"Toast of the Town" (1948) TV series 1948-1971

User Rating:

8.2/10   

Directors:

Kenneth Whelan
John Wray

Writers:

Jerry Bresler (writer)
Lyn Duddy (writer)
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25

Release Date:

20 June 1948 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Music

Plot:

The classic prime time variety show most famous for its vaudeville acts and its rock music performances.

Plot Keywords:

Audience Participation | Variety | Non Fiction

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Ed Sullivan

...

Himself - Host / ... (1,054 episodes, 1948-1971)

(more)

Series Directed by
John Moffitt		(76 episodes, 1968-1970)
Tim Kiley		(2 episodes, 1962-1965)
Kenneth Whelan		(unknown episodes)
John Wray		(unknown episodes)

Series Writing credits
Frank Shuster		(unknown episodes, 1958-1970)
Johnny Wayne		(unknown episodes, 1958-1970)
Jerry Bresler		(unknown episodes)
Lyn Duddy		(unknown episodes)
Jerry Juhl		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Ed Sullivan	....	executive producer / producer (21 episodes, 1959-1967)
Jack McGeehan	....	associate producer (2 episodes, 1962-1965)
Bob Precht	....	producer (2 episodes, 1962-1965)
Chester Feldman	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Marlo Lewis	....	co-executive producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Ray Bloch		(1 episode, 1965)
Buddy Arnold		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Jack Babb		(1 episode, 1962)

Series Art Direction by
Bill Bohnert		(unknown episodes)

Series Set Decoration by
Eddie Pasternak		(2 episodes, 1962-1965)

Series Costume Design by
Leslie Renfield		(1 episode, 1965)

Series Production Management
Tony Jordan	....	production manager / production supervisor (2 episodes, 1962-1965)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Frank Leicht	....	associate director (1 episode, 1962)

Series Art Department
Sam Cecere	....	graphic arts (2 episodes, 1962-1965)

Series Sound Department
B.A. Taylor	....	audio (1 episode, 1965)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Bill Greenfield	....	lighting director (2 episodes, 1962-1965)
Pat McBride	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)
George Moses	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
William McHone	....	costumes (1 episode, 1962)

Series Music Department
Robert Arthur	....	music coordinator (1 episode, 1962)
Don Smith	....	music coordinator (1 episode, 1965)
Ray Bloch	....	composer: theme "Toast of the Town" and cues / conductor (unknown episodes)
Will Schaefer	....	orchestrator (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Charles Grenier	....	technical director (2 episodes, 1962-1965)
Eddie Brinkman	....	stage manager (unknown episodes)
Bob Daily	....	technical director (unknown episodes)
June Taylor	....	choreographer (unknown episodes)
Kenneth Whelan	....	associate director (unknown episodes)
David Winters	....	choreographer (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• CBS Television (1948-1971)
• Sullivan Productions (1964-1971)

Distributors

• CBS Television (1948-1971) (USA) (TV) (original airing)

Other Companies

• The Ed Sullivan Theatre  taping location

Also Known As:

The Ed Sullivan Show (USA) (new title)
You're the Top (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (1965-1971) | Black and White (1948-1965)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-G

Filming Locations:

CBS Television City - 7800 Beverly Blvd., Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

CBS Television

Trivia:

Jim Morrison defied the censors' order and used the lyric "Girl, we couldn't get much higher" while performing "Light My Fire". The Doors were never invited back to the show.

Quotes:

[Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby are singing "Road to Morocco", when Frank spots Bob Hope walking down the stairs at the back of the stage]
Frank: Run for the hills.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Munsters: Herman the Rookie (#1.29)" (1965)

Soundtrack:

Mahna Mahna

They Don't Make Em Like This Anymore

This was the ultimate variety show. Where else could you see comedy, music and animal acts all on one show. Sullivan could see talent and did his best to help promote it and if you made a big impression on Sullivan you were a star overnight (just ask The Beatles). Also, it should be noted that he helped to break a lot of African-American entertainers at a time when network programming wouldn't allow it. This show was a classic.