Paley Center Television Musicals

A sampler of rare live telecasts from the 1950s (preserved on black and white kinescopes) and color telecasts of two classic musicals.

Saturday, September 20

2 p.m.

ARMSTRONG CIRCLE THEATRE: BRIGADOON

A television adaptation of the Lerner and Loewe classic about two Americans who chance upon a Scottish town that comes to life once every hundred years. With Robert Goulet, Peter Falk, Sally Ann Howes, and Edward Villella. (1966; 90 minutes)

OF THEE I SING

3:30 p.m.

A lavish television adaptation of the 1931 show (the first musical to win a Pulitzer Prize) with songs by George and Ira Gershwin. The satiric plot concerns the presidential candidacy of John P. Wintergreen. With Carroll O'Connor, Cloris Leachman, Michele Lee, Jack Gilford, and Jim Backus. (1972; 90 minutes)

Sunday, September 21

2 p.m.

THE COLGATE COMEDY HOUR: ANYTHING GOES

New acquisition! A highly truncated yet highly enjoyable presentation of the classic Cole Porter musical, with an all-star trio of headliners: Ethel Merman (reprising her Broadway role as Reno Sweeney), Frank Sinatra, and Bert Lahr. (1954; 60 minutes)

3 p.m.

DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH: JUNIOR MISS

Newly discovered! This long-lost original television musical (adapted from the Broadway comedy) about teenager Judy Graves and her family is the only collaboration between composer Burton Lane and lyricist Dorothy Fields. With Carol Lynley, Don Ameche, Joan Bennett, Jill St. John, David Wayne, Diana Lynn, and Paul Ford. (1957; 90 minutes)