| 54th Street Revue | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Variety |
| Written by | |
| Directed by | Ralph Levy |
| Presented by |
|
| Music by | Al Selden and Bill Scudder |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 29 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Barry Wood |
| Running time | 44-52 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | May 5, 1949 (1949-05-05) – January 20, 1950 (1950-01-20) |
54th Street Revue is an American variety television program that was broadcast on CBS from May 5, 1949, through March 25, 1950. The program was a "showcase for up-and-coming professionals", originating from a theater on54th Street in New York City.[1]
Hosts for54th Street Revue included Jack Sterling, Al Bernie,[2] Billy Vine,[3] andJoey Faye.[4] Regular performers on the program included Bambi Lynn, Annabel Lyons,Joe Silver,[5] Pat Bright, Russell Arms, Marilyn Day, Cliff Tatum, Butch Cavell,[6]Bob Fosse, Mort Marshall, Wynn Murray, andCarl Reiner[1] The regular cast changed frequently as entertainers found other jobs "that were more substantial than employment in early television".[7]
Barry Wood was the executive producer, withRalph Levy as director. Al Selden and Bill Scudder created original music and lyrics for the show.[1] Writers included Alan Sands, Jess Kaplan,[8]George Axelrod,Allan Sherman, andMax Wilk.[1] Harry Sosnick directed the orchestra.[9] The program initially was on Thursdays from 8 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. In September 1949 it moved to Fridays from 9 to 10 p.m., ET, and in January 1950 it moved to Saturdays from 8 to 9 p.m. ET.[7]
Although the program was scheduled to end in late November 1949, its time on the air was extended "at least through Dec. 23".[10] In late January 1950, its run was extended again on an alternate-weeks schedule as two advertising agencies showed interest in its "rising ratings and its low budget".[11]
A review in the February 1, 1950, issue of the trade publicationVariety noted that the program's pace had "become too even and placid for its own good."[12]
A review inThe New York Times called54th Street Revue "a pleasant enough undertaking, with several bright spots" but said that it was unlikely to change existing TV ratings.[13] The review said that Sterling's personality fell short of what the show needed. The weakest component, it added were sketches, "which for the most part have been very labored".[13] The review concluded with a suggestion that cutting the program to 30 minutes might make it better.[13]