The Milton Berle Show
Season 6
The Texaco Star Theatre was one of the most popular shows in the history of television. In the first year, Milton Berle was not the permanent emcee, but once he replaced the rotation, the show soared to ratings dominance (Number One in 1950-51), NBC dominated Tuesday night, and Berle became the first great star of the new medium, "Mr. Television". The basic format was modeled after a vaudeville variety hour, spotlighting Berle's jokes, sight gags, and costumes.
Where to Watch Season 6
14 Episodes
- Frink Sinatra, Tallulah BankheadE1
Frink Sinatra, Tallulah BankheadFrank Sinatra and Tallulah Bankhead are Milton's guest stars in the rechristened "Buick-Berle Show." Miltie reads that Bankhead is producing a Broadway play and begins scheming to take over as star from Sinatra. Also appearing are Milton Frome and Jack Collins. The singing "men of Texaco" make a cameo at the top of the show. - Jackie CooperE3
Jackie CooperBerle's guests include actor Jackie Cooper, singer Eddie Fisher, and comedienne Dagmar. Milton demonstrates the trials and tribulations of hosting a variety television show, complete with unoriginal staff, dim-witted crew, squabbling guest-stars - as well as the star who's convinced that his writers aren't giving him enough jokes. The story is told Dragnet-style, complete with Dragnet musical themes and stingers. - Martha RayeE6
Martha RayeBerle's guests are comedienne Martha Raye and actor John Payne, with regulars Ruth Gilbert, Arnold Stang and Milton Frome. Berle and Raye each get invited to a big NBC party and each has trouble finding a date. The two plan to go together until John Payne asks Martha out. Not wanting to leave Miltie going stag, she arranges a date for him; it's the last person he'd ever want to spend the evening with. - Jack WebbE8
Jack WebbBerle's guests include Jack Webb, Lisa Kirk, and Sid Caesar. With Charlie Applewhite, Ruth Gilbert, Arnold Stang, and Jack Collins. In this Dragnet (1951) spoof, Caesar accuses Miltie of swiping his material and calls the cops. The officer investigating the case is Sgt. Joe Friday (Webb). Berle dreams he's on trial for stealing in the court of Judge Arnold Stang. He's found guilty, but Sgt. Friday isn't through with his investigation. Berle and Kirk sing "Still Be Mine" and "From This Moment On." Applewhite does "I Love Paris." - Basil RathboneE11
Basil RathboneBerle's guests this week are Basil Rathbone, comedienne Dagmar, author Mickey Spillane, Walter Greaza as "The Chief" from Treasury Men in Action (1950), Latin vocalist Jose Duval, and vocal group The Hilltoppers. The search is on for a new 1954 Buick that has disappeared from the stage. - Jane FromanE13
Jane FromanBerle's guests include singer Jane Froman. Berle is talked into buying a nightclub, unaware that there's an illegal casino being run in the back. Gangsters and gamblers come and go through the nightclub in various disguises. The club acts as a setting for numerous musical numbers during the episode. - Kay ThompsonE15
Kay ThompsonMilton's guest is musical comedy star Kaye Thompson. With Jack Collins, Charlie Applewhite, Arnold Stang, and Ruth Gilbert. Berle, fed up with his disrespectful staff, fires the whole bunch and replaces them with the show's new choreographer, Kay Thompson. Thompson's dating the sponsor's rep who decides Kay can also star. Now show-less, Berle visits Max's home to woo her back to his side and finds her family members are bigger goof-balls than she is. Thompson performs "I Won't Dance," "I Love a Violin," and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love." Applewhite sings "My Secret Love" to Max. - Gertrude BergE18
Gertrude BergBerle's guests this week are Gertrude Berg and Arlene McQuade from TV's The Goldbergs (1949), and comic actor Bob Cummings. Molly's daughter Rosalie wants to move away and joining the theater. It's up to Berle and Cummings to persuade the star-struck teen that show biz isn't all it's cracked up to be - Judith AndersonE20
Judith AndersonGuests are Judith Anderson, Cyril Ritchard and singer Georgia Gibbs. After booking Anderson, Milton realizes he can't communicate with the British theatre legend, even though Francis has no trouble. He hires Cyril Ritchard to be his "translator" and director Anderson; the pair do a dramatic reading from the play Medea. Not to be outdone, Milton and Max offer their comic version. - Steve Allen, Janet Blair, Ezzard CharlesE21
Steve Allen, Janet Blair, Ezzard CharlesBerle's guests include Steve Allen, singer Janet Blair, heavyweight boxer Ezzard Charles, and regulars Arnold Stang, Milton Frome and Ruth Gilbert. Horsing around, Berle knocks out Charles and now must fight him for real in the ring.