"The Liberace Show" (1952) TV series 1952-1969

User Rating:

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Seasons:

unknown

Release Date:

1 July 1952 (USA)

Genre:

Music

Plot Keywords:

Pianist | Classical Music | Character Name In Title

Cast

Liberace	...	Himself - Host / ... (6 episodes, 1953-1954)
George Liberace	...	Himself - Musician / ... (5 episodes, 1952-1955)

Series Directed by
Duke Goldstone		(6 episodes, 1953-1954)

Series Writing credits
Mercy Weireter		(4 episodes, 1954)

Series Produced by
Duke Goldstone	....	producer (4 episodes, 1954)

Series Cinematography by
Mack Stengler		(6 episodes, 1953-1954)

Series Film Editing by
Walter S. Stern		(2 episodes, 1953)

Series Set Decoration by
Gerald Tamblyn		(2 episodes, 1953)

Series Makeup Department
Armand Delmar	....	makeup artist (6 episodes, 1953-1954)

Series Production Management
Jesse Corallo	....	production supervisor (2 episodes, 1953)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jesse Corallo	....	assistant director (4 episodes, 1954)

Series Art Department
Sam Peckinpah	....	stagehand (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
William A. Wilmarth	....	sound / sound technician (6 episodes, 1953-1954)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Edward Blondell	....	chief electrician (6 episodes, 1953-1954)

Series Music Department
Bernard Brody	....	music supervisor (6 episodes, 1953-1954)
George Liberace	....	musical director (6 episodes, 1953-1954)
Gordon Robinson	....	music arranger (6 episodes, 1953-1954)

Series Other crew
Martin Eisenberg	....	production controller (4 episodes, 1954)
Lou Mosher	....	production assistant (4 episodes, 1954)

Production Companies

• Guild Films Company

Distributors

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1958-1959)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1969)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1952)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Guild Films Company

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Wideo Wabbit (1956)

Audience-Friendly Musical Show Made Liberace a Star...

While the memory of Liberace, today, is that of the quintessential gay Vegas showman with glittering rhinestone outfits and pianos, huge musical extravaganzas, and an overzealous army of elderly female fans, the television program that provided his 'breakthrough' was a small, intimate affair that focused on his unmatched artistry on a keyboard, and his warm, charming personality.

"The Liberace Show" had no dazzling production numbers, or fancy backup singers and orchestra, and only a minimal set, with a few curtains, and a single piano topped with a flickering candelabra. But when Liberace, elegantly attired in a black tuxedo, would smile and welcome viewers, audiences nationwide were enchanted by the wavy-haired young musician with the ready smile. Performing a couple of pop 'standards' and a light classical piece, occasionally accompanied by his brother, George, the pianist would demonstrate a smooth, sensitive style of play far removed from the fancier, more combative approach to the instrument demonstrated by his musical 'rival' of the 50s, Roger Williams. Between musical numbers, Liberace would reminisce about his youth, or the reasons a particular piece was a personal favorite, in a chatty, light banter. He never tried to tell jokes, or to introduce 'heavier' elements into the show, preferring to simply 'be himself'.

To millions of American viewers, for years, Liberace was a welcome 'house guest' who never overstayed his welcome. Although his phenomenal success would ultimately lead to the grandiose caricatured image of himself that he would nurture, later in life (until his tragic death, at 67, from AIDS, in 1987), he never forgot the fans of his early television show, and would always acknowledge them whenever, and wherever he performed.

Liberace was one of a kind!