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The Bell Telephone Hour poster

The Bell Telephone Hour

Overview

“The Bell Telephone Hour” was a musical variety show that aired on “NBC” TV from 12 January 1959 to 14 June 1968 that showcased the best in Broadway, Classical, Concert, Jazz and Popular music each week. The series had its’ own house band appropriately named the “Bell Telephone Orchestra”. The show also had its’ own theme song being the “Bell Waltz” composed by “Donald Voorhees” who was also the show's Orchestra conductor. Some of the greatest violinists of the 1960’s performed on this show that aired in the old “Black & White” format. Some of these great violinists included “Erica Mornin”, “Isaac Stern", "Michael Rabin", "Ruggiero Ricci", "Yehudi Menuhin" and "Zino Francesacatti". From time to time some of the great singers and bandleaders of the 1960’s would perform on the show as well. Some of these were “Bing Crosby”, “Gordon MacRae”, “John Gary”, “Leslie Uggams”, “Mary Martin”, “Nelson Eddy”, “Patti Page” and “Roy Rogers”. The TV show followed on the heels of its’ predecessor with the same name on “NBC” radio that aired from 29 April 1940 to 1958 on Monday nights at 8 PM. The name of the show was derived from its’ Major sponsor “Bell Telephone Laboratories”. The TV version began airing on Friday nights at 8:30 PM once a month. It later was given it’s same time slot now airing every other week alternating with another show on the other weeks such as News shows and specials. The show time slot changed quite often over the years. In September 1960 it aired at 9 PM and in September 1961 it moved to 9:30 PM. In October 1963 it moved to Tuesday nights at 10 PM, September 1965 it moved to Sunday night at 6:30 PM and in September 1967 it made its' final move back to Friday night at 10 PM.
60%

Cast

Jacques d'Amboise profile
Jacques d'Amboise

Self

Total episodes: 7

Harry Belafonte profile
Harry Belafonte

Self

Total episodes: 5

Polly Bergen profile
Polly Bergen

Self - Hostess,Self

Total episodes: 5

José Iturbi profile
José Iturbi

Self

Total episodes: 4

John Raitt profile
John Raitt

Self

Total episodes: 4

Johnny Desmond profile
Johnny Desmond

Self

Total episodes: 3

Renata Tebaldi profile
Renata Tebaldi

Self

Total episodes: 3

Marilyn Van Derbur profile
Marilyn Van Derbur

Self

Total episodes: 3

Grant Johannesen profile
Grant Johannesen

Self

Total episodes: 3

Howard Keel profile
Howard Keel

Self

Total episodes: 3

Rosemary Clooney profile
Rosemary Clooney

Self

Total episodes: 3

Alfred Drake profile
Alfred Drake

Self

Total episodes: 3

Jacques d'Amboise profile
Jacques d'Amboise

Self

Total episodes: 7

Harry Belafonte profile
Harry Belafonte

Self

Total episodes: 5

Polly Bergen profile
Polly Bergen

Self - Hostess,Self

Total episodes: 5

José Iturbi profile
José Iturbi

Self

Total episodes: 4

John Raitt profile
John Raitt

Self

Total episodes: 4

Johnny Desmond profile
Johnny Desmond

Self

Total episodes: 3

Renata Tebaldi profile
Renata Tebaldi

Self

Total episodes: 3

Marilyn Van Derbur profile
Marilyn Van Derbur

Self

Total episodes: 3

Grant Johannesen profile
Grant Johannesen

Self

Total episodes: 3

Howard Keel profile
Howard Keel

Self

Total episodes: 3

Rosemary Clooney profile
Rosemary Clooney

Self

Total episodes: 3

Alfred Drake profile
Alfred Drake

Self

Total episodes: 3

Extra

Release Date

January 12, 1959

Last air Date

May 17, 1968

Status

Ended

Original Language

English

Networks

NBC logo

Available On

Currently it's not available for streaming.
You can visit JustWatch for more information.

seasons

Season 10 poster
Season 10

Aired on: 1967 | 13 Episodes

Videos

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Images

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