Steve Allen (December 26, 1921 - October 30, 2000)

Entertainment pioneer Steve Allen died on this day 19 years ago


Popular posts from this blog

Remembering the Cast of "Make Room for Daddy" / "The Danny Thomas Show" (583)

It was one of the longest running family sitcoms in television history.  Right there along side "I Love Lucy", "The Honeymooners", "Father Knows Best" and "My Little Margie" it was one of the most beloved programs of the day.  It began on ABC as "Make Room for Daddy" on September 29, 1953.  After 120 episodes the title changed to "The Danny Thomas Show" and in 1957 the program moved to CBS.  After a healthy eleven year run the show ended on April 27, 1964 after producing 351 episodes total.  In 1970 a majority of the cast returned for the show "Make Room for Granddaddy" which lasted from 1970 to 1971 producing 24 episodes.  The cast was headed up by Danny Thomas who played nightclub entertainer Danny Williams.  Jean Hagen played his wife Margaret, Rusty Hamer played his son Rusty and Sherry Jackson played his daughter Terry.  Jackson played Terry from 1953 to 1958 followed by Penny Parker who played the role from...
Read more

Remembering the radio cast of "The Great Gildersleeve" (927)

 "The Great Gildersleeve" is one of the first (if not the first) spin-offs in entertainment history.  The Gildersleeve character began in 1939 on radio's "Fibber McGee & Molly" and then received his own radio show on August 31, 1941. Harold "Hal" Peary (1908-1985) played Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve from 1941 to 1950 and was followed up by Willard Waterman (1914-1995) from 1950 until the show's conclusion in 1957.   The plot of the show involved Gildersleeve raising his young niece and nephew in the small town of Summerfield.  Eventually he would become water commissioner and a very well respected member of the community. Walter Tetley (1915-1975) played Leroy Forrester, Gildy's nephew Lurene Tuttle (1907-1986) and Mary Lee Robb (1926-2006) played Marjorie Forrester Thompson, Gildy's niece Louise Erickson also played Marjorie for a period of time, at the time of this writing she is still with us ...
Read more

Remembering the TV cast of "Gunsmoke" (1955-1975) [737]

The ultimate TV western aired on CBS television from 1955 to 1975 and produced over 600 episodes.  James Arness (1923-2011) -Matt Dillon Milburn Stone (1904-1980) -Dr. Galen "Doc" Adams Amanda Blake (1929-1989) -Miss Kitty Ken Curtis (1916-1991) -Festus Haggen Dennis Weaver (1924-2006) -Chester Goode Bert Ramsey (1892-1974) -Sam Noonan, the Bartender #1 Glenn Strange (1899-1973) -Sam Noonan, the Bartender #2 Pat Hingle (1924-2009) -Dr. John Chapman (6 episodes - 1971) **filling in for Milburn Stone who had suffered a heart attack Fran Ryan (1916-2000) -Miss Hannah (5 eps), Mrs. Keller (1 eps) Burt Reynolds who played Quint is still alive at the time of this writing The show had MANY MANY MANY famous guest stars duing its 20 years run, big celebrities and several well known character actors.  Just to name a few, Doris Singleton, Jim Davis, William Windom, Herb Vigran, Jeanette Nolan and many many more. Please e...
Read more