Stage Entrance

For the Swedish film, see Stage Entrance (film).

Stage Entrance
Directed by	Bill Seaman
Starring	Earl Wilson (host)
Country of origin	United States
Production
Producer	Ted Hammerstein
Running time	15 minutes
Original release
Network	DuMont
Release	May 2, 1951 (1951-05-02) – March 2, 1952 (1952-03-02)

Stage Entrance is an American variety and interview television show broadcast on the DuMont Television Network.[1]

Format

The host, Broadway columnist Earl Wilson, interviewed "established stars and young hopefuls" in addition to providing news about show business.[2] On the quarter-hour episodes, Wilson typically had one famous guest and one newcomer.[3] Artists who appeared on the program included Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, who received Downbeat Awards on the February 24, 1952, episode.[4] Other guests included Jack Leonard, Barbara Nichols, Buddy Rich, and Mel Torme.[5]

Episode status

As with most DuMont series, no complete episodes are known to exist. A short clip exists of an episode from February 24, 1952 featuring Leonard Feather presenting awards from Downbeat to Parker and Gillespie, and then a performance from Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Dick Hyman, Sandy Block, and Charlie Smith.^[citation needed]

Production

Tod Hammerstein was the producer, and Bill Seaman was the director.[1] The program initially was broadcast on Wednesdays from 7:45 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. In September 1951 it was moved to Mondays from 8 to 8:30 p.m. E. T. Its final time slot, beginning in December 1951, was Sundays from 7 to 7:30 p.m. E. T.[2] The show was canceled effective March 2, 1952; it was replaced by Georgetown University Forum, which had been seen at 6:30 p.m. E. T. on Sundays.[6]

See also

• List of programs broadcast by the DuMont Television Network
• List of surviving DuMont Television Network broadcasts
• 1951-52 United States network television schedule

References

1. McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 782. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
2. Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (1999). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present (7th ed.). New York: The Ballentine Publishing Group. p. 956. ISBN 0-345-42923-0.
3. "Wednesday's Television Programs: People". Newsday. New York, Melville. July 11, 1951. p. 37 S. Retrieved August 14, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
4. Forman, Murray (July 4, 2012). One Night on TV Is Worth Weeks at the Paramount: Popular Music on Early Television. Duke University Press. p. 355. ISBN 978-0-8223-5011-8. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
5. "Sunday's TV Programs". The Jersey Journal. New Jersey, Jersey City. February 16, 1952. p. 11. Retrieved August 14, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "DuMont Cancels: Five Network Shows Dropped". Broadcasting. March 10, 1952. p. 65. Retrieved August 15, 2024.

• David Weinstein, The Forgotten Network: DuMont and the Birth of American Television (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2004) ISBN 1-59213-245-6

External links

• Stage Entrance at IMDB
• DuMont historical website