''Cavalcade of Bands'' is an early 1950s American television series which aired on the now defunct DuMont Television Network.

Broadcast history

Produced by Drug Store Television Productions and DuMont, ''Cavalcade of Bands'' featured performances by popular and obscure

Big Band A big band or jazz orchestra is a type of musical ensemble of jazz music that usually consists of ten or more musicians with four sections: saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section. Big bands originated during the early 1910s ...

orchestras, and aired on Tuesdays from 9-10pm ET beginning on January 17, 1950.McNeil, Alex (1980). ''Total Television'' (4th ed.). New York: Penguin Books. The series was a spin-off of DuMont's popular ''

Cavalcade of Stars ''The Jackie Gleason Show'' is the name of a series of American network television shows that starred Jackie Gleason, which ran from 1952 to 1970, in various forms. ''Cavalcade of Stars'' Gleason's first variety series, which aired on the DuMo ...

''. The initial host was Fred Robbins. Although he had been publicized as "permanent master of ceremonies", he was replaced on January 24, 1950, by

Warren Hull John Warren Hull (January 17, 1903 – September 14, 1974), known professionally as Warren Hull, was an American actor, singer and television personality active from the 1930s through the 1960s. He was one of the most popular serial actors in t ...

. Ted Steele, and Buddy Rogers became hosts later in the program's run. ''Cavalcade of Bands'' was a major television effort, and was designed to lure away NBC's audience after ''

The Milton Berle Show ''Texaco Star Theater'' was an American comedy-variety show, broadcast on radio from 1938 to 1949 and telecast from 1948 to 1956. It was one of the first successful examples of American television broadcasting, remembered as the show that gave Mi ...

''. The last episode of the series aired on September 25, 1951.Brooks, Tim & Marsh, Earle (1964). ''The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows'' (3rd ed.). New York: Ballantine. It was replaced by " Cosmopolitan Theatre".

Critical reception

A review in the trade publication '' Billboard'' described ''Cavalcade of Bands'' as "pure vaude

ille The Ille (; br, Il) is a small river in Brittany, France, right tributary of the river Vilaine. It is long. It flows into the Vilaine in the city Rennes. The Ille is linked to the river Rance by the Canal d'Ille-et-Rance. By this canal, Ren ...

. It noted that the sequence of acts and the way they were introduced essentially followed vaudeville style. The review added that the show's success depended on how attractive an episode's band and guest stars were, adding that in the episode reviewed, nothing that the guests did "was particularly distinguished". It concluded with the comment, "only name guests of major caliber will build an audience for the show".

Episode Guide

Note: Episodes aired in California via Kinescope several weeks after airing live on the east coast. All information has been gathered from newspapers of the time period in New York, New Jersey, Pittsburgh and California. This list is not meant to be complete; it is based on what information was available. 1) January 17, 1950: Guy Lombardo and his Orchestra, Borah Minnevitch Rascals, Kitty Kallen, Dancing Dunhills, Trixie (juggler), Patricia Bright (This episode exists at the Paley Center in NYC) 2) January 24, 1950: Tex Beneke and his Orchestra, Glenn Douglas, Buddy Yeager, Bob Mitchell and the Moonlight Serenaders, Rosalind Courtright, Beatrice Kraft Dancers, Rolly Rolls, The Four Evans, Frank Marlowe 3) January 31, 1950: Gene Krupa and his Orchestra (vocal, Frances Lynn. Featured soloists: tenor sax, Buddy Wise; bass, Don Simpson; trombone, Urbie Green), Monica Lewis, Rudy Cardenas, Park and Clifford, Ficcardi and Brenda, Dave Barry 4) February 7, 1950: Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra, Victor Borge, The Edwards Brothers, Tato and Julia, Robert Merrill, Jack Leonard 5) February 14, 1950: Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra, Vivian Blaine, others 6) February 21, 1950: Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra, The Amazing Mr. Ballentine, Fred and Susan Barry, Tim Herbert and Don Saxon, The Dancing Dunhills 7) February 28, 1950: Skitch Henderson and his Orchestra (vocal, Gregg Lawrence), Knobby Lee, Ed Zandy, “Moose” Anderson (The Brass Wizards), Thelma Carpenter, Harold and Lola, The Edwards Brothers, Nip Nelson 8) March 7, 1950: Eddie Duchin and his Orchestra, Constance Moore, Howard and Wanda Dell, George de Witt, Fossie and Niles, Fred Sanborn 9) March 14, 1950: Lionel Hampton and his Orchestra, Kitty Murray, Curly Hamner, Stump and Stumpy 10) March 21, 1950: Tony Pastor and his Orchestra, Sam Levinson, Mario and Florio, others. Artie Shaw was scheduled to appear but was replaced for an unknown reason. This was confirmed by California newspaper TV listings when the episode was aired two weeks later. 11) March 28, 1950: Louis Prima and his Orchestra, Joey Adams, Tony Canzoneri, Andree and Bonnie, The Three Rockets 12) April 4, 1950: Carmen Cavallero and his Orchestra, Will Mahoney, Connie Haines, Wally Brown, The Debonaires 13) April 11, 1950: Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra, Herb Shriner, Abbe Lane, Tato and Julia, Otto Bolivar 14) April 18, 1950: Blue Barron and his Orchestra, Joan Merrill, Lucienne and Ashour, Teddy Hale 15) April 25, 1950: Claude Thornhill and his Orchestra, Russ McIntyre, Nancy Clayton, Joe Derise, Manuel and Marita Viera 16) May 2, 1950: Guy Lombardo and his Orchestra, The Dancing Dunhills, Al Bernie, John Sebastian 17) May 9, 1950: Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music, Lou Holtz, Cropsey and Ayres, The Three Wiles (Shown two days later in NYC on WABD via kinescope due to a baseball telecast between the Yankees and St. Louis Browns). 18) May 16, 1950: Ray Anthony and his Orchestra, Jackie Miles, Dancing De Marlos, Viola Lane, Charlotte Fayne 19) May 23, 1950: Harry James and his Orchestra, Harold Leroy, The DeMarco Sisters, Connie Sawyer 20) May 30, 1950: Tex Beneke and his Orchestra, Helen Lee, Gregg Lawrence, Buddy Yeager, Toni Arden 21) June 6, 1950: Skitch Henderson and his Orchestra, Jane Pickens and the Escourtiers, Eileen O’Dare 22) June 13, 1950: Louis Prima and his Orchestra, Golden Gate Quartet, Shelia Bond, Herkie Styles 23) June 20, 1950: Dick Jurgens and his Orchestra, Monica Lewis, Red Buttons, Marion La Velle 24) June 27, 1950: Art Mooney and his Orchestra, Toni Harper, Phil Foster (Shown two days later in NYC on WABD via kinescope due to a baseball telecast between the Dodgers and the Giants) 25) July 4, 1950: Ray McKinley and his Orchestra, Buddy Lester, Billy Williams’ Quartet, Gloria Leroy, Lewis and Van 26) July 11, 1950: Harry James and his Orchestra, Eileen Barton, Howard and Wanda Bell, The Beachcombers, Archie Robbins 27) July 18, 1950: Duke Ellington and his Orchestra, Bobby Davis, Timmie and Rogers, Howell and Bowser, others. Jimmy Dorsey was supposed to appear but was replaced for an unknown reason. Confirmed via a review in the Pittsburgh Press. 28) July 25, 1950: Charlie Barnett and his Orchestra, Mildred Bailey, Henny Youngman, Manor and Mignon, The Three Arnuts 29) August 1, 1950: Tommy Tucker and his Orchestra, Jackie Gleason, Jane Dulo, Mayo Bros, Fred and Faye 30) August 8, 1950: Ralph Flanagan and his Orchestra, Thelma Carpenter, Joe Adams, Mark Plant, Bill Calahan, Tryloradagio Dancers 31) August 15, 1950: Johnny Long and his Orchestra, Jan Murray, George Prentice, Tommy and Margot Conine, Rudy Cardenas 32) August 22, 1950: Woody Herman and his Orchestra, George De Witt, Maria Neglia, Virginia Lee, Fred and Sledge 33) August 29, 1950: Ted Weems and his Orchestra, Romo Vincent, George Tapps, Monica Boyar 34) September 5, 1950: Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra, Red Buttons, Pierre D’Angelo and Ana, Jay Lawrence, Johnny Mack 35) September 12, 1950: Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra, Wally Brown, Tato and Julia, others 36) September 19, 1950: Shep Fields and his Orchestra, Wally Cox, The Hot Shots, Neal Stanley and the Kanazawa Trio 37) September 26, 1950: Tex Beneke and his Orchestra, Jay Marshall, Anthony, Allyn and Hodges, Frank Paris, Earl Barton 38) October 3, 1950: Gene Krupa and his Orchestra, Betty Brewer, Golden Gate Quartet, Bobby Layne, Claire and Paul Gray, Elisa Jayne 39) October 10, 1950: Louis Armstrong and His All Stars, Golden Gate Quartet, George Kirby, Bobby “Tables” Davis, The Three Poms 40) October 17, 1950: Tony Pastor and his Orchestra, Billy Vine, Helene and Howard, Lou Wills Jr., Marion Morgan. Guy Lombardo was scheduled to appear but was replaced for unknown reasons. This was confirmed using California newspaper TV listings when the episode was aired two weeks later. 41) October 24, 1950: Lawrence Welk and his Champagne Music, Perry Franks and Janyce, Henry Rich and Lucille Gibson, Cabot and Dresden 42) October 31, 1950: Claude Thornhill and his Orchestra, Howard and Wanda Bell, Mario and Florio, Tip, Tap and Toe, Buddy Lester 43) November 7, 1950: Tommy Tucker and his Orchestra, Don Brown, George Tapps, Bob Hammond and his Birds, Romaine and Babette. Jimmy Dorsey was scheduled to appear but was replaced for unknown reasons. This was confirmed using California newspaper TV listings when the episode was aired two weeks later. 44) November 14, 1950: Jerry Gray and his Orchestra, Rosalind Courtright, George de Witt, Condos and Brandow 45) November 21, 1950: Louis Prima and his Orchestra, Mayo Brothers, Jay Lawrence, Dietrich and Diane 46) November 28, 1950: Ray Anthony and his Orchestra, George De Witt, The Lunds, The Three Rockets 47) December 5, 1950: Elliot Lawrence and his Orchestra, John and Rene Arnaut, Fosse and Niles, George De Witt, Stump and Stumpy 48) December 12, 1950: Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra, Abbe Lane, Otto and Dulcina Garcia, Eddy Kosack, George De Witt, Peiro Brothers 49) December 19, 1950: Stan Kenton and his Orchestra, Jay Johnson, Teresa Brewer, The Calgary Brothers, George De Witt 50) December 26, 1950: Duke Ellington and his Orchestra, Harris and Radcliff, Bobby “Tables” Davis, Harold King, The Three Poms 51) January 2, 1951: Skitch Henderson and his Orchestra, Henny Youngman, Marian Morgan, Lewis and Van, Rita and Allen Farrell, Faye Emerson 52) January 9, 1951: Ray Bloch and his Orchestra, Rosemary Clooney, Bobby Lane, Claire and Georgie Kaye 53) January 16, 1951: Frankie Carle and his Orchestra, Erwin Corey, Francis Brunn, Helene and Howard, Meribeth Old 54) January 23, 1951: Shep Fields and his Orchestra, Mickey Deems, Wynters and Angeline, Russell Arms and Liza Palmer, Johnny Bachemin 55) January 30, 1951: Tommy Tucker and his Orchestra, Ken Whitmer, Bud and Cece Robinson, Harbers and Lane 56) February 6, 1951: Charlie Barnett and his Orchestra, Tip, Tap and Toe, others 57) February 13, 1951: Gene Krupa and his Orchestra, Frank Sinatra, Jackie Gleason, Clark Brothers 58) February 20, 1951: Guy Lombardo and his Orchestra, Jackie Gleason, Kitty Kalen, Rolly Rolls. This was the First Anniversary broadcast. 59) February 27, 1951: Ray Anthony and his Orchestra, Harvey Stone, The Berry Brothers, Susan Raye, Frank Paris, The Mello-Larks 60) March 6, 1951: Claude Thornhill and his Orchestra, Peggy Lee, Billy Vines, Hudson and Sharae, Betty Bruce 61) March 13, 1951: Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra, Sarah Vaughan, Christine and Moll, Bob Hammond's Birds, Wally Brown, The Mello-Larks 62) March 20, 1951: Louis Prima and his Orchestra, Eileen Barton, Al Bernie, Rolly and Bonnie Prickert, Ade Duval and company, Joseph Coffini 63) March 27, 1951: Ray Bloch and his Orchestra, Jimmy Nelson, Mary Raye and Naldi, Mello-Larks 64) April 3, 1951: Freddy Martin and his Orchestra, Ginny Simms, Hal Loman and Joan Fields, Jimmy Nelson 65) April 10, 1951: Freddy Martin and his Orchestra, Peggy Lee, Joey Bishop, Dick Byrd 66) April 17, 1951: Freddy Martin and his Orchestra, Morey Amsterdam, Rosemary Clooney 67) April 24, 1951: Freddie Martin and his Orchestra, Fran Warren, Joey Adams, Al Kelly 68) May 1, 1951: Louis Prima and his Orchestra, Jean Carroll, The DeMarco Sisters, The Clark Brothers 69) May 8, 1951: – Louis Prima and his Orchestra, Larry Storch, Toni Arden, Bobby Van 70) May 15, 1951: Louis Prima and his Orchestra, Phil Foster, Jane Hutton, The Mello-Larks 71) May 22, 1951: Louis Prima and his Orchestra, Buddy Lester, Calgary Brothers, Susan Raye, The Fontaines 72) May 29, 1951: Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra, Maurice Rocco, Joey Bishop, Abbe Lane, Tato and Julia 73) June 5, 1951: Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra, Mary Raye and Naldi, Carlos Ramirez and Gene Baylos, Jerry Bergen *Cugat apparently made disparaging remarks about radio on this program, causing his records to be banned by some radio stations. 74) June 12, 1951: Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra, Al Bernie, Carlos Ramirez, Margo and her Caribbeans 75) June 19, 1951: Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra, Wally Brown, Carlos Ramirez, Pierre D’Angelo and Ana, The Mello-Larks 76) June 26, 1951: Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra, Carlos Ramirez, Dave Barry, Manor and Mignon 77) July 3, 1951: Sammy Kaye and his Orchestra, Hal Le Roy, Lee Davis, Harbers and Dale 78) July 10, 1951: Sammy Kaye and his Orchestra, Phil Foster, Lewis and Van, Ricardo and Norma 79) July 17, 1951: Sammy Kaye and his Orchestra, Henny Youngman, Crane and Love, Lenny and Margie Ross 80) July 24, 1951: Sammy Kaye and his Orchestra, Kitty Marshall, Ken Whitmer, Gene Baylos, Blair and Dean 81) July 31, 1951: Cab Calloway and his Orchestra (Featured soloists: Jonah Jones, Milt Hinton), The Cabaliers, Bobby “Tables” Davis, Tip, Tap and Toe (Host Buddy Rogers on vacation) 82) August 7, 1951: Gene Krupa and his Orchestra, Fran Warren, Chaz Chase, Dusty McCaffery, Susanne and Frank Paris 83) August 14, 1951: Tex Beneke and his Orchestra, Wally Brown, The Kanazawa Trio, The Mello-Larks, The Abots 84) August 21, 1951: Tex Beneke and his Orchestra, Mary Mayo, Helene and Howard, George Conley, The Dunhills 85) August 28, 1951: Tex Beneke and his Orchestra, Joey Adams, Jo Sullivan, Jack and Marilyn Nagle, Jay Smythe 86) September 4, 1951: Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra, The Haydens, Morey Amsterdam, The Mello-Larks, Bob Hammond's Birds. (This episode exists at UCLA) 87) September 11, 1951: Woody Herman and his Orchestra, Dolly Houston, Joey Adams, Walter Long and Angel, Tato and Julia 88) September 18, 1951: Shep Fields and his Orchestra, Joe Frisco, Howard and Wanda Bell, Ramona Lang, Chester Dolphin 89) September 25, 1951: Guy Lombardo and his Orchestra, Kitty Kalen, Al Bernie, The Pickerts, others. *Some east coast newspapers listed Cab Calloway and his Orchestra as the featured band, but California newspaper TV listings on October 13 confirm that Guy Lombardo and his Orchestra did appear on the final broadcast. Replaced the following week with " Cosmopolitan Theatre".

Episode status

As with most DuMont programs, few episodes survive. The first episode is in the collection of the

Paley Center for Media The Paley Center for Media, formerly the Museum of Television & Radio (MT&R) and the Museum of Broadcasting, founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, is an American cultural institution in New York with a branch office in Los Angeles, dedicated to ...

. Episode 86 exists at the UCLA Film and TV Archive.

References

Bibliography

*David Weinstein, ''The Forgotten Network: DuMont and the Birth of American Television'' (Philadelphia:

Temple University Press Temple University Press is a university press founded in 1969 that is part of Temple University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). It is one of thirteen publishers to participate in the Knowledge Unlatched pilot, a global library consortium approach ...

, 2004) *Alex McNeil, ''Total Television'', Fourth edition (New York:

Penguin Books Penguin Books is a British publishing house. It was co-founded in 1935 by Allen Lane with his brothers Richard and John, as a line of the publishers The Bodley Head, only becoming a separate company the following year.Ballantine Books, 1964)

External links

''Cavalcade of Bands'' at IMDB
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cavalcade Of Bands (Tv Series) 1950s American variety television series 1950 American television series debuts 1951 American television series endings Black-and-white American television shows DuMont Television Network original programming