The ED SULLIVAN SHOW, The RCA TK31 ERA…Part 3 (of 7)
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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 13: Exterior of CBS Television Studio 50, entrance and marquee. Later known as The Ed Sullivan Theater. Address 1697 Broadway at West 53rd Street, New York, NY. November 13, 1951. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)
The RCA TK31 Era: This third part features the RCA TK31 Studio Cameras that came out in May of 1952. These look like TK30s with chrome handles. Most of these images are dated 1958, but CBS was using the TK31s as early as 1953 at studio 50. NOTICE…the last 3 photos here show an update to the theater including new RCA big screen projection system for the audience and new audio system. (THE TOAST OF THE TOWN ran from 1948-1955 when the name changed to THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW).
These historical images are from the CBS Photo Archives available through Getty Images and are presented here to assist researchers and television historians in identifying the television equipment in use over the decades and is offered here in a purely educational/instructional forum.
NEW YORK – JANUARY 12: January 12, 1958 James Arness on set of THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)
NEW YORK – JANUARY 12: January 12, 1958 James Arness talks with Ed Sullivan on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)
NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 21,1958: Ed Sullivan interviews Edward R. Murrow. (Photo by Steve Oroz/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
American film actor Gregory Peck (1916 – 2003) sits on a stool with his hands clasped at rehearsal on Ed Sullivan’s CBS variety show, New York, August 17, 1958. (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – JULY 9: CBS Television Studio 50 (1697 Broadway at West 53rd Street, New York, NY.) Photo taken after recent installation of microphones, speakers and television equipment. This space is later known as The Ed Sullivan Theater. Image dated July 9, 1958. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)
NEW YORK – JULY 9: CBS Television Studio 50 (1697 Broadway at West 53rd Street, New York, NY.) Photo taken after recent installation of microphones, speakers and television equipment. This space is later known as The Ed Sullivan Theater. Image dated July 9, 1958. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)
NEW YORK – JULY 9: CBS Television Studio 50 (1697 Broadway at West 53rd Street, New York, NY.) Photo taken after recent installation of microphones, speakers and television equipment. This space is later known as The Ed Sullivan Theater. Image dated July 9, 1958. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)
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The Norelco Era: Before we talk about the cameras, let’s talk about Ed’s “personal cameraman”, Mr. George Moses who whe see above shooting the boss with a new Norelco PC71. Stage Manager Eddie Brinkman was with Ed from the first show till the last one and George was there for 21 of the 23 years! […]
“The Howdy Doody Show” wasn’t just early television — it defined it. As network TV’s first daily program and later the first daily show broadcast in color, it set the pace for everything that followed. With the help of Howdy historian Burt Dubrow, I’ve pulled together a 41‑page deep dive filled with rare photos, firsthand […]
The Marconi Mark VII Era: In the summer of 1967, the Marconi Mark VII color cameras went into service at CBS Studio 50 and were the go to cameras for many years at the network. The color photo above the last color photo were taken by our friend and author Nick Van Hoogstraten in 1973 […]
