THE BIG SHOW

ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 4/1/51 (Live - from Hollywood)
NETWORK: NBC
RUNNING TIME: 90 Minutes

The Cast
Ethel Barrymore
Joan Davis
Bob Hope
Van Johnson
Groucho Marx
Ezio Pinza
Meredith Willson and The Big Show Orchestra & Chorus
Tallulah Bankhead (Host)

Click here to listen to excerpts from this program

Show Format

SEGMENT #1: Tallulah Bankhead and Bob Hope trade barbs. They also talk about Bing Crosby who was scheduled to appear as well, but missed the broadcast due to illness.

SEGMENT #2: Tallulah Bankhead and Bob Hope perform the song "Put It There, Pal" with special lyrics written for them.

SEGMENT #3: Van Johnson performs a scene from the film "Go For Broke."

SEGMENT #4: Tallulah Bankhead talks with Van Johnson. Bob Hope joins in.

SEGMENT #5: Van Johnson sings "Pennies From Heaven" while Bob Hope makes needling comments directed toward Bing Crosby.

SEGMENT #6: Meredith Willson and The Big Show Orchestra & Chorus perform a musical interlude.

SEGMENT #7: Tallulah Bankhead talks about the recent Academy Awards and she lets the audience know that Judy Holliday will be making a surprise guest appearance via telephone later in the show.

SEGMENT #8: Tallulah Bankhead and Groucho Marx talk about the Academy Awards.

SEGMENT #9: Tallulah Bankhead introduces Groucho Marx to Ezio Pinza.

SEGMENT #10: Ezio Pinza sings the aria "Non Piu Andrai" from the opera "The Marriage of Figaro."

SEGMENT #11: Ethel Barrymore does a dramatic reading of the poem "The West Wind" by John Masefield. The reading is accompanied by music that was composed by Lionel Barrymore.

SEGMENT #12: Tallulah Bankhead and Ethel Barrymore trade barbs and talk about Bette Davis.

SEGMENT #13: Tallulah Bankhead talks with Joan Davis. Ethel Barrymore joins in.

SEGMENT #14: Joan Davis sings "Happiness" accompanied by Bob Hope, Groucho Marx, Van Johnson and Ezio Pinza.

SEGMENT #15: Tallulah Bankhead and Bob Hope talk about his new film "The Lemon Drop Kid."

SEGMENT #16: Bob Hope performs a stand-up comedy routine.

SEGMENT #17: Tallulah Bankhead talks with Ezio Pinza.

SEGMENT #18: Ezio Pinza sings "Andiamo" from his new film "Mr. Imperium."

SEGMENT #19: While Tallulah Bankhead tries to get Judy Holliday on the phone, Bob Hope, Groucho Marx, Van Johnson and Joan Davis trade barbs.

SEGMENT #20: The guest stars take turns congratulating Judy Holliday on her recent Oscar victory. Click here to read a transcript of this segment. The segment runs 4 and a half minutes.

SEGMENT #21: The entire cast take turns singing the verses of the show's closing theme song, "May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You."

Show Credits

Produced and Directed by Dee Engelbach

Written by Goodman Ace, Selma Diamond, George Foster, Mort Greene and Frank Wilson

Announcer Jimmy Wellington