TELEVISION IN THE 1960'S
In my family the television was on from early morning until late at night. In those vintage days, the Star Spangled Banner marked the end of each viewing day. The entertainment then had more variety and was much cleaner than that of today. The shows were wholesome, family-based, such as on Father Knows Best on CBS. Robert Young, movie actor with MGM in the 1940's, was insurance man Jim Anderson. The story lines seemed rather innocuous, but they reflected positive parental role modeling.
The detective show 77 Sunset Strip had as a role model young Edd Byrnes. He became a rage nationwide as the hair-combing parking attendant "Kookie". Readers of this webpage may remember the hit record the show inspired, "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb", made with Connie Stevens at the same time.
The best night for TV was Sunday night. The last two shows on CBS capped off the festivities, first with Candid Camera. Allen Funt was a genius, filming people's reactions to talking mailboxes, cars with no motors, and the like. Then came on one of my favorite programs, What's My Line?, the last network show of the night. The celebrity panelists, who guessed contestant's occupations, were classy Broadway types who wore tuxedos and ballgowns. Remember the blindfolds they wore when they were questioning the mystery celebrity guests?
In the 1960's Andy Griffith played gentle sheriff Andy Taylor for eight years. Deputy Barney Fife, Opie, Helen Crump, Otis and Goober Pyle were other residents of Mayberry, North Carolina. The town mechanic, Gomer Pyle, was drafted into military service in Gomer Pyle, USMC. Gomer actually did very little fighting, but there was plenty of it done on Combat!, starring Vic Morrow on ABC. Hogan's Heroes showed us what life was like in a German concentration camp in WWII. It was a comedy, with Colonel Hogan's platoon matching wits with the German Colonel Klink and Schultz {"I know nothing"}, NBC's Hazel did her duty as maid for the Baxter family in the Hazel comedy series. She was created by cartoonist Ted Key. My Favorite Martian was one of my favorite shows. The Martian was discovered by newspaper reporter Tim O'Hara, who adopted him as "Uncle Martin". The same kind of levitations, vanishes, and other tricks were also performed by lovely Samantha Stephens of Bewitched on ABC. She was a good witch married to a mortal in this frothy comedy hit.
The much-honored Dick Van Dyke Show was possibly the best comedy of the 1960's. Mr. Van Dyke portrayed comedy writer Robert Petrie, and his family exploits were hilarious. {Co-star Morey Amsterdam, who portrayed Buddy Sorrell, wrote "Rum and Coca Cola", the Andrews Sisters big 1945 hit song}. The Dick Van Dyke Show won 15 Emmy awards, 25 Emmy nominations, PLUS two Writers Guild Awards for excellence in comedy.
CBS had a plethora of corn-fed rural shows in the 1960's as folks rooted for the country. The Beverly Hillbillies epitomized the best in rural humor. The Clampetts found valuable oil on their Ozarks land, now becoming wealthy. They dealt with city life in ritzy Beverly Hills, California. More down-home comedy resided in the Shady Rest Hotel that nestled in Petticoat Junction. It was not far from Hooterville, the home of Green Acres. Its owners, Oliver and Lisa Douglas, dwelled in an old, dilapidated farmhouse, after living in the city.
My parents bowled on Tuesday night in the early 1960's, and my brother and I often went with them. Most Tuesday nights, though, we wanted to be home to watch the Red Skelton Show. Red's opening monologues were always hilarious. Do you remember Gertrude and Hecliff, the two seagulls? Then there was "The Silent Spot", with Red in mesmerizing pantomime. Memorable characters he created were the Mean Widdle Kid, Willie Lump Lump, George Appleby, San Fernando Red, Sheriff Deadeye, Clem Kadiddlehopper, Cauliflower McPugg, Freddie the Freeloader, and others preserved for posterity in comedy! Then came more fun! The Jack Benny Program, with portly announcer Don Wilson, Rochester, Mary Livingston, and Dennis Day represented the best in talent. Jack Benny, the 39-year-old blue-eyed violin player from Waukegan, Illinois starred in vaudeville, MGM movies, radio, and television. WELL!!!
In the late 1960's the nation was hooked on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. Sock it to me! Sock it to me! Sock it to me! became the newest catch-phrase, as spoken by Britisher Judy Carne. This unique show launched the career of Goldie Hawn.
The show that marked the premiere of blacks in starring roles was Julia, a Monday night comedy on NBC. Classy and elegant black singer and actress Diahann Carroll played Julia, who worked at NASA. She was a young widowed mother with a son, Corey, played by Marc Copage. It was not a great show, but it was a prime example of positive changes in television history.
The early days of television represented the ultimate best and finest in variety and entertainment. Many of the stars began their careers by performing in vaudeville, movies, radio and Broadway, the genetic roots of entertainment. Consider Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Ernie Kovacs, Milton Berle {"Mr. Television"}, and others like them.
More shows and stars of the 1960's you may remember: Rawhide, Perry Mason, The Twilight Zone, The Nelsons {Ozzie and Harriett}. Jack Paar, Mission: Impossible, The Patty Duke Show, The 20th Century, Ben Casey, Dobie Gillis, the myriad quiz and game shows. Most of these priceless gems are available via video catalogs. Treat yourself to the best and have fun!
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