16mm TV Network Lab Kinescope Live Television Network Print

LAWRENCE WELK'S

TOP TUNES AND NEW TALENT

BROADCAST LIVE ON FEBRUARY 19, 1957

PRODUCED BY ABC-TV

Offered here is a remarkable 54-minute 16mm black-and-white kinescope sound print of the ABC-TV musical variety series Top Tunes and New Talent, starring legendary bandleader Lawrence Welk, dated February 19, 1957. Produced during the golden age of live television, this early broadcast captures Welk and his orchestra during the formative period just before his famous long-running national television success. Programs like Top Tunes and New Talent showcased Welk’s signature “champagne music” style while introducing audiences to new performers, musicians, and vocalists in a lively variety-show format typical of mid-1950s network television.

This episode features an energetic mix of orchestral arrangements, vocal performances, and specialty instrumental showcases performed by Welk’s orchestra and guest performers. According to the original program cue sheet accompanying the film, the broadcast opens with an introduction followed by an orchestral arrangement of “True Blue Lou.” The program continues with selections including “Hernando’s Hideaway,” “In a Persian Market,” “Dear Dancing,” and the lively big-band favorite “Panama.” The show also includes the popular coal-mining anthem “Sixteen Tons,” as well as romantic standards such as “You Stepped Out of a Dream” and “I Love You Samantha.”

Additional highlights include a Scandinavian-themed musical segment featuring Stan Hofman, a spirited dance sequence by the Lennon Sisters, and vocal performances by Bob Lido, Jean Back, Tiny Little Sister, Larry Dean, Marjorie Nelson, and Norman Sago. Other musical numbers listed on the program include “Too Much,” “Singin’ the Blues,” “Getting Nothing for You,” “Serenade,” “Sleigh Bells,” “I Got Rhythm,” “Jamaica Farewell,” “Can’t Wait for It,” and “Who Needs You.” The program concludes with a rousing orchestral finale before the closing credits, capturing the upbeat spirit of 1950s television variety entertainment.

Kinescope recordings like this were created by filming live television broadcasts directly from a monitor prior to the widespread adoption of videotape technology, making surviving prints a fascinating record of early network television history. Broadcast on American Broadcasting Company during a pivotal period in Lawrence Welk’s career, this episode of Top Tunes and New Talent preserves the charm of early televised big-band music and variety programming. For collectors of historic television broadcasts, big band music, early ABC programming, or Lawrence Welk memorabilia, this rare kinescope print represents a unique glimpse into a vibrant era of American musical entertainment.

This vintage kinescope is a rare preserved recording of live television just before videotape became commonplace. The entire show plays out in its original broadcast sequence, with almost 20 musical numbers, host banter, and much seasonal staging. A must-have for collectors of early television, vintage variety programming, or Lawrence Welk memorabilia. Feel free to ask questions. 

Remember... these kinescope shows are some the rarest episodes that exist today because often times it is the ONLY version that survives of the ad itself... so don't let it slip by... for they do not turn up for bid very often...

Not many of these turn up so happy bidding...  

About the print:

16mm b/w kinescope sound print...  at about 54 minutes long...  

ready to show... mounted on a 2000' reel...

NO vinegar smell and is NOT nitrate...

Condition: ok here's the deal... print that runs beautifully... BUT...  the first 20 minutes has  moisture damage flashes present in the picture and audio track that occurs every 3 seconds that gradually clears up more and more until... and then it basically clear to the end...  NO ads present in this print... the image is super crisp and clear for a kinescope...  BOOMING sound... this is KINESCOPE... sold AS-IS!!!!