Golden Days : Barnes & Noble Collection Samples the Early Era of Television

Over the last few years, the Barnes & Noble Catalogue has become the discerning couch potato’s best friend. Though most video stores and catalogues offer collections of classic TV series, Barnes & Noble is one of the best and most economical sources for TV videos that feature offbeat and often obscure series, shows and specials from the Golden Age of Television.

Abbott & Costello fans may want to check out a three-volume set ($10 each) culled from four live TV performances from the early ‘50s. Highlights include the duo performing their famous “Who’s on First?” routine. Oscar-winner Charles Laughton also is featured in one episode.

The catalogue also offers two episodes, complete with commercials, of NBC’s 1950-55 musical-variety series, The Colgate Comedy Hour ($10). Jack Carson hosts the first hour, from 1950, which features guest Robert Alda (Alan’s dad); the second episode, circa 1955, is hosted by Eddie Cantor and features special guest Eddie Fisher.

The three-hour American Automaker Sponsored Variety Show 35th Anniversary Special ($13), is actually three different musical-variety shows from 1957. Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney headline The Ford Edsel Show; The Dinah Shore Chevy Show features guests Dean Martin and Joey Bishop; Chrysler’s Shower of Stars is hosted by Jack Benny.

The Timex Show, With Frank Sinatra ($13) features two 1959 shows hosted by Frank Sinatra and featuring John Cameron Swayze doing Timex commercials. Sinatra welcomes pals Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and Mitzi Gaynor for a little song and dance in the first hour and performs his Oscar-winning hit “High Hopes” with none other than former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in the second installment.

Clooney, Nat King Cole and Rin Tin Tin share some magic moments with Mr. Cardigan himself, Perry Como, in a 1959 edition of his NBC musical-variety series, The Perry Como Show ($10). Commercials also are included.

The Liberace Show ($13) features the Master Showman tinkling the ivories in two 1954 episodes from his syndicated 1953-55 series.

And singer Kate Smith ($13) stars in four live kinescopes from her 1951-52 NBC musical-variety series, The Kate Smith Evening Hour. Ann Sheridan, Myron Cohen, John Hodiak, Theresa Wright and Xavier Cugat are among the guests.

Barnes & Noble also offers several classic sitcoms and dramas--each tape features four episodes--including the 1949-54 NBC comedy The Goldbergs” ($13), starring Gertrude Berg. Robert Cummings made his first foray into series TV with the 1952-53 NBC comedy My Hero ($13), about a real estate agent in Hollywood. Joan Davis and Jim Backus star in the wacky 1952-55 NBC comedy I Married Joan ($13), and Peggy Wood plays Mama ($13) in the heartwarming series based on “I Remember Mama,” which aired on CBS from 1949-56.

Also check out the “Classic TV Marathon” sets ($20 each). Each volume contains five hours worth of episodes from such series as The Jack Benny Show; Burns & Allen; Your Hit Parade; The Bob Hope Chevy Show, featuring such guest stars as Eddie Fisher, Betty Grable, Rowan and Martin, Frank Sinatra, the cast of “I Love Lucy,” Natalie Wood, Kim Novak and James Cagney; and The Milton Berle Show, with Ronald Reagan, Jackie Cooper, Peter Lawford, Carol Channing, Danny Thomas and Mickey Rooney.

The catalogue also offers more recent television series, including The Mod Squad Collectors Edition ($80) which features 10 episodes of the 1968-73 ABC action series starring Michael Cole, Peggy Lipton and Clarence Williams III.

Orders may be placed with Barnes & Noble at (201) 767-7079. All prices listed are valid through Feb. 28.