Auditioned for Peter Potter’s “Search for a Song”
Sang “The Waiting Song (My Johnny)”. Was accepted and given show date of September 26.
Local Show Goes National: Peter Potter’s show went national from September 13, 1953 to March 28, 1954 on ABC. It was called “Jukebox Jury” for one month and then was renamed “The Peter Potter Show.”
Auditioned for Peter Potter’s “Search for a Song”
Sang “Bermuda.” Was not accepted; Peter Potter liked the tune, but felt the original lyrics were “too depressing.”
Auditioned for Peter Potter’s “Search for a Song”
Sang revised “Bermuda” and “Little Boy Bullfighter (El Nino Torreador)”. Was accepted and given show dates of October 31 and November 5.
Auditioned for Peter Potter’s “Search for a Song”
Sang “Merry Xmas.”
Search for a Song (Host: Peter Potter, KNXT, Hollywood, California) [IMDB]
Cynthia performed “The Waiting Song (My Johnny)”.
Dressed for Success: Calendar of Cynthia’s mother, Edith [Bell] Strother, indicates they went to a store called “Hartfield’s” on Monday, September 24, and purchased a “Grey jersey dress, $12.95; blue suede shoes, $7.09,” for Cynthia’s appearance on the show.
First Place: Cynthia won the highest “Audience Applause” rating that night. Won two tickets to the Ice Follies and an orchid corsage.
Search for a Song (Host: Peter Potter, KNXT, Hollywood, California) [IMDB]
Cynthia performed “Merry Xmas”
Search for a Song (Host: Peter Potter, KNXT, Hollywood, California) [IMDB]
Cynthia and Kay perform “Bermuda”
The song was purchased by Goday Music the next day. The girls made a trip to Hollywood on Saturday, November 3, to make a demo recording of “Bermuda” for Goday. The demo was pitched to Capitol and RCA.
Solo to Trio to Duo: The Bell Sisters weren’t necessarily intended to be a sister act. Cynthia had a sore throat that night, so Kay went along to back her up. Sharon was also supposed to go, but had laryngitis from her participation at a school assembly. It was often reported that she missed the “big event” to go on a date.
One in a Thousand: According to several articles with Peter Potter, of the 1,000+ songs debuted on “Search for a Song,” only 38 were purchased by music publishers, only 12 of those were recorded by a major label, and only “Bermuda” was ever a hit record.
Search for a Song (Host: Peter Potter, KNXT, Hollywood, California) [IMDB]
KNXT in Hollywood, California
Cynthia [and Kay?] performed “Hopin’” (also known as “Hopin’ Til I Die”)
Returning Champ: One article indicated Cynthia (and Kay) appeared on Peter Potter’s show 5 times as contestants and received first prize each time.
Search for a Song (Host: Peter Potter, KNXT, Hollywood, California) [IMDB]
Pre-release party for “Bermuda.”
Peter Potter Christmas Party
KNXT in Hollywood, California
The Frank Sinatra Show (CBS, Sponsor: Ecko Housewares) [IMDB]
Also appearing were Buster Keaton, Beatrice Kaye, Joe Laurie Jr., George McManus, and the Heathertones.
Broadcast from CBS Studios, Hollywood, California
The Alan Young Show [IMDB]
(Was scheduled; not yet confirmed)
The Tallulah Bankhead Show (possibly acting as substitute host on a weekly comedy program)
(Was scheduled; not yet confirmed)
The Dinah Shore Show (Twice a week, 15 minutes, NBC) [IMDB]
Broadcast from NBC Radio City, Hollywood, California
Picture Album (KLAC, half hour, host: Bob McLaughlin) [IMDB]
(Sponsor: H.J. Caruso, Dodge-Plymouth Dealer)
Also appearing were Herm Saunders Trio, Wade Ray, Ralph Flanagan Orchestra
Bell Sisters perform “Bermuda”
Peter Potter’s Party (KNXT, Channel 2)
Autographs: Bell Sisters autographed their records on the show.
Peter Potter Jubilee Show (KNXT, Channel 2)
The Al Pearce Show [IMDB]
All Star Revue (NBC, Host: Bob Hope) [IMDB]
Filmed live at Fort Scott (the Presidio), San Francisco, California
Also appearing were Fred MacMurray (his television debut), Gale Robbins, Hy Averback, Alfred Apaka and Les Brown
Bell Sisters perform “Wheel of Fortune” and then a silly rendition of “June Night” with Bob Hope.
Celebrity Parade (KECA) (15 hour marathon)
For benefit of United Cerebral Palsy Association of Los Angeles County
Also appearing was Bob Hope
Bob Hope/Bing Crosby Olympic Telethon
El Capitan Theater, Hollywood
Televised coast-to-coast on combined NBC and CBS networks
Amount Raised: Raised $1,000,020 for 1952 U.S. Olympic Fund (Helsinki, Finland)
Jimmie McHugh Show
The Eddy Arnold Show [IMDB]
Bell Sisters appear and sing “Boo Hoo.”
The Eddy Arnold Show [IMDB]
Bell Sisters appear and sing “Hang Out the Stars.”
The Perry Como Show (possibly episode of “Chesterfield Supper Club” or “All-Star Review”; sponsored by CBS)
Filmed in New York City (aired on 8/23/1952?)
Hosted both nights by Eddy Arnold
Peter Potter’s “Juke Box Jury” (KNXT, Channel 2)
Nationwide: Reference to this appearance found on dated family reel to reel in a recorded discussion between Kay and a friend. According to Kay, it’s the first coast to coast hookup of the show (which she pronounces “hiccup”).
City of Hope Telethon
Peter Potter’s “Juke Box Jury” (KNXT, Channel 2)
Hollywood, California
Guests: Stan Freberg, Bell Sisters
Jury: Robert Stack, Kay Starr, Jerry Colonna, Fifi D’Orsay, John Hall, and Molly Bee.
“Helpfully Yours” Show (NBC, on KNBH, Channel 4) [IMDB]
Appeared on special “Teen Age” program
The Colgate Comedy Hour (NBC, Host Donald O’Connor) [IMDB]
Hollywood, California
Also appearing were Ann Sheridan, Patti Moore, Ben Lessey, Sid Miller, Tom D’Andrea and Hal March.
Bell Sisters perform “There’s a Ship Comin’ In.”
Peter Potter’s “Juke Box Jury” (KNXT, Channel 2)
Hollywood, California
Special Guest: Jean Gale
Jury: Cynthia Bell (Strother), Desi Arnaz, Page Cavanaugh, Lois Butler, Marion Hutton, and Marvin Miller.
Webster Webfoot Show (Host: Jimmy Weldon, as “Captain Andy”; KLAC, Los Angeles, Channel 13) [IMDB]
Edith Strother and all seven kids are interviewed on the show.
Bell Sisters do not perform, but Jimmy plays a version of “Bermuda” sung by little Webster Webfoot (duck ventriloquist dummy).
Colgate Comedy Hour (NBC) [IMDB]
Filmed at El Capitan Theater, Hollywood, California
Also appearing was Rosemary Clooney
Bell Sisters perform “Do It Again” and then “June Night” with Bob Hope.
The Red Skelton Show (Noted as Season 2, Episode 33 or Season 3, Episode 9) [IMDB]
Episode Title: “Washing the Elephant”
Bell Sisters perform “Do It Again” during Pop’s Malt Shop skit.
Peter Potter Television Show
United Cerebral Palsy Telethon (KECA-TV)
Televised from Carthay Circle Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Jack Webb was the M.C. of the program titled “On Stage for Cerebral Palsy.” Also appearing was Bob Hope.
United Cerebral Palsy Telethon
Televised from Dallas, Texas
Johnny Carson (short-lived, 13-week series hosted by Johnny Carson) [IMDB]
Booked by Ted Bates Advertising Agency
Bell Sisters perform “Dance of Love” and “Do It Again.”
TV Show (Jack Douglas Productions)
Booked by William Morris Agency
The Linkletter Show (Original Title: Art Linkletter’s House Party) [IMDB]
Peter Potter’s “Juke Box Jury”
The Dude Martin Show (One Hour, KTTV, Channel 11, Sponsor: Sears) [IMDB]
Also appearing were Jimmy Allen, Red Coffey, The Mercer Brothers, Dick Stewart, Patti Taylor, Gogi Grant
Bell Sisters perform “Heartless” and “Take Back Your Gold.”
Booked by William Morris Agency
United Cerebral Palsy Telethon
Televised from Dallas, Texas
Bakersfield, California
Two television appearances (and one radio); promotion for “Those Redheads from Seattle.” Personal postcard to relative (Oran Bell) says “appearing tomorrow in Salinas.”
Lux Video Theater
Cynthia filmed Lux Soap commercial.
United Cerebral Palsy Telethon
Televised from Baltimore, Maryland
Western Varieties TV Show
Booked by William Morris Agency
Crippled Children’s Telethon (Sponsor: American Federation of Television and Radio Artists)
“Operation Entertainment” (NBC, one hour, live national telecast)
Sponsored by Armed Forces (U.S. Army) with the American Federation of Labor; presentation of awards to members of the acting profession who made overseas tours to entertain the Armed Forces.
Appearing with Danny Kaye, William Holden, Ray Bolger, Jerry Colonna, Jimmy Wakely, Carolina Cotton, Audrey Totter, Debbie Reynolds, Eddie Fisher, Ronald Reagan, Danny Thomas.
Bell Sisters appear in a Christmas-theme skit without performing, then return at the end, introduced by William Holden, to perform “My Heart Belongs to Daddy” acapella, to help fill time. Also seen in closing credits.
7 To 8 (NBC) [IMDB]
Today Show (NBC)
Also featuring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, General Omar Bradley.
Hollywood’s Best T.V. Show
The Mickey Mouse Club
Episode #37 (Year 3, #A-12)
Bell Sisters perform “Bermuda” and “Little Boy Bullfighter.”
Taping Date: This episode was taped on 7/30/1955. The Bells received $450 for their appearance.
Cut Down to Size: Original show was 1 hour long, but in 1959 Disney cut episodes down to 1/2 hour for re-broadcast. “Bermuda” sequence was cut (leaving “Little Boy Bullfighter”), but announcer voice-over still indicates Bell Sisters will be singing “two songs they recorded when they were youngsters.”
1954 – Our Uncle Dudley (NBC Pilot)
Bell Sisters filmed a pilot of this show that never was, in which they co-starred with Rudy Vallee. A recording of the song “Crazy Drink,” which features a break in the song to announce the arrival of Uncle Dudley, and recordings of “June Night” and “Take Back Your Gold” (also recorded for the show) are in family possession. Court records show date of NBC Kinescope Audition as 4/25/1954.