Hold That Camera Explained

Hold That Camera is an American game show that ran on the DuMont Television Network's primetime schedule from August 27 to December 15, 1950. It was initially broadcast on Sundays from 7:30 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. In September 1950 it was moved to Fridays from 8:30 to 9 p.m. E. T.^[1]

Originally a game show hosted by Jimmy Blaine (1924-1967), after the first few episodes the format was completely overhauled into a variety show with Kyle MacDonnell as host.^[2] The orchestra leader was Ving Merlin.

Production

Ted Kneeland was the producer for West Hooker Productions Corporation in association with Emil Mogul. The director was Raymond E. Nelson. The writers were Kneeland and Myron Mahler.^[3] The sponsor was Esquire Boot Polish.^[4]

Episode status

Two episodes are known to exist: October 20, held by the J. Fred MacDonald collection at the Library of Congress and December 1, held by the Paley Center for Media.

See also

• List of programs broadcast by the DuMont Television Network
• List of surviving DuMont Television Network broadcasts
• 1950-51 United States network television schedule

References

1. Book: Brooks. Tim. Marsh. Earle. The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present. 1999. The Ballentine Publishing Group. New York. 0-345-42923-0. 454. 7th.
2. News: TV Hostess Played by Betty Furness: Latest of Medium's Glamour Girls Seen in 'Penthouse Party' Over A. B. C. . December 2, 2023 . The New York Times . October 14, 1950 . 21. subscription .
3. Book: Television Series and Specials Scripts, 1946-1992: A Catalog of the American Radio Archives Collection . October 21, 2009 . McFarland . 978-0-7864-5437-2 . 147–148 . September 3, 2024 . en.
4. April 28, 1951 . 8 . See Sponsor Shift For Kate Smith . Billboard . September 3, 2024 .

• David Weinstein, The Forgotten Network: DuMont and the Birth of American Television (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2004)
• Alex McNeil, Total Television, Fourth edition (New York: Penguin Books, 1980)

External links

• Hold That Camera at IMDB
• Kyle MacDonnell: TV’s Forgotten Star at Television Obscurities