Ed Sullivan & Julia Meade with 1954's big deal on wheels - Vintage, LIVE Lincoln Commercial - CBS-TV - Circa 1954

A REALLY BIG SHOW!!!!!!!

CBS-TV'S TOAST OF THE TOWN, hosted by stoic,constrained,Broadway columnist, Ed Sullivan, was the biggest of video variety shows in 1954.

Later rechristened THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW, over it's distinguished run from 1948 to 1971,the greatest names in arts, culture, sports and politics were given the spotlight on the Tiffany network's venerable Sunday night showcase.

While Sullivan, himself, had almost no discernable comedic, dramatic or musical skills, he was a central figure in American popular culture, during the middle of the 20th century. That may be because he was the young medium's first, electronic impresario. Ed Sullivan became a star for introducing people who were more famous than he,to his adoring audience. The harried host was himself an icon of show business.




The Broadway show and subsequent movie musical, BYE BYE BIRDIE, satirized Elvis Presley's appearances on Sullivan's variety hour.It was promoted as a show about THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW.

In 1964, Sullivan , AKA the great stone face, would receive global attention when we introduced four mop-topped, mod musicians from the banks of Liverpool's Mersey River, called THE BEATLES to American audiences.

There was adolescent pandemonium in the balcony of his theater, CBS Studio 50.In 1966, that venue was renamed as THE ED SULLIVAN THEATER in a formal ceremony presided over by New York City's, then-Mayor, John Lindsay.

Since 1993, THE ED SULLIVAN THEATER has been home to CBS-TV'S LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN.



Often , over the run of the series, Sullivan took the show on the road. When he visited the West Coast, the show originated from the vast stages of CBS TELEVISION CITY in Los Angeles.



Below we've posted the kinescope of a LIVE, 1954 car commercial from the wksufreshair, You Tube site. The intricately staged spot is for Sullivan's long standing sponsor, the Lincoln-Mercury Division of the Ford Motor Company. The ad runs almost 3 minutes and 30 seconds, features Lincoln spokeswoman Julia Meade and it occupies one whole stage at TV City, just to give you a grand glimpse of Detroit's finest from Ford in '54. Enjoy!!!!!!!!