Here's an installment of Jackpot Bowling which aired on NBC television in January 1961. The players here included Fred Lening, Al Thompson, and Jim St. John.
Those bowling pros really make it look easy---so does Milton! Though largely forgotten today, Milton Berle was one of the most versatile of comics, as well as a good dramatic actor, as most great comedians of that era were. Most of us wouldn't associate bowling alleys as an especially desirable venue for humor & certainly not for a professional comedian like Berle. In fact, I thought maybe he'd jokingly deride his appearance on such a show, admitting he knew it was a comedown. To his credit, he didn't, giving an exuberant performance of relentlessly funny jokes, something at which he was a master, conveying confidence in his material but delivered in a relaxed, totally natural manner. I don't see his hosting this show as a comedown, though I believe other comedians of the day ribbed him about it good-naturedly. Comedown or not, the man was earning a fortune. NBC wanted to pay-off their exclusive, lifetime contract with Berle. Despite the enormous paychecks, the great comic was bored with inactivity, the natural showman in him dying for an outlet. After Milton's contract commitments with NBC were over, he made guest appearances on numerous TV variety shows & specials during the rest of the 60's, never failing to offer witty repartee, always hilarious in sketches & delightful in half-hour guest shots on fully plotted-out sitcoms. Of course, he did full-fledged monologues, too, when acting as host of programs like The Hollywood Palace & such. "Jackpot Bowling" aired at an odd time, I believe---late Sun. nights, after Bonanza & Dinah Shore, I think, airing at
Diana Dors was married to Richard Dawson (who you see in the audience on this clip). Dawson, of course, went on to fame in the US for his work on the TV series Hogan's Heroes as well as the Match Game, and later as host of Family Feud.
Amazing how some of those half-hits carried. Some of those looked like weak tens or even five-pin leaves but blew right out. Must have been 3.2's. Can you imagine a two-hander back then?
The announcer was Chick Hearn who would not only become the longtime play by play voice of the Lakers but also the host of Bowling for Dollars
Loved this video. Al Thompson had great form and rolled some beautiful balls. I can see why he was a member of the PBA
Originally telecast on January 16, 1961 ("Friday is Inauguration Day", Berle notes at
Loved the comedic show of this match.
Those bowling pros really make it look easy---so does Milton! Though largely forgotten today, Milton Berle was one of the most versatile of comics, as well as a good dramatic actor, as most great comedians of that era were. Most of us wouldn't associate bowling alleys as an especially desirable venue for humor & certainly not for a professional comedian like Berle. In fact, I thought maybe he'd jokingly deride his appearance on such a show, admitting he knew it was a comedown. To his credit, he didn't, giving an exuberant performance of relentlessly funny jokes, something at which he was a master, conveying confidence in his material but delivered in a relaxed, totally natural manner. I don't see his hosting this show as a comedown, though I believe other comedians of the day ribbed him about it good-naturedly. Comedown or not, the man was earning a fortune. NBC wanted to pay-off their exclusive, lifetime contract with Berle. Despite the enormous paychecks, the great comic was bored with inactivity, the natural showman in him dying for an outlet. After Milton's contract commitments with NBC were over, he made guest appearances on numerous TV variety shows & specials during the rest of the 60's, never failing to offer witty repartee, always hilarious in sketches & delightful in half-hour guest shots on fully plotted-out sitcoms. Of course, he did full-fledged monologues, too, when acting as host of programs like The Hollywood Palace & such. "Jackpot Bowling" aired at an odd time, I believe---late Sun. nights, after Bonanza & Dinah Shore, I think, airing at
This is killer thanks 4 the vid.................................
Yay for Model A's!
thanks
20:43
Isn't it amazing how they could get a big star like "Mr. Tuesday night" Milton Berle to host a television bowling show.
Diana Dors was married to Richard Dawson (who you see in the audience on this clip). Dawson, of course, went on to fame in the US for his work on the TV series Hogan's Heroes as well as the Match Game, and later as host of Family Feud.
So cool
Amazing how some of those half-hits carried. Some of those looked like weak tens or even five-pin leaves but blew right out. Must have been 3.2's. Can you imagine a two-hander back then?
If anyone has the 15 minute version of Jackpot Bowling, can you please post them. Mel Allen was the host of the series.
Holy crap those cigar add's
the late great chick hearn did the play by play for jackpot bowling. He also hosted Bowling for Dollars in the 1970s
@
It’s odd that they bowl across two pairs, instead of sticking on one pair. I guess it was done for TV to keep the ball return out of the way.
Love to know the weight of those pins. For 1961, they jump like they're awfully light.
$30,000 was a LOT of money in 1961.