Pioneers of "B" Television: Independent Producers, Series and Pilots of the 1950s

As television grew more enticing for both viewers and filmmakers in the 1950s, several independent film producers with knowledge of making low-cost films and radio shows transferred their skills to producing shows for the small screen. Rather than funding live programs that were popular at the time, these producers saw the value in pre-taped shows, which created large financial returns through episode reruns. This low-cost, high-yield production model resulted in what are known and beloved as "B" television shows.

Part historical account and part filmography, this book documents the careers of over a dozen "B" television producers. It chronicles the rise of situation comedies and crime dramas and explores the minds behind popular shows like My Little Margie, The Lone Ranger, Lassie, Highway Patrol and Sea Hunt. Divided into 14 chapters of producer profiles, this work is rich in both trivia and critical assessments of the first years of television. A chapter detailing the work of early female television producers rounds out the text.

1140956895
Pioneers of "B" Television: Independent Producers, Series and Pilots of the 1950s

As television grew more enticing for both viewers and filmmakers in the 1950s, several independent film producers with knowledge of making low-cost films and radio shows transferred their skills to producing shows for the small screen. Rather than funding live programs that were popular at the time, these producers saw the value in pre-taped shows, which created large financial returns through episode reruns. This low-cost, high-yield production model resulted in what are known and beloved as "B" television shows.

Part historical account and part filmography, this book documents the careers of over a dozen "B" television producers. It chronicles the rise of situation comedies and crime dramas and explores the minds behind popular shows like My Little Margie, The Lone Ranger, Lassie, Highway Patrol and Sea Hunt. Divided into 14 chapters of producer profiles, this work is rich in both trivia and critical assessments of the first years of television. A chapter detailing the work of early female television producers rounds out the text.

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Pioneers of

Pioneers of "B" Television: Independent Producers, Series and Pilots of the 1950s

by Richard Irvin
Pioneers of

Pioneers of "B" Television: Independent Producers, Series and Pilots of the 1950s

by Richard Irvin

eBook

$25.99 

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Overview

As television grew more enticing for both viewers and filmmakers in the 1950s, several independent film producers with knowledge of making low-cost films and radio shows transferred their skills to producing shows for the small screen. Rather than funding live programs that were popular at the time, these producers saw the value in pre-taped shows, which created large financial returns through episode reruns. This low-cost, high-yield production model resulted in what are known and beloved as "B" television shows.

Part historical account and part filmography, this book documents the careers of over a dozen "B" television producers. It chronicles the rise of situation comedies and crime dramas and explores the minds behind popular shows like My Little Margie, The Lone Ranger, Lassie, Highway Patrol and Sea Hunt. Divided into 14 chapters of producer profiles, this work is rich in both trivia and critical assessments of the first years of television. A chapter detailing the work of early female television producers rounds out the text.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781476647708
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date: 11/02/2022
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 223
File size: 6 MB
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Richard Irvin is a self-described documentarian of television history. He lives in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
Richard Irvin is a self-described documentarian of television history. He lives in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
 1. Hal Roach Sr. and Jr.: From Movie Shorts to B TV Series
 2. Roland Reed Productions: A Producer of Almost All Genres
 3. Jack Chertok: From Iconic Heroes to Fantasy Comedies
 4. Jerry Fairbanks: The Art of ­Low-Cost Production
 5. Bernard J. Prockter: Turning ­Real-Life Stories into TV Series
 6. Martin Stone: From Series Featuring Critics to Kids’ Shows
 7. William F. Broidy: One Hit, Several Misses
 8. Frederick W. Ziv: Mastering the Art of Location Filming
 9. Edward Lewis: A Pioneer of ­Back-Door Pilots
10. Albert Gannaway: Early Country and Western TV Producer
11. Leon Fromkess: The Master of the Adventure Genre
12. Walter Wanger: From Films to TV and Back to Films
13. Movie Star Production Companies of B TV: Some More Successful Than Others
14. Early Female TV Producers Who Sought to Make B TV Shows
Notes
Bibliography
Index
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