Through the Crystal Ball
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| Through the Crystal Ball | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Producer | Paul Belanger |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | April 18 – June 6, 1949 |
Through the Crystal Ball is a 1949 American television series dedicated to storytelling through dance.[1][2] Produced by Paul Belanger, it was a 30-minute live program which aired on Monday nights on CBS-TV.[3][1] Each episode presented a literary classic, incorporating elements of classical and contemporary ballet, as well as pantomime.[4][5][6] The first four shows included narration by host Jimmy Savo, a comedian and mime artist, and featured the works of leading choreographers including George Balanchine, Michael Kidd, Helen Tamiris, and Todd Bolender.[2][7][8] The series was sponsored by the Ford Dealers of America.[9][10][11]
The series was introduced as a novel, creative, and ambitious concept, pushing the boundaries of television as a medium.[12][3] Advanced publicity for Through the Crystal Ball billing it as "one of the first programs to use television as an art form".[4] The J. Walter Thompson Agency called it "the first big-time TV program created purely for television".[4]
The show opened with Jimmy Savo holding up a crystal ball, which would transport viewers into a fantasy land, where they would find themselves on stage in the midst of the action.[13] Each week, a cast of 20 to 30 performers in elaborate costumes presented classics from children's literature through dance and pantomime.[4][3] Through the Crystal Ball was unusually costly to produce, bringing together highly regarded dancers, choreographers, actors, writers, costume designers, and set designers of the day.[4]
Featured works
The television premiere on April 18, 1949, was a production of Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, choreographed by Michael Kidd, who also danced in the title role.[14][15][7] Other lead dancers included Anita Alvarez as Girl Friday and Talley Beatty as the Native Chief.[7] One of the main scenes depicted Crusoe building a home on the deserted island, with the assistance of an energetic group of monkeys, who were played by 10 dancers in furry costumes.[7]
A new version of Cinderella choreographed for television by George Balanchine and danced by Tanaquil Le Clercq and Herbert Bliss, was broadcast on April 25, 1949.[13][1][16][17] It was followed by Ali Baba, choreographed by Helen Tamiris, which aired on May 2, 1949.[11][6]
The Wild West, an original work choreographed by Todd Bolender, starred Joan McCracken along with Tommy Rawl and Muriel Bentley, and aired on May 9, 1949.[18][8][3][5] Gulliver's Travels, choreographed by Hanya Holm, was also featured on May 9.[19][20] Savo left the show on May 14.[21]
Alice in Wonderland, choreographed by Pauline Koner, was broadcast on May 23, 1949.[22][23] The dance was cut down to the most iconic scenes from the original Lewis Carroll story.[5] Bambi Linn, who had played Alice on Broadway, danced the title role.[23] Other lead dancers included Kate Friedlich as the White Rabbit, Lavinia Neilson as the Duchess, and Beverly Bozeman as the Queen of Hearts.[23] Actor Arthur Treacher played the Cheshire Cat.[5] One of the cameras blew out during the live broadcast.[5]
The final episode of Through the Crystal Ball featured Casey at the Bat, and aired on June 6, 1949.[24][25] It was based on the baseball-themed poem by Ernest Thayer, and was choreographed by Paul Godkin.[9][26] The narrator was Clay Clement.[27]