Classic TV Clips, Film Clips, Old-Time Radio, Games, Quizzes, Puzzles and More

Joel Grey Entertains!

Air Date: April 1, 1951

Notable Cast

Other Great Videos from Past Entertainment
Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong

Crosby and Armstrong “Has Jazz”

Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong describe what it takes to make real jazz music. They perform the Cole Porter song, “Now You Has Jazz,” on “The Edsel Show” on October 13, 1957.

Boris Karloff and Rosemary clooney as the Big Bad Wolf and Red Riding Hood

Boris Karloff Sings!

In this classic TV video clip, Boris Karloff plays the Big Bad Wolf and sings with Rosemary Clooney! From the Rosemary Clooney Show, March 7, 1957. The perfect Halloween treat!

Sammy Davis Sr., Sammy Davis, Jr. and Will Mastin

Sammy Davis, Sr. Taps!

To understand his importance, and how Sammy Davis, Jr. became a star, you must look at the unique life, and place in history, of his father, Sammy Davis, Senior,

Actor, singer, dancer, comedian, multi-talented Joel Grey can do it all. This clip introduces Grey to the US public in his first classic television appearance.

Multi-talented Joel Grey, without a doubt, is best know as the Master of Ceremonies in the classic movie, Cabaret. He originated the role in the Broadway play, and was the only member of the Broadway cast to make the transition to the Bob Fosse film.

Grey had extraordinary talent that came through on stage and screen. He won an Academy Award, a Tony Award, a Golden Globe Award and two Grammys. His ability to bring characters to life on the Broadway stage spans decades. Of course, Grey originated the role of Master of Ceremonies in Cabaret, but he is also responsible for the original conception of the lead role of George M. Cohen in the musical George M! and the Wizard of Oz in Wicked.

Grey had countless early TV appearances, even becoming a familiar face on classic TV westerns with appearances on Maverick, Bronco, and Lawman. He appeared as a panelist on game shows and was on the first season of Sir Lew Grade’s original Muppet Show.

Born Joel Katz, his attraction to the stage was not surprising. His father, Mickey Katz, a comedian, actor and musician touring with Spike Jones. Despite his father’s profession, Grey credited his mother with introducing him to the stage. She first took him to the Cleveland Playhouse, where his first stage performance, at age, 9 took place in their production of On Borrowed Time.

However, it was while he was performing with his father’s act, “Borscht Capades” at the Roosevelt Theatre in Florida that Grey was first noticed by Eddie Cantor. Cantor invited Grey to perform with him on The Colgate Comedy Hour as a new upcoming talent. Grey appeared on April 1, 1951, his first classic television appearance. This clip is of that appearance.

In this clip, note that Cantor tells Grey that as the result of his performance he has been signed to appear in the Broadway play, Curtain Going Up. Grey later stated in an interview that the offer was never made, and it was just as well. The show closed after previews and never made it to Broadway.

Additional Resources

https://www.ohiomagazine.com/arts/article/3-questions-actor-joel-grey

https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/bob_abelman/what-were-they-thinking-ten-minutes-with-joel-grey/article_0ebdce76-7b2d-11e5-aa36-a7de5eda8d70.html

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Joel_Grey

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Other Great Videos from Past Entertainment
Publisher

Star Match

Classic movie actors and the roles they play, we all think we know them. Test you classic movie knowledge by matching the actor with the character they made famous in this free Word Match from Past Entertainment.

Various Superheroes on a comic cover
Publisher

Comic Book Greats

The comic book heroes born in the Golden Age of Comics endure today. Can you locate their names in this free Word Search Puzzle from Past Entertainment?