1950s TV series by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
by Thor-Delta | created - 03 Oct 2015 | updated - 07 Apr 2016 | Public....which at the time was known as the Australian Broadcasting Commission. This is a public broadcaster, so expect an interesting mix of programs.
ABC's programs of that era were generally live, though many were recorded (via kinescopes) for interstate broadcast.
This list excludes the many one-off programs aired on ABC during the 1950s.
- Genres
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- IMDb Rating
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1. Woman's World (1956–1963)
30 min | Talk-Show
"Woman's World" was a television series featuring various segments of interest to women, including fashion, cooking, book reviews, etc; running out of Sydney and Melbourne between 1956 - 1963.
Stars: Jean Battersby, Nance Donkin, Corrine Kerby, Mary Mackay
2. Picture Page (1956–1957)
30 min
An interview programme which also included variety segments (such as singers, etc).
Star: Val Cooney
3. TV Channell (1956–1957)
30 min | Comedy, Music
A variety series with singers, musicians, comedians, etc.
Stars: Douglass Channel, Reg Lewis, Wilbur Kentwell
4. Melbourne Magazine (1957)
30 min | Talk-Show
This early Australian television series usually featuring interviews with prominent personalities.
Stars: Corinne Kerby, Reg Neal
5. Meet (1957– )
15 min | Talk-Show
A weekly series of interviews in a 15-minute time-slot.
Stars: Lewis Casson, Lionel Harris, Anona Winn, Alan Marshall
6. Melody Time (1957–1959)
30 min | Music
A live variety series, with music performances.
Stars: Ormonde Douglas, Maureen Boyce, Wendy Pomroy, Arthur Young
7. Killer in Close-Up (1957– )
30 min | Crime, Drama
Each play was based on real criminal cases. The Robert Wood Trial 4 September 1957. The Wallace Case 20 November 1957. The Rattenbury Case 18 June 1958. The Trial Of Madeleine Smith 13 August 1958.
Stars: George F. Kerr, John Morgan, Laurier Lange, Patricia Kennedy
9. Tele-Variety (1957–1958)
30 min | Music
A four-part variety series, with episodes featuring music, dancers, instrumentalists, balancing acts, etc.
Stars: Johnny Craig, Gus Merzi, Shirley Evans, Barry Sandford
10. Look Who's Dropped In (1957–1958)
30 min | Music
This four-part variety series presented jazz music.
Star: George Trevare
11. Find the Link (1957–1958)
30 min | Game-Show
A game show with a celebrity panel who have to try and find the link between the various guests.
Stars: Bruce Beeby, Douglass Channel
12. Stories of Jesus (1957–1958)
10 min | Short
A religious series. Hosts varied, but included Rev. James Stuckey.
Star: James Stuckey
13. What's in the Picture (1958–1959)
30 min | Game-Show
A panel game, in which the panel (within a time-limit) had to determine which event or person was depicted in a partially hidden picture.
Star: Harry Dearth
14. The Ken Noyle Show (1958– )
30 min | Comedy, Music
A live television variety series, with music, comedy etc.
Stars: Ken Noyle, Beryl Meekin, Red Moore
15. Sydney Grows Up (1958– )
30 min | Documentary
A three-part programme about Sydney's changing architecture. The first episode was a live outside telecast showing the skyline, the second episode was a filmed programme, and third episode was a live studio talk.
16. Nature Notebook (1958– )
30 min | Documentary
Educational series for schools which aired live on Wednesdays, but it was also kinescoped and shown during the evening on Thursdays.
17. The Graeme Bell Show (1958– )
30 min | Music
A music orientated show hosted by Graeme Bell.
Star: Graeme Bell
18. Fiesta (1958– )
30 min | Music
A Sydney-produced variety series, with emphasis on Latin-American music.
Stars: Ron Fabri, Gino Hernandez
20. Cafe Continental (1958–1961)
30 min | Comedy, Music
Variety series featuring international performers.
Stars: June Bassi, Leo Bassi, Wilhelmina Bermingham, Terry Carr
21. Arts and Handicrafts (1958– )
30 min
Educational television program intended to be viewed in primary schools (but could also be viewed by regular viewers). Topics including making decorations for Christmas parties, making Christmas cards, making wrapping paper.
22. Aloha Hawaii (1958– )
30 min | Music
A live variety show, with a Hawaiian theme.
Stars: Harry Willis, Johnny Wade
23. Alabama Jubilee (1960– )
30 min | Comedy, Music
A minstrel variety show, with some of the performers appearing in blackface.
Stars: Paul Robeson, Syd Heylen, Jack Allan, Reg Quartly
No comment.
26. Vic Sabrino Sings (1958– )
15 min | Music
Music show aired in a 15-minute time-slot.
Star: George Assang
28. What Next (1958–1959)
30 min | Game-Show
A panel game in which two teams complete.
Stars: Bob Cornish, Robert Peach, Frank Doherty, John Moyle
29. Discovering the Bible (1958– )
30 min
An eight part series about the meaning of the Bible. Aired live in Melbourne, it was kinescoped for Sydney broadcast.
Star: John Davis McCaughey
30. This Is TV (1958– )
Documentary
Intended to be viewed in schools, this was a two-episode educational series about television: "In and Around the Studio" and "Lines of Dots".
31. Homeward Bound (1958– )
30 min | Music
Sea shanties were sung by the cast.
Stars: Mervyn Bray, Alan Eddy, Paul Gavin, William Smith
32. Women at the Top (1959– )
30 min | Talk-Show
This short-lived series featured interviews with women who were in the top ranks of their profession.
Star: Peter MacGregor
33. Tomorrow's World (1959– )
20 min | Documentary
A series of educational telecasts for schools, done in a 20-minute time-slot, on subjects such as "power from the atom" and plankton.
34. The Annette Klooger Show (1959–1961)
30 min | Music
A variety series featuring singer Annette Klooger.
Star: Annette Klooger
35. Six O'Clock Rock (1960– )
Music
Variety show featuring rock and roll music.
Star: Johnny O'Keefe
36. Newcomers to Australia (1959– )
20 min | Documentary
Educational telecasts for schools aired on non-commercial television. Each episode about a different nationality: English, Dutch, Italian and Norwegian.
37. Music and Dance (1959– )
Music
Vija Vetra danced while accompanied by a pianist
Stars: Vija Vetra, Robert Wilson
38. Men at the Top (1959– )
30 min | Talk-Show
A short-lived interview series hosted by prolific radio and television personality Eric Baume.
Star: Eric Baume
39. Health (1959– )
20 min | Documentary
An educational telecast aired in a 20-minute time-slot. Four episodes were produced.
Star: Rod Murdoch
40. Going Places (1959– )
20 min | Documentary
An educational series for schools aired on non-commercial television (ABC). Places shown included an oil refinery, and the Royal Mint in William Street.
41. Australian All Star Jazz Band (1959)
30 min | Music
A variety series, with emphasis on jazz music.
Stars: Don Burrows, Freddie Logan, Dave Rutledge, Ron Webber
42. Saturday Party (1959)
45 min | Music
A live variety series which aired in a 45-minute time-slot. Performers ranged from singers to novelty acts.
Stars: Bob Cornish, Corinne Kerby, Max Blake, Frankie Davidson
43. Australians at Work (1959– )
20 min | Documentary
An educational telecast for schools aired in a 20-minute time-slot, looking at jobs such as timbergetter, woolclasser, glassblower, etc.
44. Ballet Studio (1959– )
30 min | Drama, Music
This six-part television series presented excerpts from various ballets.
Stars: Ken Tillson, Heather McCrae, William Carse, Janet Karin
45. Mr. Squiggle and Friends (1959–1999)
Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Mr. Squiggle is a marionette with a pencil for a nose, who visits his friends from his home at 93 Crater Crescent on the Moon, flying in his pet rocket (named Rocket).
Stars: Norman Hetherington, Patricia Lovell, Jane Fennell, Rebecca Hetherington
Votes: 163
46. Come in on This (1959– )
30 min | Talk-Show
The panel and the audience would be asked questions, on which they would provide their opinions. In each episode the audience consisted of members of a different group or organization.
Star: Robert Peach
47. Rooftop Rendezvous (1959– )
30 min | Comedy, Music
A live variety series, featuring a range of performers including music acts, comedy acts, acrobats, and other variety acts.
Star: Bill Brady
48. Songs from the Hebrides (1959– )
15 min | Music
A music program aired in a 15-minute time-slot.
Stars: Adrian Bendall, Anne Levin
49. Sweet and Low (1959– )
30 min | Music
A variety series featuring jazz music.
Stars: Bob Walters, Peter Martin, Billy Hyde, Barry Buckley
50. Old-Time Ballroom (1959–1960)
45 min | Music
A live variety series, presenting ballroom music and dancing. Music provided by ABC Melbourne Dance Band.
Stars: Keith Glover, Clive Hearne
51. Gaslight Music Hall (1959–1960)
30 min | Comedy, Music
A live variety show spoofing Victorian music hall.
Stars: John Bluthal, Michael Cole, Henry Gilbert, June Salter
52. Two's Company (1959–1961)
30 min | Music
A live variety series which aired for three series. The cast was different in each series.
Stars: Max Bostick, Frankie Davidson, Heather Horwood, Judy Banks
53. Showtime (II) (1959–1960)
30 min | Music
A live variety show produced in Melbourne.
Star: Ted Preston
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