Two Broadway legends, one stage, zero commercials — television's first 'spectacular' was built different.
The program was the first so-called "Television Spectacular". Ford presented the show without commercial interruption. It is believed to be the first time that Edward R. Murrow appeared on NBC in a professional capacity. Also, in 1953, it was necessary for Ford to buy time on two networks to ensure maximum coverage of US TV households - at the time, neither CBS nor NBC reached 100% of them. The famed 1953 television special celebrating the Ford Motor Company's 50th anniversary brought together two of the greatest leading ladies Broadway has ever known. The highlight of the program is Merman and Martin’s 13-minute duet medley, where they sing the songs that made them famous, plus much more. On their own, Merman sings “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” and “Mademoiselle from Armetières” and Martin performs a brilliantly comic routine about changes in fashion over the first half of the 20th century.
Acting
Merman and Martin's electric 13-minute duet medley.
Direction
Jerome Robbins staging television's first true special.
Production
Dual-network broadcast to reach all American households.
Director
Jerome Robbins
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This 'spectacular' invented the TV special as we know it — no ads, no interruptions, just pure entertainment event.
Edward R. Murrow's NBC appearance here was historic; the CBS news legend rarely crossed network lines in his career.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
