| The Gay Nineties Revue | |
|---|---|
| Presented by | Joseph E. Howard |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | August 11, 1948 – 1949 |
The Gay Nineties Revue is an American variety series that aired live on ABC Television from August 11, 1948, to January 14, 1949.[1] The host was 81-year-old songwriter and vaudeville veteran Joe Howard.[2]
The Gay Nineties Revue brought live performances of entertainment that had originally been written and performed decades earlier. It was an adaptation of a program of the same name that was on radio from 1939 to 1944, before it was revived for television.[3] Regular performers were singers Lulu Bates and The Floradora Girls. Ray Bloch and his orchestra provided accompaniment.[2]
The theme song was "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now", which Howard claimed to have written but was actually composed by Harold Orlob.[2]
Howard was a popular songwriter and singer, who later had a successful career capitalizing on the nostalgia many had for the "Gay Nineties" (the 1890s). The program was initially broadcast on Wednesdays from 8 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. In November 1948 it was moved to Fridays from 8:30 to 9 p.m. E. T.[2]
At least one episode of this show survives, which can be viewed online at the Internet Archive.
