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  • The Great Television Shows: Of TV's Golden Age (1949 - 59) by Jim Harmon book cover
  • The Great Television Shows: Of TV's Golden Age (1949 - 59) by Jim Harmon book cover
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The Great Television Shows: Of TV's Golden Age (1949 - 59)

by Jim Harmon

A tour through television’s early years

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AlbakiReads Editorial

A tour through television’s early years

Covering 1949–59, Jim Harmon and Donald Glut’s book surveys programs from children’s television and sitcoms to westerns, dramas, variety shows, and science fiction. Its range includes familiar titles such as *I Love Lucy*, *The Lone Ranger*, *Perry Mason*, and *Playhouse 90*, alongside performers including Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, and Fess Parker. Anecdotes and photographs frame the decade as a period of experimentation, with attention to both celebrated broadcasts and shows that have largely disappeared from view. The book offers a snapshot of early television through its programs, performers, and memorable opening moments.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Readers interested in television history, especially the medium’s 1949–59 period
  • Those curious about classic television programs and performers
  • Nostalgia-minded readers exploring early children’s shows, sitcoms, variety, westerns, and dramas

Themes

Early television historyClassic programs and performersTelevision variety and experimentationNostalgia and popular culture

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

A wonderful, nostalgic trip back to the early days of television-a look at TV in its infancy, with anecdotes galore about the disasters and successes of that first freewheeling era. You may even have been lucky enough to catch episodes on YouTube or any of the nostalgia oriented channels-and want to know more...

Jim Harmon and Donald Glut take us on a cheerful spin around the dial of programs past-shows like Howdy Doody, I Love Lucy, The Lone Ranger, "Uncle Miltie,""Timmy and Lassie," Arthur Godfrey, Tom Corbett Space Cadet, Perry Mason, As the World Turns, Playhouse 90-andcelebrated performers like James Arness, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Roy Rogers, Eve Arden, William Bendix, and Fran Allison.

Even the openings of some programs could be showstoppers-Jackie Gleason kicking off his show with "And awa-a-a-a-a-a-y we go!"? Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Daily Planet, disappearing into the nearest phone booth and emerging as Superman, ready to fight for truth, justice, and the American Way? Or Buffalo Bob Smith announcing to a squealing Peanut Gallery, "It's Howdy Doody Time!"?

Yes, the gang's all here-everyone from champion clowns like Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca to the father who knew best, Robert Young, and Davy Crockett himself, Fess Parker-delightfully recaptured in words and photos for anyone who wants to relive the innocence and wackiness to be found in the groundbreaking shows of TV's Golden Age.

"A look at TV in its infancy, with anecdotes galore about the delights and mishaps of that first freewheeling era." The Hart County (KY) Herald

"Great book on the early days of Television.There isn't a lot written about some of the shows covered in this book, so it gives good insight into some of these lost shows, from two people who actually saw them firsthand. Highly insightful." Goodreads 5-star review

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