Show # 94 Jan.  15, 1959

Ernie's Guest: Kate Smith

Script Notes: By the time this January, '59 Ford Show aired, Kate Smith was already ranked among the greatest entertainers in the world. One of radio's brightest, most popular stars, her bigger-than-life, unabashed patriotism and love of a good song came together in her now-legendary 1952 performance and recording of  "God Bless America". From that moment forward, she would forever be known as 'America's Sweetheart'. Ernie's absolute fascination with Kate is evidenced immediately in this Ford Show Classic...his admiration is written all over him. So immensely popular was this episode, so that Kate was asked to return the following week...to which she readily agreed. Together, these two airings became the 1st and 2nd  highest-rated Ford Shows in the series' five year stint. 

Musical Numbers: Philadelphia, USA: Ernie and the gang / Train Medley: I Love To Go A' Wanderin'/Chattanooga Choo Choo/Shuffle Off To Buffalo/Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe/You're A Million Miles From Nowhere/California Here We Come/Alabamy Bound/Iowa, Iowa/Beyond The Blue Horizon: The Top Twenty / It Was So Beautiful: Kate / Somebody Loves Me: Kate / Get Me To The Church On Time: Ernie / You're Just In Love: Ernie and Kate / Lord I'm Coming Home: Ernie and The Top Twenty

Cast: Ernie Ford, Kate Smith, The Top Twenty

Show # 95 Jan. 22, 1959

Ernie's Guest: Kate Smith

Script Notes: See notes above.

Musical Numbers: Sixteen Tons: Ernie / Medley: Take Me Back To My Boots And Saddle / I'm An Old Cowhand/Ragtime Cowboy Joe/Tumbling Tumbleweeds/Wagon Wheels/Don't Fence Me In: The Top Twenty / When The Moon Comes Over The Mountain: Kate / Y'all Come: Ernie, Kate and the gang / Anytime: Ernie / There's A Goldmine In The Sky: Kate / Hey, Good Lookin: Ernie and Kate / The Touch Of  God's Hand: Ernie

Cast: Ernie Ford, Kate Smith, The Top Twenty

Show # 96   January 29, 1959

Ernie's Guest: Andy Devine

Script Notes: Andy and Ernie reminisce about the salad days...make that beans and cornbread days...for Andy's third visit to the show.

Musical Numbers: Hoop De Doo: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Down By The Station: The Top Twenty / I Love My Rooster: Ernie and Andy / When God Dips His Pen Of Love In My Heart: Ernie and The Top Twenty

Cast: Ernie Ford, Andy Devine, The Top Twenty

Show # 97   February 5, 1959   (Pre-Empted)

Show # 98   February 12, 1959

Ernie's Guest: Cliff Arquette (Charlie Weaver)

Script Notes: Charlie makes his second visit to The Ford Show, and brings Mama Weaver with him.

Musical Numbers: Chip Off The Old Block: Ernie and the gang / Rock-a-Tango: The Top Twenty / In The Pines: Ernie / Crawdad Song: Ernie and Cliff / The Old Rugged Cross: Ernie and The Top Twenty

Cast: Ernie Ford, Cliff Arquette, The Top Twenty

Show # 99   February 19, 1959

Ernie's Guests: Caesar Romero and singer Cathie Taylor

Script Notes: 

Musical Numbers: Charlie Brown: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Turn Around: Cathie / Froggie Went A' Courtin': Ernie and Cathie / Life's Railway To Heaven: Ernie

Cast: Ernie Ford, Caesar Romero, Cathie Taylor, The Top Twenty

Show # 100   February 26, 1959

Ernie's Guest: June Carter

Script Notes: Fully nine years before her marriage to the legendary Johnny Cash, and two years before she would sing a note with him, June Carter was coming into her own as a successful folk & country artist, and, -through the growing public awareness of her family's history- establishing herself as a major influence in both genres. But her talents did not stop there. At the urging of Elia Kazan, no less, she studied acting briefly at The Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, and was a regular on radio's Prince Albert Comedy Hour. This was her only Ford Show appearance. 

Musical Numbers: Rovin' Gambler: Ernie / Circus Medley: When The Circus Comes To Town/The Entry Of The Gladiators/The Bearded Lady/Lydia, The Tattooed Lady/Diavolo/Be A Clown: The Top Twenty / Goin Back To Where I Come From: June / How Many Biscuits Can You Eat: Ernie and June / I'll Have A New Life: Ernie, June and The Top Twenty

Cast: Ernie Ford, June Carter Cash, The Top Twenty

Show # 101   March 5, 1959

Ernie's Guests: Sallie Brophy and Tommy Nolan

Script Notes: A short-lived summer replacement series, 'Buckskin' was a product of BetFord Corporation; Ernie's production and management company--also responsible for producing The Ford Show. While it never gained a place in the Fall lineup, the show featured a strong cast and well-written scripts centered around a young boy and mother eking out their lives on the frontier...played by Sallie Brophy and young Tommy Nolan; making their first and only appearances on this March, '59 airing.

Musical Numbers: Oklahoma: Ernie and The Top Twenty / Medley: The Caissons Go Rolling Along/Anchors Aweigh/Semper Paratus/The Army Air Corps/The Marine's Hymn/She's A Grand Old Flag: Ernie and The Top Twenty / The Lord's Prayer: Ernie

Cast: Ernie Ford, Sallie Brophy, Tommy Nolan, The Top Twenty

 

àNext: Season Three Cont.