The Colgate Comedy Hour is an American comedy-musical variety series that aired live on the NBC network from 1950 to 1955. The show starred many notable comedians and entertainers of the era, including Eddie Cantor, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Fred Allen, Donald O'Connor, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, Ray Bolger, Gordon MacRae, Ben Blue, Robert Paige, Tony Curtis, Burt Lancaster, Broadway dancer Wayne Lamb and Spike Jones and His City Slickers.
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42 episodes
- 1. Revenge with MusicEddie Cantor hosts the premiere episode of the series, joined by actor/dancer Tommy Wonder, opera soprano Yma Sumac, dancer Danny Daniels, Yiddish theatre star Joseph Buloff, Lew Hearn, Robert Gari, Jack Albertson, the ballet team of Val Buttingnol and Joy Williams, and Al Goodman and his Orchestra. The program was promoted in the NY Times as "a nostalgic review recalling the halcyon days of the New Amsterdam theater at Broadway and 42nd Street".NRCCSep 10, 1950
- 2. Let's Face ItHosted by Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, has Dean and Jerry alongside gorgeous Marilyn Maxwell ("The Lemon Drop Kid") and comedian Leonard Barr. Sketches include a backstage bit with Martin and Lewis goofing around in their dressing room, and another with Jerry playing a little kid who goes to the movies with grown up Dean.NRCCSep 17, 1950
- 3. Fred AllenFred Allen makes his hosting debut. His guests include actors Monte Woolley and Peter Donald; Risë Stevens from the Metropolitian Opera; ballet stars Sono Osato, Hugh Laing and Zachary Solov; Tony award winner David Burns; Fred Allen's radio co-horts Kenny Delmar, Minerva Pious, Parker Fennelly; with Al Goodman and his Orchestra.NRCCSep 24, 1950
- 4. 10/1/1950In this episode sponsored by Frigidaire, Bobby Clark makes his debut as host. His guests include actress Joan Blondell and Broadway composer Sigmund Romberg. Clark appears in a comedy sketch about TV cameras in the courtroom.NRCCOct 1, 1950
- 5. Eddie CantorEddie Cantor returns as host with Al Goodman and his Orchestra. Cantor does a sketch with his character 'Maxi the Taxi', and performs 'Dinah' in a production number.NRCCOct 8, 1950
- 6. Martin & Lewis: Anything GoesKitty Kallen; The Skylarks; Mayor Ralph Villani of Newark, N.J.; Mayor Walter Sterling of Steubenville, Ohio; and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra.NRCCOct 15, 1950
- 7. Fred AllenFred Allen hosts and welcomes guests Broadway actress/singer Ella Logan; dancers Anthony, Allyn and Hodges; comedians Mort and Art Havel; and from Allen's radio program comedian (and Allen's wife) Portland Hoffa, Parker Fennelly and Peter Donald.NRCCOct 22, 1950
- 8. Bobby ClarkVaudeville and film comedian Bobby Clark hosted this show sponsored by Frigidaire. Clark welcomes baseball announcer Mel Allen; singer/actress Frances Langford; tennis player Gussie Moran; Argentinian jugglers Atilio and Hector, The Peiro Brothers; and comedy act The AlbinsNRCCOct 29, 1950
- 9. Eddie CantorEddie Cantor hosts and is joined by his wife, Ida Cantor; his son-in law actor Robert Gari; radio comedian Charlie Cantor (no relation); dancers Fred and Sledge; Lesli Scott; Bil and Cora Baird's Marionettes; and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.NRCCNov 5, 1950
- 10. Martin & LewisDean Martin and Jerry Lewis return with guests singer/actress Kitty Kallen; future 'Jackie Gleason Show' co-star Joyce Randoph; comic dancer Leonard Barr; comic actor Sammy Petrillo; the dance team of De May and Moore; singers The Skylarks; and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra.NRCCNov 12, 1950
- 11. Fred AllenFred Allen hosts with guests humorist/author H. Allen Smith; Tony award winning actress Sheila Bond; and Broadway performer Billy Tabbert.NRCCNov 19, 1950
- 12. Bob HopeA nervous-looking Bob Hope makes his debut as host in this Frigidaire-sponsored episode. His guests include: Marilyn Maxwell; country singer Jimmy Wakely; vocalists The Taylor Maids; dance troupe The High Hatters; dancer Judy Kelly; Nelson Case; and Les Brown and his Band of Renown. This show is performed before an all-military audience.NRCCNov 26, 1950
- 13. Eddie CantorEddie Cantor hosts and welcomes guests jazz pianist Joe Bushkin; actor Jack Albertson; co-star of the TV series 'Mama', Dick Van Patten; actress Connie Sawyer; acrobats The Amadis; June Keegan; and dancers Les Zoris.NRCCDec 3, 1950
- 14. Tickets Please!Comic dancers Paul and Grace (The Hartmans) star in this adaptation of their just-ended Broadway review, 'Tickets, Please!" Joining them are cast members from the show: Jack Albertson, Tommy Wonder, Dorothy Jarnac, Patricia Bright, Bill Norvas, Mildred Hughes, Warde Donovan, The Upstarts.NRCCDec 10, 1950
- 15. 12/17/1950Fred Allen makes his final appearance as host. His guests include: comic Doc Rockwell; opera singer Eileen Farrell; The Christianis acrobat act; and from Allen's radio show Kenny Delmar, Minerva Pious, Peter Donald, and Parker Fennelly. Music is provided by Al Goodman and his orchestra.NRCCDec 17, 1950
- 16. Bob HopeBob Hope hosts this episode, sponsored by Frigidaire. His guests include: His guests include: opera star Lily Pons; Elanor Roosevelt; Bob Cummings; harpist Robert Maxwell; New York Mayor Vincent Impellitteri; the Boys' Choir from the Cathedral of St. John the Divine; and Charles Sandford and his Orchestra.NRCCDec 24, 1950
- 17. Eddie CantorDanny Thomas, Ed Wynn and Sigmund Romberg.NRCCDec 31, 1950
- 18. Abbot & CostelloAbbott and Costello's first time as hosts. Several comedy routines including their classic: "Who's On First".NRCCJan 7, 1951
- 19. Jerry LesterJoan Bennett; Fred Allen; Pat O'Brien; Kukla, Fran & Ollie; The Mello-Larks the cast of Broadway Open House: Dagmar; David Street; Jack Adrian; Milton DeLugg; and Wayne Howell.NRCCJan 14, 1951
- 20. Bobby ClarkJulie Wilson; Willie, West and McGinty; The Maxwells; Miriam Wakefield; Bobby Lane and Claire; Jack Mann; Dick Dana; and Tom Jones and his Orchestra.NRCCJan 21, 1951
- 21. Eddie CantorLee Fairfax, Basil O'Connor, Dave Powell, Joe Marks, and Estelle Sloan.NRCCJan 28, 1951
- 22. Martin & LewisPolly Bergen, Mary Ann Niles, Bob Fosse, and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra. Note: Martin & Lewis had not hosted in nearly three months only because they were off in Hollywood making a movie.NRCCFeb 4, 1951
- 23. The Spike Jones ShowThe City Slickers, George Rock, Sir Frederick Gas, Freddy and Dick Morgan, Bill King, The Wayne Marlin Trio, Lois Ray, Gale Robbins, and Laverne Pearson Note: There was also a cameo appearance by the Today Show's Dave Garroway and a look at a very young announcer, Mike Wallace.NRCCFeb 11, 1951
- 24. Bobby ClarkBasil Rathbone, Sarah Churchill, Walter Abel, Nelson Case, Mary Boland, Fran Warren, and Danny Scholl.NRCCFeb 18, 1951
- 25. Eddie CantorLena Horne, Jack Albertson, Charlie Cantor, Bil and Cora Baird Marionettes, Landre and Verna, Phil Kramer, Marcia Walter, Chris Barbery, and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.NRCCFeb 25, 1951
- 26. Tony MartinMilton Berle, The Andrews Sisters, and Leonard Sues.NRCCMar 4, 1951
- 27. Abbot & CostelloLon Chaney Jr.; Sid Fields; Jarmila Novotna; Jesse, James & Carnell; Milton Frome; Ann Thomas; Gregg Sherwood; and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.NRCCMar 11, 1951
- 28. Beatrice LillieRex Harrison, Wally Cox, Nelson Case, Jean Sablon, Valerie Bettis.NRCCMar 18, 1951
- 29. Eddie CantorJimmy Durante, Eddie Jackson, and Al Goodman and his Orchestra.NRCCMar 25, 1951
- 30. Eddie CantorEddie Fisher, Joel Grey, William Warfield, Evelyn Gould, Gehrig and Weismuller, Tony and Eddy, and Michell Auclair.NRCCApr 1, 1951
- 31. Bob HopeRex Harrison, Frank Sinatra, Eddie Cantor, Ed Wynn, Jimmy Durante, Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Lilli Palmer, Janis Paige, Arthur Treacher, Frank "Sugar Chile" Robinson, Tex and Jinx McCrary, Faye Emerson, Ken Murray, and Toots Shor.NRCCApr 8, 1951
- 32. Tony MartinTony Martin hosts this installment. His guests include: comedian Fred Allen; actress Celeste Holm; ballet star Kathryn Lee; jazz clarinetist Peanuts Hucko; Broadway performer Joe Silver; character actor Richard Loo; actress Lynn Loring; comedians Art & Mort Havel; and Al Goodman and his Orchestra. Martin's songs include 'If', 'You', and 'For Every Man There's a Woman'. In comedy, Fred Allen portrays Chinese detective One Long Pan.NRCCApr 15, 1951
- 33. Eddie CantorEddie Cantor hosts this weeks show. His guests include: actress Anne Jeffreys; Robert Gari; Charlie Cantor; dancers Gehrig and Weismuller, Hal Loman and Joan Field. Cantor performs a 'Maxi the Taxi' sketch, and joins Jeffreys for a comic bit from 'Taming of the Shrew'.NRCCApr 22, 1951
- 34. Martin & LewisDean Martin and Jerry Lewis host this telecast from Chicago. Their guests include: singer Helen O'Connell; dance team Bob Fosse & Mary Ann Niles; Ladd Lyon; announcer Mike Wallace; and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra. Martin's songs include 'I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now.'NRCCApr 29, 1951
- 35. Phil SilversPhil Silvers hosts this week's edition. His guest list includes: Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis; singer Vivian Blaine; comic Joey Faye; and Al Goodman and his Orchestra. Blaine and Silvers duet on 'When You And I Were Young Maggie Blues', and so she does 'What Is This Thing Called Love?'NRCCMay 6, 1951
- 36. Beatrice LillieBeatrice Lillie hosts this episode sponsored by Frigidaire. Her guests include: singer Dick Haymes; comic actor Wally Cox; actor Victor Moore; singer/actor Harold Lang; and Broadway star Helen Gallagher. Music includes 'Without a Song' and 'Bye Bye Blackbird' from Haymes.NRCCMay 13, 1951
- 37. Martin & LewisDean Martin and Jerry Lewis host this week's show. Their guests include: singer Jane Morgan; the dance team of Bob Fosse & Mary Ann Niles; a cameo by Eddie Cantor; and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra.NRCCMay 20, 1951
- 38. Eddie CantorEddie Cantor hosts this week's show. His guests include: a teen-aged Joel Grey; big band vocalist Connie Haines; Charlie Cantor; Herbert Coleman; Monsieur Crayone; TV actor Joe Silver; Lou Wills Jr.; and a cameo from active Army member Eddie Fisher. Cantor performs another 'Maxi the Taxi' sketch.NRCCMay 27, 1951
- 39. Martin & LewisDean Martin and Jerry Lewis host this week's episode. Their guests include: The DeMarco Sisters; comedian/singer Sonny King; actor Tommy Farrell; Rosette Shaw; comic actor and 'Colgate' writer Danny Arnold; The Johnny Conrad Dancers; cameo by Tony Curtis; and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra. Dean's songs include 'Isle of Capri' and 'Too Young' The DeMarco Sisters perform 'I'm Late.'NRCCJun 3, 1951
- 40. Jackie Gleason and Fred AllenJackie Gleason, starring on DuMont's 'Cavalcade of Stars', hosts this episode sponsored by Frigidaire. His guests include: Fred Allen; Vivian Blaine and actress Joan Carroll.NRCCJun 10, 1951
- 41. Eddie CantorEddie Cantor is the host and welcomes guests including: 'Mr. Television' Milton Berle; comics Jack E. Leonard and Phil Foster, bombshell Dagmar; Junie Keegan; and Ida Cantor. Also, appearances by Cantor's daughter Marilyn and Berle's daughter Vicki. Cantor performs another 'Maxi the Taxi' comedy sketch with Foster. Also, there's a musical salute to songwriter Irving Berlin.NRCCJun 17, 1951
- 42. Martin & LewisDean Martin and Jerry Lewis host this first season closer. Their guests include: singer Janis Paige; comic and show writer Danny Arnold; The Johnny Conrad Dancers; cameos by Tony Martin and Joe Louis; and Dick Stabile and his Orchestra. Music includes Paige doing 'Those Old Phonograph Records'.NRCCJun 24, 1951
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The Colgate Comedy Hour
★ 6.9/1019506 seasons208 episodesEnded
This was a Colgate-sponsored comedy hour that featured many notable comedians and entertainers of the era as guest stars.
The Colgate Comedy Hour is an American comedy-musical variety series that aired live on the NBC network from 1950 to 1955. The show starred many notable comedians and entertainers of the era, including Eddie Cantor, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Fred Allen, Donald O'Connor, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, Ray Bolger, Gordon MacRae, Ben Blue, Robert Paige, Tony Curtis, Burt Lancaster, Broadway dancer Wayne Lamb and Spike Jones and His City Slickers.
Creators and cast
- Created by
- Fred Hamilton
- Studio
- Colgate-Palmolive-Peet, NBC
