The Irwin Allen Show
Radio 1941-1952, TV 1949-51
The Irwin Allen Show was a regular radio show produced and presented by Irwin Allen from the early 1940s to the early 1950s. In each show Irwin interviewed celebrities, went behind the scenes at movie productions, and discussed the arts. The show fitted in well with his media column in newspapers. The Irwin Allen Show (also sometimes referred to as Hollywood Merry-Go-Round) was broadcast at various times of the day (even midnight some weeks), and usually on a Sunday. It was initially broadcast on the station KMTR which was later (12 March 1946) sold and renamed to KLAC on 570 on the broadcasting dial.
In the late 1940's at the advent of television broadcasting, Irwin Allen transferred his radio show onto the KLAC-TV channel (Channel 13). The show was also known as "Hollywood Merry-Go-Round" (also the name of his syndicated newspaper column) and was a celebrity quiz show with famous movie stars amongst the panel guests. This show ran for around three years and Irwin continued his radio show at the same time.
As you can see from Irwin Allen's filmography, he gradually migrated to producing movies, starting with a number with Irving Cummings Jr.
If anyone knows of any recordings of his radio or TV shows, we would be fascinated to hear or watch them. You can contact us via the IANN Contact Page.
THE IRWIN ALLEN SHOW PHOTOGRAPH
A rare photograph of Irwin Allen in his early television show, The Irwin Allen Show, is available for sale through Royal Books. The photograph shown above is courtesy of Royal Books and was taken by photographer Leo Kanter during filming of the episode featuring Buster Keaton on 22nd May 1949. The full description from Royal Books is below.
Original photograph of Buster Keaton and Irwin Allen on The Irwin Allen Show, May 22, 1949
Vintage photograph of Buster Keaton and Irwin Allen by photographer Leo Kanter, 1949. Signed and dated, "May 22, 1949," in white ink by the photographer in the lower right corner, stamped on the verso "Leo Kanter / May 22, 1949."
Famed silent film comedian, Buster Keaton, made his first television appearance on May 2, 1949 on "The Irwin Allen Show," seen in the photograph on offer here. His appearance seven months later, on December 22, 1949 on the live CBS television variety show, "The Ed Wynn Show," is often incorrectly attributed as Keaton's first television appearance.
From the archive of the PIX Agency, an American photo house that acted as an intermediary between emigre photographers (as well as those still living in Europe) and the American magazine and newspaper market between 1935-1969.
8 x 10 inches with narrow margins, archivally matted in a 14 x 18 inch 8-ply mat. Near Fine.
[Book #162898]
This website is a tribute to Irwin Allen, the performers, the production crews, and the studios who made the television shows and movies a reality. It is also a tribute to all the people who help to keep these productions alive for future generations.
