This was the first time I've seen anything but a brief clip from this famous show, TV's first big hit. This was Danny Thomas' second appearance on the show, filling in for an ailing Eddie Cantor two weeks after his first visit. He was busy man but probably didn't mind being on the #1 show on TV a second time. This is two years before his own famous show began but he's already suing "Danny Boy" as his musical theme. He's put through his paces in a sketch were Berle shows him the rigors of doing a weekly show. At a pace that would have confused the Marx brothers, Danny is "gotten into shape jumping rope and boxing with a guy twice his size, (and then one half his size). Then he trains to get hit in the face with seltzer water and pies. Not bad on short notice. The show just keeps going and going, not letting the audience get enough time to contemplate whether what they are watching is any good or not. We have a mediocre nightclub singer, a comic acrobat routine, Sid Smith's fast talking salesman routine, a teen-aged violinist and then a rather amazing finale, "The United Nations of Entertainment".
Berle and Thomas solemnly honor show business for its lack of prejudice- a place where everyone of every race and creed can entertain anyone of any race or creed, (including Eddie Cantor with his black-face act?) We then see a series of vaudeville routines supposedly from around the world. Spanish singer Carlos Ramirez does a rousing rendition of "Grenada". Then we have what is supposed to be an "African" act featuring a white snake charmer and a dancer of unknown origin dressed up as a snake. A European opera singer tried to break the picture tube. Then we get Beatrice Kraft and her "Asian Dancers", (two guys dressed up in what appear to be Indian costumes joining her in what hardly looks like an authentic dance). Then Berle and Thomas, representing "North America" come out and sing a song about how great America is, where anyone of any creed or color can do anything, (hardly the case in 1951). Berle then comes out to the front of the stage to say goodbye to the audience and advises the youth of America to let kids of any color on their baseball teams. The feelings seem genuine enough but the presentation leaves a bit to be desired.
But they ate it up in the early days of TV.
Berle and Thomas solemnly honor show business for its lack of prejudice- a place where everyone of every race and creed can entertain anyone of any race or creed, (including Eddie Cantor with his black-face act?) We then see a series of vaudeville routines supposedly from around the world. Spanish singer Carlos Ramirez does a rousing rendition of "Grenada". Then we have what is supposed to be an "African" act featuring a white snake charmer and a dancer of unknown origin dressed up as a snake. A European opera singer tried to break the picture tube. Then we get Beatrice Kraft and her "Asian Dancers", (two guys dressed up in what appear to be Indian costumes joining her in what hardly looks like an authentic dance). Then Berle and Thomas, representing "North America" come out and sing a song about how great America is, where anyone of any creed or color can do anything, (hardly the case in 1951). Berle then comes out to the front of the stage to say goodbye to the audience and advises the youth of America to let kids of any color on their baseball teams. The feelings seem genuine enough but the presentation leaves a bit to be desired.
But they ate it up in the early days of TV.