Mel Blancs Funniest TV Appearance @greggoppenheimer

Gregg Oppenheimer Get this entire episode and more, restored from 35mm, from ClassicFlix - "Angel - The Complete Series":
classicflix.com/products/angel-the-complete-series-volume-1-classicflix-rare-television

This is Mel Blanc's appearance on "Angel" (CBS-TV 1960-61), created & directed by Jess Oppenheimer (creator-producer-head writer of "I Love Lucy").
"ANGEL" Episode 5 - "Angel's Temper"
Original Air Date: 11-10-1960
Written by Irving Elinson and Frank S. Fox
Starring Annie Fargé and Marshall Thompson, with Don Keefer and guest star Mel Blanc

Also available on Amazon: amazon.com/Angel-Complete-1-Don-Keefer/dp/B0DGDHJ7MD

updated 10 years ago

Mel Blancs Funniest TV Appearance

Gregg Oppenheimer 2016-05-17 | Get this entire episode and more, restored from 35mm, from ClassicFlix - "Angel - The Complete Series":
classicflix.com/products/angel-the-complete-series-volume-1-classicflix-rare-television

This is Mel Blanc's appearance on "Angel" (CBS-TV 1960-61), created & directed by Jess Oppenheimer (creator-producer-head writer of "I Love Lucy").
"ANGEL" Episode 5 - "Angel's Temper"
Original Air Date: 11-10-1960
Written by Irving Elinson and Frank S. Fox
Starring Annie Fargé and Marshall Thompson, with Don Keefer and guest star Mel Blanc

Also available on Amazon: amazon.com/Angel-Complete-1-Don-Keefer/dp/B0DGDHJ7MD

LUCY LOVES DESI IN NASHVILLE!

Gregg Oppenheimer 2025-09-26 | GET YOUR TICKETS for "LUCY LOVES DESI: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom" by Gregg Oppenheimer, at NASHVILLE's acclaimed KEETON THEATRE, October 10 thru Oct 26.
Tickets on sale now, and they're going fast!
Details at thekeeton.org
"As much heart and humor as the series itself.” - SWVA Today
"It's adorable. Go see it!" - Lucie Arnaz
And haven't you always wanted to visit Nashville?

Lucille Ball rehearses the very first episode of I Love Lucy

Gregg Oppenheimer 2024-09-08 | This "magic snapshot" (colorized by yours truly) was taken on September 8, 1951, on Stage 2 of General Service Studios in Hollywood, as the "I Love Lucy" cast and crew prepare to film the very first episode’—"Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying to Murder Her." Lucy, her hair still in a babushka, practices a bit of business in the kitchen as the crew rehearses their camera movements.

The Desi Arnaz Orchestra, led by Musical Director Wilbur Hatch (facing the band, in gray pants, white shirt and suspenders) is there to provide live underscoring during filming (a practice abandoned after the first episode). The orchestra's bandstands bear the initials "DA" ("Desi Arnaz"), but will soon be repainted "RR" ("Ricky Ricardo"). This is the first time in history that a TV show will be filmed with multiple moving cameras in front of a live studio audience—something made possible by Director of Photography Karl Freund's innovative "flat" lighting system, using lights suspended from the catwalks above the set. Over the newly-built bleachers, hockey-puck-shaped microphones hang down, ready to capture the audience's laughter during that evening's filming.

Check out my dad's best-selling memoir, "Laughs, Luck...and Lucy," –– now just $2.99, benefiting the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation: http://lucynet.com/kindle

The new audiobook edition is FREE with an Audible trial membership. Cancel anytime! Benefiting the Entertainment Community Fund: http://lucynet.com/audiobook

Watch this scene from my I Love Lucy play, fresh off its first national tour! (FREE from Audible with a trial membership): youtube.com/watch?v=AkSjYxw55Oc

More from the play: youtube.com/watch?v=ewotbMZDdFY

My website: http://lucynet.com

The Inside Story: How I Love Lucy Broke TVs Pregnancy Taboo

Gregg Oppenheimer 2024-05-09 | Get the whole story at lucynet.com/play

An L.A. Theatre Works production.
Lucille Ball: Sarah Drew ("April Kepner" on "Grey's Anatomy”)
Desi Arnaz: Oscar Nuñez ("Oscar, the Accountant" on "The Office")
Jess Oppenheimer: Seamus Dever ("Detective Patrick Ryan" on ABC's "Castle")
Harry Ackerman: Nick Toren
Hubbell Robinson: Rob Nagle
Ethel Mertz: Abigail Marks

Cyril Ritchard - Mutual Admiration Society - General Motors 50th Anniversary Show NBC Nov 17, 1957

Gregg Oppenheimer 2024-05-04 | From the moment I saw Cyril Ritchard play "Captain Hook" in PETER PAN, he's been one of my favorite performers. I actually got to meet him when he did THE GENERAL MOTORS 50th ANNIVERSARY SHOW, a live, two-hour musical extravaganza my dad produced for NBC in 1957. In this rare kinescope, Ritchard joins Claudia Crawford ("The Edge of Night") in a delightful rendition of "Mutual Appreciation Society" (from Ethel Merman's 1956 musical "Happy Hunting," by Matt Dubey and Harold Karr). The scene (and Kirk Douglas's intro) was written by Helen Deutsch.

THE GULF SCREEN GUILD SHOW January 8 1939 with Jack Benny, Joan Crawford and Judy Garland

Gregg Oppenheimer 2024-02-20 | THE GULF SCREEN GUILD SHOW with Jack Benny, Joan Crawford and Judy Garland
Produced and Directed by GREGG OPPENHEIMER
Written by EARL BRECHER, SAM PERRIN and JESS OPPENHEIMER
Production consultant: IVAN CURY
An ONLINE RADIO THEATRE Production, in association with S.P.E.R.D.V.A.C. (Society to Preserve & Encourage Radio Drama, Variety And Comedy)

* More ONLINE RADIO THEATRE at bit.ly/2XU5bpx

CAST:
GEORGE MURPHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IVAN CURY
JOHN CONTE (ANNOUNCER) . . . . . . . . . . JOHN JENSEN
JOAN CRAWFORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RHONDA MEDINA
JUDY GARLAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JENN OLLIVIER
REGINALD GARDINER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PHIL PROCTOR
JACK BENNY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BRAD ZINN
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* Read cast bios at GreggOppenheimer.wordpress.com *

Two cast members are making their Online Radio Theatre debut:

RHONDA MEDINA (“Joan Crawford”) is a singer, actress, comedian, and celebrity impersonator based in Dallas, Texas. As a vocalist, Rhonda sings a variety of music, covering Jazz, Pop, Rock and Country. She is the lead singer for the Dallas “Upswing” Jazz Orchestra and bandleader of “The Dallas Nightcaps” Jazz Band. As a celebrity impersonator, Rhonda stars in her own one-woman musical comedy stage show, “Legendary Ladies,” performing as 15 different celebrities from stage and screen, including Adele, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Betty White, Christina Aguilera, Cyndi Lauper, Dolly Parton, Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli, Lucille Ball, Mae West, Marilyn Monroe, and Patsy Cline. Since 1999, Rhonda has performed in Comedy Festivals from Los Angeles to New York. Her musical celebrity impersonator shows have been included in the comedy lineup with national headliners Dan Ackroyd, Laraine Newman, Garrett Morris, Lily Tomlin, Amy Schumer, Jerry Seinfeld, Carol Channing, Kevin James, Paula Poundstone, Joan Rivers and Jay Leno. This last August, Rhonda once again had the honor of performing for National Comedy Center, located in Jamestown, New York. Rhonda believes in the healing power of music and laughter. Her personal passion is providing a musical comedy ministry for sufferers of Dementia-related illnesses—a cause she cares for deeply. Visit her website: rhondamedina.com

JENN OLLIVIER (“Judy Garland”) is an actor, singer and voice-over artist living in the Seattle area. She began acting in local television commercials at the tender age of five, later moving on to live radio theater on KVMR in Nevada City, California. Her special talents include animal noises, kids’ voices, and jingle singing. Jenn has been involved with the Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound (REPS) and the Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety And Comedy (SPERDVAC) ever since she first barked her way through a production of The Wizard of Oz, as Toto, at the 2009 REPS Showcase. Most of her experience is in live stage productions. Favorite past shows include The Rocky Horror Show, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Leaving Iowa, and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. For nearly ten years, Jenn was lead vocalist for UC7, a Seattle-based cover band. She was last seen onstage as “Marmee” in the musical version of Little Women. Jenn can also be heard on two audiobooks: You’d Be So Nice to Come Home to: The Letters of Paul Buddy Frees and Annelle Frees, and Silent Lives: 100 Biographies of the Silent Film Era.

GROUCHO ON THE RADIO starring Frank Ferrante as Groucho Marx

Gregg Oppenheimer 2023-10-29 | GROUCHO ON THE RADIO
Produced and Directed by GREGG OPPENHEIMER
An ONLINE RADIO THEATRE Production (in association with SPERDVAC*)
for the 2023 SPERDVAC Old-Time Radio Convention
Narration written by GREGG OPPENHEIMER
Production consultant: IVAN CURY

** Watch more ONLINE RADIO THEATRE at bit.ly/2XU5bpx

CAST:

-- Read cast bios at GreggOppenheimer.wordpress.com —

GROUCHO MARX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FRANK FERRANTE
INTRO, BUTTERWORTH FAN, NURSE . . . DEVON SORVARI
JACK BENNY, BOOKIE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BRAD ZINN
DON WILSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JOHN JENSEN
LANNY ROSS, INTERN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IVAN CURY
CHARLIE BUTTERWORTH . . . . . . . . . . . . PHIL PROCTOR
CHICO MARX, PATIENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BRYAN HENDRICKSON
JEALOUS HUSBAND, ORSON WELLES . . ED FRENCH

IN MEMORY OF OUR BELOVED FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE, MELINDA PETERSON
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*S.P.E.R.D.V.A.C.= Society to Preserve & Encourage Radio Drama, Variety And Comedy

FRANK FERRANTE (“Groucho Marx”) is the recipient of New York’s Theatre World Award, two Connecticut Critics Circle Awards, and nominations for the New York Outer Critics Circle Award, London’s Laurence Olivier Award, and Washington D.C.’s Helen Hayes Award. He was discovered by Groucho Marx’s son, playwright Arthur Marx, when the 22-year-old Ferrante performed as Groucho while studying drama at USC. Marx cast Frank to star in the heralded 1986-87 Off-Broadway production of his "Groucho: A Life in Revue," which played for 254 performances. Ferrante is one of the busiest touring performers in theater today, logging more than 3,000 performances internationally as “Groucho” in more than 500 cities over the past 35 years. Since 2001 he has starred as Teatro ZinZanni’s comic host, “Caesar,” in more than 1,500 performances from San Francisco to Seattle to Amsterdam. In 1996 Frank starred in the Off-Broadway Marx musical "The Cocoanuts" by George S. Kaufman, whom Ferrante then portrayed in the one-man show "By George" (written by Ferrante). He has performed lead roles in many of the country’s most prominent regional theaters, and is in-house director of many stage comedies produced by Philadelphia’s historic Walnut Street Theatre—including critically acclaimed revivals of Neil Simon’s "Brighton Beach Memoirs," "Biloxi Blues," "Broadway Bound," "Laughter on the 23rd Floor" (starring Ferrante), "The Sunshine Boys," and "Lost in Yonkers." In 2017, Ferrante directed and starred as “Pseudolus” in Stephen Sondheim’s musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," receiving kudos from Sondheim himself. In 2019, Ferrante starred in and directed Ken Ludwig’s "A Comedy of Tenors," collaborating with the playwright in the lauded Walnut Street Theatre production. On television, Ferrante has appeared as a talking mime in the Emmy Award-winning "Childrens Hospital" and provided voices for "SpongeBob Square Pants" and "Garfield." He has been featured on "The Today Show," BBC Radio and TV and the nationally televised PBS version of his stage show "Groucho: A Life in Revue" (produced by Ferrante). In 1986 the legendary illustrator Al Hirschfeld drew a caricature of Ferrante—then appearing in "Groucho"—for The New York Times. In 2004, the following question appeared in the “Off-Broadway” category on TV’s Jeopardy: “He took his performance as Groucho to New York in 1986.” The answer: “Who is Frank Ferrante?” In October, 2021, Frank received a ‘star’ on Palm Springs’ famed “Walk of Stars.” Ferrante is the owner of Groucho Marx Productions, Inc., which represents the name and likeness of the iconic performer. The film version of his stage show, re-titled Frank Ferrante’s GROUCHO, premiered on public television in spring, 2022.

Frank Ferrante photo credit: LaRae Lobdell
Cigar icon created by photo3idea_studio - Flaticon (www.flaticon.com)

THE JACK BENNY PROGRAM directed by Gregg Oppenheimer, starring Brad Zinn & Beverly Washburn

Gregg Oppenheimer 2023-02-19 | THE JACK BENNY PROGRAM ("Christmas Shopping")
Produced and Directed by GREGG OPPENHEIMER
An ONLINE RADIO THEATRE Production (in association with SPERDVAC*)
for the 2023 International Jack Benny Fan Club Virtual Convention
Production consultant: IVAN CURY

•Watch more ONLINE RADIO THEATRE at
YouTube.com/playlist?list=PLfI9sSfI_pXOt-JRB6Hyq_TPNOXELVcNp

CAST:
-- Read cast bios at GreggOppenheimer.wordpress.com —

MR. KITZEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LARRY ALBERT
PERFUME SALES CLERK . . . . . JIM BEAVER
PHIL HARRIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TOMMY COOK
TOUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IVAN CURY
YVE EVANS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . YVE EVANS
CORSET SALES CLERK . . . . . . . ED FRENCH
SHOELACE SALES CLERK . . . . BRYAN HENDRICKSON
DON WILSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JOHN JENSEN
LINGERIE SALES CLERK . . . . . . MELINDA PETERSON
FLOORWALKER . . . . . . . . . . . . . PHIL PROCTOR
SHOE SALES CLERK . . . . . . . . . CAMDEN SINGER
DENNIS DAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . STUFFY SINGER
MARY LIVINGSTONE . . . . . . . . . BEVERLY WASHBURN
JACK BENNY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BRAD ZINN

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*S.P.E.R.D.V.A.C.= Society to Preserve & Encourage Radio Drama, Variety And Comedy

Lucy Loves Desi Promo Video

Gregg Oppenheimer 2022-12-21 | LUCY LOVES DESI: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom
By Gregg Oppenheimer.
21-city NATIONAL TOUR January 14, 2023 - March 10, 2023
Visit LUCYNET.COM for more info and to download a full-cast recording of the world premiere production ("I Love Lucy: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom")

The hilarious true story behind America's most beloved comedy. Playwright Gregg Oppenheimer—son of I Love Lucy creator Jess Oppenheimer—spins this witty, fast-paced tale of Lucy and Desi's battles with CBS with as much heart and humor as an episode of I Love Lucy itself.

THE BICKERSONS, starring ALISON ARNGRIM & BRAD ZINN (+ post-credit BONUS)

Gregg Oppenheimer 2022-06-13 | THE BICKERSONS, written by Philip Rapp
An ONLINE RADIO THEATRE Production (in association with SPERDVAC*)
Produced & Directed by GREGG OPPENHEIMER
Production Consultant: IVAN CURY

WHO'S WHO IN THE CAST:

ALISON ARNGRIM (“Blanche Bickerson”), NY Times Best Selling author of "Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated," is best known to viewers world-wide for her portrayal of the incredibly nasty “Nellie Oleson” on the much-loved, long-running hit television series Little House On The Prairie. She continues to amuse audiences through her many film, television, stage and multi-media appearances. Alison’s one woman show “Confessions of a Prairie Bitch,” which started at Club Fez in New York in 2002, has now become a worldwide phenomenon, performed to packed houses in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Green Bay, San Francisco, Seattle, and in France, where Alison performs entirely in French to standing room only crowds in her all French version titled: “Confessions d’une Garce de La Prairie” and “La Malle aux Tresors de Nellie Oleson.” As a stand-up comedian, Alison has headlined at nightclubs such as the Laugh Factory, the Comedy Store and the Improv in Los Angeles, the Laurie Beechman Theatre in New York, and assorted comedy venues all across the United States and Canada.

GREGG OPPENHEIMER (Producer-Director), got his start in comedy at the tender age of four when his father, "I Love Lucy" creator Jess Oppenheimer, introduced him to Lucille Ball on the set. Kneeling down, a smiling Lucy asked Gregg, “Where did you get those big brown eyes?” Gregg’s deadpan reply: “They came with the face.” Lucy nearly fell over laughing. In 1996, he left a successful law career to complete his late father’s humorous memoir, "Laughs, Luck…and Lucy." The book’s success led to Gregg’s hit comedy play, "I LOVE LUCY: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom" (available at LATW.org and Amazon).

PHIL PROCTOR ("Announcer") is a founding member of the thrice-Grammy-nominated Firesign Theatre (one of the “30 Greatest Acts of All Time”), whose archives were purchased by the Library of Congress. In his 65-year career, he’s appeared on-and-off Broadway, toured the USSR with the Yale Russian Chorus and the US and Canada as Don Quixote with the LA Guitar Quartet. He’s appeared in films, commercials, audiobooks, video games, radio and TV shows and received Theatre World, L.A. Weekly, Los Angeles Free Press and Drama Critics’ awards. Phil’s voice credits include Oscar-winning films for Pixar and Disney, the Drunken French Monkey in Dr. Dolittle, “Dr. Vidic” in Assassin’s Creed, “Simon Stagg” in Batman: Arkham Knight, and “Howard” in the Emmy-winning Rugrats, which has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is a longtime member of The Antaeus Theater Company and has authored several new books, including his best-selling autobiography, Where’s My Fortune Cookie? (co-authored by Brad Schreiber), now available as an Audie-winning podcast and audiobook, and What to Say to Your Crazy Right-Wing Uncle: Talking Points for Liberals with his partner, Samuel Joseph, while their political comedy, God Help Us, starring Ed Asner, has toured the nation and Canada to rave reviews. He presently hosts a new podcast series with long-time friend and producer Ted Bonnitt called Phil & Ted’s Sexy Boomer Show, and The Firesign Theatre just released a two-LP limited edition of rare excerpts from their radio years—Dope Humor of the 70s—for Stand Up! Records. Visit planetproctor.com

BRAD ZINN (“John Bickerson“), actor, comedian, and magician, has appeared in six films and hundreds of local and national TV and radio commercials since 1975. A featured performer on the Holland America, Radisson, Orient, and Norwegian Cruise Lines, Brad has entertained at the world famous London Palladium and at Las Vegas’s SunCoast Resort Casino, as well as emceeing the 5th Anniversary celebration at Vegas’s Sapphire Comedy Spot. In 2014 Brad headlined two prestigious gatherings: his one-man show, The Great Comedians, was the featured closing night entertainment for the Association for Applied & Therapeutic Humor National Convention. Two months later it was the closing night entertainment for the Official Red Skelton Festival. Over the years Brad has performed alongside such great performers as Dick Van Dyke, Shirley Jones, Cliff Robertson, Paul Rodriguez, Damon Wayans, Richard Crenna, Will Shriner, Harry Anderson, and Lynda Carter, among many others. Listed in Marquis’ Who’s Who In Entertainment, Who’s Who In The World, and International Men of Achievement, Brad was named “Magician of the Year” in 2000 by International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 55 and Society of American Magicians Assembly 248, which in 2016 presented Brad with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Brad’s website is greatcomedians.net

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*S.P.E.R.D.V.A.C.= Society to Preserve & Encourage Radio Drama, Variety And Comedy

PLAYING BOTH SIDES: Jack Benny vs. Fred Allen

Gregg Oppenheimer 2022-02-14 | PLAYING BOTH SIDES: Jack Benny vs. Fred Allen
Written, Produced and Directed by GREGG OPPENHEIMER
Comedy Routines by JESS OPPENHEIMER (creator of "I LOVE LUCY")
An ONLINE RADIO THEATRE Production (in association with SPERDVAC*)
Production consultant: IVAN CURY

•Watch more ONLINE RADIO THEATRE shows at
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfI9sSfI_pXOt-JRB6Hyq_TPNOXELVcNp

CAST (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE):
-- Read cast bios at greggoppenheimer.wordpress.com —

ANNOUNCER / DON WILSON . . . . . JOHN JENSEN
JESS OPPENHEIMER . . . . . IVAN CURY
FRED ALLEN . . . . . LARRY ALBERT
JACK BENNY / GEORGE BURNS . . . . . BRAD ZINN
MISS SCHORR / PORTLAND HOFFA / JOAN CRAWFORD . . . . . MELINDA PETERSON
AL JOLSON / CHARLES BUTTERWORTH / GEORGE MURPHY . . . . PHIL PROCTOR
JOHN BARRYMORE / CUSTOMER . . . . DAVID OSSMAN
KENNY BAKER . . . . . STUFFY SINGER
GRACIE ALLEN . . . . . ALISON ARNGRIM
MARY LIVINGSTONE . . . . . BEVERLY WASHBURN
PHIL HARRIS . . . . . TOMMY COOK
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*S.P.E.R.D.V.A.C.= Society to Preserve & Encourage Radio Drama, Variety And Comedy

Radios Golden Age - with Rosalind Russell, Kate Smith, Shirley Mitchell, and Mason Adams

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-10-24 | Rosalind Russell looks back at Old Time Radio. This is from FORD STARTIME, broadcast Oct 6, 1959, on NBC-TV. Featuring Kate Smith, Shirley Mitchell ("I Love Lucy", "The Great Gildersleeve"), Mason Adams ("Lou Grant", "With a Name Like Smuckers It Better Be Good"), Gilbert Mack, and Mort Marshall. Written by Larry Gelbart. Directed by Bob Fosse and Kirk Browning. Produced by Jess Oppenheimer.

Rosalind Russell and Arthur OConnell in Picnic on NBCs Ford Startime - Oct 6, 1959

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-10-17 | Rosalind Russell and Arthur O'Connell perform a scene from William Inge's "Picnic" on NBC-TV, October 6, 1959. The narrator is Jack Paar. From FORD STARTIME, produced by Jess Oppenheimer and directed by Bob Fosse and Kirk Browning.

Bob Fosse, Larry Gelbart depict The American Western through dance - 1959

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-10-11 | This sequence depicting the American Western, written by Larry Gelbart, choreographed by Bob Fosse, and featuring Tommy Rall, is from FORD STARTIME (Broadcast Oct 6, 1959, on NBC-TV). Directed by Bob Fosse and Kirk Browning. Produced by Jess Oppenheimer. Music by Harry Sosnick.

Carol Burnett, Steve Lawrence, Dan Dailey, Chita Rivera, Kirk Douglas & Ernest Borgnine - NBC 1957

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-10-06 | Carol Burnett, Steve Lawrence, Dan Dailey, Chita Rivera, Kirk Douglas & Ernest Borgnine on the Emmy-nominated General Motors 50th Anniversary Special, broadcast live on NBC-TV on November 17, 1957. Written by Helen Deutsch. Directed by Charles Dubin. Choreographed by John Butler. Produced by Jess Oppenheimer.

Shari Lewiss Unseen 1958 NBC Screen Test

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-10-04 | In 1958, when Shari Lewis was a popular local kids’ daytime TV personality in NYC but largely unknown to the rest of the nation, my father flew her out to Hollywood to film a pilot for NBC. When she arrived, my parents took her to dinner at Chasen's. Shari later told me that her biggest thrill was when Groucho Marx came over to their table and wiggled his eyebrows at her. That, she said, was the moment she KNEW she was in Hollywood. Shari came over to our house a couple of times that week, and I was instantly enchanted (as any 7-year old would be). She even managed to teach me how to make my own rabbit puppet out of a cloth table napkin (something I still do on occasion). The pilot, unfortunately, didn't get picked up. But just two years later NBC relented and gave Shari her own network show (replacing Howdy Doody), and soon the whole country was as enchanted as I was. And 35 years later I was able to continue a family tradition when I introduced my 9-year old daughter to Shari at her home in Beverly Hills. Anyway, enjoy Shari Lewis's never-broadcast 1958 screen test with Lamb Chop and Charlie Horse.

Bob Fosse - 1949

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-09-23 | Bob Fosse dances in a 1949 Camel Cigarette commercial. This aired during the December 24, 1949 installment of "The Ed Wynn Show" on the CBS Television Network.

Dinah Shore, Dan Dailey, Howard Keel, Doretta Morrow, Bambi Linn, Jacques DAmboise, Chita Rivera…

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-09-20 | Kirk Douglas, Ernest Borgnine, Dinah Shore, Dan Dailey, Howard Keel, Doretta Morrow, Bambi Linn, Jacques D'Amboise, Chita Rivera and Helen Hayes on the General Motors 50th Anniversary Show, broadcast live from NBC Studios at Rockefeller Center on November 17, 1957. Choreography was by John Butler. The poem "The White Magnolia Tree" was written by Helen Deutsch.

June Allysons TV dramatic debut - Our Town - Nov 17, 1957

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-09-13 | A rare kinescope recording of June Allyson's TV dramatic debut in a scene from Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" on the General Motors 50th Anniversary Special, a live 2-hour star-studded NBC-TV spectacular on November 17, 1957. The show was hosted by Kirk Douglas and Ernest Borgnine, directed by Charles Dubin, and produced by my dad, Jess Oppenheimer. Carmen Mathews plays Emily's mother. John Gibson plays her father, and John Fiedler is the milkman.

Eddie Bracken / Alice Ghostley Comedy Sketch - GM 50th Anniversary Show, NBC-TV - Nov 17, 1957

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-09-10 | Eddie Bracken and Alice Ghostley in "Togetherness" -- a comedy sketch from the General Motors 50th Anniversary Show -- a live two-hour star-studded NBC-TV special produced by my dad (Jess Oppenheimer) in 1957. This is a rarely-seen kinescope of the live broadcast on November 17, 1957. The son is played by Dennis Olivieri and the daughter is played by Tirell Barbery.

Cyril Ritchard - Mutual Admiration Society - Nov 17, 1957

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-09-01 | Cyril Richard is one of my favorite performers, ever since his unforgettable portrayal of Captain Hook in the live 1955 TV broadcast of PETER PAN. Two years later I had the privilege of meeting him when he performed this number on THE GENERAL MOTORS 50th ANNIVERSARY SHOW, a two-hour musical extravaganza which my dad produced. This is a rarely seen kinescope of the live NBC-TV broadcast, November 17, 1957. The little girl is Claudia Crawford ("The Edge of Night"). The song, "Mutual Appreciation Society," was written by Matt Dubey and Harold Karr for the 1956 musical "Happy Hunting," starring Ethel Merman.

Carol Burnett, Steve Lawrence and Dan Dailey sing The Bullfrog Patrol - 1957

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-08-27 | Steve Lawrence was a frequent guest on The Carol Burnett Show, but the two actually first worked together a full decade earlier, on The General Motors 50th Anniversary Show—a two-hour all-star musical extravaganza, broadcast live on NBC-TV on November 17, 1957, produced by my dad (Jess Oppenheimer). In this rarely seen kinescope, Carol Burnett, Steve Lawrence and Dan Dailey sing Jerome Kern's "The Bullfrog Patrol."

Rebecca Kilgore, Nicki Parrott sing Like the Brightest Star (m. Harry Allen, w. Gregg Oppenheimer)

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-08-10 | Rebecca Kilgore and Nicki Parrott sing "Like the Brightest Star" (music by Harry Allen, words by Gregg Oppenheimer) at the 2021 West Texas Jazz Party in Odessa, TX
Tenor Sax: Harry Allen - http://harryallenjazz.com
Bass: Nicki Parrott - http://www.nickiparrott.com
Piano: Rossano Sportiello - rossanosportiello.com
Vibraphone: Chuck Redd - chuckredd.com
Drums: Eddie Metz, Jr.

West Texas Jazz Society
Basin PBS

MY FAVORITE HUSBAND: The show that inspired I LOVE LUCY

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-08-07 | MY FAVORITE HUSBAND: the show that inspired "I LOVE LUCY"
A re-creation by GREGG OPPENHEIMER
Written by JESS OPPENHEIMER, MADELYN PUGH and BOB CARROLL JR.
An ONLINE RADIO THEATRE Production (in association with SPERDVAC*)
Produced and Directed by GREGG OPPENHEIMER
Production consultant: IVAN CURY

•Watch more ONLINE RADIO THEATRE shows at www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfI9sSfI_pXOt-JRB6Hyq_TPNOXELVcNp

MY FAVORITE HUSBAND - WHO'S WHO IN THE CAST:
-- more info at greggoppenheimer.wordpress.com

LUCILLE BALL/LIZ COOPER . . . . . DIANE VINCENT
RICHARD DENNING/GEORGE COOPER . . . . . SEAMUS DEVER
IRIS ATTERBURY . . . . . MELINDA PETERSON
HERB PAXTON . . . . . MATTHEW FLOYD MILLER
RUDOLPH ATTERBURY . . . . . PHIL PROCTOR
YVE EVANS . . . . HERSELF
BOB LeMOND . . . . DAVID OSSMAN
MARGE . . . . . JULIANA DEVER
SANKA ANNOUNCER . . . . . IVAN CURY
GRACIE ALLEN . . . . . ALISON ARNGRIM
GEORGE BURNS . . . . . BRAD ZINN
CAROLYN . . . . . NANCY FOY
SANKA HUSBAND . . . . . DOUGLAS McGRATH

YVE EVANS's song, "Stay a Little While," was composed by HARRY ALLEN, with lyrics by GREGG OPPENHEIMER. Song accompaniment arranged and performed by Yve Evans.

Episode music arranged and performed by DOUG WALTER.

------------
*S.P.E.R.D.V.A.C.= Society to Preserve & Encourage Radio Drama, Variety And Comedy

Yve Evans Presents Coachella Valley Jazz (UN International Jazz Day 2021)

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-04-30 | I'm so honored that my song "Happy You Happened to Me" (music by Harry Allen, words by yours truly) was chosen to open "YVE EVANS PRESENTS COACHELLA VALLEY JAZZ" for UNESCO's International Jazz Day (April 30, 2021). More on International Jazz Day at jazzday.com | More on Harry Allen at harryallenjazz.com

Yve Evans performs Happy You Happened to Me by Harry Allen & Gregg Oppenheimer

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-04-16 | Words by Gregg Oppenheimer
Music by Harry Allen
As seen on Online Radio Theatre's "Burns & Allen" show:
youtube.com/watch?v=aEHMzTEfO-Y

YVE EVANS (Vocalist, Piano) has performed all over the world, played with some of the greats of jazz, and cut eight CDs—all recorded live and in one take, the way jazz was meant to be. There's an intangible quality to her music that gives it a life of its own—life that reaches out and touches the soul of everyone who hears it. Mentored by the internationally-renowned choral conductor Jester Hairston, Yve studied Opera and Theater at the University of California, Irvine, School of Fine Arts. Her band (she calls it her "Company") is comprised of some of the industry's most accomplished musicians. Each performance shows a dedication to the tradition and understanding of Jazz and its timeless repertoire. Her goal is to share the sheer joy and freedom her music brings, or at the very least to take the audience on a musical roller coaster ride, with Yve at the helm. As a singer Yve cites as her main influences some of the finest vocalists in the world: Sarah Vaughn, Ernie Andrews, Joe Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, June Christie, Della Reese, Bobby Darin and Rosemary Clooney. As a pianist she has leaned over the shoulders of, swapped chord changes with, and stolen licks from Dorothy Donegan, Bill Evans, Erroll Garner, George Gafney, Carmen McCrae and Shirley Horn. Yve's style is best summed up by the title of one of her CDs: "3 Degrees Celsius—Not Frozen, Just Very Cool."

GREGG OPPENHEIMER (Lyricist) is the son of I Love Lucy creator-producer-head writer Jess Oppenheimer. He got his start in comedy at the tender age of four when his father introduced him to Lucille Ball on the I Love Lucy set. Kneeling down, a smiling Lucy asked Gregg, "Where did you get those big brown eyes?" Gregg's deadpan reply: "They came with the face." Lucy nearly fell over laughing. In 1996, he left a successful law career in order to complete his late father's humorous memoir, "Laughs, Luck...and Lucy: How I Came to Create the Most Popular Sitcom of All Time" (Syracuse University Press). The book's success led to Gregg's hit comedy play, "I Love Lucy: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom," which aired on public radio in 2018, and is available for digital download at LATW.org. The show begins its national tour (as "LUCY LOVES DESI: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom") in January 2022. From 2000 to 2007, Gregg produced the multi-award-winning I Love Lucy DVD Series for CBS. Starting in 2014 Gregg co-wrote and directed the annual Palm Springs benefit show ON THE AIR: An Evening of Live Radio Classics! for the award-winning Dezart Performs theatre company, directing such performers as Gary Beach, Carole Cook, Joyce Bulifant, Mariette Hartley, Hal Linden, Gavin MacLeod, Millicent Martin, Lee Meriwether, Phil Proctor, Marion Ross, and Fred Willard. Gregg is a member of ASCAP and The Dramatists Guild.

HARRY ALLEN (Composer) was inducted in 2020 into the Jazz Monsters Hall of Fame at SOKA University of America and was a top-three finalist for France's Acadamie du Jazz's Prix du Jazz Classique for his CD, “Under a Blanket of Blue”. Harry has recorded over 70 CDs as a leader and many more as a sideman. Three have won Gold Disc Awards from Japan's Swing Journal Magazine, and "Tenors Anyone?" won both the Gold Disc Award and the New Star Award. His recordings have made the top ten list for favorite new releases in Swing Journal Magazine's reader's poll and Jazz Journal International's critic's poll for 1997, and "Eu Nao Quero Dancar (I Won't Dance)," the third Gold Disc Award winner, was voted second for album of the year for 1998 by Swing Journal Magazine’s reader’s poll. The Harry Allen – Joe Cohn Quartet won the New York Nightlife Award for Outstanding Jazz Combo Performance of 2006 and was nominated for Best Jazz Combo by the Jazz Journalists Association for the same year. Harry also won the 2010 New York Nightlife Award for Best Jazz Solo. He has performed at jazz festivals and clubs worldwide, performing with Rosemary Clooney, Jay Geils, Ray Brown, Hank Jones, Frank Wess, Flip Phillips, Scott Hamilton, Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Kenny Burrell, Herb Ellis, John Pizzarelli, Bucky Pizzarelli, Gus Johnson, Jeff Hamilton, Terry Gibbs, Warren Vache, and has recorded with Tony Bennett, Johnny Mandel, Ray Brown, Tommy Flanagan, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, Kenny Barron, Dave McKenna, Dori Caymmi, Larry Goldings, George Mraz, Jake Hanna, and Al Foster, among others. Harry is featured on many of John Pizzarelli's recordings including the soundtrack and an on-screen cameo in the feature film "The Out of Towners" starring Steve Martin & Goldie Hawn. Per jazz writer/lyricist Gene Lees: "Stan Getz was once asked his idea of the perfect tenor saxophone soloist. His answer: 'My technique, Al Cohn's ideas, and Zoot's time.' The fulfillment of that ideal may well be embodied in... Harry Allen."

Burns & Allen: Gracie Does the Income Tax (starring Brad Zinn & Alison Arngrim)

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-04-16 | •Watch more ONLINE RADIO THEATRE at youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfI9sSfI_pXOt-JRB6Hyq_TPNOXELVcNp
SPERDVAC* presents a recreation of George Burns & Gracie Allen's 1940s radio show, MAXWELL HOUSE COFFEE TIME ("Gracie Does the Income Tax").

An ONLINE RADIO THEATRE Production
Produced & directed by GREGG OPPENHEIMER.
Production consultant: . . IVAN CURY

*The Society to Preserve & Encourage Radio Drama, Variety And Comedy

WHO'S WHO IN THE CAST
- read bios at greggoppenheimer.wordpress.com -
GEORGE BURNS . . . . . . . BRAD ZINN
GRACIE ALLEN . . . . . . . . ALISON ARNGRIM
YVE EVANS . . . . . . . . . . . HERSELF
BILL GOODWIN . . . . . . . . IVAN CURY
DR. MILLER . . . . . . . . . . . PHIL PROCTOR
MEREDITH WILLSON . . . STUFFY SINGER
THE TAX MAN . . . . . . . . . ED FRENCH
ANNOUNCER . . . . . . . . . . DAVID OSSMAN

YVE EVANS's song, "Happy You Happened to Me", was composed by HARRY ALLEN, with lyrics by GREGG OPPENHEIMER.

Outtakes - Dean Martin + Carol Lawrence

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-04-10 | As a teenager I spent lots of time on Hollywood sound stages, watching my dad work and meeting the performers. Dad also took us to tapings of The Dean Martin Show. One of my favorite performers in both contexts was the beautiful, talented Carol Lawrence, whom I was lucky enough to meet on the set of “Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre" when I was 15. I developed an immediate crush. Here's Carol with Dean Martin, who’s having way too much fun after messing up the melody of "Somebody Loves Me"

Gregg Oppenheimer discusses Online Radio Theatre

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-02-24 | KESQ TV's Patrick Evans Interviews Gregg Oppenheimer
Watch Online Radio Theatre at youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfI9sSfI_pXOt-JRB6Hyq_TPNOXELVcNp

The Lives of Harry Lime (The Third Man) starring Orson Welles (Ed French) + The Firesign Theatre

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-02-22 | •Watch more ONLINE RADIO THEATRE at youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfI9sSfI_pXOt-JRB6Hyq_TPNOXELVcNp
SPERDVAC* presents "The Lives of Harry Lime" - starring ED FRENCH (as Orson Welles) + The Firesign Theatre's PHIL PROCTOR & DAVID OSSMAN. Recreating the 1951 radio broadcast, based on the film "The Third Man.” Produced & directed by GREGG OPPENHEIMER.

*The Society to Preserve & Encourage Radio Drama, Variety And Comedy

An ONLINE RADIO THEATRE Production

WHO'S WHO IN THE CAST*:
- read bios at greggoppenheimer.wordpress.com -
HARRY LIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EDWARD FRENCH
FECCADY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PHIL PROCTOR
LULU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MELINDA PETERSON
COMMERCIAL ANNOUNCER,
POLICE CAPTAIN . . . . . . . . . . . . DAVID OSSMAN
ANNOUNCER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IVAN CURY
FECCADY'S RECEPTIONIST,
JINGLE SINGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . CAMDEN SINGER

Production consultant . . . . . . . IVAN CURY

Diana Canova Sings A Dream Will Have to Do by Harry Allen & Gregg Oppenheimer

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-02-20 | Words by Gregg Oppenheimer
Music by Harry Allen
As seen on "Burns & Allen with Rich Little as Jack Benny" (1/13/21) - youtu.be/GIxWJ4StGl4
Accompaniment arranged and performed by Doug Walter

DIANA CANOVA (Vocalist) made her television acting debut on "Happy Days," in 1974, portraying Richie’s considerably taller date. She later guest-starred on CHICO AND THE MAN, STARSKY & HUTCH, and several TV movies. In 1977 she was the promiscuous “Corinne Tate” on SOAP, opposite Katherine Helmond as her mother. Diana’s beautiful singing voice was featured in Perry Como’s EARLY AMERICAN CHRISTMAS special in 1978, in which she co-starred with Como and John Wayne. In 1979 she appeared on BARNEY MILLER as nude dancer/prostitute/graduate student “Stephanie Wolf.” In 1980-81, Diana co-starred with Danny Thomas in I'M A BIG GIRL NOW, then co-starred on the short-lived CBS sitcom FOOT IN THE DOOR. From 1986 to 1888 she starred in the syndicated sitcom THROB. Diana appeared in three episodes of MURDER, SHE WROTE, and in 1993 she co-starred in the ABC sitcom HOME FREE. Since the mid 1990s she’s done voice work for cartoons and video shorts. Diana’s Broadway debut came in 1981, taking over the co-starring role in Neil Simon musical THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG. In 1995 she played “Jenny” in a Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s COMPANY. Diana is currently adjunct professor of voice at Manhattanville College, and works with school systems Connecticut, directing musicals and short plays and a high school improv troupe that performs at charity events. Under her leadership, Joel Barlow High School’s theater program has won awards from the Connecticut Drama Association, setting a record by winning first place two years in a row in multiple categories.

GREGG OPPENHEIMER (Lyricist), son of I LOVE LUCY creator-producer-head writer Jess Oppenheimer, got his start in comedy at the tender age of four when his father introduced him to Lucille Ball on the I LOVE LUCY set. Kneeling down, a smiling Lucy asked Gregg, “Where did you get those big brown eyes?” Gregg’s deadpan reply: “They came with the face.” Lucy nearly fell over laughing. In 1996, he left a successful law career in order to complete his late father’s humorous memoir, LAUGHS, LUCK, AND LUCY: How I Came to Create the Most Popular Sitcom of All Time (Syracuse University Press). The book’s success led to Gregg’s hit comedy play, I LOVE LUCY: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE SITCOM, which aired on public radio in 2018, and is available for digital download at LATW.org. The show will soon begin its national tour. From 2000 to 2007, Gregg produced the multi-award-winning I LOVE LUCY DVD Series for CBS. Starting in 2014 Gregg co-wrote and directed the annual Palm Springs benefit show ON THE AIR: AN EVENING OF LIVE RADIO CLASSICS! for the award-winning Dezart Performs theatre company, directing such performers as Gary Beach, Carole Cook, Joyce Bulifant, Mariette Hartley, Hal Linden, Gavin MacLeod, Millicent Martin, Lee Meriwether, Phil Proctor, Marion Ross, and Fred Willard. Gregg is a member of ASCAP and The Dramatists Guild of America.

HARRY ALLEN (Composer) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist born in Washington, D.C. Early on he was recognized in high school as an exceptional talent able to play tunes such as Body and Soul in the style of tenor players Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Flip Phillips, and Sam Donahue. He is a traditionalist in the manner of Scott Hamilton. He is best known for his work with John Colianni, Dori Caymmi, Keith Ingham, John Pizzarelli, and Bucky Pizzarelli.

DOUG WALTER (Performer/Arranger, Musical Accompaniment) wears a variety of musical hats, staying busy as a composer, performer, and conductor. Playing keyboards and woodwinds, he has shared the stage with artists as diverse as Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Sting, Michael McDonald, Bernadette Peters, Jason Mraz, Roberta Flack, and John Legend, among many others. His experiences as pianist/music director have included performing and arranging for Paul Williams, Connie Francis, Suzanne Somers, Rita Moreno, Michael Feinstein and Carol Burnett. Doug’s compositions, arrangements and orchestrations have been extensively performed live as well as on records and television and in movies. His orchestrations have been heard regularly for years on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, as well as in features like THE SNOW QUEEN and the Disney movies THE MUPPETS, A MUPPETS CHRISTMAS, and MUPPETS MOST WANTED. On Broadway he was pianist-music director-orchestrator for THE BLONDE IN THE THUNDERBIRD and contributed orchestrations to ALL ABOUT ME. Doug also orchestrated HARMONY (a musical by Barry Manilow), and I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU.

Burns & Allen with Rich Little as Jack Benny

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-02-14 | •Watch more ONLINE RADIO THEATRE at youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfI9sSfI_pXOt-JRB6Hyq_TPNOXELVcNp
SPERDVAC* presents George Burns & Gracie Allen + Special Guest Jack Benny (Recreating the radio broadcast of Mar 31, 1949.) Produced & directed by GREGG OPPENHEIMER. Stars RICH LITTLE, BRAD ZINN, ALISON ARNGRIM & DIANA CANOVA.

*The Society to Preserve & Encourage Radio Drama, Variety And Comedy

An ONLINE RADIO THEATRE Production

WHO'S WHO IN THE CAST:
- read bios at greggoppenheimer.wordpress.com -
JACK BENNY . . . . . . . . RICH LITTLE
GEORGE BURNS . . . . . BRAD ZINN
GRACIE ALLEN . . . . . . ALISON ARNGRIM
DIANA CANOVA . . . . . HERSELF
BILL GOODWIN . . . . . . IVAN CURY
WAITER . . . . . . . . . . . . PHIL PROCTOR
ANNOUNCER . . . . . . . . MICHAEL C. GWYNNE

Production consultant: . . . IVAN CURY

Diana Canova's song, "A Dream Will Have to Do", was composed by HARRY ALLEN with lyrics by GREGG OPPENHEIMER. Musical accompaniment arranged and performed by DOUG WALTER.

THE FIRESIGN THEATREs David Ossman & Phil Proctor preview THE LIVES OF HARRY LIME

Gregg Oppenheimer 2021-02-09 | Trailer for the Online Radio Theatre production of "THE LIVES OF HARRY LIME", premiering at youtu.be/MY4oV3mhixc on this YouTube Channel on Sunday, February 21, at 5pm Pacific / 8pm Eastern. Starring Edward French (as Orson Welles), Phil Proctor, Melinda Peterson, David Ossman, Ivan Cury, and Camden Singer. Produced and directed by GREGG OPPENHEIMER in association with SPERDVAC.* Details at SPERDVAC.com

*Society to Preserve & Encourage Radio Drama, Variety And Comedy

Ethel & Albert by Peg Lynch

Gregg Oppenheimer 2020-12-21 | •Watch more ONLINE RADIO THEATRE at youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfI9sSfI_pXOt-JRB6Hyq_TPNOXELVcNp
SPERDVAC (The Society to Preserve & Encourage Radio Drama, Variety And Comedy) presents "Jack Benny Program" veterans Beverly Washburn, Stuffy Singer & Ivan Cury in Peg Lynch's comedy gem, "THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ETHEL & ALBERT" (~20 min)
Written by Peg Lynch
Produced and directed by Gregg Oppenheimer

WHO'S WHO IN THE CAST:

BEVERLY WASHBURN ("Ethel"), TV’s 1st child star, racked up more than 500 television appearances in a career that included stints on classic shows like "The Jack Benny Program", "Dragnet," "Superman," "Leave it to Beaver," "Wagon Train," "77 Sunset Strip," "Father Knows Best," "Star Trek," "MacMillan & Wife," "Streets of San Francisco," and as a series regular on "General Hospital," She toured with Jack Benny after appearing on his radio program. Beverly's movie credits include featured roles in such classic films as "Old Yeller," "The Greatest Show on Earth," and "Hans Christian Anderson." She made her first movie at age six, quickly finding her niche. Over the years she worked with some of the biggest names in movies, radio & TV, including Jack Benny, Loretta Young, Lou Costello, Kirk Douglas, George Reeves, Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Alan Ladd, to name a few. You can watch Beverly's hilarious first encounter with Jack Benny at youtu.be/mmqViBBs2nQ

STUFFY SINGER ("Albert"), who appeared regularly on radio’s "The Jack Benny Program," acted in more than 700 radio shows, including "The Bob Hope Show," "The Great Gildersleeve," "Suspense," "The Lux Radio Theatre," "Fibber McGee and Molly," "Our Miss Brooks," and "Amos ’n’ Andy." He co-starred in Hollywood’s very first regularly-scheduled TV series--"Sandy Dreams," opposite Jill St. John and WEST SIDE STORY's Richard Beymer, then played "Donnie" on "Beulah" (starring Hattie McDaniel and later Louise Beavers) and "Alexander Bumstead" on "Blondie." Stuffy's more than 500 TV credits include "Burns and Allen," "Lassie," "Leave It to Beaver," "My Three Sons," "Ozzie & Harriet," "My Little Margie," and "The Patty Duke Show." Stuffy's movie roles include providing the voices of two of the “Lost Boys” in Disney’s "Peter Pan." A champion at football, baseball, tennis, table tennis, and handball, he was inducted into the U.S. Handball Association Hall of Fame in 1994.

IVAN CURY (Taxi Driver, Announcer) began acting at age 11 on radio's "Let’s Pretend." He appeared on such classic radio programs such as "The Jack Benny Program," "Cavalcade of America," "The Electric Theater," "Theatre Guild on the Air," "Mr. President," "Dr. Christian," and many others. Ivan is perhaps best known as Portia’s son on "Portia Faces Life" and in the title role of "Bobby Benson" on "Bobby Benson and the B-Bar-B Riders." As a television producer-director, his credits include "Camera Three’s 25th Anniversary of the Julliard String Quartet," "The Harkness Ballet," "Actor’s Choice," and "Soul!" as well as "The Doctors" and "The Young and the Restless." Ivan also created many TV commercials, including for The Men’s Wearhouse. He taught at Hunter and Adelphi Colleges and at UCLA and is the author of two books on television production.

GREGG OPPENHEIMER (Producer-Director), son of "I Love Lucy" creator-producer-head writer Jess Oppenheimer, got his start in comedy at the tender age of four when his father introduced him to Lucille Ball on the "I Love Lucy" set. Kneeling down, a smiling Lucy asked Gregg, "Where did you get those big brown eyes?" Gregg's deadpan reply: "They came with the face." Lucy nearly fell over laughing. In 1996, he left a successful law career in order to complete his late father's humorous memoir, "Laughs, Luck...and Lucy: How I Came to Create the Most Popular Sitcom of All Time" (Syracuse University Press). That book's success led Gregg's hit comedy play, "I Love Lucy: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom," which aired on public radio in 2018 and is now available for digital download at LATW.org and Amazon.com. From 2000 to 2007, he produced the award-winning "I Love Lucy" DVD Series for CBS. Starting in 2014 Gregg co-wrote and directed the annual Palm Springs benefit show "ON THE AIR: An Evening of Live Radio Classics!" for the award-winning Dezart Performs theatre company, directing such performers as Gary Beach, Carole Cook, Joyce Bulifant, Mariette Hartley, Hal Linden, Gavin MacLeod, Millicent Martin, Lee Meriwether, Phil Proctor, Marion Ross, and Fred Willard. Gregg is a member of ASCAP and The Dramatists Guild of America.

PEG LYNCH (Writer), who has been called "the lady who invented sitcom," wrote nearly 11,000 scripts for radio and television. She created, wrote, starred in, and owned the radio and television sitcoms "Ethel & Albert," "The Couple Next Door," and "The Little Things in Life," retaining ownership of the shows until her passing in 2015 at the age of 98. Find out more about Peg Lynch at peglynch.com.

The Lone Rangers Mother Comes to Visit

Gregg Oppenheimer 2020-06-17 | 2005 Friends of Old Time Radio Convention
Newark, NJ

I Love Lucy: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom

Gregg Oppenheimer 2019-02-12 | Download the L.A. Theatre Works Full Cast Production for only $4.99 at latw.org/title/i-love-lucy-funny-thing-happened-way-sitcom

If you love Lucy, don't miss this chance to see "I LOVE LUCY: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE SITCOM” by Gregg Oppenheimer. LIVE ONSTAGE -- ONE NIGHT ONLY! March 2, 2019 (Desi's birthday!) at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, starring Sarah Drew ("Grey's Anatomy") as Lucy and Oscar Nuñez ("The Office") as Desi, co-starring Seamus Dever ("Castle")! Proceeds benefit the entertainment industry charity, The Actors Fund. Last summer's run at UCLA's James Bridges Theater SOLD OUT, so ORDER TICKETS NOW at ActorsFund.org/Lucy.

Nichols & May at the 1959 Emmys

Gregg Oppenheimer 2018-12-22 | My dad (Jess Oppenheimer) produced the Emmy Awards telecast in 1959. In the midst of all the other award presentations, Mike Nichols and Elaine May surprised the audience with this brilliant bit. It was so far ahead of its time that this same routine could be done today without changing a single word.

I Love Lucy: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom

Gregg Oppenheimer 2018-06-26 | Playwright Gregg Oppenheimer shares the inspiration behind "I Love Lucy: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom" - July 12-15 at UCLA's James Bridges Theater, recorded for later nationwide broadcast on public radio.

Only 5 performances! Don't miss the chance to see this play recorded live, starring Sarah Drew ("Grey's Anatomy") as Lucille Ball, Oscar Nuñez ("The Office") as Desi Arnaz, and Seamus Dever ("Castle") as "I Love Lucy" creator Jess Oppenheimer.
goo.gl/AR9QDR

Jess Oppenheimers 1937 Hollywood Home Movies with Mel Blanc and Frank Nelson

Gregg Oppenheimer 2018-06-05 | In 1937, long before he created "I Love Lucy," my dad, Jess Oppenheimer (and friends) shot these home movies featuring Mel Blanc, Frank Nelson, Ken Carpenter, Lanny Ross, Walter O'Keefe, and Charlie Butterworth at KFI, during Dad's stint as a gag writer on the Jack Benny Benny Program (replacing Al Boasberg) at the same time that Dad was a writer on "Hollywood Mardi Gras". "Hollywood Mardi Gras" was Packard Motor Company's replacement show for "The Packard Hour with Fred Astaire" (featuring Astaire with comedian Charlie Butterworth and announcer Ken Carpenter) for which Dad and Austin Peterson wrote until Astaire quit after 39 weeks in June of 1937. "Mardi Gras" again featured Butterworth and had Carpenter announcing, but was hosted by Walter O'Keefe and tenor Lanny Ross, with a different guest star (such as Fred Allen or Groucho Marx) each week.

Don't miss "I Love Lucy: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom" - World Premiere July 12-15, 2018 at UCLA's James Bridges Theater!

latw.org/event/i-love-lucy-funny-thing-happened-way-sitcom-event-20172018

Rebecca Kilgore + Big Mama Sue Quartet: Moonshine Lullaby

Gregg Oppenheimer 2018-04-08 | Big Mama Sue Quartet + Guests at the 2014 Monterrey Jazz Bash
Vocalist: Rebecca Kilgore
Piano: Chris Calabrese
Souzaphone: Lee (Westy) Westenhofer
Washboard: Sue Kroninger
Banjo: Gary Ryan & Eddie Erickson

The Dead End Kids in Out of Thin Soil

Gregg Oppenheimer 2017-03-31 | Texaco Star Theatre - November 9, 1938
Host: John Barrymore
Cast: Billy Halop, Leo Gorcey, Bobby Jordan, Thelma Hubbard, and Paula Winslow
Original Story by Jess Oppenheimer
Adapted for Radio by Harry Kronman

Trump Trackdown

Gregg Oppenheimer 2017-01-18 | My old friend Larry Dobkin guest-starred as "Trump" in this prophetic episode of the 1958 Western TV series "Trackdown," starring Robert Culp.

The Oppenheimer Case - Get Smart Deleted Scene

Gregg Oppenheimer 2016-12-13 | Deleted Scene from "One of Our Olives Is Missing" - Episode 67 of "Get Smart"
Original Air Date: November 4, 1967
Written, produced and directed by Jess Oppenheimer.

On the first take, strictly as a joke on the producer-director (Jess Oppenheimer, who had also written the episode), Don Adams repeatedly substituted the name "Oppenheimer" in place of the name that was written in the script. But much to Don's surprise, that was the only take they did! This scene was included in the original broadcast, but later cut (for length) from some syndicated versions of this episode.

Bill Dendle & Eddie Erickson in Dueling Banjos

Gregg Oppenheimer 2016-10-24 | Bill Dendle & Eddie Erickson at the 2015 Monterrey Jazz Bash by the Bay

Paolo Alderighi & Stephanie Trick - A Birds Eye View

Gregg Oppenheimer 2016-10-15 | Paolo Alderighi & Stephanie Trick play "The Sheik of Araby" aboard the Crystal Serenity - October 2016

Bess, You Is My Woman Now aboard the Crystal Serenity

Gregg Oppenheimer 2016-10-15 | "Bess, You Is My Woman Now" from Gershwin's "Porgy & Bess", featuring Antti Sarpilia (Conductor, Arranger, Sax), Paolo Alderighi (Piano), Nicki Parrott (Bass), Jacob Fischer (Guitar), Danny Coots (Drums), and the Astoria String Quartet, aboard the Crystal Serenity - October 2016.

Avalon - Brian Holland, Stephanie Trick & Danny Coots - 2015 Monterey Jazz Bash by the Bay

Gregg Oppenheimer 2016-09-09 | "Avalon" - Brian Fuller (piano) Stephanie Trick (piano) & Danny Coots (drums)

Lets Play Name That Actor

Gregg Oppenheimer 2016-08-26 | Get this entire episode and more, restored from 35mm, at ClassicFlix - "Angel - The Complete Series":
classicflix.com/products/angel-the-complete-series-volume-1-classicflix-rare-television

From Episode 3 of "Angel" (CBS-TV 1960-61), created by Jess Oppenheimer (creator-producer-head writer of "I Love Lucy").

Original Air Date: October 20, 1960
Teleplay by Bill Davenport
Story by Dale & Katherine Eunson
Executive Producer: Jess Oppenheimer
Produced by Edward H. Feldman
Directed by Ezra Stone
Starring Annie Fargé and Marshall Thompson, with Doris Singleton and Don Keefer.
Guest cast: Don Megowan, Lyle Talbot, Al Hodge

Also available on Amazon: amazon.com/Angel-Complete-1-Don-Keefer/dp/B0DGDHJ7MD

Jack and the Little Girl

Gregg Oppenheimer 2016-08-22 | This Jack Benny routine cracks me up every time. With my good friend Beverly Washburn ("Old Yeller," "Star Trek"), and Bob Crosby.

Wont You Come Home, Bill Bailey

Gregg Oppenheimer 2016-07-03 | Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi aboard the Crystal Symphony