Tennessee Ernie Ford Show

Ernie's Guest: Famed Beverly Hills Restraunteur Mike Romanoff. Script notes: After only one show, NBC quickly rethought their brilliant idea of pairing Ernie with Reginald Gardner, and replaced him with sportscaster and Hollywood radio personality Gil Stratton, Jr., who would last only for two shows. In one of his most memorable performances, Ernie does a classic version of the ballad, 'First Born'; performing it as the show's inspirational closer. Musical Numbers: Breezin' Along With The Breeze: Ernie and The Voices of Walter Schumann / Cotton Candy And A Toy Balloon: Ernie / First Born: Ernie. Cast: Ernie Ford, Mike Romanoff, Gil Stratton, Jr., Voices of Walter Schumann

Ernie's Guest: The ever-effervescent Zsa Zsa Gabor. Script notes: A Ford Show Classic ~ Ernie's first -and one of his greatest- Ford Show performances of 'Sixteen Tons'. We say so long to Gil Stratton, Jr., in this, his last appearance on The Ford Show...and the last appearance for any straight-man on The Ford Show. Musical Numbers: Sixteen Tons: Ernie / Friendly Persuasion: The Voices of Walter Schumann / Love: Ernie and Zsa Zsa / Noah Found Grace In The Eyes Of The Lord: Ernie and The Voices Of Walter Schumann. Cast: Ernie Ford, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Gil Stratton

Ernie's Guest: Mickey Spillane. Script notes: Ernie gets the inside dope on hard-boiled pulp-noir, from the original hard-boiled guy himself, writer Mickey Spillane, the creator of Mike Hammer. The first of only 18 Ford Shows in five years to close without an inspirational number. Musical Numbers: Happiness Street: Ernie and The Voices / Whistle A Happy Tune: The Voices / Shine On Harvest Moon: Ernie and The Voices. Cast: Ernie Ford, Mickey Spillane, The Voices Of Walter Schumann

Ernie's Guest: Broadway sensation Carol Channing. Script Notes: The Ford Show shines the footlights on Vaudeville in a musical sketch featuring Ernie, Carol and The Voices. The second Ford Show to close without an inspirational number. Musical Numbers: Don't Be Ashamed Of Your Age: Ernie, Ken Remo, Johnny Guarnieri, Dick Wessler, Don Kent (from The Voices) / Hambone: Ernie and Carol / Little Rock: Carol / Love Me Tender: Ernie / Floatin' Down To Cotton Town: Ernie, Carol and The Voices. Cast: Ernie Ford, Carol Channing, The Voices Of Walter Schumann

Ernie's Guest: Bandleader Spike Jones and his City Slickers. Script Notes: Spike Jones very possibly led the way for punk in popular music. As bizarre, outlandish, and unpredictable as he was talented, a Spike Jones show or appearance never failed to stir things up. Characterizing himself -perhaps best- Jones called he and his band, "...the dandruff in longhair music". Ah...culture. Highlights: look for a Classic "golf-cart drive-on by Billy Barty -- he steals the show! Musical Numbers: Way Down Yonder In New Orleans: Ernie and The Voices / Lay Down Your Arms: Ernie and Spike / Canadian Sunset: The Voices / Just A Closer Walk With Thee: Ernie. Cast: Ernie Ford, Spike Jones, The Voices Of Walter Schumann

Ernie's Guest: Actor Adolph Menjou. Script Notes: The Ford Show's first Thanksgiving Holiday show, this Classic airing features the first of two visits by the great Adolph Menjou, one of the silver screen's greatest stars, and closes with one of Ernie's most memorable performances of what would become a Ford Show tradition each year; the simple prayer, 'Bless This House'. A classic in every sense of the word. Musical Numbers: Company's Comin': Ernie and The Voices / Swing: The Voices / I'll Be Back A' Sunday: Ernie / Bless This House: Ernie and The Voices. Cast: Ernie Ford, Adolph Menjou, The Voices Of Walter Schumann

Ernie's Guest: Actress Corinne Calvet. Script Notes: One of the movies' busiest leading ladies, Corinne Calvet was a veteran of 15 major motion pictures by the time of her appearance on The Ford Show, including 1949's Rope Of Sand, with Burt Lancaster, and The Far Country, with Walter Brennan. This November, '56 airing was her first and only visit to The Ford Show. Musical Numbers: The Green Door: Ernie and The Voices / If I Had My Druthers: Ernie and Corinne / The Rovin' Gambler: Ernie / Friendly Persuasion: Ernie and The Voices. Cast: Ernie Ford, Corinne Calvet, The Voices Of Walter Schumann

Ernie's Guest: Actor, Producer Ken Murray (Host of 'The Hollywood Blackouts'). Script Notes: Although it was his only appearance on The Ford Show, Ken Murray's spot was a show-stopper. His hit show, "Hollywood Blackouts" was one of the longest-running, most popular comedy revues in town. This Ford Show airing was the first time the show's cast had ever performed on television. (Ford Show Trivia: Ken Murray's co-host and 'straight man', Marie Wilson -not with him on this show- was Ernie's guest on Ford Show # 42 ~ October 10, 1957). Musical Numbers: Singin' The Blues: Ernie and The Voices / That's All: Ernie / I Saw Esau: Ernie and The Voices / First Born: Ernie. Cast: Ernie Ford, Ken Berry, the cast of Hollywood Blackouts 1956, The Voices Of Walter Schumann

Ernie's Guests: Television, film and record stars Margaret and Barbara Whiting. Script Notes: Fresh from their hit show, 'Those Whiting Girls', the Whiting sisters join Ernie for one of the best all-around musical Ford Shows of the first season. Highlights include Ernie, Barbara and Margaret together, performing some Classic standards with equally classy three-part harmonies. A knock-out! Musical Numbers: It's A Good Day: Ernie and The Voices / Elijah Rock: The Voices / The Money Tree: Margaret and Barbara / Just Sittin' On Top Of The World, Sometimes I'm Happy, Japanese Sandman, Breezin' Along With The Breeze, Ain't We Got Fun, Too Marvelous For Words, She's Funny That Way, Moonlight In Vermont, The Old Soft Shoe, Y'all Come: Ernie, Margaret and Barbara / Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home: Ernie / When They Ring Those Golden Bells: Ernie and The Voices. Cast: Ernie Ford, Margaret and Barbara Whiting, The Voices Of Walter Schumann

Ernie's Guests: Actor Lee Aaker and Rin Tin Tin. Script Notes: The stars of one of TV's most popular western action shows, "Rin Tin Tin"-- Lee Aaker and his loyal dog, "Rinnie" join Ernie and the whole Ford Show family for this first of the series' five Christmas shows. Musical Numbers: I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm, Jingle Bells, Deck The Halls, Joy To The World, The Christmas Song, Fum, Fum, Fum, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Hark The Herald Angels Sing, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Children Go Where I Send Thee, The First Noel, White Christmas, Adeste Fidelis, Silent Night: Ernie and The Voices. Cast: Ernie Ford, Lee Aaker, Rin Tin Tin, Buck Ford, Brion Ford (Ernie's two sons) Curtis Stone, Steve Stone, Jonathan Stone, Linda Stone (Producer Cliffie Stone's kids) The Voices Of Walter Schumann

Ernie's Guest: Actress Spring Byington. Script Notes: Ernie convinces Spring to let him propose to her...on behalf of his bashful uncle Bulger, of course! Musical Numbers: There's Gonna Be A Great Day: Ernie and The Voices / Buckle Down, Winnsocki: The Voices / Spoonin' Moon: Ernie and Spring / You'll Never Walk Alone : Ernie and The Voices. Cast: Ernie Ford, Spring Byington, The Voices Of Walter Schumann

Ernie's Guest: Silver Screen and Broadway singing star, Nelson Eddy. Script Notes: During their heyday as studio players under contract to MGM, Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald did musical blockbuster after musical blockbuster and became known as "America's Singing Sweethearts". Ernie was a great fan of both and does his level best to do Jeanette's part in this hilarious send-up of the legendary lovers' classic love scenes. A great show, nonetheless, for all the fans who remember... Musical Numbers: Mine All Mine: Ernie and The Voices / Mutual Admiration Society: Ernie and Nelson / Two Different Worlds: Nelson / Sweet Hour Of Prayer: Ernie and The Voices. Cast: Ernie Ford, Nelson Eddy, The Voices Of Walter Schumann