"The story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent". So much was memorable about Dragnet, from "Just the facts, Ma'am", to its riveting theme music

The one, the only Groucho Marx hosted You Bet Your Life on Thursday nights. Before interviewing the backstage contestants, Grouch revealed the "secret word", worth $100 if contestants mentioned it. A toy duck with a one hundred-dollar bill in its mouth emerged from the ceiling. The duck had an amazing resemblance to Groucho, complete with false moustache and glasses.

Arthur Godfrey had two shows on which to entertain on a daily basis: Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts and Arthur Godfrey and His Friends. The red haired ukulele player had among his friends the McGuire Sisters, Peter Lind Hayes, Mary Healy, Julius LaRosa, and Irish singer Carmen McRae.

Disneyland was on ABC for years before becoming The Wonderful World of Disney. Its enchanting "lands" featured Adventureland, Frontierland, The World of Tomorrow and more.

The best night for television was Sunday night on CBS. The Ed Sullivan Show began the festivities with the best variety in the universe. I especially liked the comedians and the musical groups. This top-quality show began as The Toast of the Town.

The quiz panel game that was a special favorite, I've Got a Secret, was on Monday nights. Host Garry Moore, resplendent in his crewcut and bowtie, introduced the contestants whose "whispered" secrets the celebrity panel had to guess. One contestant's secret was that he saw John Wilkes Booth shoot President Abraham Lincoln!

The legendary $64,000 Question premiered in the early 1950's. Do you remember the famous Revlon isolation booth? Famed psychologist Dr. Joyce Brothers won thousands of dollars for her boxing knowledge research.

The best, most successful western of all time was Gunsmoke, or as my cousins referred to it, "Gunsmog". James Arness was imposing as Matt Dillon, sheriff of Dodge City. Redhead Amanda Blake portrayed Kitty Russell, owner of the Long Branch Saloon, and Matt's love interest.

The Millionaire gave away money anonymously. John Beresford Tipton, a wealthy recluse, instructed his secretary {Michael Anthony} to deliver certified million dollar checks to those who deserved them.

The late 1950's had a plethora of westerns, more than any other time. Along with Gunsmoke {or "Gunsmog"}, there were these: Tales of Wells Fargo, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, The Restless Gun, Have Gun Will Travel, Wagon Train, Maverick, and The Real McCoys {not a western, really, only a rural comedy. "Isn't that right, SugarBabe?"} Ride on with more: Wanted- Dead Or Alive, Bronco, The Rifleman........

The list will give you saddlesores.

These TV shows are available on videocassettes. Order them from video catalogs or department stores. Tell the salespeople that Groucho sent you.

More of the shows I remember from my 1950's childhood: Captain Kangaroo, The Mickey Mouse Club, I Married Joan, Soupy Sales, The Cisco Kid, The Magic Land of Allakazam, Kukla, Fran, and Ollie, Mama, Superman, Queen For A Day...

What childhood delights do you remember?