I stumbled across this quite by accident. It is always so refreshing to see a show where Arlene Francis was into. Thank you for sharing this with everyone.
i'm proud to say arlene, the co-host of HOME and barbara walters, the first female co host of THE TODAY SHOW, were both boston women who contributed in a big way in the pioneering of american network tv.
great period stuff. i think homer simpson had one of those niagra recliners. i always noticed how arlene (a new yorker) would always make fun of fake southern accents on what's my line. anyone think ole jack turner here (with a daughter named 'dixie') was on the "white citizens council" in alabama? you know, the one that haley barbour says was just a benign southern business group during the civil rights era?
@tomitstube lol, arlene was a true yankee. in fact she was a bostonian...born and live there until the age of 7 when her family did indeed move to nyc.
It was probably in the Fall of 1957 when I was 9 that I appeared on the Arlene Francis Show (with Hugh Downs) with my dog Tippy. There was a 5 minute segment at the end of each show for a kid and their pet. Tippy did everything BUT the tricks she was so good at, the most memorable being - using the stage as a doggy toilet. We can laugh about it now - but wasn't funny then! I think Arlene was a bit perturbed.
I watched the Home Show every day during summers off school throughout its existence; I was 14 through 17 then. I remember early appearances of Carol Burnett singing "I'm In Love With John Foster Dulles." And I remember the morning air raid sirens were being tested in Manhattan and Arlene opened the big studio doors and walked outside as the camera and microphone followed. And the Dream Home contest. Very avant garde for the time.
@waynebrasler I wasn't around yet when "Home" was in first-run, and wish there were more episodes available, because it is a gem. There are lots of stills out there from the show, if you look around. Arlene wrote that the house she and Martin Gabel built in Mount Kisco, NY, was largely modeled off the Dream Home. Her warmth, energy, and genuine interest in her guests really radiated through the camera, and there are few out there, if any, who can do it as well as she did. She was the best!
This was the midday show, created by Mr. Weaver (father of Sigourney) who also started the Today show and the Tonight show. According to Arlene Francis' autobiography, it just got too expensive to continue, so the network cancelled it. She was one of the most articulate, intelligent, charming women ever on stage, screen, and radio.
Wow, is this good. Sara, thank you for posting this group of clips...they are an absolute treasure. Not only is this a treat for those of us who are AF fans, but it is a great snapshot of our society. The television industry should take more of its inspiration from programs like this.
"HOME", the mid-morning equivalent of "THE TODAY SHOW", lasted on NBC from 1954 through '57, co-hosted by Arlene Francis and Hugh Downs [who became host of "TODAY" in 1962, through 1971]. These days, a fourth hour of "TODAY" in the same time period [10am(et)] features Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb...the less said about that, the better.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
1957 The U.S. still had borders, and a WHITE European majority, and the media owners could not dare foist the level of TV slime time they foist on US today.
Look how far we have fallen, not to mention Public broadcasting sucks big time, lol.
This is a treat to finally see this groundbreaking but little-known show. For anyone who's interested, there's a detailed history of Home and a analysis of the show's ahead of its time feminist role model (Miss Arlene, of course) in a book called "What Women Watched: Daytime TV in the 1950's" by Marsha F. Cassidy (Univ. of Texas Press).
@staytunedfor thank you for the information, i'll certainly check out the book.
however, i've one small bone to pick. during it's day HOME was not little-known. i was a child then & remember it as very popular at the time. i've never forgotten the program. it was the highlight of rainy/snowy mornings for us kids...next to cartoons!
unfortunately, like many good things time's not been kind & history hasn't remembered it as it should! even "i love lucy's" has been relegated to 2nd best today!
Where do you come across such treasures? Arlenes southern accent is cute :) Love when she talks about Scarlett O'hara etc. I would love to attend a party hosted by Arlene :) I bought a necklace just like hers. The diamond heart. I wear it all the time just like Miss Francis did :)
She really was something wasn't she.
americanmanhood 3 months ago
I stumbled across this quite by accident. It is always so refreshing to see a show where Arlene Francis was into. Thank you for sharing this with everyone.
Dominick1956 5 months ago
i'm proud to say arlene, the co-host of HOME and barbara walters, the first female co host of THE TODAY SHOW, were both boston women who contributed in a big way in the pioneering of american network tv.
wntoply6 6 months ago
Ah, the beautiful, lively, jazzy, and quick-witted Arlene Francis at her best! Thanks so much for this treasure of a post
TheAverycross 8 months ago
great period stuff. i think homer simpson had one of those niagra recliners. i always noticed how arlene (a new yorker) would always make fun of fake southern accents on what's my line. anyone think ole jack turner here (with a daughter named 'dixie') was on the "white citizens council" in alabama? you know, the one that haley barbour says was just a benign southern business group during the civil rights era?
tomitstube 10 months ago
@tomitstube lol, arlene was a true yankee. in fact she was a bostonian...born and live there until the age of 7 when her family did indeed move to nyc.
wntoply6 6 months ago
It was probably in the Fall of 1957 when I was 9 that I appeared on the Arlene Francis Show (with Hugh Downs) with my dog Tippy. There was a 5 minute segment at the end of each show for a kid and their pet. Tippy did everything BUT the tricks she was so good at, the most memorable being - using the stage as a doggy toilet. We can laugh about it now - but wasn't funny then! I think Arlene was a bit perturbed.
fergy429 11 months ago
@fergy429 ~ funny story. tippy got the best of everyone.
tomitstube 10 months ago
I watched the Home Show every day during summers off school throughout its existence; I was 14 through 17 then. I remember early appearances of Carol Burnett singing "I'm In Love With John Foster Dulles." And I remember the morning air raid sirens were being tested in Manhattan and Arlene opened the big studio doors and walked outside as the camera and microphone followed. And the Dream Home contest. Very avant garde for the time.
waynebrasler 1 year ago
@waynebrasler I wasn't around yet when "Home" was in first-run, and wish there were more episodes available, because it is a gem. There are lots of stills out there from the show, if you look around. Arlene wrote that the house she and Martin Gabel built in Mount Kisco, NY, was largely modeled off the Dream Home. Her warmth, energy, and genuine interest in her guests really radiated through the camera, and there are few out there, if any, who can do it as well as she did. She was the best!
delightfulstar 1 year ago
This was the midday show, created by Mr. Weaver (father of Sigourney) who also started the Today show and the Tonight show. According to Arlene Francis' autobiography, it just got too expensive to continue, so the network cancelled it. She was one of the most articulate, intelligent, charming women ever on stage, screen, and radio.
beboos1 1 year ago
Wow, is this good. Sara, thank you for posting this group of clips...they are an absolute treasure. Not only is this a treat for those of us who are AF fans, but it is a great snapshot of our society. The television industry should take more of its inspiration from programs like this.
delightfulstar 2 years ago 2
I wish I could've known Arlene. I think she was a genuinely warm person.
ameroux 2 years ago 3
This is FABULOUS!
FergusMcDopey 2 years ago
"HOME", the mid-morning equivalent of "THE TODAY SHOW", lasted on NBC from 1954 through '57, co-hosted by Arlene Francis and Hugh Downs [who became host of "TODAY" in 1962, through 1971]. These days, a fourth hour of "TODAY" in the same time period [10am(et)] features Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb...the less said about that, the better.
fromthesidelines 2 years ago 12
This comment has received too many negative votes show
1957 The U.S. still had borders, and a WHITE European majority, and the media owners could not dare foist the level of TV slime time they foist on US today.
Look how far we have fallen, not to mention Public broadcasting sucks big time, lol.
Nationsnotregimes 2 years ago
This is a treat to finally see this groundbreaking but little-known show. For anyone who's interested, there's a detailed history of Home and a analysis of the show's ahead of its time feminist role model (Miss Arlene, of course) in a book called "What Women Watched: Daytime TV in the 1950's" by Marsha F. Cassidy (Univ. of Texas Press).
staytunedfor 2 years ago 4
@staytunedfor thank you for the information, i'll certainly check out the book.
however, i've one small bone to pick. during it's day HOME was not little-known. i was a child then & remember it as very popular at the time. i've never forgotten the program. it was the highlight of rainy/snowy mornings for us kids...next to cartoons!
unfortunately, like many good things time's not been kind & history hasn't remembered it as it should! even "i love lucy's" has been relegated to 2nd best today!
wntoply6 6 months ago
Where do you come across such treasures? Arlenes southern accent is cute :) Love when she talks about Scarlett O'hara etc. I would love to attend a party hosted by Arlene :) I bought a necklace just like hers. The diamond heart. I wear it all the time just like Miss Francis did :)
BethBetteJulie 2 years ago 7
SO cute :D totally made my morning good!! Already said it to you, but: Arlene is such a great hostess :D Thanks for posting!!
ClassicFilmFan 2 years ago 5
Thank you for posting this! I love seeing Arlene! I wish I could see more episodes of her HOME show!
YellowDogTV 2 years ago 5
YEAAAAAAAYYYYY SARA!!!!!
allegrazie 2 years ago 5
These are awesome. Not sure how you got them, but I'm glad you have them and that you are very kindly sharing them!! Thank you! :)
EDH1712 2 years ago 12
Thank you sooooooo much Sara! Gosh, where did you find these? Keep these forever, they're treasures!!!
weatdamal 2 years ago 5