Show # 88  December 4, 1958

Ernie's Guest: Carol Channing

Script Notes: Miss Channing makes her 2nd and final visit to The Ford Show gang.

Musical Numbers: Glad Rags: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Frere Jacques: The Top Twenty / The Old Yahoo Step: Carol / Hambone: Ernie and Carol / Children Go Where I Send Thee: Ernie and The Top Twenty

Cast: Ernie Ford, Carol Channing, The Top Twenty

Show # 89   December 11, 1958

Ernie's Guest: Charles Laughton

Script Notes: Back for his second visit, the great Charles Laughton lets Ernie in on a family secret, lets his hair down, and joins Ernie for a classic duet of the old Grandpa Jones trademark tune, 'Old Rattler'. Trust us, you've never heard the complete Charles Laughton until you've heard Charles Laughton belting it out onstage with Ol' Ern! We're talking stuff for the vault, here! One of the funniest Ford Shows on record!

Musical Numbers: The Mardi Gras March: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Winter Medley: Sleigh Ride/Snow, Snow/The Loveliest Night Of The Year: The Top Twenty / Old Rattler: Ernie and Charles / Sleep, My Little Lord Jesus: Ernie

Cast: Ernie Ford, Charles Laughton, The Top Twenty

Show # 90   December 18, 1958

Ernie's Guest: Gordon MacRae

Script Notes: Among America's brightest singing stars, Gordon MacRae continually topped the 'A' list of Leading Men in Romantic Musicals. A fellow Capitol artist with Ernie, the two were each other's biggest fans, and the best of friends on and off the set. This December 18, '58 was the first of MacRae's two Ford Show appearances, marked by their closing duet of "Oh Holy Night"; one of the series' most stunning performances. A classic!

Musical Numbers: Merry Christmas Polka/Jingle Bells/Merry Christmas Polka (reprise): Ernie and The Top Twenty / Medley: Blow The Man Down/The Keeper Of The Eddystone Light/The Maid Of Amsterdam/Home Boys, Home: The Top Twenty / The Secret: Gordon / Don't Be Ashamed Of Your Age: Ernie and Gordon / Oh, Holy Night: Ernie

Cast: Ernie Ford, Gordon MacRae, The Top Twenty

Show # 91 Dec.  25, 1958

Ernie's Guests: Actor Jon Provost and his pal, Lassie

Script Notes: The only Christmas show during the season's five years to actually be shot and broadcast on Christmas Day. Also, Ernie's first performance ever of perhaps his most beautiful Christmas carol; 'Some Children See Him'.

Musical Numbers: Over The River: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Medley: Deck The Halls/O Come All Ye Faithful/God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen/O Little Town Of Bethlehem/The First Noel/Joy To The World: Ernie and The Top Twenty /  Carol Of The Bells: The Top Twenty / Some Children See Him: Ernie

Cast: Ernie Ford, Jon Provost, Lassie, The Top Twenty

Show # 92 Jan.  1, 1959

Ernie's Guests: Danny Thomas, Rusty Hamer, Angela Cartwright (and a special cameo appearance by Jay North)

Script Notes: ...The only New Year's show to actually be shot and  broadcast on New Year's Day...and one of the funniest half-hours in The Ford Show's five-year run! Danny "...comes over to Ernie's place" in this New Year's Day show, after hosting Ernie the week before when he turned in one of the finest guest starring roles of his career; as the drifter, Kentucky Cal in February 16th's episode of Make Room For Daddy. As a surprise, Danny's brought along Rusty Hamer and Angela Cartwright, his TV 'kids' who think Ernie is the greatest. Problem: now Danny can't get a word in edge-wise, let alone his monologue! A special highlight: in one of his first television spots, young Jay North, who would go onto to star in Dennis The Menace makes a cameo appearance!

Musical Numbers: It's A Boy!: Ernie and The Top Twenty/ Medley: Everybody's Doin It/Charleston/Champagne Waltz/The Pennsylvania Polka/The Conga/Mambo/Tea For Two Cha Cha/At The Hop: The Top Twenty / Others: Ernie and The Top Twenty 

Cast: Ernie Ford, Danny Thomas, Rusty Hamer, Angela Cartwright, Jay North

Show # 93   January 8, 1959

Ernie's Guest: Lloyd Bridges

Script Notes: Lloyd Bridges comes up for air from his series 'Sea Hunt' and gives Ernie a few lessons on how to take a dive -- with style.

Musical Numbers: A' Sleepin At The Foot Of The Bed: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Oh, Didn't It Rain: Dorothy Gill (from The Top Twenty) / Wayfaring Pilgrim: Ernie (w/Bobby Gibbons, guitar)

Cast: Ernie Ford, Lloyd Bridges, Dorothy Gill, The Top Twenty

 

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