NEW YEARS GREETINGS FROM TELEVISION'S PAST - VIVID VIDEO OF NEW YEARS EVE CIRCA 1957 FROM CBS-TV AND NEW YEARS DAY CIRCA 1991 FROM KYW-TV

TWO,TV TALES OF NEW YEARS

ONE OF MANHATTAN MUSICAL MERRIMENT...





New Year's Eve with Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians on CBS-TV is the video equivalent of a Norman Rockwell Portrait. A fleeting image of mid-20th century Americana.The nostalgic celebration was broadcast LIVE on CBS-TV and on CBS Radio, before it, for decades.

While, big band music came to be viewed as campy in the 1970's, when Lombardo passed away, the rare clip , below,from the 1957, CBS-TV New Year's Eve Extravaganza shows the orchestra at the zenith of popularity.

You note that legendary CBS News correspondent, Robert Trout,and acerbic satirist Henry Morgan cover the crowds that New York City's Times Square for the magic moment.

In the clip posted below, you will note that, while the video technology is vintage 1957, the warmth and optimism of CBS-TV's NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH GUY LOMBARDO is timeless and endearing. Enjoy!!!!!







AND ONE OF MUMMER'S MUSICAL MAGIC





THE MUMMERS' PARADE has been a Philadelphia tradition for over 100 years. Brightly dressed in sequins and feathers, people from every walk of life in this region will take center stage on New Year's Day. On 1/1/10, hundreds of Mummers, named for the legend of King Mummas, will strut up Broad Street, the city's main thoroughfare,to the delight of all who watch on along the line of march and on television at home. The renowned string bands, fancy brigades and comic divisions will make a loud and proud showing as they perform for judges who will award cash prizes.

The parade has not been without controversy, over the decades. The participation of minorities and women did not come easily to a culture born of the city's blue collar, white , working class. Concern for the declining crowds on the parade route and decaying audience numbers on TV has been an ongoing challenge.

For many years, Philadelphia's dominant television station 6ABC (WPVI-TV), was home to the Mummers. But, audience erosion and economic uncertainty have caused the vivid , vibrant event to migrate from TV outlet to TV outlet and now can be seen on MYPHL-17( WPHL-TV).

Posted below is an excerpt from a 1991 performance of the legendary Fralinger String Band, broadcast by CBS-3 (KYW-TV) with hosts Pat Ciarrocchi and Ray Murray. Tomorrow morning, Fralinger, which has finished as the winning string band for 7 years in a row will seek its 8th consecutive victory.Enjoy!!!!!