Pre-1946 US television series debuts
by Thor-Delta | created - 22 Dec 2013 | updated - 23 Apr 2017 | PublicThis is a VERY incomplete list of US television series which debuted prior to 1946.
See also this list of 1946 TV debuts:
[link]http://www.imdb.com/list/MdKKkXTz8P8/[/link]
And this list of 1930s BBC series:
[link]http://www.imdb.com/list/0bWgT237jMs/[/link]
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. The Television Ghost (1931–1933)
15 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
The ghosts of various murder victims tell their terrifying and haunting stories.
Stars: George Kelting, Bill Schudt
Votes: 39
W2XAB
2. Harriet Lee (1931– )
15 min | Music
Aired in a 15-minute time-slot, this was a music program with popular radio singer Harriet Lee, and aired on mechanical television.
Star: Harriet Lee
W2XAB
3. Bridge Lesson (1931– )
15 min
George Reith gives instructions on contract bridge, in a series aired on mechanical television in New York City.
Star: George Reith
W2XAB
4. Helen Haynes (1931–1932)
15 min | Music
A music program aired in a quarter-hour time-slot on mechanical television.
Star: Helen Haynes
W2XAB
6. Poet's Favorites (1931– )
15 min | Talk-Show
A program of poetry which aired on mechanical television.
Star: Peter De Lima
W2XAB
7. Piano Lessons (1931–1932)
30 min | Music
A series of piano lessons broadcast on mechanical television. Originally aired in a 30-minute time-slot, later aired in a 15-minute time-slot.
Star: G. Aldo Randegger
Votes: 7
W2XAB
9. Exhibition Boxing Bouts (1931–1932)
30 min | Sport
This very early television series presented boxing matches. Some episodes aired in a 30-minute time-slot, others aired in a 15-minute time-slot.
Stars: Dick Madeo, Bill Schudt
W2XAB
10. Reis and Dunn (1931– )
15 min | Music
W2XAB's programming was similar to a vaudeville program, with each act given their own segment on the schedule. Vaudeville and radio act Reis and Dunn appeared in a segment several times on the experimental television station.
Stars: Artie Dunn, Les Reis
W2XAB
11. Doris Sharp (1931–1932)
15 min | Music
From 1931 to 1932 Doris Sharp did well-received 15-minute segments on early experimental television, where she sang songs.
Star: Doris Sharp
W2XAB
12. Elliot Jaffee (1931–1932)
15 min | Music
A music program featuring tenor Elliot Jaffee.
Star: Elliot Jaffee
W2XAB
13. Grace Yeager (1931–1932)
Music
This television series was a music program featuring soprano Grace Yeager.
Star: Grace Yeager
W2XAB
14. Grace Voss (1931–1932)
15 min | Drama
W2XAB's schedule was arranged like a vaudeville program, with each performer given their own segment. In her segment, Grace Voss, a dancer, gave dramatic pantomimes.
Star: Grace Voss
W2XAB
15. Alice Remsen (1931– )
15 min | Music
Singer and composer Alice Remsen had a semi-regular segment on early television station W2XCD, with running times ranging from 15 minutes to 30 minutes.
Star: Alice Remsen
W2XCD
16. Natalie Towers (1931– )
15 min
Natalie Towers was named the "Television Girl". She was an entertainer, doing dances and such.
Star: Natalie Towers
W2XAB
17. Fundamentals of Television (1931– )
15 min | Documentary
A series of lessons broadcast in a 15-minute time-slot on experimental mechanical television.
Star: Charles Hoffman
W2XCD
18. Ruth Kerner (1931–1932)
15 min | Music
Ruth Kerner was a soprano who sang songs in this music program aired in a 15-minute time-slot on mechanical television. It aired each Friday for about five months, which was a pretty decent run in those days.
Star: Ruth Kerner
W2XAB
19. Dorothy Rosenthal (1931–1932)
15 min | Music
A segment aired in a 15-minute time-slot on mechanical television, featuring violinist Dorothy Rosenthal.
Star: Dorothy Rosenthal
W2XAB
20. Myndell Louis (1931–1932)
15 min | Music
A music show aired in a 15-minute time-slot on mechanical television. Australian-born Myndell Louis was a soprano who spent years in the US. Like virtually all 1930s television, it aired without commercials. The resolution was 60 lines.
Star: Myndell Louis
21. Television Magic (1932– )
15 min
This series, which aired on experimental mechanical television in New York City, consisted of magic tricks.
Star: Edwin Howard
W2XAB
22. Mortimer Miller (1932– )
14 min | Music
Mortimer Miller, pianist, appeared on this short-lived series aired on mechanical television.
Star: Mortimer Miller
W2XAB
24. Gladys Kahn (1932–1933)
15 min | Music
A quarter-hour program which ranged from music shows to fashion shows.
Star: Gladys Kahn
W2XAB
25. George Britton (1932– )
15 min | Music
A music program featuring baritone George Britton.
Star: George Britton
W2XAB
26. Strange People (1932– )
15 min
Little is known about this early television program, which is described as being a "talk" of some kind.
Star: Henrietta Dunlap
W2XAB
27. William Searle (1932– )
15 min | Music
Little is known about this music program, except that William Searle did several 15-minute segments for W1XAV during 1932.
Star: William Searle
W1XAV
28. Harry Fries and His Musical Saw (1932– )
15 min | Music
A music program usually aired in a 15-minute time-slot. Harry Fries played the saw.
Star: Harry Fries
W2XAB
29. Gertrude Hintlian (1932– )
15 min | Music
A music program aired in a 15-minute time-slot on mechanical television, featuring violinist Gertrude Hintlian.
Star: Gertrude Hintlian
W1XAV
30. Robert Campbell (1932– )
15 min | Music
A music program featuring tenor Robert Campbell, which aired on experimental mechanical television. It aired in a 15-minute time-slot.
Star: Robert Campbell
W1XAV
31. Vine Street (1939– )
15 min | Comedy, Drama
Hollywood life, from the lowest rungs of the show business ladder to the top.
Stars: John Barkeley, Shirley Thomas
32. Men at Work (1941– )
TV-PG | 90 min | Comedy, Family, Music
"Men At Work" was a 1941-1942 television series. During any given show, viewers might watch singers, dancers, bicyclists, acrobats, roller skaters, and other entertainers.
Stars: Burl Ives, Hank Henry, Pee Wee Russell, Eddie Condon
WCBW
WCBW
35. At Home (1944–1945)
Music
A live television variety series, featuring singers, dancers, musicians, juggling acts, etc.
Star: Patquita Anderson
WCBW
36. Gillette Cavalcade of Sports (1944– )
Sport
Weekly televised boxing bouts.
Stars: Jimmy Powers, Joe Louis, Don Dunphy, Jersey Joe Walcott
Votes: 26
37. Missus Goes A-Shopping (1944–1949)
30 min | Comedy, Game-Show
One of television's first game shows. The host, John Reed King, supervised activities from various New York City supermarkets with the help of his assistant, Jimmy Brown. Riddles with a "... See full summary »
Stars: John Reed King, Jimmy Brown, Tom Mahoney, Bud Collyer
WCBW
38. Will You Remember? (1944–1945)
Music
Vera Massey sang in this series. It is reported that, on the show, she played a woman whose husband was away due to world war two.
Star: Vera Massey
WCBW
39. The World in Your Home (1944–1948)
15 min
A series of educational films, travelogues, etc. Think of the weekly short subjects shown in movie theaters: "Popular Science," "Unusual Occupations," newsreels and so on. Shown on NBC's ... See full summary »
WNBT
WCBW
41. On Stage, Everybody (1945– )
30 min | Comedy, Music
This was a variety series which aired in New York City. Acts included comedians, dancers, etc.
Star: Danton Walker
WABD
42. Dr. Death (1945)
Crime, Drama, Thriller
A four-part thriller. In the second episode there was a dope peddler named Dr. Mordaunt, while Mary Patton played a woman trying to save her husband from the electric chair by finding the real killer of a murdered actress.
Stars: Vinton Hayworth, Mary Patton
WNBT
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