DuMont Television Network series believed to be completely lost
This list is possibly incomplete.
While there is missing/lost episodes for every TV broadcaster of the 1950s (regardless of country), the survival rate of DuMont Television Network series is much worse than that of NBC, CBS and ABC. Many DuMont programs are largely lost. The following is a list of series for which nothing is known to survive. Please check your attic.
A few series are missing from the list as they are not listed on IMDb.
If any episodes exist of these series in an archive or private collection, please let me know.
While there is missing/lost episodes for every TV broadcaster of the 1950s (regardless of country), the survival rate of DuMont Television Network series is much worse than that of NBC, CBS and ABC. Many DuMont programs are largely lost. The following is a list of series for which nothing is known to survive. Please check your attic.
A few series are missing from the list as they are not listed on IMDb.
If any episodes exist of these series in an archive or private collection, please let me know.
List activity
1.5K views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
102 titles
- StarsWendy BarrieDayton AllenThe MellodairesOky Doky, a large cowboy puppet, got to star in his own show after appearing on several other children's variety programs. Oky ran a dude ranch where children would come to play games, perform in small skits and watch performances of Oky's latest adventures. In each installment, Oky would get involved in some sort of trouble, but always managed to triumph by using his magic milk, giving him the strength to fight his foes.
- StarsAl MorganBilly ChandlerLenny CollyerPianist-songwriter Al Morgan offered a half-hour of music.
- StarsAmanda RandolphEtta MotenSinger Amanda Randolph sang and hosted this daytime series.I had assumed this was a local show, but it seems to have been shown on a network level.
- StarsJohn K.M. McCafferyFaye EmersonLouis BudenzA panel show in which two critics debated a recently-published book; one critic would assail it, the other would praise it. Later in the program, the author would be given the chance to defend the criticism or to acknowledge the accolades.One or more episodes broadcast on NBC may exist, though.
- StarsMorey AmsterdamJohn Reed KingConnie FrancisA prime-time talent-contest game show in which children and adult celebrity teams competed for the "most talented team" prize, selected by the studio audience. If the children's team won, the prize money was contributed to the Professional Children's School; if the adults won, the Actor's Fund of America received the award.Status of CBS version is unknown.
- StarsDonn BennettRay WoodA documentary series focusing on modern inventions.
- StarsBill SlaterGeorge PutnamSy BartlettNews, gossip, celebrity interviews, and a viewer quiz.
- StarsSylvie St. ClairJacques AubuchonStan FreeThis was a music/variety program which was set within an "au courant" Parisian supper-club. The show ran for only two months on the Dumont Network, and no episodes are know to be extant.Variety series.
- StarsDennis JamesA supermarket quiz show sponsored by Libby's, featuring their products. Also included a pantomime segment and a viewer phone-in segment.TV's first network game show, and some might say, first reality TV series.
This live series pre-dated the ability to record live television. - StarsBill SlaterJackson BeckRichard SeffViewers sent in charade suggestions for the repertory actors to act out. If the suggestion stumped the panelists, the viewer won $15.
- StarsPeggy Ann EllisAlvy WestGordon DilworthThe action is set around the bandstand of a small town park. The series uses vignettes, songs, and dances to capture the feel of rural life. Traditional and folk music, along with square dancing, are the rule.
- This public-affairs program had the misfortune of having to compete against Milton Berle's "Texaco Star Theater", and therefore its ratings were always low. It featured debates over topical issues.Only a 14-minute fragment is known to survive.
- StarsEddie DunnKathi NorrisShaye CoganTelephone calls were placed to home viewers who were asked to identify a famous person pictured within a spinning photograph.
- StarsDotty MackColin MaleBob BraunDotty Mack, Bob Braun, and Colin Male lip-sync hit songs of the day in sketches.Status of ABC version is unknown.
- StarsDrew PearsonA current-events show featuring newspaper political columnist and investigative reporter Drew Pearson, who would inform viewers of the latest events and/or scandals on the political front.Status of ABC version is unknown, possibly also lost.
- StarsMorgan BeattyAn evening newscast anchored by Morgan Beatty.
- StarsSolomon Lightfoot MichauxSolomon Lightfoot Michaux hosted this half-hour religious show, which was broadcast from Washington, D.C.One of the earliest TV series hosted by an African-American.
- StarsPhyllis LoveJack DiamondPatricia HosleySitcom about a child prodigy. Cancelled after less than a month on the air.