The Ed Sullivan Show is a classic program from TV's past. While this isn't an actual single program, but bits and pieces from the 23 year run from TOAST OF THE TOWN to when it became THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. Back when people wished each other Merry Christmas instead of the whimpy and gutless Happy Holidays, there were entertainers the likes of Bing Crosby, Rich Little, David Frye. Below is the list of acts.
[2:30] JOHNNY MATHIS - "Sleigh Bells"
[2:17] THE MUPPETS as reindeer, do a "snow dance"
[2:14] THE SUPREMES - "My Favorite Things"
[2:00] RICH LITTLE - "A Christmas Carol" (impressions of George Burns, Jack Benny and Ed Sullivan)
[3:00] JINGLE BELLS (pastiche): Bill Dana leads audience as Jose Jimenez (b&w), Paul Anka, Shari Lewis (b&w), Count Basie, Ames Brothers (b&w)
[2:28] BING CROSBY discusses Irving Berlin and sings "White Christmas"
[1:08] ROSS BAGDASARIAN as "David Seville" lip syncs "The Christmas Song" with Chipmunk puppets (edited-b&w)
[2:00] ALAN KING - his wife's Christmas list
[2:17] OBERNKIRCHEN CHILDREN'S CHOIR - "Kleine Glöcken," "O Come All Ye Faithful"
[2:20] SENOR WENCAS - ventriloquist and hand puppets
[_:39] CHRISTMAS NYC 1960 (song: "Jingle Bell Rock," Bobby Helms)
[2:34] ED SULLIVAN SHOW AT GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA (Connie Francis sings "I'll Be Home For Christmas") (b&w)
[2:18] DAVID FRYE - "The Night Before Christmas" (impressions of LBJ, Kirk Douglas, Richard Nixon and RFK)
[1:50] MAHALIA JACKSON - "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" (b&w)
[2:30] THE COWSILLS - "The Little Drummer Boy," "The Christmas Song" (edited)
[1:56] BROOK BENTON - "This Time of Year" (b&w)
[2:40] ARTHUR GODFREY & THE MUPPETS - "It's Christmas Tomorrow"
[2:26] GEORGE CARLIN - Christmas '67 weather forecast, with Al Sleet, the Hippie-Dippy weatherman
[2:25] ROGER WILLIAMS - "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" (b&w)
[1:16] JOAN RIVERS does a song that names all the holidays
[1:51] TOPO GIGIO wishes all "Peace on Earth" (with Ed Sullivan)
There is no way a person can watch this show and not smile, and sigh over what Christmas used to mean. This DVD, an Ed Sullivan Christmas is worth every penny, and if you're my age, the memories will be bittersweet. My wife, kids, and I totally enjoyed this little gem. Get it, share it with your family, and enjoy the memories.
I would like to thank the review written by Annie Van Auken from which I lifted the contents of the DVD.
