Directed by Ed Sobol Original language(s) English First episode date 9 May 1946 Network NBC Language English | Country of origin USA Running time 60 minutes Picture format Black-and-white Final episode date March 1947 Genre Variety show | |
Presented by | ||
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Hour Glass is the first regularly scheduled variety show shown on American network television. It ran on NBC from May 9, 1946 until March 1947.
Contents
Overview
Hour Glass was sponsored by Standard Brands. The program included comedians, musicians, entertaining films (such as a film of dance in South America), and a long, live commercial for the sponsor's products.
Such famous names as Doodles Weaver, Bert Lahr, Dennis Day, Anton Reiter, Jerry Colonna, Peggy Lee and Joe Besser appeared on the program.
On November 14, 1946, Edgar Bergen brought his ventriloquism act to the show. It was one of the first times that a major radio performer had appeared on television.
The show was co-hosted by Eddie Mayehoff and Helen Parrish.
Existing recordings
Audio-only recordings of Hour Glass from 1946-1947, including the inaugural show, are known to exist at the Library of Congress. Photos of the first live Hour Glass broadcast taken from a TV monitor during the live telecast, along with a program review, appear in the May 27, 1946 issue of Life.