June 20, 1948…Ed Sullivan Comes To Television
June 20, 1948…Ed Sullivan Comes To Television
On this day in 1948, CBS debuted “Toast Of The Town” from The Maxine Elliott Theater (CBS Studio 51). In the first photo, you see what looks like a set for a puppet show…it is not. When you watch the opening of the show at the link, you will see that miniature stage again in a whole new way…it is a mini proscenium for the opening billboards.
Actress Maxine Elliott had a long and successful career in the theater, but had always dreamed of owning her own one day. That day came December 30, 1908 when the beautiful 900 seat theater opened with gold silk wall paper, marbled foyers and lush velvet seats and curtains all around. Plays came and went, but the theater stayed afloat through the depression.
In 1941, the theater was leased to the Mutual Network for use as a radio studio but CBS was able to take over the lease in 1944 and made this CBS Radio Playhouse #5. In the spring of 1948, CBS began to look for place for their new Sunday night variety show, “Toast Of The Town” with New York Daily News columnist Ed Sullivan. Since it was such an intimate and handsome theater, this became their first television theater. The show debuted June 20, 1948 and stayed here till January 1953, when it moved to Studio 50. The show’s name was changed to “The Ed Sullivan Show” on September 18, 1955.
CBS leased the theater, at 109 West 39th Street, till 1959 when the owners sold it. It was demolished in 1960. More on the photos…enjoy and share! -Bobby Ellerbee
The camera on the left is the one that shot the opening, with the mini proscenium is right behind him. Ray Bloch and the orchastra are just in front of him, on the other side of the audience. As you will see, this will change in a few years with Bloch on this side after a camera ramp is added in the center. These first two photos are from the early days of the show, in 1948.
Standing on the stage, the control room is in the rear, behind producer Mario Lewis in the white short sleeve shirt.
This is also from Studio 51, but a few years later when a center camera ramp had been added. Probably around 1950.
Ray Bloch leading a rehearsal session. Notice, this is the theater box where the mini proscenium was in the 1948 photos. With the addition of the center camera ramp, it appears that the orchastra has moved to the left side of the theater now, probably around 1950.
Ed on stage in 1951 with the mini proscenium box now covered with a curtain, as the band is now on the floor behind where Ed is standing.
109 West 39th Street was where the Maxine Elliott (Studio 51) was located. I think the building to the left of the theater was leased by CBS for storage.