We have a really broad spectrum of collectors here, with some people specializing in vintage TV, others in cartoons, others in foreign stuff, etc. So I'm curious - what's the oldest program in your collection? Why did you collect it?


I'll start. I believe the oldest program in my collection is a couple of episodes from the Kate Smith Show that was broadcast live in the early 1950s. They're kinescopes, and really not at all what I'd expect for a variety show. I acquired them for my 97 year old Grandmother, who adores Kate Smith, and even though my Grandmother is almost completely deaf, somehow she manages to both hear and enjoy Kate Smith's singing.

The next oldest thing in my collection would have to be the existing episodes of the original Quatermass Xperiment from the UK, another series done live and existing only on kinescope (and incomplete thanks to a strike at the BBC at the time). I collected that one for me - I love science fiction, and I really enjoy the Quatermass stories. I'm gradually trying to track down everything ever done by Quatermass creator Nigel Kneale.

The oldest thing I actually recorded myself would have to be a couple of episodes of Dukes of Hazzard and Vega$ that I recorded on my first rented VCR back in 1980, among other odds and ends on tapes so old the writing on the labels has faded to nothing.

So ... how about you?

i have a lot of old shows from the old DUMONT tv network, which was late 40s- early 50s, the original LIFE OF RILEY with a very young Jackie Gleason, some MOREY AMSTERDAM SHOWS, Milton Berle etc

i have always been fascinated with the Dumont network, it seemed like the stuff they had on was far better than the other networks,but they still went under

BUT the oldest stuff i have is a weird collection of THOMAS EDISONS SHORT FILMS--- from 1891-1922, its a 3 disc collection of short films, that Edison HIMSELF filmed when film was new, 358 of them in total, all are short, a minute or 2 or 3 each, just stuff like landscapes, people he knew, bicycling, etc, etc, etc NOTHING BIZARRE
but really cool to see, 115 year old films, many of which look as clear and sharp as old I LOVE LUCY Reruns!!!

as far as what I taped myself, well we were pretty poor and didnt get our own VCR til the early 1980s, a big clunky 1 in 82 or 83, BUT I TAPED A TON OF STUFF BACK THEN

Oldest TV show: The Patty Duke Show 1963.(I still can't believe that Patty and Cathy were played by the same actress. I had a crush on Cathy)
Oldest Cartoon: Frankenstein Jr. and the Impossibles 1966

You mean like from actual recordings, or like- charlie chaplin 1929 stuff I got at the store?

Well, by programs I mean television programs. I'm not counting any of my silents, but I think it's really cool that Lamont has that collection of Edison shorts. One of the things I find really neat about trading and collecting is the preservation of our heritage. Say what you will about the boob tube and the idiot box, it's a part of our culture, and we've been witness to history through it. And sometimes witness to pure silliness as well ... ;>

Speaking of Patty Duke Show, I remember trying out the nickname Poppo on my Dad at the time. It did not fly. I was only in first grade at the time, but I totally aspired to Patty's coolness. Never achieved it, but I aspired ...

I know the oldest items I have are silents and Cartoons, Steamboat Willie, Bosko etc.

Then serials- lots of those (from Harvey mostly have to give credit)


And then I think my next oldest Program stuff is Howdy Doody, i think 1948 or so.

If you guys want a cool site-

Check this out-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_%27years_in_television%27
List of years in television


Tells you everything form the first show, to the show that aired tonight --Nice refrence.

Martin Kane Private Eye 1949
Lights Out 1949
Milton Berle 1948

Of course a ton of stuff from the 50's

Harvey

Cartain MArvel 1940's

Tons of 60's Hanna Barbera Toons

That I recorded myself? Probably some Fugitive reruns off of A&E a few years back. Store bought would probably be Alfred Hitchcock Presents Season 1. I just heard that Season 2 is coming out at the end of the year, which I'm really looking forward to.

my oldest show would be the ed wynn show.

Koko the Clown, Bobby Bumps, Felix the Cat, all 1910-1930s. Thanks and God Bless.

Michael

My 1931 and 1932
Lowell Sherman films... Bachelor Apartment and What Price, Hollywood?


Then of course, my entire Cary Grant film collection...but nothing really special. :lol:

My 1931 and 1932
Lowell Sherman films... Bachelor Apartment and What Price, Hollywood?


Then of course, my entire Cary Grant film collection...but nothing really special. :lol:

I thought the question was the oldest television program. For movies, I have about 10 silent movie serials, dating back to the teens.

Harvey

I thought the question was the oldest television program. For movies, I have about 10 silent movie serials, dating back to the teens.

Harvey

I lost track of this thread..if it is stuf personally recorded myself? Since VCR's were in late 1978 and later... the oldest stuf I still have I recorded from back then, would be MTV's 1982 Ozzy Osbourne Concert, then Live Aid 1985, etc...

As for shows? I didn't think to record tv shows back in the late 70's or 80's...I was mostly in guitar playing, music and bands, etc...but if this thread was what is the oldest TV show we have on file...then I don't know, which was why I only rattled off my 1931 films..LOL :lol: Lamont was the one who posted NON-TV stuf with his Edison shorts and films from the 1800's......He was the fool who messed up this thread... :mad: :mad: :p :lol: :crazy: :D :rolleyes: :wave:

Well, the intent of the thread is what are the oldest television programs in your collection, not films. And it's what's in your collection, not necessarily what you've recorded yourself. I mean, no one could have personally recorded anything much before the late '60s/early '70s, and then only if they were running 1" or 2" tape decks or U-Matics.

Beavis - cool about Live Aid. I still have all my MTV Live Aid tapes, plus a set a friend recorded from the BBC - it's only missing a section of the show from when my friend was actually at Wembley.

First thing I recorded myself was Battlestar Galactica in syndication - I still have some of those. Prior to that, I paid someone to record BSG and a few movies back in the late '70s before I got my first VCR (a rental, who could afford?) in 1980.

We have a really broad spectrum of collectors here, with some people specializing in vintage TV, others in cartoons, others in foreign stuff, etc. So I'm curious - what's the oldest program in your collection? Why did you collect it?


I'll start. I believe the oldest program in my collection is a couple of episodes from the Kate Smith Show that was broadcast live in the early 1950s. They're kinescopes, and really not at all what I'd expect for a variety show. I acquired them for my 97 year old Grandmother, who adores Kate Smith, and even though my Grandmother is almost completely deaf, somehow she manages to both hear and enjoy Kate Smith's singing.

The next oldest thing in my collection would have to be the existing episodes of the original Quatermass Xperiment from the UK, another series done live and existing only on kinescope (and incomplete thanks to a strike at the BBC at the time). I collected that one for me - I love science fiction, and I really enjoy the Quatermass stories. I'm gradually trying to track down everything ever done by Quatermass creator Nigel Kneale.

The oldest thing I actually recorded myself would have to be a couple of episodes of Dukes of Hazzard and Vega$ that I recorded on my first rented VCR back in 1980, among other odds and ends on tapes so old the writing on the labels has faded to nothing.

So ... how about you?



Wouldnt this be a better question for those who collect Original Airings? Mainly because I'm sure everyone answer will be the same

Wouldnt this be a better question for those who collect Original Airings? Mainly because I'm sure everyone answer will be the same

I can vividly remember Howdy Doody and the kids in the peanut gallery. There was always one kid who kept talking and talking and saying the same thing.

Harvey

I lost track of this thread..if it is stuf personally recorded myself? Since VCR's were in late 1978 and later... the oldest stuf I still have I recorded from back then, would be MTV's 1982 Ozzy Osbourne Concert, then Live Aid 1985, etc...

As for shows? I didn't think to record tv shows back in the late 70's or 80's...I was mostly in guitar playing, music and bands, etc...but if this thread was what is the oldest TV show we have on file...then I don't know, which was why I only rattled off my 1931 films..LOL :lol: Lamont was the one who posted NON-TV stuf with his Edison shorts and films from the 1800's......He was the fool who messed up this thread... :mad: :mad: :p :lol: :crazy: :D :rolleyes: :wave:



You haven't learned by now that Lamont has to seperate himself from other traders?-lol I feel off the couch when he said he had something from 1892-lol

Wouldnt this be a better question for those who collect Original Airings? Mainly because I'm sure everyone answer will be the same

No, not at all. I've been trading for nearly 30 years, and I find you may see some similarities on different people's lists, but you rarely see identical lists. People don't have identical tastes. And people prize different things.

With access to syndication, 16MM collectors, private collections, and niche DVD producers, we have more access today into our television past than ever before. For example, as long as I've been collecting, I never knew it was possible to collect Dumont Network programs - it's cool.

I think it's important to recognize the incredible diversity of video traders - certainly a reflection of the diversity of people. If all you see is the same thing, then you're not looking closely enough.

I can vividly remember Howdy Doody and the kids in the peanut gallery. There was always one kid who kept talking and talking and saying the same thing.

Harvey




Cool Ass Harv-lol

You haven't learned by now that Lamont has to seperate himself from other traders?-lol I feel off the couch when he said he had something from 1892-lol

There is much that exists from the turn of the century. All shorts and mostly comedies. Westerns started in about 1906 and they were full length. First star was "Bronco", Billy Anderson, followed by the legendary Wiliam S. Hart. Some of that stuff is surprisingly good.

In music I have the top 50 to 100 songs of each year from 1891- 1930 and then the top 300-400 of each year till 1980. Sometimes while burning I listen to early music or radio shows.

Harvey

Wouldnt this be a better question for those who collect Original Airings? Mainly because I'm sure everyone answer will be the same


I had a long and logical reply to tvresearcher all typed up

but then i thought--- "whats the point?" he wont acknowledge anything that makes sense and he wont change his point of view

so i just deleted it

Lamont, shaking his head.....

You haven't learned by now that Lamont has to seperate himself from other traders?-lol I feel off the couch when he said he had something from 1892-lol


i actually enjoyed watching the simple little films edison made

they seem ridiculous by todays standards, but at the time, film was new, so film of ANYTHING was a big deal

and its hard to believe that most of the people in the films have been dead almost a century!

Personally, I think it's really cool that you've collected those, Lamont. That is such a key part of the history of the film and television media. So many films are lost to history, thanks to poor preservation, or unstable film stock. And just as much television is gone for good, too - stuf was done live and no kinescopes were made, tapes were reused, etc. Do you have Edison's Frankenstein? I've always wanted to see that.

Wow, I think Harvey may be older than me, since I don't remember watching Howdy Doody. I do, however, remember watching Bertie the Bunyip, a Philly puppet character from the late '50s/early '60s. I'd love to see even a clip of that today. And Gene London. I could watch Gene London for hours at a stretch and never get tired. Beats Captain Kangaroo - I was convinced his show was punishment.

Do you have Edison's Frankenstein? I've always wanted to see that.
.
yes i have that one too, its not too bad

but not too good either

not something id watch, but cool to have

PS ive heard a rumor that lilhave was an extra during the finale of the movie, any truth to that, harvey?

Probably the Nov. 30, 1948 episode of THE HOWDY DOODY SHOW, in which
Howdy was elected President of all the kids, is the oldest program in my collection.

Personally, I think it's really cool that you've collected those, Lamont. That is such a key part of the history of the film and television media. So many films are lost to history, thanks to poor preservation, or unstable film stock. And just as much television is gone for good, too - stuf was done live and no kinescopes were made, tapes were reused, etc. Do you have Edison's Frankenstein? I've always wanted to see that.

Wow, I think Harvey may be older than me, since I don't remember watching Howdy Doody. I do, however, remember watching Bertie the Bunyip, a Philly puppet character from the late '50s/early '60s. I'd love to see even a clip of that today. And Gene London. I could watch Gene London for hours at a stretch and never get tired. Beats Captain Kangaroo - I was convinced his show was punishment.

Show you how far back I go. I grew up with radio shows such as Fibber McGee and Molly, the gread Gildersleeve, Duffy's Tavern, Aldrich Family, Lone Ranger, Sgt. Preston, Green Hornet, Jack Benny, Gang Busters, FBI in peace and War, This is your FBI and my favorite comedy, Life With Lugi. Stil listen to them.

Early television had me enjoying besides Howdy Doody, Romper Room, Captain Kangeroo, Kukla Fran and Ollie, Andy's Gang, Pin head and Foodini, Mr. Wizard, and since I loved animal shows, Zoo parade, with Marlon Perkins at the Lincoln park zoo in Chicago.

The big treat when I got to be 8 or 9 was on saturday night as I was allowed to stay up till 11.00 because wrestling from the ampha theater in Chicago was on, Jack Brickhouse announcing. Killer Kowaslki, Bobo Brazil, Art Neilson, Reggie Lisowski, Mighty Atlas, Benito Gardini and Yukon Eric wrestled there.

In the evening Tv centered on crime and westerns, Rocky King, Martin Kane, man against crime, lights out, inner sanctum, your hit parade were all favorites.

Harvey

Show you how far back I go. I grew up with radio shows such as Fibber McGee and Molly, the gread Gildersleeve, Duffy's Tavern, Aldrich Family, Lone Ranger, Sgt. Preston, Green Hornet, Jack Benny, Gang Busters, FBI in peace and War, This is your FBI and my favorite comedy, Life With Lugi. Stil listen to them.

Early television had me enjoying besides Howdy Doody, Romper Room, Captain Kangeroo, Kukla Fran and Ollie, Andy's Gang, Pin head and Foodini, Mr. Wizard, and since I loved animal shows, Zoo parade, with Marlon Perkins at the Lincoln park zoo in Chicago.

The big treat when I got to be 8 or 9 was on saturday night as I was allowed to stay up till 11.00 because wrestling from the ampha theater in Chicago was on, Jack Brickhouse announcing. Killer Kowaslki, Bobo Brazil, Art Neilson, Reggie Lisowski, Mighty Atlas, Benito Gardini and Yukon Eric wrestled there.

In the evening Tv centered on crime and westerns, Rocky King, Martin Kane, man against crime, lights out, inner sanctum, your hit parade were all favorites.

Harvey



I think I have the First ever CBS evening News anchored by Walter Cronkite's Father, Ronald Cronkite aired on Sept 19, 1940, No commercials

I'd probally say the oldest shows I have in my collection, is my 26 episode set of The Goldbergs.

I'd probally say the oldest shows I have in my collection, is my 26 episode set of The Goldbergs.

The show was ethnic in nature and while not real popular nationwide, it had a strong following in N.Y.C.. The show featured Getrude Berg who alos wrote the scripts. Had a long run on radio, beginning as a 15 minute soap. Lisstened to a few of the episodes but found the tv show more appealing. Berg was a terrific actress.

Again, my favorite stuff is the shows I grew up with. Getting ready to look at some episodes of Gabby Hayes theater.

Harvey

not technically a show since they were shown in theaters, but I believe I have every Looney Tune/Merrie Melodie from 1930-1935 now. I am working on getting them all up to 1969.

As for shows I got a few Red Skelton shows from '52 and '53. I might have a Lone Ranger from '49 somewhere but I don't know for sure. I mostly stick to the 60's. Probably 70% of my collection is from then.

The show was ethnic in nature and while not real popular nationwide, it had a strong following in N.Y.C.. The show featured Getrude Berg who alos wrote the scripts. Had a long run on radio, beginning as a 15 minute soap. Lisstened to a few of the episodes but found the tv show more appealing. Berg was a terrific actress.

Again, my favorite stuff is the shows I grew up with. Getting ready to look at some episodes of Gabby Hayes theater.

Harvey

Have you ever seen the Goldbergs movie? I have never seen the show but I saw part of the movie from 1950 before. I think TCM showed it in the middle of the night a few years ago. My grandfather told me I would like it and I did from what I saw of it.

Gilligan Fanatic, going back in time.

Have you ever seen the Goldbergs movie? I have never seen the show but I saw part of the movie from 1950 before. I think TCM showed it in the middle of the night a few years ago. My grandfather told me I would like it and I did from what I saw of it.

Gilligan Fanatic, going back in time.

No I haven't. I just have the tv shows and a bunch of radio shows. To be truthful I never knew a movie was made from the series. I have the Gildersleeve movies and the Lum and Abner movies, that came from radio and the Our Miss Brooks movie. Now that's a series I enjoyed. Got in a slew of My little Margie's and some I married Joan's from that era besides the Our Miss Brooks.

Harvey

No I haven't. I just have the tv shows and a bunch of radio shows. To be truthful I never knew a movie was made from the series. I have the Gildersleeve movies and the Lum and Abner movies, that came from radio and the Our Miss Brooks movie. Now that's a series I enjoyed. Got in a slew of My little Margie's and some I married Joan's from that era besides the Our Miss Brooks.

Harvey

I don't think I have seen any of those. I think I have a Our Miss Brooks episode on a public domain tape but I don't think I have ever watched it. I did listen to a Great Gildersleeve at Morty's Classic TV website a few years ago. Durring Christmas he used to have radio shows you could listen to that were about Christmas. He also had some others like The Life of Riley. There was a jingle on that for Pabst Blue Ribbon that I can still sing.

Show you how far back I go. I grew up with radio shows such as Fibber McGee and Molly, the gread Gildersleeve, Duffy's Tavern, Aldrich Family, Lone Ranger, Sgt. Preston, Green Hornet, Jack Benny, Gang Busters, FBI in peace and War, This is your FBI and my favorite comedy, Life With Lugi. Stil listen to them.

Early television had me enjoying besides Howdy Doody, Romper Room, Captain Kangeroo, Kukla Fran and Ollie, Andy's Gang, Pin head and Foodini, Mr. Wizard, and since I loved animal shows, Zoo parade, with Marlon Perkins at the Lincoln park zoo in Chicago.

The big treat when I got to be 8 or 9 was on saturday night as I was allowed to stay up till 11.00 because wrestling from the ampha theater in Chicago was on, Jack Brickhouse announcing. Killer Kowaslki, Bobo Brazil, Art Neilson, Reggie Lisowski, Mighty Atlas, Benito Gardini and Yukon Eric wrestled there.

In the evening Tv centered on crime and westerns, Rocky King, Martin Kane, man against crime, lights out, inner sanctum, your hit parade were all favorites.

Harvey

Wrestling? Awesome. Were those wrestling shows from the '50s, '60s, both? I heard Lisowski just recently died and along with him, I've seen footage of Kowalski, Bobo Brazil and Bruno Sammartino. From the early days, I'd say Bruno is my favorite. I think he was WWWF champion for about 8 years before Ivan Koloff beat him for the belt. I still have to get Bruno's DVD, I think it's called Legends Never Die. He was champ again for about 3 and a half more years a second time. I grew up in the '80s, so I used to love to watch those Best of the WWF tapes and watch footage of guys like Bruno, Andre The Giant, Stan Stasiak, etc. Smackdown magazine recently did a great history of wrestling piece that went from the earliest days all the way up to the big 3 (WWF, WCW, AWA) and ECW, along with Raw and Smackdown later. You still watch wrestling today or did you stop at some point? The early stuff I've seen I remember best, along with the great Austin/Mcmahon storylines during the Attitude era and The Rock's work. It's great they keep releasing more and more DVDs of the great legends of the past. Whose your favorite singles or teams? Mine are Bret Hart and The Road Warriors. I hear they recently released a DVD set for Billy Graham, Dusty Rhodes and a greatest managers one from WWE.

Speaking of radio shows, I have XM radio and they have at least a couple of stations that play a lot of the old radio shows and broadcast those new radio dramas based on The Twilight Zone original TV series, so I'd reccomend any radio show fans to check out XM, plus they got Opie and Anthony, the best talk radio show around. :)

Jack Dempsey vs Jack Sharkey fight.

Jack Dempsey vs Jack Sharkey fight.

Who won? Was it a decision, KO, TKO?