Television Series of the 1950s

Essential Facts and Quirky Details

Vincent Terrace

Often regarded as the first golden era of television, the 1950s was a decade when many classic programs—from I Love Lucy and Gunsmoke to The Honeymooners and Perry Mason, among others—made their debuts. Even after these shows departed the airwaves, they lived on in syndication, entertaining several generations of viewers. Devoted and casual fans alike can probably remember basic facts about these shows—like the names of Lucy and Ricky’s neighbors or the town where Marshall Matt Dillon kept the law. But more elusive facts, like the location of the most successful defense attorney in Los Angeles (Suite 904 of the Brent Building), might be harder to recall.

In Television Series of the 1950s: Essential Facts and Quirky Details, Vincent Terrace presents readers with a cornucopia of information about 100 programs from the decade. Did you know, for example, that the middle initial of Dobie Gillis’ friend Maynard G. Krebs, stood for Walter? Or that Ralph Kramden’s electric bill came to only 39 cents a month? Or that on I Love Lucy, Ricky originally performed at Manhattan’s Tropicana Club? These are but a few of the hundreds of fun and intriguing trivia facts contained within this volume. Shows from all four networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and DuMont)—as well as select syndicated programs—are represented here.

This is not a book of opinions or essays about specific television programs, but a treasure trove of the facts associated with each of these programs. Readers will discover a wealth of fascinating information that, for the most part, cannot be found anywhere else. In some cases, the factual data detailed herein is the only such documentation that exists currently on bygone shows of the era. Television Series of the 1950s is the ideal reference for fans of this decade and anyone looking to stump even the most knowledgeable trivia expert.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 224 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-1-4422-6103-7 • Hardback • May 2016 • $53.00 • (£41.00)

978-1-4422-6104-4 • eBook • May 2016 • $50.00 • (£38.00)

Subjects: Performing Arts / Television / History & Criticism, Performing Arts / Television / General, Performing Arts / Television / Reference, Performing Arts / Television / Biography

Television Series of the 1950s

Essential Facts and Quirky Details

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Often regarded as the first golden era of television, the 1950s was a decade when many classic programs—from I Love Lucy and Gunsmoke to The Honeymooners and Perry Mason, among others—made their debuts. Even after these shows departed the airwaves, they lived on in syndication, entertaining several generations of viewers. Devoted and casual fans alike can probably remember basic facts about these shows—like the names of Lucy and Ricky’s neighbors or the town where Marshall Matt Dillon kept the law. But more elusive facts, like the location of the most successful defense attorney in Los Angeles (Suite 904 of the Brent Building), might be harder to recall.

In Television Series of the 1950s: Essential Facts and Quirky Details, Vincent Terrace presents readers with a cornucopia of information about 100 programs from the decade. Did you know, for example, that the middle initial of Dobie Gillis’ friend Maynard G. Krebs, stood for Walter? Or that Ralph Kramden’s electric bill came to only 39 cents a month? Or that on I Love Lucy, Ricky originally performed at Manhattan’s Tropicana Club? These are but a few of the hundreds of fun and intriguing trivia facts contained within this volume. Shows from all four networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and DuMont)—as well as select syndicated programs—are represented here.

This is not a book of opinions or essays about specific television programs, but a treasure trove of the facts associated with each of these programs. Readers will discover a wealth of fascinating information that, for the most part, cannot be found anywhere else. In some cases, the factual data detailed herein is the only such documentation that exists currently on bygone shows of the era. Television Series of the 1950s is the ideal reference for fans of this decade and anyone looking to stump even the most knowledgeable trivia expert.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 224 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-1-4422-6103-7 • Hardback • May 2016 • $53.00 • (£41.00)

978-1-4422-6104-4 • eBook • May 2016 • $50.00 • (£38.00)

Subjects: Performing Arts / Television / History & Criticism, Performing Arts / Television / General, Performing Arts / Television / Reference, Performing Arts / Television / Biography

Author

Vincent Terrace is a television historian for BPOLIN Productions, a film-TV production company. He has written more than thirty books, including Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010, 2d ed. (2011) and Television Introductions: Narrated TV Program Openings since 1949 (Scarecrow, 2013).

Reviews

Television historian Terrace offers readers a fun and informative look into the world of classic TV. The basic facts of year and cast and a one-line plot description are included for 75 shows from the 1950s, and 100 shows from the 1960s. An incredibly detailed listing on each of the main characters follows (for example, Bewitched’s Samantha Stevens gets a full profile, including eye color, addresses, favorite eateries, and a list of her relatives), but the meat of each entry is the entertaining narrative Terrace provides. It’s obvious he knows (and loves) these shows inside and out, and readers will have a good time learning wacky facts about The Brady Bunch (Greg and Peter were the only kids to not wear braces on the show); Lost in Space (Penny Robinson had an IQ of 147); Father Knows Best (Jim Anderson’s specialty is annuities); and The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (Maynard G. Krebs was turned down 46 times for his driver's license). [This volume] should have broad appeal; give [it] to diehard fans of the show as well as those with a general interest in the eras or in television trivia in general.
— Booklist

Sprinkled throughout [the] book are archival photos, airdates and so much nostalgic goodies that even the most diehard of TV fans will be thrilled and excited turning each and every page.
— Boyce McClain's Collectors' Corner

Television Series of the 1950s

Essential Facts and Quirky Details

Vincent Terrace

Television Series of the 1950s

Essential Facts and Quirky Details

ALSO AVAILABLE