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Thanks to Sly Rose, here’s an interesting introduction to Frank Sinatra’s second and final television series…’The Frank Sinatra Show’ on ABC which aired from October 18, 1957 till June 27,1958. Notice the last panel in the ad which announces the debut show. His first series was on CBS, and was a variety show that ran from 1950 till 1952.
This series was originally slated to consist of thirteen variety episodes, thirteen dramas starring Sinatra, and ten dramas hosted by Sinatra and originated from The El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood.
Sinatra was paid $3 million for the series, and granted near total artistic freedom which turned out to be a huge mistake for ABC. Frank hated to rehearse and tried to make eleven shows in fifteen days; the series subsequently received a critical mauling and was Sinatra’s last attempt at a television series.
The drama segments of the show fared less well against the variety episodes in ratings and the final total was fourteen live variety shows, eight filmed variety shows, four dramas starring Sinatra, and six dramas hosted by Sinatra. Rather than 36 episodes for the season, ABC cut its losses and reduced the total number to 32.
It’s rare to see the old red and white ABC camera color scheme. The photo for this ad were taken at The El Capitan and are the same RCA TK10 cameras used during the day on ‘Queen For A Day’, which originated here too. Enjoy and share! -Bobby Ellerbee
Of the top three crooners of the day (Crosby, Sinatra, Como), Como was the one who had the perfect voice, personality, etc. for the intimate medium of TV….he had the staying power to overshadow the others and deservedly went on for decades.
The El Capitan Theater would later become the Hollywood Palace.
Frank’s premiere ad, along with Patrice Munsel and Colt .45
Here’s a little snippet of an ABC promo for that Frank Sinatra show, aired during “American Bandstand” in December, 1957. http://youtu.be/0OuadOnFHSs
Was painting cameras red an ABC thing?