The Fred Allen Show: Judge For Yourself (1/5/54) Pt. 1

Fred Allen, star of radio, film and vaudeville doesn't possess the legacy of his peers but the master ad-libber could often be funnier than Jack Benny or Groucho Marx. In this episode of Judge For Yourself, Fred pokes fun at You Bet Your Life and gives a great monologue about how music has changed during his lifetime (a similar monologue could easily be made today).

This program is the first of its new format, as the original was apparently too complex and didn't allow enough time for the best part of the show, the contestant interviews.

Assisting Fred Allen on the program were singers Kitty Kallen, Bob Carroll and the Skylarks, conductor Milton DeLugg and commercial spokesman Dennis James and legendary NBC announcer Don Pardo. Songs featured on this broadcast were "Make Love to Me," "'Till We Two Are One," and "Bell Bottom Blues."

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Judge
• for
• Yourself
• Fred
• Allen
• 1954
• Kitty
• Kallen
• Make
• Love
• to
• Me

[Lampshade51]

Fred was just wonderful on radio, but terribly uncomfortable on television. He once said that the commotion on the TV stage (cameras wheeling around, floor director waving their arms, set people running around) distracted him and threw him off.

He really should have hosted a late night chat show with less commotion and more conversation (his specialty was always words not visuals), but this was not to be.

And yes, he was not a matinee idol in looks, but that didn't stop Ed Sullivan!

[tallpaul521]

Fred's gift was a wit, and off the cuff remarks...hard to bottle for TV.

[492Cafe]

Note: Do Not ADjust Your Set.

Audio is right-channel only.

[jeprice08]

@4MaryAnna I can't say I blame you and I'm sorry to hear about your brother.

[jeprice08]

0:59 - 1:09 I love the fanfare! Better than Herb Shriner's fanfare on "Two For The Money!"

[fromthesidelines]

As Herb Shriner did on "TWO FOR THE MONEY", 'apk', Fred always offered contestants a carton of his sponsor's cigarettes, whether they smoked or not (the better to give the product more exposure on camera, in addition to the Old Gold nameplate on Allen's desk, and the billboards prominently displayed across the stage).

[feekie]

I have tried to appreciate FA because there have been many critics who praised his wit and humor. But I just don't find him funny. He laughs at his own "jokes" and I just find him a bit boring.

[slowdream101]

Not bad, but not good either

[4MaryAnna]

I have a bar in my car and you're driving me to drink. I know some people might find that funny,but I don't.My younger brother was killed by a drunk driver.

[apk1215]

LOL. Free cigarettes to "make amends". Never seen that on tv before.

[BARNEYFATSWALT]

DON Pardo announcing!

[35westst]

never brought 'em the success.

contestants tried a' guess.