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October 15, 1951

Today In History

I Love Lucy Television Show Debuts on CBS Television

On October 15, 1951 - The I Love Lucy show debuted last night on CBS at 9pm, and it was sensational. This show took years to be approved and finally in early 1951 agent Don Sharpe negotiated a contract with CBS and sponsor Philip Morris cigarettes for Desilu, the couple's new production company, to produce the show. CBS and the sponsor insisted that the program be broadcast live from New York, to take advantage of network production facilities. For personal reasons Ball and Arnaz wanted to stay in Hollywood, and take advantage of movie industry production facilities. The network finally agreed to the couple's demands, but as a concession asked Ball and Arnaz to pay the additional cost of production and to accept a reduced fee for themselves. In exchange Desilu was given one-hundred percent ownership of the series. Key cast members: Lucy Ricardo......Lucille Ball..... Ricky Ricardo.......Desi Arnaz..... Ethel Mertz .......Vivian Vance..... Fred Mertz.......William Frawley

Remember When

Walt and Mickey in the very early years
Baseball Opening Day in 1965 at the Houston Astrodome - LBJ throws out the first pitch
Bob Feller and Satchel Paige
Satchel Paige is often referred to as the “Babe Ruth” of the Negro League. He played for over 20 years on several teams in the Negro League and was widely considered to be the league’s greatest ever pitcher. In 1948, Paige became Major League Baseball’s oldest ever rookie when he signed a contract with the Cleveland Indians. At 42 years of age, he went 6-1 for the Indians and helped led the Tribe to a World Series victory. Satchel Paige continued pitching for several more seasons in the majors, including making All Star Game appearances in 1952 and 1953 as a St. Louis Brown, at the ages of 46 and 47. He even made a brief cameo appearance at age 59 for the Kansas City Athletics in 1965. Satchel Paige was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971, the first ever inductee from the Negro League.
Song of the Day
Bonnie Raitt | Something To Talk About
Bette Davis accepts the 5th AFI Life Achievement Award in 1977
Explore America
Celebrate New Years Eve in Times Square

Television Families

TV Show of the Day
Davy Crockett - Episode: Indian Scout in 1950
The Davy Crockett television show aired in 1954-1955 and starred Fess Parker. It is considered the first miniseries of all time running only for five episodes as segments of the Disneyland television show. It captured the hearts of both young and old, and became an instant pop sensation. The theme song “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” soon was a number one single, selling in the millions. In addition, a huge Davy Crockett merchandising craze swept the nation featuring Davy Crockett lunch boxes, thermoses, board games, moccasins, playsuits, trading cards, Davy Crockett comic books and Little Golden Books. Every kid had to have a coonskin cap, and over 100 million dollars was raised from these merchandise sales helping to fund the construction of Disneyland.
In the movie Dirty dancing Johnny pulls Baby up on stage at the end of season revue at Kellermans. Features the classic "Time of my life"
MLB 1944 World Series Highlights - The St. Louis Cardinals vs The St. Louis Browns
Interview of the Day
Olivia de Havilland, Shelley Winters, Eva Marie Saint, Interview with Oscar Ladies
This Concorde could cross the Atlantic in 3.5 hours. Why did it fail?

Scenes Around America

The Boston Marathon

Little League World Series

1964 Worlds Fair in New York

The Kentucky Derby

The Soap Box Derby

The Boston Marathon

Little League World Series

1964 Worlds Fair in New York

The Kentucky Derby

The Soap Box Derby

Classic Sports Images

Collectible Editions

You have a choice of three versions of our collectible edition to select from. 52-pages, 100-pages (special oversized edition) and our 104-page version (hard cover). Enjoy your stroll down memory lane!



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