The Martha Raye Show
One of the rotating hosts of 'All Star Revue' since 1951, Martha Raye became almost the only host in 1953 and took over the program entirely when it was renamed 'The Martha Raye Show' in January 1954. Writer-director Nat Hiken came up with the idea of casting ex-boxer Rocky Graziano as Martha's boyfriend. Nicknamed "Goombah" by Raye, Graziano was the perfect foil for the funny female's mugging. "Who ever thought I could do comedy?" the fighter wondered. Though typically gentle as a lamb, Rocky acted as Martha's protector and stood ready to pummel anyone (like the debonair and oft-recurring Cesar Romero) he thought was trying to make time with her. Most shows opened with a song and dance number performed by Martha and the Herb Ross Dancers.
- 1954-1956
- 3 seasons
- NBC
- Comedy
One of the rotating hosts of 'All Star Revue' since 1951, Martha Raye became almost the only host in 1953 and took over the program entirely when it was renamed 'The Martha Raye Show' in January 1954. Writer-director Nat Hiken came up with the idea of casting ex-boxer Rocky Graziano as Martha's boyfriend. Nicknamed "Goombah" by Raye, Graziano was the perfect foil for the funny female's mugging. "Who ever thought I could do comedy?" the fighter wondered. Though typically gentle as a lamb, Rocky acted as Martha's protector and stood ready to pummel anyone (like the debonair and oft-recurring Cesar Romero) he thought was trying to make time with her. Most shows opened with a song and dance number performed by Martha and the Herb Ross Dancers.
Season 3 Episode Guide
13 Episodes 1955 - 1956
Episode 1
Tallulah Bankhead
Tue, Sep 20, 1955
A spoof of 'The $64,000 Question' includes actual winner Gloria Lockerman, the 12-year-old spelling wonder from Baltimore.
Episode 2
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
Tue, Oct 11, 1955
Episode 3
Paulette Goddard, Margaret Truman
Tue, Nov 1, 1955
Martha Raye, Paulette Goddard, and Margaret Truman decide that the only way they can see their entertainer husbands (who are always on the road) is to become entertainers themselves.
Episode 4
Stubby Kaye, Johnnie Ray, Walter Abel
Tue, Nov 22, 1955
Martha Raye, Johnnie Ray, and Rocky Graziano sing "Shadrach."
Episode 5
Jack Carson, Cesar Romero, Joe Besser, Julius La Rosa
Tue, Dec 13, 1955
Playing Texas millionaires, Jack Carson and Cesar Romero compete for Martha's attention.
Episode 6
Errol Flynn, Charles Coburn, Paul Lynde, The Bil and Cora Baird Marionettes
Tue, Jan 3, 1956
Episode 7
The Concert
Tue, Jan 24, 1956
Episode 8
Tim Hovey, Hedda Hopper, Rocky Graziano, dancers Condos and Brandow, Vincent Price, Julius La Rosa
Tue, Feb 14, 1956
Episode 9
Buster Keaton, Paul Douglas, Harold Arlen, he Bil and Cora Baird Marionettes, Matt Mattox, Jacques D'Ambrose, Danny Daniels
Tue, Mar 6, 1956
Borrowing from Charlie Chaplin's 'Limelight', Martha Raye and Buster Keaton do a bit of pantomime as two musicians. Kukla, Fran and Ollie appear in an RCA Whirlpool commercial
Episode 10
Mildred Natwick, Peter Lawford, Julius La Rosa, Ernest Truex, Rocky Graziano
Tue, Mar 27, 1956
Episode 11
Risë Stevens, Jean Pierre Aumont, Harpo Marx, Rocky Graziano, Jim Hearn, Dusty Rhodes, Duke Snider, Wes Westrum
Tue, Apr 17, 1956
Episode 12
Gertrude Berg, Julius La Rosa, Hugh Martin
Tue, May 8, 1956
Martha Raye goes into seclusion to rest, moving in with Mrs. Goldberg (Gertrude Berg) and posing as her cousin Sophie. Musical segment includes a melody of songs written by Hugh Martin, performed by Martin, Martha Raye, and Julius La Rosa. A copy of this program exists at The Paley Center for Media.
Episode 13
Final Show with guests Constance Bennett, Cesar Romero, Robert Strauss, Fritz Feld
Tue, May 29, 1956