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Live at Schubert Theater.
A TV special, released on a vinyl album in 1975. Enjoy the show in its entirety.
Some background:
On TV, George and Gracie had successful seasons from 1950 thru 1958. The last 3 seasons were their best, each one rated in the top 30 shows on TV. Gracie had developed heart trouble in the 1950’s, and retired at the end of their 1958 season. George tried to continue on his own, but was only on the air for one season with the George Burns Show. Her heart condition continued getting worse, and Gracie passed away in 1964.
George, and his brother owned a production company that did much better. His production company had several successful shows, including Mr Ed. George claims nobody knew what people would want in this brand new medium of television. Based on what he knew that people liked in vaudeville, he made shows featuring pretty girls, and animals. Always a philanthropist, he donated greatly to Mt Sinai hospital, and heart attack research.
George kept up appearances on television specials, often appearing with Carol Channing, Goldie Hawn, or other well known blonde comedians. Never known as a singer, around the time of this special, the young kids began buying his records and George had something of a cult following. Maybe not the biggest of a following, but enough to put him on the charts, and be in demand for his singing. In particular, I Wish I was 18 Again. The lead song from the album of the same name. He was the oldest to chart at age 84, and the song peaked at 49 in April 1980. It was the first hit record for George since 1933, when he had a hit comedy record with Gracie. He recorded 2 other albums, but neither did so well.
Playlist for today’s special:
- Introduction by Jack Benny.
- Openings and Closings.
- Red Rose Rag, When the Evening Sun Is Sinking.
- Getting Started in Show Business, Vaudeville Stories.
- Festival This Evening, Grizzly Bear.
- Al Jolson.
- The Candy Kid, The Train Back Home, Sweethearts 1 2 3.
- The Hillcrest Five.
- Little Johnny Warner.
- Intermission, a Short Bio, Staying Young.
- Yankee Doddle Blues.
- Making Jack Benny Laugh.
- Monkey Rag.
- Nudity.
- Dayton, Ohio 1903.
- Simon Smith and His Dancing Bear.
- Vincent Price’s Party.
- Don’t Take Me Home.
- Closing.
