Sounds of NBC Monitor – 1965

Below, in chronological order, you’ll find about 20 hours of Monitor that aired in 1965, hosted by (in alphabetical order) Frank Blair, Brad Crandall, James Daly, Joe Garagiola, Ed McMahon, Merrill Mueller, Barry Nelson, Gene Rayburn and Craig Stevens.

You’ll find that many of these hours have a blue headline like this.  All of these “blue hours” were recorded by “super” Monitor fan Warren Gerbe off WNBC Radio.  His recordings made their way to George Miller, who, along with Louis Castaing, have kindly made them available.  We cannot thank them enough.

James Daly hosts Monitor ’65 — Jan. 3

Time: one hour

This is the only known recording of stage, screen and TV actor James Daly hosting Monitor.  He had been Sunday afternoon’s  host for a couple of years when this was recorded from 5 to 6 p.m. ET on Jan. 3, 1965.  You’ll hear a report from South Korea; an interview with former NFL star Bronco Nagurski; a Ring Around the World” report from John Chancellor (who would, of course, one day become anchor of NBC’s nightly TV newscast); an interview with a tennis star who also owned a race horse; and an Al Capp commentary.

Gene Rayburn hosts Monitor ’65 — Jan. 9

Time: a half-hour

Here’s Gene, hosting Saturday night Monitor from 7:30 to 8 p.m. ET on Jan. 9, 1965.  We only have part of this segment, featuring Barbara Walters interviewing the famous Aldas — father Robert and son Alan — seven years before Alan would become a national name by starring in “MASH” on TV.

Frank Blair hosts Monitor ’65 — Feb. 14

Time:  about 14 minutes

So why have we put up this snippet of Frank Blair hosting Sunday night Monitor on Valentine’s Day in 1965?  Well, because we like Frank a lot — because it’s a delightful snippet (that starts in the middle of an interview with Martha Scott) — and because, at the end, an NBC announcer gives the call letters of one of the network’s affiliate stations (as the announcers did, on the half-hour, on Monitor, for years).  And that affiliate is KMJ Radio in Fresno, California — the station where I listened to Monitor for years, as I was growing up and older — and the station where I wound up working as a reporter for years.

Barry Nelson hosts Monitor ’65 — Feb. 27

Time: one hour

This is a very fine hour, indeed, of the very fine Barry Nelson hosting Monitor from 5 to 6 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 27, 1965.  You’ll hear Barbara Walters interviewing actor Ed Wynn, an interview with Fred Corcoran on his new golf book, a “national alert” report in cooperation with the FBI, a “Monitor Comedy Time” skit by the great Mike Nichols and Elaine May, and a report on Vanderbilt University basketball.  This is the last known recording of Barry hosting Saturday afternoon Monitor.  In two weeks, Ed McMahon would take over Saturday afternoon — and Barry would become Sunday afternoon host.

Gene Rayburn hosts Monitor ’65 (scoped) — March 13

Time: a half-hour

This is a series of skits that aired on Saturday night Monitor between 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. ET on March 13, 1965, presided over by the great Gene Rayburn.  You’ll hear comedy skits by Mike Nichols & Elaine May and by Selma Diamond, Gene’s interview with former postmaster general James Farley, and an interview with “What’s My Line” host John Daly about his family’s — and his — deep sports background.

Barry Nelson hosts Monitor ’65, part 1 — April 11

Time: about one hour

Here’s Barry, hosting this delightful hour from 4 to 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 11, 1965, featuring an interview with UPI reporter Merriman Smith; a “Monitor on Stage” performance by comedian Allan Sherman;  a “Ring Around the World” report; a John Chancellor news analysis; an interview with actor Walter Matthau, conducted by Saturday afternoon Monitor host Ed McMahon; and a humorous commentary by Harry Golden.  Yep. This hour is loaded.

Barry Nelson hosts Monitor ’65, part 2 — April 11

Time: a half-hour

Barry hosts this hour of Sunday afternoon Monitor from 5 to 5:30 p.m. ET on April 11, 1965, featuring Hugh Downs, reporting on the latest in camping equipment; and Chet Huntley, with a news analysis.

Ed McMahon hosts Monitor ’65, part 1 — July 10

Time: a  half-hour

Here’s Ed, hosting Saturday afternoon Monitor on July 10, 1965, from 3:30 to 4 p.m. ET.  It features a Monitor sports report on the upcoming Major League Baseball All-Star game,  a comedy skit by the outstanding duo of Mike Nichols and Elaine May, and a report on goods being imported from Vietnam.  Ed had just started hosting Saturday afternoon Monitor in March of ’65. This is the earliest known recording of his hosting.

Ed McMahon hosts Monitor ’65, part 2 — July 10

Time: a half-hour

Ed presides over this half-hour of Saturday afternoon Monitor from 4 to 4:30 p.m. ET on July 10, 1965.  You’ll hear an interview with an expert on roses, along with Chet Huntley’s news analysis about the Vietnam War.

Brad Crandall hosts Monitor ’65, part 1 — July 11

Time: a half-hour

Here’s Brad — a WNBC Radio talk-show host — filling in for Sunday afternoon Monitor host Barry Nelson from 4 to 4:30 p.m. ET on July 11, 1965.  This half-hour features an interview with movie and TV producer Ivan Tors by Larry King.  Yes, Larry King.  There’s also a report by NBC’s Welles Hangen from Germany.  Mr. Hangen would later be captured and killed in Cambodia.  You’ll also hear a preview of the upcoming Major League Baseball All-Star game.

Brad Crandall hosts Monitor ’65, part 2 — July 11

Time: a half-hour

Brad hosts this half-hour of Sunday afternoon Monitor from 5 to 5:30 p.m. ET on July 11, 1965,  featuring an interview with an expert on shopping in discount stores, a “Monitor on Stage” performance by Patti Page in Las Vegas, and a Chet Huntley news analysis.

Frank Blair hosts Monitor ’65 — July 18 

Time:  21 minutes

Frank Blair had taken over as Sunday night Monitor host in 1964, replacing fellow NBC newsman Frank McGee.  In this segment from July 18, 1965, Monitor and Blair pay tribute to the late Adlai Stevenson, the former Democratic presidential candidate and ambassador to the United Nations, who had died just days before.

Barry Nelson hosts Monitor ’65, part 1 — Aug. 1

Time: one hour

Sunday afternoon Monitor host Barry Nelson presides over this hour from 3 to 4 p.m. ET on Aug. 1, 1965.  It features an interview with an expert on strange city names;  a Monitor tip; a “Ring Around the World” report on the Mariner 4 spacecraft’s historic pictures from Mars;  a Mel Allen sports feature; a report on the arrival of a new doctor to Tangier Island, Virginia — who had decided to move there after he heard a Monitor report about the retirement of the only doctor in the area — and a comedy sketch by the great Jonathan Winters.  Yes, this is a fine hour, indeed.

Barry Nelson hosts Monitor ’65, part 2 — Aug. 1

Time: one hour

Here’s another great hour of Barry Nelson hosting Sunday afternoon Monitor from 4 to 5 p.m. on Aug. 1, 1965.  This one features Bess Meyerson interviewing the author of a book about unusual presidential inaugurations; a comedy  skit by Jonathan Winters; a “Ring Around the World” report; a “Monitor on Stage” performance by Judy Garland and Liza Minelli from the Palladium in London  — the first time they had ever performed together — and a Monitor sports report.

Brad Crandall hosts Monitor ’65, part 1 — Aug. 28

Time: a half-hour

Brad is filling in for Saturday night Monitor host Gene Rayburn in this half-hour from 7:30 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 28, 1965.  You’ll hear WNBC’s Bill Mazer, with a live sports update; NBC’s Jay Barbree, reporting live from the spacecraft center in Houston about the flight of Gemini 5; and Mobil’s “Travel Guide of the Air.”

Brad Crandall hosts Monitor ’65, part 2 — Aug. 28

Time: a half-hour

Brad presides over this half-hour of Saturday night Monitor from 8 to 8:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 28, 1965, featuring a Monitor sports feature with Joe Garagiola (one of Joe’s first appearances on Monitor); NBC’s Jay Barbree, with another live report from the spacecraft center in Houston on the flight of Gemini 5; and a “Ring Around the World” report.

Brad Crandall hosts Monitor ’65, part 3 — Aug. 28

Time: one hour

Here’s Brad, back with another hour of Saturday night Monitor on Aug. 28, 1965, from 9 to 10 p.m. ET.  This one has a snippet of NBC Monitor News on the Hour — then moves on to an interview with author Charles Hamilton; two live reports on the Gemini 5 space mission; a report on former New York Giants football star Alex Webster; a report on a Chicago man who teaches skydiving; and a live report from San Diego on an undersea experimental mission.  Yes, this is loaded.

Barry Nelson hosts Monitor ’65, part 1 — Aug. 29

Time: a half-hour

Barry — one of favorite Monitor hosts — presides over this half-hour of Sunday afternoon Monitor from 3:30 to 4 p.m. ET on Aug. 29, 1965.  You’ll hear a commentary by Al Capp, a report from Jay Barbree on the Gemini 5 mission, and a report on cave exploration in Missouri.

Barry Nelson hosts Monitor ’65, part 2 — Aug. 29

Time: about a half hour

We only have part of this segment of Monitor hosted by Barry Nelson on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 29, 1965, from 4 to 4:30 p.m. ET.  It begins with a truncated NBC Monitor News on the Hour and has a WNBC “marine report” right after the news. Then you’ll hear a Monitor interview with an international hobo.  Yes.  An international hobo.

Brad Crandall hosts Monitor ’65, part 1 — Sept. 4

Time: a half-hour

WNBC’s quite-busy Brad Crandall returns to Monitor on this Saturday night,  Sept. 4, 1965, filling in once again for Gene Rayburn.  In this half-hour from 7:30 to 8 p.m.  ET, you’ll hear Art Fleming — yes, he was hosting NBC-TV’s “Jeopardy” at that time — interviewing a New York Times editor; a comedy skit by Jonathan Winters; and an interview with actor Robert  Culp.

Brad Crandall hosts Monitor ’65, part 2 — Sept. 4

Time: a half-hour

Here’s Brad, hosting this half-hour of Saturday night Monitor from 10 to 10:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 4, 1965, featuring a live report from Israel on the latest troubles there; a Monitor sports report; and an interview with a traffic safety expert.

Craig Stevens hosts Monitor ’65 — Nov. 13

Time: a half-hour

Yes, this is a surprise to us, as well. Craig Stevens — best known as TV’s “Peter Gunn” — hosts this half-hour of Saturday afternoon Monitor from 5:30 to 6 p.m. ET on November 13, 1965, filling in for regular host Ed McMahon.  You’ll hear a sports report about a moose in Montana and a report on filming a movie in Manila. You won’t hear Mr. Stevens catching a bad guy.

Gene Rayburn hosts Monitor ’65 — Nov. 13

Time: almost a half-hour

We have only part of this half-hour of Gene hosting Saturday night Monitor from 7:30 to 8 p.m. ET on Nov. 13, 1965.  You’ll hear a “Ring Around the World” report.

Joe Garagiola hosts Montor ’65 — Nov. 14

Time: a half-hour

Here’s the earliest recording we have of sportscaster Joe Garagiola hosting Monitor — in this case, from 3 to 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 14, 1965, when he’s filling in for regular Sunday afternoon host Barry Nelson.  It opens with a snippet of NBC Monitor News on the hour — then moves on to a fine report from Lee Kline (of WHO Radio in Des Moines) on the art of auctioneering (and you’ll get to pick the “best” auctioneer); a “Monitor on Stage” performance by singer Trini Lopez; a Monitor tip; and “Monitor Comedy Time” with the outstanding team of Mike Nichols and Elaine May.

Frank Blair hosts Monitor ’65 — Nov. 21

Time: a half-hour

Here’s Frank, hosting this half-hour of Sunday night Monitor from 7 to 7:30 p.m. ET on Nov. 21, 1965.  This one features a report on beatniks getting  a haircut; a “Monitor on Stage” performance by Buddy Greco; and a “Ring Around the World” report about tourism in Hong Kong.

Gene Rayburn hosts Monitor ’65, part 1 — Dec. 11

Time: a half-hour

Gene hosted Saturday night Monitor for several years before becoming the long-time host of Saturday morning Monitor in 1966.  In this half-hour from 7:30 to 8  p.m ET on Dec. 11, 1965, you’ll hear Gene ad-libbing with Mel Allen, before Mel does his live Saturday night sports update; a comedy skit by Selma Diamond; and an interview with actor Paul Dooley.

Gene Rayburn hosts Monitor ’65, part 2 — Dec. 11

Time: a half-hour

Gene presides over this half-hour of Saturday night Monitor from 8:30 to 9 p.m. ET on Dec. 11, 1965.  You’ll hear Joe Garagiola, interviewing double-talk artist Al Kelly; a “Monitor on Stage” performance by Harry Belafonte; and a Monitor sports report.

Gene Rayburn hosts Monitor ’65, part 3 — Dec. 11

Time: a half-hour

Here’s Gene, hosting this half-hour of Saturday night Monitor from 10 to 10:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 11, 1965, featuring a “Monitor on Stage” performance by Woody Allen; NBC’s Russ Ward, reporting on the flight of Gemini 7; and “Jeopardy” host Art Fleming, interviewing a music creator.

Brad Crandall hosts Monitor ’65, part 1 — Dec. 18

Time:  a half-hour

Here’s Brad, hosting this half-hour of Saturday night Monitor from 8 to 8:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 18, 1965 — and it’s a beauty.  You’ll hear Mel Allen’s live Saturday night sports update; greetings from American GI’s overseas; a “Monitor on Stage” performance by Bob Hope; and a live interview with Russ Ward, who had just finished anchoring much of NBC Radio’s coverage of the Gemini 6 and 7 missions.  A fine half-hour, indeed!

Brad Crandall hosts Monitor ’65, part 2 — Dec. 18

Time: a half-hour

Brad hosts this half-hour of Saturday night Monitor from 9 to 9:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 18, 1965, featuring an interview with the man in charge of the White House Christmas tree, a “Monitor on Stage” performance by singer Trini Lopez, and an interview with an Air France employee shepherding Tahitian dancers around the U.S.  Also note the “Every woman alive wants Chanel No. 5” spots, which were a staple at Christmastime on Monitor for years.

Merrill Mueller hosts Monitor ’65 — Christmas Night

Time: about 20 minutes

We have only snippets of NBC newsman Merrill Mueller hosting Christmas night Monitor on Saturday, Dec. 25, 1965. But enjoy what we have — including another classic comedy skit by the great Mike Nichols and Elaine May.