DuMont Television Network series believed to be completely lost
This list is possibly incomplete.
While there is missing/lost episodes for every TV broadcaster of the 1950s (regardless of country), the survival rate of DuMont Television Network series is much worse than that of NBC, CBS and ABC. Many DuMont programs are largely lost. The following is a list of series for which nothing is known to survive. Please check your attic.
A few series are missing from the list as they are not listed on IMDb.
If any episodes exist of these series in an archive or private collection, please let me know.
While there is missing/lost episodes for every TV broadcaster of the 1950s (regardless of country), the survival rate of DuMont Television Network series is much worse than that of NBC, CBS and ABC. Many DuMont programs are largely lost. The following is a list of series for which nothing is known to survive. Please check your attic.
A few series are missing from the list as they are not listed on IMDb.
If any episodes exist of these series in an archive or private collection, please let me know.
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- StarsWendy BarrieDayton AllenThe MellodairesOky Doky, a large cowboy puppet, got to star in his own show after appearing on several other children's variety programs. Oky ran a dude ranch where children would come to play games, perform in small skits and watch performances of Oky's latest adventures. In each installment, Oky would get involved in some sort of trouble, but always managed to triumph by using his magic milk, giving him the strength to fight his foes.
- StarsAl MorganBilly ChandlerLenny CollyerPianist-songwriter Al Morgan offered a half-hour of music.
- StarsAmanda RandolphEtta MotenSinger Amanda Randolph sang and hosted this daytime series.I had assumed this was a local show, but it seems to have been shown on a network level.
- StarsJohn K.M. McCafferyFaye EmersonLouis BudenzA panel show in which two critics debated a recently-published book; one critic would assail it, the other would praise it. Later in the program, the author would be given the chance to defend the criticism or to acknowledge the accolades.One or more episodes broadcast on NBC may exist, though.
- StarsMorey AmsterdamJohn Reed KingConnie FrancisA prime-time talent-contest game show in which children and adult celebrity teams competed for the "most talented team" prize, selected by the studio audience. If the children's team won, the prize money was contributed to the Professional Children's School; if the adults won, the Actor's Fund of America received the award.Status of CBS version is unknown.
- StarsDonn BennettRay WoodA documentary series focusing on modern inventions.
- StarsBill SlaterGeorge PutnamSy BartlettNews, gossip, celebrity interviews, and a viewer quiz.
- StarsSylvie St. ClairJacques AubuchonStan FreeThis was a music/variety program which was set within an "au courant" Parisian supper-club. The show ran for only two months on the Dumont Network, and no episodes are know to be extant.Variety series.
- StarsDennis JamesA supermarket quiz show sponsored by Libby's, featuring their products. Also included a pantomime segment and a viewer phone-in segment.TV's first network game show, and some might say, first reality TV series.
This live series pre-dated the ability to record live television. - StarsBill SlaterJackson BeckRichard SeffViewers sent in charade suggestions for the repertory actors to act out. If the suggestion stumped the panelists, the viewer won $15.
- StarsPeggy Ann EllisAlvy WestGordon DilworthThe action is set around the bandstand of a small town park. The series uses vignettes, songs, and dances to capture the feel of rural life. Traditional and folk music, along with square dancing, are the rule.
- This public-affairs program had the misfortune of having to compete against Milton Berle's "Texaco Star Theater", and therefore its ratings were always low. It featured debates over topical issues.Only a 14-minute fragment is known to survive.
- StarsEddie DunnKathi NorrisShaye CoganTelephone calls were placed to home viewers who were asked to identify a famous person pictured within a spinning photograph.
- StarsDotty MackColin MaleBob BraunDotty Mack, Bob Braun, and Colin Male lip-sync hit songs of the day in sketches.Status of ABC version is unknown.
- StarsDrew PearsonA current-events show featuring newspaper political columnist and investigative reporter Drew Pearson, who would inform viewers of the latest events and/or scandals on the political front.Status of ABC version is unknown, possibly also lost.
- StarsMorgan BeattyAn evening newscast anchored by Morgan Beatty.
- StarsSolomon Lightfoot MichauxSolomon Lightfoot Michaux hosted this half-hour religious show, which was broadcast from Washington, D.C.One of the earliest TV series hosted by an African-American.
- StarsPhyllis LoveJack DiamondPatricia HosleySitcom about a child prodigy. Cancelled after less than a month on the air.
- CreatorDavid P. LewisStarsFlora CampbellPhyllis CoatesEve McVeaghNewly widowed New Yorker Karen St. John moves to a rural town to be close to her relatives. There she falls for a man who was adopted by her relatives when he was a boy. But, he's already betrothed to another.TV's first soap opera. This live-series pre-dated the ability to record live television.
- StarsHarry Wismer
- StarsAnna May WongDeForest KelleyMidge WareMadame Liu-Tsong owned an art gallery, from which adventure and mystery emanated.First US series with an Asian-American lead.
- StarsDenise DarcelErnie KovacsA quiz program involving married couples.
- StarsRichard KollmarAudrey ChristieEzra StoneGame show with four celebrity panelists trying to guess an unknown secret.
- StarsStephen ElliottRuth WhiteHugh FranklinHands of Murder (also known as Hands of Mystery and Hands of Destiny) was an American mystery/anthology series that aired on the DuMont Television Network.; seen on Friday nights.
- StarsIda Mae Maher
- StarsJohn Reed King
- StarsHazel ScottGloria LucasCharles MingusA music series with pianist Hazel Scott.First US network series hosted by a Black woman, in this case, pianist Hazel Scott.
- StarsIgor CassiniSalvador DalíFrancesca BraggiottiA Sunday-evening celebrity-interview series.
- StarsIlona MasseyIrving FieldsThe Irving Fields TrioWeekly Musical Variety Show with Ilona Massey singing in a nightclub atmosphere backed by the musical group, Irving Fields Trio.Variety series with a set designed to look like a night-club...not an uncommon idea in early television.
- StarsDorothy LoudonLeo DeLyonBob Haymes"It's A Business" is about two song publishers and their secretary.One of DuMont's few sitcoms.
- StarsAlec TempletonSandra DeelEileen FarrellSeries with blind pianist Alec Templeton.Hosted by blind piano player/satirist.
- StarsJoan EdwardsMusic series.
- StarsTheodore Low
- StarsArchdale JonesA live half-hour documentary series in which people in search of long-lost family or friends were interviewed.
- StarsFred RobbinsRichard JosephKen RobertsPanel show: male celebrities interviewed a female guest who defended the feminine point of view on the topics discussed.
- StarsBruce Mayer
- CreatorBarbara BootheStarsVera TatumAmanda RandolphElizabeth BrewAn American sitcom that starred Amanda Randolph, who was the first African-American actress to appear in a recurring role on an American television series. The sitcom aired on the Dumont Television Network from August 1948 to October 1948.First sitcom with an African-American in a regular role.
- StarsBess MyersonThis series was a talent show. The talent consisted of high school students.
- StarsAnn ThomasJack ManningStephen ElliottThis was really basic television, yet effective in its own way. Actors performed or read their lines (usually monologues) before a black curtain, accentuated by recorded music cues. (The concept is called "readers' theater".)Actually only aired on DuMont flagship station WABD-TV, but considered typical of DuMont's low-budget, quirky programming.
- StarsEd PeckEric FlemingJoseph GrahamThe Major was an American secret agent, posing as a pilot for the Flying Tigers airline.
- StarsChuck Tranum
- StarsMike DouglasJackie VanHenri NoelMusical program with four singers. Douglas and Van sang the popular songs while Noel and Warner or Peterson sang the more classical songs. The singers were backed by Trendler's 34-piece orchestra.
- A short-lived live Sunday-evening musical-variety program.
- StarsAlice BurrowsAlice Burrows provided tips on sewing.I had assumed this was a local show, but it seems to have been shown on a network level.
- StarsMark StevensBarry KelleyBetty FurnessNews Gal was a TV series produced by the DuMont Television Network, and shown on both DuMont and ABC.
- StarsVera AllenJanice GilbertMichael LawsonDress designer Peggy O'Neil is attempting to raise two children, Janice and Eddie, while dealing with Uncle Bill, the Levy's who live next door and Mrs. Bailey.
- StarsJohn K.M. McCafferyHermione GingoldAlice PearceThe panelists were given a topic and asked to talk nonstop for one minute about the subject. The panelist who talked the most was the winner for that week.
- This public-service series was designed to inform military veterans of their rights and benefits.
- StarsGail ComptonGay ComptonGeorge MenardA prime-time television series about pets.
- StarsHarvey ZorbaughIreene WickerRay KnightA celebrity charades game. Home viewers were invited to call in with their guesses.This live series pre-dated the ability to record live television.
- StarsVivien Kellems
- StarsJoe HaselSteve Owen
- StarsAl HodgeDon HastingsGrant SullivanThis innovative half-hour science-fiction anthology aired live each Saturday morning. Captain Video (Al Hodge) was the catalyst that brought science-fiction and reality together in a creative showcase for dramatization of the works of well known authors. Strong character development and adult themes, a hallmark of the two Captain Video series, kept a positive look of quality within the storyline threads.A spin-off from "Captain Video and His Video Rangers", a series for which most episodes are lost.
- Described by the New York Times as a discussion series about child-parent relationships.
- StarsArthur JarrettPaula WrayA low-budget musical show that was supposedly "Western" but featured all types of popular music.
- StarsRoy Doty
- StarsRuss Hodges
- StarsHelmut DantineBoris AplonJoe SilverPeter House was an agent for International Security Intelligence in this live spy series.
- StarsBill WendellLeonard SillmanCharles FriedmanA live prime-time talent showcase for aspiring writers, dancers, choreographers, actors, singers, and other performers and backstage people. A celebrity panel chose two favorite presentations, and these winners were invited to return the following week.
- StarsStan ShawAlan LoganMaxine SullivanA presentation of pop music, which aired in a daytime time-slot.I had assumed this was a local show, but it seems to have shown on a network level.
- StarsPhil HannaReggie Beane TrioHolly HarrisA live Sunday-evening musical revue.
- StarsJohnny OlsonVirginia GrahamThis was a talent show which really featured the Palisades Amusement Park in New Jersey.
- StarsSusan RayeSusan Raye was a singer and pianist who entertained the audience with music.
- StarsDon RussellDescribed as being a disc jockey show, but little is known about this series.
- StarsVinton FreedleyBud CollyerSummer replacement show featuring five acts of aspiring entertainers. The emcee was Vinton Freedley, a Broadway producer. The top rated act, determined by the audience's applause, won all the money.
- StarsSue BennettAlan LoganShort lived (4 months), low-budget show featuring Sue Benjamin singing with the Alan Logan Trio.
- StarsDavid RossA Sunday-evening program of poetry readings and inspirational prose.
- StarsSigmund RothschildNelson CaseOwners of collectible items and antiques brought them to antiques expert Sigmund Rothschild for an appraisal of value.
- StarsKathi Norris
- StarsWalter ComptonWalter Compton read the news, accompanied by occasional use of slides.
- StarsRobbins Barstow Sr.Joseph N. MoodyWilliam S. RosenbloomOne hour ecumenical religious show divided into three 20-minute segments for the Protestants, Catholics and Jewish viewers.
- StarsRalph BellamyBetty FurnessJohn Reed KingThis show originated on the ABC-TV network in February 1953 with one cast and switched to the Dumont TV network in May 1953 with a different cast. The theme of the show was auctioning goods that the audience bid on. One item on each show was supposedly owned by a famous person and had a significance with that person.
- StarsNancy GuildPeter DonaldJohn Reed KingQuiz show with the panelists attempting to guess a location by looking at photos and listening to clues.