Showcase Productions, Inc. was the original packager/producer of much of the prime time, live, dramatic, color, 60 minute and 90 minute programming which appeared primarily on NBC during the period between September 1954 and September 1957.

Producer's Showcase Library

"DATELINE"

Directed By:
Written By:
Produced by:
Air Date: 12/13/54
Stars: John Daly, Sid Ceasar, Ben Grauer, Martha Raye, Elsa Maxwell, Carl Reiner, Bob Hope, many more.
Show: A tribute to the American reporter presented in cooperation with Overseas Press Club of America, Inc., centering around the dateline that always prefaces a newspaper story, with correspondents reporting on numerous historic events; John Daly hosts throughout, with vignettes of Waterloo 1815 (H.V. Kaltenborn interviews Sid Caesar as Napoleon just after losing the battle), Caanan 1300 B.C. (Ben Grauer interviews Martha Raye as Delilah, as she cuts Samson's hair), Vineland, 1000 A.D. (Elsa Maxwell interviews Carl Reiner as Lief Ericson), London 1954 (Bob Considine interviews Bob Hope); others in cast include Eddie Fisher (singing "Count Your Blessings" at request of President Eisenhower), Bob Considine interviewing cartoonist Milton Caniff, leading to ballet by his character Steve Canyon, satire of "Meet the Press" called "Beat the Press" (with Sid Caesar, Carl Reiner, Lawrence Spivak, H.V. Kaltenborn, Emanuel Freedman), WWII Ernie Pyle sketch by Robert Sherwood (with Sandy Kenyon, Ray Walston, David White, William Gunn, Philip Abbott), correspondent Inez Robb reports on scene with comedienne Martha Raye singing song for troops in North Africa, Richard Rodgers explains what he wanted to achieve in music for "Victory at Sea" and conducts orchestra, with Perry Como ("No Other Love") backed up by the Ray Charles Singers, Perry Como singing "Home For Christmas," filmed tribute to reporters by President Dwight Eisenhower, Carl Sandburg reads his poem honoring the press, Henry Ford, II expresses hope for peace.

Notes: