If Warner Archive Instant goes away, at least I have this memory

Claude Rains, William Demarest, and Burt Mustin not only appearing in the same TV episode, but sharing several scenes:

I will write more about the death of Warner Archive Instant, but I am really gonna miss the rare TV like Dr. Kildare. Sadly, there isn't the level of affection for vintage TV as there is for vintage movies.

Screengrab Theatre Presents Countdown to Christmas: Yogi Bear's All-Star Comedy Christmas Caper

This is the 1982 Hanna Barbera special that Mark Evanier wrote in two days--literally two days--as he recounts in a great post right here.

My personal favorite part of this special is, without a doubt, the encounter Snagglepuss has with Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble. Snag is in "the big city" trying to find a little girl's parents, and Fred and Barn are sidewalk Santas because...why not? Snagglepuss even asks them if they aren't, oh, about 3 million years away from home. The boys' response--and the special's response--is to ignore it, continue with the scene, and not bring it up again. Works for me!

'Mooners Monday #37/Screengrab Theatre's Countdown to Christmas

From December 19, 1952, it's "Christmas Party," one of the Lost Episodes and a reworking of a previous version on Cavalcade of Stars in 1951. This early version of the "sketch" (seems odd to call anything that goes more than 40 minutes a sketch) is incomplete, so MPI had to use stills to represent the beginning. Once things get going, though, we get one of the best Lost Episodes, IMO, if only because it gives us a chance to see so many of Gleason's other characters, the ones I'd love to see in a Jackie Gleason Show boxed set someday:

First up is Fenwick Babbitt, first with a big keg of beer, then a huge block of ice. What a moax.

Next, guest star Patricia Morrison has Norton so enthralled with her singing that he doffs his hat:

The great Joe the Bartender arrives to let us know what's going on at the bar--even Fatso Fogerty and Gaylord Farquhard are there!

The Poor Soul is here, and he's an even bigger moax than Fenwick Babbitt. Ladies and gentlemen, start your PATHOS:

Underrated double act: Rudy the Repairman and his assistant Whitey:

He's not one of Gleason's characters, but...Frankie Avalon?

He dances, too. He's almost like a young Tony Danza!

Reggie Van Gleason is all class.

It's always a treat to see Gleason Player Frank Marth as a cop:

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Screengrab Theatre #6: Jack Benny on Laugh-In

One might think that even a show as "irreverent" as Laugh-In would treat a legend like Jack Benny with the dignity he deserved.

Well, hopefully one wouldn't bet their sweet bippy on that:

 

 

For some reason, Jack "dancing" in the party scene saddened me most of all:

Oh, but Jack had all kinds of adventures:



A bigger bomb than "The Horn Blows at Midnight"

If only we had the privilege of seeing Jack Benny on You Can't Do That on Television.



Screengrab Theatre #6: Ringo on Laugh-In

Let's go back to when Ringo Starr went on Laugh-In to promote his upcoming appearance in The Magic Christian. The legendary Beatle was a big presence in the episode, appearing in many segments and alongside most of the regular cast (though, sadly, not with the other awesome guest stars).

Get a haircut, hippie



They just happened to pick Alan Sues to do an "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" joke



Guest stars get the honor of being bashed by Ruth Buzzi

Moments after this scene, NBC affiliates in 7 states "experienced technical difficulties"

Pity Ringo didn't share any scenes with Sheldon Leonard...

...but Ruth Buzzi did!



We missed a chance to see Ringo interact with the great Art Metrano?



I don't want to say that wallpaper is garish, but I almost didn't notice Pam Rogers in a bikini



Have I mentioned how EDGY the show was?

Finally, viewers were delighted to learn the program was brought to them in living color...until they saw Dan Rowan's jacket

Screengrab Theatre #5: Shut your north and south, mate

Not sure how comfortable I am with this bloke joking about our involvement in Vietnam:

On the other hand, wow, did Mike Myers know what he was doing or what when he casted him in Austin Powers?

Screengrab Theatre #4: Liberace Meets the Easter Bunny

You know you're in trouble when Liberace is maybe the third most bizarre thing on the screen:

Screengrab Theatre #3: A main event in any arena in the country

Thanks to the CWF Archives YouTube channel for posting all kinds of great Florida wrestling content, including a 1984 episode with this barnburner:

I have to tell you, the breakdancing before the match was laughable, but the team itself is pretty cool in the ring. One is Brickhouse Brown, and the other is known as "Slick." I was actually disappointed this match was so short.

Screengrab Theatre #2: O Solo Margie

One of the best things about My Little Margie is the fact that Gale Storm gets into some kind of goofy costume every other episode. In this one, she impersonates an opera singer because...well, do you really want to know?

Question: Is Margie still cute as a button, or is this just really, really disturbing?

Screengrab Theatre #1: Laugh-in (Well, one of them is laughing)

These two kids look thrilled to be together. I predict a long and happy relationship (And now I know the inspiration for Rosa Diaz on Brooklyn Nine-Nine)