The Frank Sinatra Show (1950 TV series)

The Frank Sinatra Show (also known as Bulova Watch Time) was an American musical variety series hosted by Frank Sinatra from 1950 to 1952. The series aired on CBS on Saturdays the first season and on Tuesdays for the second year. As with many variety shows of the time, the show was broadcast live and was recorded via kinescope. Some episodes were 30 minutes long while others were 60 minutes. At least one episode aired in a 45-minute time-slot.[1]

For Sinatra's 1957–58 variety show on ABC, see The Frank Sinatra Show (1957 TV series). For Sinatra's radio programs, see The Frank Sinatra Show (radio program).
The Frank Sinatra Show
Sinatra on the set in 1950.
Also known asBulova Watch Time
GenreVariety
Directed byJack Donohue
Presented byFrank Sinatra
Country of originUSA
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
Production
Executive producerMarlo Lewis
ProducerJack Donohue
Production locationsNew York City, USA
Running time25 minutes/48-50 minutes
Release
Original networkCBS
Picture formatBlack-and-white
Audio formatMonaural
Original releaseOctober 7, 1950 (1950-10-07) –
November 13, 1952 (1952-11-13)

Overview

Hosted by Frank Sinatra, the series was sponsored by Bulova Watches. Sinatra would perform songs and sketches with his guests. The series is reportedly in the public domain.

In his book The Forgotten Network: DuMont and the Birth of American Television (2004), David Weinstein claims that the surprise popularity of the DuMont Television Network series Life Is Worth Living in 1952 was the final blow that led to the cancellation of The Frank Sinatra Show. He notes that controversy surrounding Sinatra's affair with Ava Gardner, along with several unpopular singles, had caused ratings to slip.

Life Is Worth Living, which averaged about 10 million viewers at a time when there were four major television networks in the United States, eroded the ratings of the show even further, to the point that The Frank Sinatra Show finally left the air.

Guest stars

References
  1. https://archive.org/details/FrankSinatra1951
  • Weinstein, David (2004). The Forgotten Network: DuMont and the Birth of American Television. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. ISBN 1-59213-245-6.
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