling instead. But when he comes home with a bad back, he has to think up a plan to hide it from Alice—played in the series by actress Audrey Meadows. (1956; 30 minutes)
Admission to TV Goes Hollywood is included with free admission in Los Angeles, with suggested donations of $10.00 for adults; $8.00 for senior citizens and students; and $5.00 for children under fourteen.
The Museum of Television & Radio, with locations in New York and Los Angeles, is a nonprofit organization founded by William S. Paley to collect and preserve television and radio programs and advertisements and to make them available to the public. Since opening in 1976, the Museum has organized exhibitions, screening and listening series, seminars, and education classes to showcase its collection of over 100,000 television and radio programs and advertisements. Programs in the Museum's permanent collection are selected for their artistic, cultural, and historic significance.
The Museum of Television & Radio in New York, located at 25 West 52 Street in Manhattan, is open Tuesdays through Sundays from noon to 6:00 p.m. and until 8:00 p.m. on Thursdays. The Museum of Television & Radio in California, located at 465 North Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills, is open Wednesdays through Sundays from noon to 5:00 p.m. Both Museums are closed on New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Suggested contribution: Members free; $10.00 for adults; $8.00 for senior citizens and students; and $5.00 for children under fourteen. Admission is free in Los Angeles. The public areas in both Museums are accessible to wheelchairs, and assisted listening devices are available. Programs are subject to change. You may call the Museum in New York at (212) 621-6800, or in Los Angeles at (310) 786-1000. Visit the Museum's website at www.mtr.org.