1950s Made-for-TV Musicals

The arrival, acceptance, and then dominance of television in the 1950s was phenomenal. In 1954, film actress Betty Hutton made television history in producer Max Liebman's lavish color musical spectacular 'Satins and Spurs.' It was the first full-scale musical written especially for television. The title song, Satins and Spurs, and Back Home, both written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, were released by this singer-actress on Capitol records.

In 1956, the CBS anthology 'Ford Star Jubilee' presented a musical adaptation of Maxwell Anderson's 1937 stage play 'High Tor' starring Bing Crosby, Nancy Olson, Everett Sloane, and Julie Andrews-before she became a Broadway superstar in 'My Fair Lady.' The 90-minute color production of 'High Tor" was one of the first filmed productions made especially for TV. Original songs included When You're in Love and Once Upon a Long Ago with lyrics by Maxwell Anderson and music by veteran Broadway and Hollywood tunesmith Arthur Schwartz.

Kay Starr was featured in the 1956 'Producer's Showcase Production' of 'The Lord Don't Play Favorites.' In this made-for-television musical drama, she introduced two songs The Good Book and The Things I Never Had, written by Hal Stanley and Irving Taylor-both became hits for her that year.

17 BEST ORIGINAL MADE-FOR-TV MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS OF THE 50s

Amahl and the Night Visitors
Chet Allen, Rosemary Kuhlmann
(NBC) Dec. 24, 1951
Score and libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti for the first production of this Christmas Opera.

Satins and Spurs
Betty Hutton, Kevin McCarthy
(NBC) September 12, 1954
Jay Livingston and Jay Evans wrote the lively score for this first TV spectacular.

Svengali and the Blonde
Carol Channing, Basil Rathbone
(NBC) Aug 22, 1955
Charles Gaynor and Alan Handley wrote the score for this spoof of DuMaurier's classic.

Our Town
Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman, Eva Marie Saint
(NBC) Sept. 19, 1955
Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen created this musical version of Thornton Wilder's play that included the popular song Love and Marriage.

High Tor
Bing Crosby, Julie Andrews, Nancy Olsen
(CBS) March 10, 1956
With music by Arthur Schwartz and lyrics by Maxwell Anderson (based on his 1937 play) this musical fantasy, the first on film, included songs When You're in Love and Once Upon a Long Ago.

The Lord Don't Play Favorites
Kay Starr
(CBS) September 17, 1956
This musical drama with score by Hal Stanley & Irving Taylor introduced the song The Good Book.

A Bell for Adano
Anna Maria Alberghetti, Barry Sullivan
(CBS) June 2, 1956
Musical based on John Hersey's novel with music by Arthur Schwartz and lyrics by Howard Dietz.

Marco Polo
Alfred Drake, Doretta Morrow, Beatrice Kraft
(NBC) Apr 14, 1956
Original musical based on themes by Rimsky-Korsakov, story co-written by Neil Simon.

The Bachelor
Hal March, Jayne Mansfield, Carol Haney
(NBC) July 15, 1956
Original music and lyrics by Steve Allen in this made-for-TV musical.

Ruggles of Red Gap
Michael Redgrave, Jane Powell
(NBC) February 3, 1957
Music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Leo Robin included the song A Ride on a Rainbow.

Cinderella
Julie Andrews, Edie Adams, Jon Cypher
(CBS) Live Telecast Mar 31, 1957
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II created this television musical including songs In My Own Little Corner, Ten Minutes Ago, and Do I Love You (Because You're Beautiful).

Pinocchio
Mickey Rooney, Fran Allison, Stubby Kaye
(NBC) Oct 13, 1957
Music by Alec Wilder and lyrics by William Engvick. Songs included Listen to Your Heart.

The Pied Piper of Hamelin
Van Johnson, Kay Starr
(NBC) Nov 26, 1957
Songs by Hal Stanley and Irving Taylor adapted from classical Edward Grieg melodies.

Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates
Tab Hunter, Peggy King
(NBC) Feb. 9, 1958
Music and lyrics by Hugh Martin. Cast included Olympic ice champion Dick Button.

Aladdin
Cyril Ritchard, Sal Mineo, Anna Marie Alberghetti
(CBS) Feb. 21, 1958
Music and lyrics by Cole Porter-it was the last musical score Cole Porter wrote.

The Gift of the Magi
Gordon MacRae, Sally Ann Howes
(CBS) Dec. 9, 1958
Music and lyrics by Richard Adler based on the O. Henry tale.

No Man Can Tame Me
Gisele MacKenzie, John Raitt
(CBS) Feb 1, 1959
Music by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans.

More information on 1950s television, singers, and songs can be found at the content-rich website: 50sPopMusic.com and in the definitive reference book "Remembering 1950s EASY-POP Songs and Singers" by Daniel Niemeyer.