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Joan Crawford: 1960s TV

 

1960    1961    1962  •  1963    1964    1965    1966    1967    1968   1969

 

 

 

 

1960

 

 

Ford Startime "Talent Scouts"
Broadcast Information: February 23, 1960, on CBS. 120 mins.

Hosted by Dave Garroway, this program helped up-and-coming performers get their big break. Based on the recommendation of established celebrities, each hopeful performs a musical number or dramatic piece. Joan relates the story of how she travels frequently for Pepsi-Cola, leaving her little time for recreation. When she does have free time, she spends it in front "of a lovely, warm twenty-one inch screen!" Recently, she tuned into a local New York program called "Show of the Week," featuring Colleen Dewhurst. Joan then gives brief background info for Colleen and sets up what Colleen will be performing: the sleepwalking scene from Macbeth. Afterwards, Colleen and Joan admit they haven't met until that day's rehearsal and go backstage to talk.

   With Dave Garroway.   With Colleen Dewhurst and Dave Garroway.

 

 

 

32nd Annual Academy Awards

Broadcast info: 1960. Joan appeared in audience.

The Bob Hope Buick Show
Broadcast Information: October 3, 1960, on NBC.
Joan taped her performance for this program on September 24, 1960.

What's My Line?
Broadcast Information: December 30, 1960, on CBS.
Joan was a guest and mentions her upcoming appearance on Zane Grey Theater. She also brings out daughters Cathy and Cindy.


1961

What's My Line?
Broadcast Information: January 8, 1961, on CBS.
Video Clip.

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater: "One Must Die"
Broadcast Information: January 12, 1961, on CBS. 30 mins.
Joan plays good/bad twins "Sarah/Melanie Davidson." Also appearing in this episode were Philip Carey and Carl Benton Reid. Joan taped her performance for this program in mid-October 1960.

Video Clip, part 1     Video Clip, part 2     Video Clip, part 3

 

33rd Annual Academy Awards

Broadcast info:  1961. Joan appeared in the audience.

Miss America Pageant
Broadcast Information: September 9, 1961, on CBS.
Joan was a judge at this pageant held in Atlantic City.

The Foxes
Broadcast Information: September 21, 1961, on NBC. 80 mins.
Joan played "Millicent Fox." Also appearing in this episode were John Ireland, Steve Forrest, Colleen Dewhurst, Wesley Lau, Robert Sampson, Ellen Corby, John Baragrey, Liam Sullivan and J.Pat O'Malley. This was the pilot episode, directed by Howard Jaffe.

I've Got a Secret
Broadcast Information: October 23, 1961, on CBS.

Dupont Show of the Week: "The Ziegfeld Touch"
Broadcast Information: October 29, 1961, on NBC. 60 mins.
Joan narrates this program, the story of Florenz Ziegfeld (the master of the musical) and of his first wife, Anna Held, the girls he glorified and the songs he introduced. Performers taking part in this one-hour tribute include Barbara Cook, Marilynn Lovell, Danny Meehan and Jack Irwin, and the dancer Jayne Turner. Also included are film clips of performances by such Follies stars as Marilyn Miller, Fanny Brice, Eddie Cantor, Will Rogers and W.C. Fields.

Click here to see more photos from the show.

     

 

 

 


 

1962

Joan with Schell. Source: CORBIS34th Annual Academy Awards
Broadcast Information: April 9, 1962.
Joan presented the "Best Actor" Award to Maximilian Schell for "Judgement at Nuremberg."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your First Impression
Broadcast Information: July 12, 1962, on NBC.

The Tonight Show
Broadcast Information: October 2, 1962, on NBC. 60 mins.
Joan is on the very first episode with host Johnny Carson. Other guests were Rudy Vallee, Mel Brooks, and Tony Bennett. The master reel for this episode was destroyed in a fire and only exists in an audio format.

What's My Line?
Broadcast Information: October 14, 1962, on CBS.
Video Clip.
On this game show, Joan promotes her appearance in
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

Here's Hollywood

Broadcast info:  November 1962. Joan appears as herself.

Password
Broadcast Information: December 16, 1962 on CBS.
Video Clip, part 1      Video Clip, part 2     Video Clip, part 3

From tvtome.com: "For one word, [host Ludden] Allen had forgotten Joan was playing the word to her partner and asked 'Jim' to give the clue. Joan commented 'Jim? I couldn't pass THAT physical!' to a huge spontaneous audience laugh." Barry Nelson was the other celebrity on the program.

 

Lykke og krone

Broadcast info:  1962.  A Norwegian TV special on Hollywood.

 


1963

The Merv Griffin Show
Broadcast Information: March 7, 1963, on NBC.

35th Annual Academy Awards
Broadcast Information: April 8, 1963.
Joan presented the "Best Director" award to David Lean for "Lawrence of Arabia." Also accepted "Best Actress" award on behalf of Anne Bancroft.

I've Got a Secret

Broadcast info: May 27, 1963, on CBS.

 

Route 66: "Same Picture, Different Frame"
Broadcast Information: October 4, 1963, on CBS. 60 mins
Joan plays "Morgan Harper." Also appearing in this episode were Glenn Corbett, Martin Milner, Patrick O'Neal, Tom Bosley, Charles White, Jacqueline Courtney, Griff Evans, Arthur Anderson and George Lambert. The director was Philip Leacock. During filming in Maine, Joan became afraid of the crowds.

 

 

 

Hollywood and the Stars

Broadcast info:  October 7, 1963.  Clip of Joan shown in the "Sirens, Symbols and Glamour Girls" episode.

 


1964

Hollywood and the Stars

Broadcast info:  March 30, 1964.  Clip of Joan shown in "The Oscars - Moments of Greatness: Part 1" episode.

 

36th Annual Academy Awards

Broadcast info:  1964. Joan presented the "Best Director" award.

 

The Celebrity Game

Broadcast info: September 12, 1964. Joan appeared as "Herself."

What's My Line?
Broadcast info: December 13, 1964, on CBS. Joan appeared as a Mystery Guest. Panel: Arlene Francis, Victor Borge, Dorothy Kilgallen, and Bennett Cerf.
Video Clip.

From tvtome.com: "Joan Crawford showed her funny side during the mystery guest round when she answered the panel in a faux southern accent, a la Scarlett O'Hara. She wasn't promoting any appearance in particular, but had been in town for a U.S.O.benefit."

Della aka Fatal Confinement
Broadcast Information: 1964. Originally 60 minutes, broadcast as pilot "Royal Bay." Later released as 70-minute feature "Fatal Confinement." Co-stars Charles Bickford, Diane Baker, Paul Burke. Joan plays "Della Chappell."

Fatal Confinement originated as an hour-long TV pilot film titled Royal Bay. Joan Crawford stars as a reclusive woman living with her daughter in a California coastal town. A business firm, headed by Charles Bickford, wants to buy her property. The sudden intrusion of the outside world causes personal and emotional problems for Crawford and her daughter. When Royal Bay failed to sell as a series, it was rechristened Fatal Confinement and expanded to 70 minutes for theatrical showings.  ---Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

 

     

 

 


1965

The Tonight Show
Broadcast Information: February 16, 1965, on NBC. 60 mins.

37th Annual Academy Awards
Broadcast Information: April 5, 1965.
Joan presented the "Best Director" award to George Cukor for "My Fair Lady"

The Tonight Show
Broadcast Information: May 14, 1965, on NBC. 60 mins.

Girl Talk

Broadcast info: May 14, 1965.

 

The Tonight Show

Broadcast info: May 22, 1965, on NBC. 60 mins. (It seems odd that she was on the show again only a week after her last appearance there. But the IMDb lists this date.)

 

The Merv Griffin Show

Broadcast info: July 19, 1965.

 

ABC's Nightlife

Broadcast info:  July 20, 1965.

 

Joan with Melvyn Douglas and Ginger Rogers. Source: CORBISEmmy Awards
Broadcast Information: September 12, 1965, on NBC.
Joan was on hand to accept awards for Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne's performances in the Hallmark Hall of Fame's TV special "The Magnificent Yankee."

 

 

 

 

 A promo picture for the show. Also pictured are Jack Jones and Joanie Sommers.Hollywood Palace

Broadcast Information: October 9, 1965, on ABC. 60 minutes.

Joan's first appearance as host of this variety show. Guests included singer Jack Jones (who performed "Just Yesterday" and "More" and a duet, "Call Me," with Joanie Summers), Joanie Summers ("Till There Was You"), Allen and Rossi (comedy team), Steve Rossi ("Al Di La" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic"), Godfrey Cambridge (comic), Lily Yokoi (Japanese bicyclist), The Rodos (West German acrobats), and Stebbings' Boxers (comic dogs from England). Joan read "A Prayer for Little Children" on this episode.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Merv Griffin Show.

Broadcast info: November 10, 1965.

 

To Tell the Truth

Broadcast info: November 10, 1965.  Joan appeared as "Herself."

 

The Merv Griffin Show

Broadcast info: November 16, 1965.

 


1966

Every Day is Mother's Day
Broadcast Information:  Joan plays "Diane Miles." This was an un-filmed program by Hope Pictures, Inc. Joan signed the contract for this program on December 7, 1965. She was to be paid $7,500 for the 10 day shoot which was to begin on January 4, 1966.

The Merv Griffin Show

Broadcast info:  March 9, 1966.

 

38th Annual Academy Awards

Broadcast info:  1966. Joan appeared in the audience.

 

The Merv Griffin Show

Broadcast info:  April 5, 1966.

 

Girl Talk
Broadcast Information: April 20, 1966. Joan and Anita Colby are the guests. Show hosted by Virginia Graham.

 

 

 

 

 

Hollywood Palace
Broadcast Information: June 1966 on ABC.

What's My Line?
Broadcast Information: July 3, 1966, on CBS. Joan appeared as a Mystery Guest.
Panel: Arlene Francis, Tony Randall, Suzy Knickerbocker, Bennett Cerf.  Video Clip.

From tvtome.com: "Joan Crawford, as always, was greeted by wild applause from the audience. She then stumped the panel, before Bennett guessed her identity after the last card was flipped. He asked if she sipped on Pepsi. Joan seemed to have fun tonight, and was relaxed and cheerful. She even did a spot-on imitation of Judy Holliday! She also mentioned her former husband, Franchot Tone, as part of a pun when Mr. Daly said, in reference to her disguised voice, "that tone comes through." Joan then said, "Franchot Tone?" When the pun dawned on Mr. Daly, he remarked, "Oh you! Don't be like Bennett, Joan, pleeeease! Heavenly days!" It was a cute moment! Crawford and Tone were married from 1935 until their divorce in 1939.

This was a pretty rough night for the panel. ...They were totally stumped by the second contestant as well as mystery guest Joan Crawford. After the final card was flipped, Bennett did guess Joan Crawford, but it was too late! Miss Crawford was able to stump the panel by using different tones for her voice, and this trick threw them off completely. At one point, Bennett asked Joan if two mystery guests were present. That showed how great an actress she was, even at the tail end of her career. She got big laughs and applause when Tony asked, "Are you a boy?" and she stood up to show off her womanly curves. During the post game chat, John mentioned that Joan is a vice-president of the USO, and heads up the women's activities for USO...."

Girl Talk

Broadcast info: August 28, 1966.

 


1967

Crusade '67
Broadcast Information: 1967
Joan speaks on behalf of the American Cancer Society and recites the poem "Dirge Without Music," by Edna St. Vincent Millay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Girl Talk

Broadcast info:  February 8, 1967.

 

 

The Man from U.N.C.L.E: "The Five Daughters Affair"
Broadcast Information: March 31 and April 7, 1967, on NBC, in Season 3 of the show. (
Filmed: February 17, 20-24, 27-28, March 1-3, 6-9, 1967)
Directed by Barry Shear, produced by MGM Television. Released in UK as feature film "The Karate Killers." Joan plays "Amanda True."

Plot: U.N.C.L.E. agents Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin travel around the globe in an effort to track down a secret formula that was divided into four parts and left by a dying scientist with his four daughters, all of whom live in different countries. Evil THRUSH agent Randolph, who has killed his wife, played by Joan, also wants the formula, and is aided by his karate-chopping henchmen.

 

 

 

 

39th Annual Academy Awards

Broadcast info:  1967. Joan appeared in the audience.

 

Girl Talk

Broadcast info: April 7, 1967.

 

 

Hollywood Palace
Broadcast Information: April 22, 1967, on ABC. 60 minutes.

Dreamer Clip.    Conway Skit Clip.

Joan opens the program with a quick joke about Pepsi-Cola and then welcomes Halasis (an acrobatic act) followed by the band Cyrkle, who sing "Impressions." Next up is a comedy sketch titled "The Warden Gets a Word In" with Joan and Tim Conway. Joan plays a reporter interviewing Warden Conway about the lackluster security at his prison. Afterwards, The Flying Cavarettas (young trapeze artists) perform and then Nancy Ames sings a song. Magician Ralph Adams does some magic tricks. Julius LaRosa sings "Look Me Over". Finally, Joan performs a dramatic reading written by Milton Geiger called "The Dreamer" and closes the show.

This episode (# 29) was taped on February 10, 1967. Joan has 7 wardrobe changes throughout the program. The executive producer was Nicholas Vanoff; the producer was William O. Harbach; the director was Grey Lockwood; and it was written by Joe Bigelow, Bernie Orenstein and Jay Burton.

 

    

   

The Merv Griffin Show
Broadcast Information:  April 26, 1967

A Film Profile: Joan Crawford
Broadcast Information: June 6, 1967, on BBC. 30 mins.
BBC interview with Joan on the set of "Berserk!" She discusses her long career and makes comments on clips of her films that are shown.
She reminisces about working with John Barrymore, Clark Gable, Bette Davis. She talks about how Barrymore was rude to her and about how Confidential magazine tried to do a story on her troubles with Christina. She also relates stories about George Cukor and Elizabeth Taylor and speaks of Greta Garbo with great fondness.

The Merv Griffin Show
Broadcast Information: June 28, 1967

The Merv Griffin Show
Broadcast Information: September 11, 1967

 


1968

House Party

Broadcast info:  January 22, 1968.

 

The Joey Bishop Show

Broadcast info: January 26, 1968.

The Lucy Show: "Lucy and the Lost Star"
Broadcast Information: February 26, 1968, on CBS. 30 minutes.

Plot: When Lucy's car breaks down, she goes to a nearby home to phone for a mechanic. The home belongs to Joan Crawford, who is in the process of cleaning. Lucy mistakenly believes Joan has lost all of her money and decides to do what she can to help the "ailing" star.

Visit the 1968 Images page for more photos from the show.

     

The Merv Griffin Show
Broadcast Information: February 27, 1968

Girl Talk

Broadcast info:  April 12, 1968

The Merv Griffin Show
Broadcast Information: May 6, 1968

The Merv Griffin Show
Broadcast Information: September 17, 1968

The Mike Douglas Show
Broadcast Information: September 23 - 27, 1968.
Joan appeared on one of this week's shows with Christina to promote the new
Films of Joan Crawford book.
After the show's taping on 9/18, Joan was informed that Franchot Tone had passed away.

 

On the set of 'Secret Storm.' Source: CORBISThe Secret Storm
Broadcast Information: October 21 - 25, 1968, on CBS. Each episode was 30 mins.
Joan played "Joan Borman Kane," substituting for her sick daughter Christina. Joan was paid $585 for her work, which she gave to her hairdresser. (Soap Opera Encyclopedia)

Joan's adopted daughter Christina was hospitalized for an abdominal operation and could not perform. Joan contacted Gloria Monty, director and offered to step in for her. Gloria accepted, delighting Fred Silverman, chief of daytime programming at CBS. He cleared the use of a studio for rehearsals. On the night before rehearsal, Gloria visited Joan at her apartment; Joan was excited about the role she was to play, comparing it to "Mildred Pierce". Joan asked that no publicity be issued for her appearance but the network couldn't resist the temptation. On the first day of rehearsals, Joan was greeted by the press which added to her nervousness. During rehearsal, Silverman visited the set and thanked Joan for her help. On the day of taping, Joan brought a Pepsi-Cola cooler of vodka. Monty attempted to keep her away from the alcohol during taping but Joan's performance was poor. Afterwards, the director pieced together what he could of the performance into the series. When asked to comment, Christina said "I couldn't exactly jump and down in bed about it, but it was fantastic she would care that much." --Joan Crawford: A Biography by Bob Thomas

 

 

 

 

 

 


1969

Girl Talk

Broadcast info:  November 1, 1969.

 

The Merv Griffin Show

Broadcast info:  November 4, 1969.

 

 

Night Gallery
Broadcast Information: November 8, 1969, on NBC. 30 minutes.
Pilot episode for series. Joan plays "Claudia Menlo" in a segment (the second of three) called "Eyes." Steven Spielberg makes his directorial debut here. Barry Sullivan and Tom Bosley co-star.

 

Click here to see more photos from the show.

Plot: Claudia Menlo is a rich recluse who lives alone in an apartment building on 5th Avenue in New York City. She has been blind since birth and blackmails her physician into performing an illegal operation on her that will give her the healthy optic nerves from a man desperate for cash, despite the fact that she will only be able to see for 12 hours. On the night of the operation, Claudia's joy at having her eyesight returned is destroyed when the city experiences a blackout.

 

Garbo
Broadcast Information: November 8, 1969, on PBS. 65 mins.
Filmed in the summer of '69, Joan narrated this documentary about legendary screen actress Greta Garbo. (Note: I believe this originally aired on an earlier date on the BBC in the UK. If you have info on that broadcast, please
e-mail me.)

 

 

 

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