The Dick Clark Show | |
---|---|
Also known as | Dick Clark's Saturday Night Beechnut Show |
Genre | Musical performance |
Presented by | Dick Clark |
Country of origin | United States |
No. of seasons | Three |
No. of episodes | 136 episodes |
Production | |
Executive producer | Louis M. Hayward Charles Reeves |
Production locations | Little Theater (Manhattan) New York, New York |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Production company | Dick Clark Productions American Broadcasting Company (ABC) |
Original release | |
Network | ABC Network |
Release | February 15, 1958 September 10, 1960 | –
The Dick Clark Show (also known as Dick Clark's Saturday Night Beechnut Show) was a TV musical performance show produced by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) and Dick Clark Productions. It was broadcast weekly in the United States on the ABC television network 7:30-8 PM (Eastern Standard Time) on Saturdays from February 15, 1958 through September 10, 1960, sponsored (except for the first two shows) by Beechnut Gum.
Summary
editGiven that the show ran continually year-round for over two-and-a-half years, resulting in one-hundred-thirty-six episodes, there were no seasons as such — however, the "first season" of twenty-nine shows could be said to run from the premiere through August 30, 1958, the "second season" of fifty-three shows, September 6, 1958 through September 5, 1959, and the "third season" of fifty-four shows, September 12, 1959 through September 10, 1960.
Dick Clark, hosting throughout the entire series, introduced musical guests, who sang/performed (or, more often, lip-synced) their latest popular hit. Often, after a performance (and sometimes before), Dick interviewed the musician(s). Between performances on some shows, Dick also interviewed non-musical celebrity guests, usually a television or movie star — Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, Tony Randall, and Chuck Connors, among others.
The show was filmed in New York City at Manhattan's Little Theater, 240 West 44th Street (except for one set of three shows broadcast remotely from Hollywood, California, August 22, 1959 through September 5, 1959, and another set of five shows broadcast remotely from various locations across the country, June 11, 1960 through July 9, 1960). For the Manhattan broadcasts, the audience sat in theater seats, rather than standing and dancing as in Dick Clark's concurrent pop-music show, American Bandstand — this distinction is the best method to tell if a video recording of an artist's performance is from this show, or from American Bandstand. At the end of each show, Dick Clark would announce the ten most popular songs from the current Top 40 (most with a short soundclip), in reverse order from #10 on down to #1, as the "American Bandstand Top Ten".
First Show
editThe first show was broadcast February 15, 1958[1] with no sponsor — Beechnut began sponsoring the show the third week.[2] Guests on the first show were:
- Pat Boone (interviewed, and singing "Wonderful Time Up There", "It's Too Soon To Know")
- Jerry Lee Lewis ("Breathless", "Great Balls of Fire"[3])
- Connie Francis ("Who's Sorry Now?")
- Johnny Ray (interviewed and plugging his latest single "Strollin' Girl")
- Elaine Berman, President of a Jerry Lee Lewis Fan Club (interviewed)
- Royal Teens ("Short Shorts")
- Chuck Willis ("Betty And Dupree")
Guests included almost every popular American singer of the 1950's. Jackie Wilson and Bobby Rydell were the most frequent guests, each appearing on fourteen different shows. Frankie Avalon and Paul Anka, each with ten appearances, were the next most frequent guests. Next was Jack Scott, on nine shows. Bobby Darin, and Dion and the Belmonts were next with eight appearances each; Johnny Maestro (both solo and as a member of The Crests), Annette Funicello, The Four Preps, Freddy Cannon, and Fabian were next at seven times each. At six times each were Neil Sedaka, Anita Bryant, Conway Twitty, Lloyd Price, Duane Eddy, and Jimmy Clanton.
Excluding the names listed above, at least seventy-five other singers and musicians appeared on two or more shows.[5] Among them, along with a sampling of the songs they sung (and when), were:
- Johnny Cash sang:
- "Guess Things Happen That Way" on the July 5, 1958 show,
- "It's Just About Time" on the December 20, 1958 show,
- "The Rebel — Johnny Yuma" on the March 26, 1960 show.
- Danny and the Juniors sang:
- "Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay" on the February 22, 1958 show,
- "At the Hop" and "Dottie" on the June 21, 1958 show,
- "Twistin' U.S.A." on the September 3, 1960 show.
- Clyde McPhatter sang:
- "A Lover's Question" on the November 15, 1958 show,
- "Since You Been Gone" on the July 4, 1959 show.
- Bill Haley and the Comets sang "Rock Around the Clock", "Shake, Rattle, and Roll", and "Tamami" on the February 20, 1960 show.
- Little Anthony & the Imperials sang
- "Tears on My Pillow" on the August 23, 1958 show,
- "So Much" on the November 29, 1958 show,
- "Shimmy, Shimmy Ko-Ko Bop" on the January 2, 1960 show.
- Billy Bland sang
- "Let the Little Girl Dance" on the April 23, 1960 show,
- "Pardon Me" on the August 6, 1960 show.
- The Chordettes sang:
- "Lollipop" and "Mr. Sandman" on the February 22, 1958 show,
- "Lollipop" and "Zorro" on the April 26, 1958 show,
- "No Other Arms, No Other Lips" on the March 28, 1959 show.
- Everly Brothers sang:
- "All I Have To Do Is Dream" and "Wake Up Little Susie" on the April 5, 1958 show,
- "Cathy's Clown", " When Will I Be Loved?" and "So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)" on the July 9, 1969 Hollywood show.
- Frankie Lymon sang
- "Mama Don't Allow It" on the May 17, 1958 show,
- "Little Bitty Pretty One" on the August 13, 1960 show.
- Chubby Checker sang
- Jimmie Rodgers sang "Honeycomb" on the May 3, 1958 show.
- Eddie Cochran sang:
- "Summertime Blues" on the August 30, 1958 show,
- "C'mon Everybody" on the November 29, 1959 show.
- Sam Cooke sang:
- " Lonely Island" on the March 22, 1958 show,
- "Win Your Love For Me" on the October 11, 1958 show,
- "Everybody Likes To Cha Cha Cha" and "You Send Me" on the March 14, 1959 show,
- "Only Sixteen" on the June 20, 1959 show.[2]
- Fats Domino sang a medley of "I'm In Love Again," "Blueberry Hill" "I Want You To Know", "Ain't That A Shame", "Blue Monday", and "I'm Walkin'" on the March 29, 1958 show.
- La Vern Baker sang:
- "I Cried A Tear" on the January 10, 1959 show,
- "I Waited Too Long" on the May 16, 1959 show.
- The Big Bopper sang "Chantilly Lace" on the September 20, 1958 and the November 22, 1958 shows.
- Chuck Berry sang:
- "Sweet Little Sixteen" on the February 22, 1958 show (second of the series),
- "Johnny B. Goode" on the May 17, 1958 show,
- "Back in the U.S.A." on the July 18, 1959 show.
- Jan and Dean sang
- "Baby Talk" on the September 5, 1959 show,
- "White Tennis Sneakers" on the April 16, 1960 show,
- "Baby Talk" and "We Go Together" on the June 25, 1960 show.
- The Coasters sang:
- "Yakety Yak" on the May 31, 1958 and August 16, 1958 shows,
- "Charlie Brown" on the March 7, 1959 show.
- Johnny Horton sang:
- "The Battle of New Orleans" on the August 29, 1959 Hollywood show,
- "Sink the Bismarck" on the April 2, 1960 Manhatten show.
- Sandy Nelson performed "Teen Beat" on the October 3, 1959 show.
- Johnny Tillotson sang "Why Do I Love You So?" on the February 20, 1960 show.
- Dorsey Burnette sang
- "(There Was A) Tall Oak Tree" on the March 19, 1960 show,
- "Hey Little One" on the June 25, 1960 show.
- Dodie Stevens sang
- "Pink Shoelaces" on the February 28, 1959 show,
- "Miss Lonelyhearts" on the August 22, 1959 show.
Among the single-appearance guests were:
- Buddy Holly sang "It's So Easy" on the October 25, 1958 show.
- Brian Hyland sang "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" at the July 16, 1960 show.
- The Cadillacs sang "Peek A Boo" on the November 22, 1958 show.
- Roy Orbison sang "Only The Lonely" and "Uptown" at the July 23, 1960 show.
- The Ventures performed "Walk, Don't Run" on the August 27, 1960 show.
- The Isley Brothers sang "Shout" on the October 10, 1959 show.
- The Olympics sang "Western Movies" on either the July 26, 1958 show, or the August 2, 1958 show.
- The Teddy Bears sang "To Know Him Is to Love Him" on the November 15, 1958 show.
- The Shirelles sang "I Met Him On A Sunday" on the April 5, 1958 show.
- Bill Justis performed "College Man" and "Raunchy" on the February 22, 1958 show.
- The Chantels sang " Maybe" on the March 1, 1958 show.
- Teresa Brewer sang "There's Nothing As Lonesome As Saturday Night" and "Whirlpool" on the March 1, 1958 show.
- Ritchie Valens sang "Donna" on the December 27, 1958 show.
- Andy Williams sang "Canadian Sunset" and "Are You Sincere?" on the March 15, 1958 show.
- February 22, 1958
Dick Clark interviewed Johnny Carson.
- March 8, 1958
Dick Clark announced that viewers could receive in the mail an "autographed"[6] 45 RPM single of Jerry Lee Lewis's latest hit "Breathless" by sending in five Beechnut Gum wrappers and fifty cents for shipping and handling.[7] 48,000 requests were received.[8] Sun Records sent out the promotional records, the song moved further up the Top 40, and sales of Beechnut Gum increased — the deal made between Dick Clark and Sam Phillips of Sun Records for this promotion drew some criticism and accusations of payola, but resulted in no scandal and no indictments.[9]
- May 10, 1958
Dick Clark interviewed Bob Hope — together, they lip-synced the Hope/Crosby song "Paris Holiday".
- November 29, 1958
Because the show was being filmed the day before Dick Clark's birthday, Bobby Darin and other singers wished Dick Clark a "Happy Birthday" (but did not sing the "Happy Birthday To You" song).
- January 3, 1959
David Seville and The Chipmunks performed "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" — eight days after Christmas.
- 1959 summer-series of three consecutive remote shows broadcast from Hollywood, California
- August 22, 1959
Fabian ("Got the Feeling", "Come on and Get Me"), Bobby Darin ("Mack the Knife", "Dream Lover"), Dodie Stevens ("Miss Lonelyhearts"), and Mitchell Torok ("Caribbean").
- August 29, 1959
Johnny Horton ("Johnny Reb", "Battle Of New Orleans"), The Four Preps ("I Ain't Never"), Connie Stevens ("Why Do I Cry For Joey?"), Paul Petersen and Shelley Fabares (interviewed), The Diamonds ("Young In Years"), and Tab Hunter ("Our Love", "Waiting For Fall").
- September 5, 1959
Duane Eddy, Jan & Dean ("Baby Talk"), Frankie Avalon ("Just Ask Your Heart"), and Anita Bryant ("Til There Was You").
- August 22, 1959
- 1960 summer-series of five consecutive remote shows
- June 11, 1960 (broadcast from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania)
Bobby Darin ("Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home", "I'll Be There"), The Crests ("Trouble in Paradise"), The Fendermen ("Mule Skinner Blues"), Paul Evans ("Happy-Go-Lucky Me"), and The Skyliners ("Pennies from Heaven")
- June 18, 1960 (broadcast from Hollywood, California)
The Safaris ("Image of a Girl"), The Hollywood Argyles (" Alley Oop"), The Crosby Brothers ("The Green Grass Grows"), and Jimmie Rodgers ("Just A Little Closer Walk With Thee")
- June 25, 1960 (broadcast from Treasure Island Naval Base near San Francisco, California)
The Olympics ("Big Boy Pete"), Jan and Dean ("Baby Talk", "We Go Together"), Dorsey Burnette ("Hey Little One"), and The Four Preps ("Got a Girl")
- July 2, 1960 (broadcast from Chicago, Illinois)
Brenda Lee ("I'm Sorry", "That's All You Gotta Do"), Freddy Cannon ("Jump Over"), Tommy Edwards ("I Really Don't Want to Know"), and Jack Scott ("Burning Bridges")
- July 9, 1960 (broadcast from Hollywood, California)
The Everly Brothers ("Cathy's Clown", "When Will I Be Loved?", "So Sad"), Jeanne Black ("He'll Have to Stay", "Lisa"), Deane Hawley ("Look for a Star"), and Larry Bright ("Mo-Jo Workout")
- June 11, 1960 (broadcast from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania)
- August 6, 1960
Chubby Checker introduced The Twist to America.
Last Show
editThe last show was September 10, 1960.[1] Highlights of the series were shown from past shows[4]:
- Bobby Darin ("Splish Splash", "Mack the Knife")
- Connie Francis ("Lipstick on Your Collar")
- Frankie Avalon ("De De Dinah")
- Fabian ("Turn Me Loose")
- Bobby Rydell ("Kissin' Time")
- Annette Funicello and Paul Anka (Medley of hits)
- Duane Eddy and The Rebels ("Rebel Rouser", "40 Miles of Bad Road")
References
edit- ^ a b Brooks, Tim and Marsh, Earle (Edition 7 — 1997), The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows: 1946—Present, Random House Inc., page 537, ISBN 0345455428
- ^ a b Sam's Television Appearances/The Dick Clark Saturday Night Show on the Sam Cooke Fan Clubwebsite
- ^ Clip of 1958 Jerry Lee Lewis performance on YouTube website
- ^ a b c Dick Clark Saturday Night Beechnut Show entry on WWW.TV.COM website
- ^ Full Credits for "The Dick Clark Show" at the Internet Movie Database website
- ^ "...autograph was done with a rubber stamp and green ink..." at the "Jerry Lee Lewis in the 1950's" website
- ^ Poore, Billy (1998) "Rockabilly: A Forty-Year Journey", Hal Leonard Publishing, page 11 ISBN 9780793591428
- ^ Bundy, June "Mail Pull Rates Clark a Topper in TV Promotions", Billboard Magazine, (November 10, 1958), page 46
- ^ Martin, Linda and Segrave, Terry (1993) "Anti-Rock: The Opposition to Rock 'n' Roll", Da Capo Press, p. 100, ISBN 0306805022