Martha Tilton - And The Angels Sing (1956)

[fromthesidelines]

Color "kinnies", though, cost twice as much to film as black and white ones, so the networks usually had "live" color programs preserved on black and white film; it's very rare for a color "kinnie" from the '50s to be found.

[dkmckinney1]

@fromthesidelines

Much thanks.

[fromthesidelines]

The "SHOWER OF STARS" specials were staged live from CBS Television City in Hollywood, NOT Desilu (in 1956, their facilities were at Motion Picture Center- they didn't purchase RKO's studio until September 1957). All "live" TV programs were filmed with a special camera {converting the 30 frames per second screen image to a 24 frames per second film speed}- either 16 or 35mm- for delayed rebroadcast on stations unable to carry those programs "live"- and kept by the networks for legal purposes...

[dkmckinney1]

@fromthesidelines

Again, thanks for the great information.

As usual I have re-posted it above.

[ronabbey1940]

I remember seeing Martha and BG at the Paramount in NYC. She was a great singer and good looking.

[dkmckinney1]

@ronabbey1940 I wish I could have been there; I was born too late.

I ran across this note on the Tilton site:

"Martha had many exciting experiences while singing with Goodman. When Benny was at the Paramount in New York a couple of enthusiasts jumped on the stage and started dancing. This is the first known instance of such exhibitionism. The incident was unforgettable because the boy who was dancing accidentally kicked Martha and she collapsed on the stage."

Thanks for the great comment.

[treborrekrab]

I recently saw the first b&w videotape program 'The Edsel Show', broadcast in 1958 with Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra at the Radio/TV Museum in Beverly Hills. It was eye popping. There was a group called LiveFeed that can make old kinescopes look

[dkmckinney1]

@treborrekrab The film scratches are the key .  Thanks for your response. Never heard of the Edsel show but with Crosby and Sinatra it must have been good. I'll check out LiveFeed soon. Thanks again.

[treborrekrab]

It just seems like a well preserved b&w kinescope of a live color broadcast on CBS. I have other examples of 'Shower of Stars' on DVD. It's not in super condition, after all we're seeing it on a tiny YouTube screen. You the occasional film scratch. If it was videotape it would be perfect.

[dkmckinney1]

Hello,

Thanks for the keen observation and comment. I’m definitely no expert on Kinescope prints. The information I received with this recording specified it was, that. It is true this is one of the better/best looking ones, if it is one. My burning question is this (yes I believe it really did broadcast live in color in 1956): If not Kinescope what would the source be? Some kind of early videotape feed, or live black/white film, or what?

MORE ON NEXT POST

[dkmckinney1]

If a copy of videotape how did it survive being erased/reused?

Is it plausible that it wasn’t broadcast live, although advertised and aired as such, that it was filmed in color and later broadcast from film on schedule, and this is a copy of a b/w print (or reduction print) of an original color film?

Any clarifications or ideas are always welcome.

Thanks again.

[wasittoyou]

@dkmckinney1 Hi and thankyou for uploading the DIVINE Miss Tilton. The kinescope was made from a "live"

broadcast. Desilu produced these shows for the Chrysler Corporation and were filmed before a studio audience in color. Hosted by William Lundigan and Jack Benny, but Red Skelton hosted some of them too with co-host Ethel Merman.

Please do upload any other "Shower of Stars". in your collection. True treasures of bygone times.

Thanx so much

[dkmckinney1]

@wasittoyou

Thanks for the great comment and additional clarification with great details. You are really appreciated. I am thankful they were recorded and preserved as well as they were; Its like dipping back into history. This one is "goosebump worthy".

[treborrekrab]

So this is a b&w kinescope of a rare CBS color broadcast. Pretty good considering most b&w kinescopes off a live color monitor don't usually look this good. Thanks for posting.

[beforeourveryeyes]

thank you

[countessyasmin]

love it!!

[dkmckinney1]

@countessyasmin

Thanks for the nice comment.

[luckinbill]

The trumpet solo that "takes away from the song" was by the great Ziggy Elman who co-wote the song with Johnny Mercer. I love MT also, but his trumpet solo only adds to the song.

[laltman10]

Beautiful voice and song...wish they'd delete that speeded up instrumental in the middle...only takes away from the song.

[JGMagoo]

Martha Tilton is one of the all time greats.

For a story and a video that will touch your heart and also knock your socks off, Google search "Grey Eagles P 51" a short video about her husband Jim Brooks a hero of WWII who flew the P51 Mustang in Europe.

[dkmckinney1]

@JGMagoo

How right you are. The video is really good at doing just that, "knock your socks off". I will post the links in the video info above also. Thanks for the great comment.

[xNiinaax99]

this gives me goosebumps :) <3

[dkmckinney1]

@xNiinaax99 Me too since the first time I heard a recording of this song. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[BrickPa]

To date this is quite possibly my favorite of all songs! I don't believe I've heard a "bad" version of it yet. But that being said Martha's 1939 version with the Benny Goodman Band is my favorite vocal version and The Tommy Dorsey band version with Ziggy on trumpet is my favorite instrumental version. And hearing Martha & Ziggy together for this version is great! Thanks for a superior post!

[dkmckinney1]

@BrickPa

I believe you are correct: There is no bad version of MT singing And The Angels Sing. Each version has its unique qualities. The 1939 Camel Caravan version has a quality like no other; the 1939 Victor copy is also unique. Although many may be looking for a more polished and professional version and that would have to be the 1955 Capitol LP I believe it is spotless! My preference is the 1939 Camel Caravan version which I am very fond of. Thanks for commenting.

[DrkAllanon]

LOVE big band. thanks for the post.

[dkmckinney1]

You are welcome. Big band is the best with Martha Tilton's vocals, (I think she's about 41 here). Thanks for watching.