1954 Emmys loved Lucy (again)
With the announcement for the 76th Primetime Emmys set for July 17th, let’s travel back 70 years and revisit the winners of the 6th Emmy Awards held Feb. 11, 1954 at the venerable Hollywood Palladium and telecast on KHJ. New categories introduced that year included best new program and supporting actor and actress in a TV series. Prior to 1954, performers were nominated as individuals, but this year the program for which they were nominated was also included. NBC was nominated for 36 Emmys, while CBS placed second with 30 and ABC trailing far behind with just three.
CBS’s cherished “I Love Lucy’ won its second Emmy for best comedy series, while Vivian Vance took home her only Emmy for the show for her supporting role as Ethel Mertz. The other nominees for comedy series were CBS’ “The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show,” NBC’s “Mr. Peepers,” CBS’ “Our Miss Brooks,” and CBS “Topper.”
Donald O’Connor, who between doing MGM musicals and playing foil for the talking mule “Francis,” also hosted the popular NBC comedy-variety series “The Colgate Comedy Hour” from 1951-54. Seven decades ago, he won best male star for a regular series for his hosting and performing gig on the show. Eve Arden was named best female star for a regular series for “Our Miss Brooks” playing a character she had first introduced on radio in 1948. And Art Carney received his first of five Emmys for his work on CBS’ “The Jackie Gleason Show.” Remember, “The Honeymooners” was a sketch on the Great One’s comedy-variety series; “The Honeymooners” didn’t become a weekly series until 1955.
Best dramatic program was won by ABC’s “The United States Steel Hour.” The hour-long dramatic anthology series began in 1953 and ended a decade later. It originally was a radio series, “The Theatre Guild Drama,” which ran from 1945-53. The series presented original teleplays as well as adaptations of the classics including “Hedda Gabler” with Tallulah Bankhead and Luther Adler. The series also received the Emmy for best new program.
Best variety program went to CBS’ “Omnibus.” Alistair Cooke, who later hosted PBS’ “Masterpiece Theatre,” was host of the series which presented programs on sciences, the arts and humanities. During its run from 1952-61, “Omnibus” earned 65 awards including eight Emmys and two Peabodys.
NBC’s “This is Your Life” and CBS’ “What’s My Line?” tied for best audience participation, quiz or panel program. And just the facts: NBC’s “Dragnet” picked up the Emmy for best mystery, action or adventure program.
The beloved NBC “Kukla, Fran & Ollie” was named best children’s program, while CBS’ “See It Now” won best program of news and sports and its host Edward R. Murrow was named most outstanding personality beating out the likes of Martha Raye, Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, Arthur Godfrey and Jack Webb. Murrow also was the host of CBS’ Person to Person,” which began in 1953
Public affairs program honors went to “Victory at Sea,” NBC’s 26-part World War II documentary series. And besides “U.S. Steel Hour,” ABC’s sitcom “Make Room for Daddy” starring Danny Thomas won best new program. After its fourth season, the name was changed to “The Danny Thomas Show.”
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