The Colgate Summer Comedy Hour
Summer 1954

In 1954, for the first time, The Comedy Hour didn't take a break for the summer. Instead, a series of "travel" musicals was presented with alternating casts headed by Kaye Ballard and Bobby Van on alternating coasts. Later in the summer, the show reverted to its more usual format, but with no set hosts.

Series
#
Season
#
Airdate
Host & Guests
001
CS-01
6/6/1954
"Holiday in New York"
Guests: Kaye Ballard, Jackie Cooper, Jules Munshin, Elise Rhodes, David Daniels, Bart Mayo, Al Goodman and his Orchestra
Note: Variety was disappointed with this effort. "If Sunday's premier entry is to be accepted as a criterion for the summer run," it wrote, "then perhaps Colgate should have put Comedy Hour on ice pending the new fall season." The episode originated from New York.
002
CS-02
6/13/1954
"Let's Go Places"
Guests: Bobby Van, Mary McCarty, Paul Lynde, Barbara Ruick, Paul Gilbert, Vic Schoen and his Orchestra
Note: According to Variety, the show would "have to get a lot better on the material, talent deployment and production before it can hope to win rising mercury viewers." It did, however, single out Bobby Van and Paul Lynde as burgeoning talents. This episode originated from Hollywood.
003
CS-03
6/20/1954
"Continental Holiday"
Guests: Kaye Ballard, Jules Munshin, Andy Griffith
004
CS-04
6/27/1954
"Away From It All"
Guests: Bobby Van, Mary McCarty, Nat King Cole, Gene Sheldon, Paul Lynde
005
CS-05
7/4/1954
"Holiday, U.S.A."
Guests: Charlotte Rae, Jules Munshin, tenor Dino Dante, dancer Johnny Bachemin, The Dance Group, Al Goodman and his Orchestra
006
CS-06
7/11/1954
Guests: Bobby Van, Mary McCarty, Paul Lynde, Martha Stewart
007
CS-07
7/18/1954
"Free and Easy"
Guests: Kaye Ballard, Jules Munshin, vocalist Betty Madigan, dancer Jonathan Lucas
Note: This revue features the songs "Free and Easy" and "Joey."
008
CS-08
7/25/1954
Guests: Bobby Van, Gene Sheldon, Pearl Bailey, Jeff Chandler, Jack Prince, Jay Lawrence
Note: After injuring her leg in rehearsal, Pearl delivers her two songs - "He's Gone" and "Toot Toot Tootsie Goodbye" - sitting on a chaise longue. Actor-turned-crooner Jeff Chandler sings "A Girl, a Boy, a Lamplight" and "That's All She's Waiting to Hear."
009
CS-09
8/1/1954
Guests: Kaye Ballard, Jules Munshin, Mindy Carson, Jeff Chandler, Buddy Lester, Jonathan Lucas, comedy team Marshall and Farrell
Note: Winner of the contest to select America's most beautiful schoolgirl is announced.
010
CS-10
8/8/1954

Guests: Connie Russell, The Will Mastin Trio starring Sammy Davis Jr., Gene Sheldon, Jay Lawrence, The Gaylords, The Nita Bieber Dancers, Vic Schoen and his Orchestra
Announcer: Don Wilson
Note: Originating from Hollywood, this episode has no host, per se. Instead, the guests introduce each other. Sammy sings "Hey There," while Connie does "You've Changed."

011
CS-11
8/15/1954
Guests: Kaye Ballard, Ronny Graham, Miss Universe Miriam Stevenson, The Chords, Willie Mays
Note: This episode originated from New York. Willie performs his hit "Say Hey," and The Chords sing "Sh-Boom."
012
CS-12
8/22/1954
Guests: Margaret Whiting, The Hamilton Trio, Dick Contino, Gene Sheldon, Alan King
013
CS-13
8/29/1954
Guests: Mimi Benzell, Louis Prima, Kaye Ballard, Ronny Graham, Peter Genaro, Dania Kropska
014
CS-14
9/5/1954
Guests: Dorothy Lamour, Nat King Cole, Larry Storch
   
9/12/1954
Pre-empted by "Satins and Spurs" starring Betty Hutton
Resumes as The Colgate Comedy Hour
Copyright 2005 by Jim Davidson. All Rights Reserved.