Edgar Bergen with Charlie McCarthy (1950)

Edgar Bergen with Charlie McCarthy

1950

Comedy Music

Synopsis

In his first appearance on network television, Edgar Bergen hosts a Thanksgiving Day special featuring three of his partners in ventriloquism - Charlie McCarthy, Mortimer Snerd and the lesser known Podine Puffington (a life-size doll that Bergen would use as a comedy dancing partner). Orchestra leader Ray Noble becomes upset when Charlie tells him that Edgar has hired someone else as a pianist (who turns out to be the beautiful Diana Lynn) to perform a solo. In the last scene, Edgar and Charlie are the put on trial for witchcraft in Colonial Salem, Massachusetts and sentenced to be burned at the stake before escaping with the help of a fetching Indian maid.

Credits

Director

Alan Dinehart

Cast

Bill Baldwin as Town Crier

Diana Lynn as Self

Edgar Bergen as Self

Jim Backus as Magistrate Backus

Pat Patrick as Self

Ray Noble as Self (as Ray Noble and Orchestra)

Thurl Ravenscroft as Tall Bass Singer (uncredited)

Crew