Look Smart Trivia: 1950s TV

@sammydog01 I understand where you are coming from when you say Rooney looks “so young”, but I consider that an “old” Mickey Rooney. Rooney was the biggest box-office draw in the world in the years 1939-1941, and those Andy Hardy pictures is the lasting image of how I “see” him in my mind. Not because I was around at the time, its just what I consider his most famous works.

In my lifetime, I primarily identify him as the voice of Santa Claus in those Rankin-Bass specials in the 70’s, but you didn’t see him in those, just the stop-action puppet he was voicing.

@DrWorm @sammydog01 Growing up in the suburbs west of Philly, I used to pass this hotel on occasion. It was Mickey Rooney’s Tabas Hotel in Downingtown. He had developed a friendship and partnership with Daniel Tabas, a prominent developer in the Philadelphia area. Somehow seeing Mickey’s big smile on the side of that building always made me happy.

The Johnny Staccato episode was called ‘Tempted.’ And I think I still have a crush on Elizabeth Montgomery. Damn she was beautiful.

@cinoclav You are probably right no this. I had never heard of Johnny Staccato, and #2 was just a stab in the dark for me. I assumed it was from one of those early anthology series (not unlike Playhouse 90)

@DrWorm I think I got lucky searching shows that she was in during the 50’s. This one was really hard, especially as I can’t have the volume turned on while at work right now.

Because I’m home and now bored I figured I’d find each episode.

1:
2.
3.
4.
5.

#3 was an interesting choice in that this is the episode that initiated the infamous scandal. The movie Quiz Show recounts this torrid sequence in television history.

@cinoclav Since there’s no post tomorrow, I’m calling it here: add one more to your W column!

@JasonToon Lol - Thank you. Honestly, I think this may be my proudest one too. Trying to find those without any sound was really challenging. It’s such a great era of television. I may find myself binging some of it in my off time.

@cinoclav well played - and yes, Elizabeth Montgomery was a big crush when I was young. I considered Bewitched a disappointing waste of her talents. Thanks for posting the episode - I remember the series as one of those I was discouraged from watching without an adult or older sibling on hand to explain things.

@stolicat Happy to post them. Bewitched was my introduction to her so I didn’t know any better until I was older. She left this world too young.

@cinoclav In #1, I recognized one of Sgt. Bilko’s men as also being one of my favorite characters in one of my favorite old movies, Stalag 17.
I Googled it (well, I IMDBed it), his name is Harvey Lembeck and, apparently, he appeared in virtually every movie and TV comedy from the mid '50s to the early '80s, including the Monkees, CHiPs and Mork & Mindy.
/giphy the more you know

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

@DennisG2014 I totally recognize him too. Looking at his IMDB, it’s funny that he played the same character in a bunch of the beach movies.

@cinoclav #EFIL4ERCOIDEM

@tinamarie1974 I have been watching it on Hulu while I do kitchen stuff.

@sammydog01 I think I need to check out Sgt Bilko. Looks cute

@tinamarie1974 There was a remake in the 90’s starring Steve Martin and Dan Aykroyd. Great leads but so-so reviews. I never saw it so I’m keeping my 2¢.

And btw, this has been super fun and I hope it continues to be! I know we’ve said it before but Thank You for all your hard work. Now please don’t sell Look Smart Trivia to some large conglomerate that will run it into the ground. I mean, I’m sure that would never happen around here. Uhh, right?

@cinoclav well said I concur!

@cinoclav @tinamarie1974 Thanks, guys! Believe me, nobody’s beating down the door with offers to buy me out!

@cinoclav @JasonToon @tinamarie1974 Late to the game as usual, but, yes, thank you for the great games and thanks to the other players who made it even more interesting. Looking forward to what may come in the future!