5 TV innovations that were made before you think (part one)

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Today we perceive television as something ordinary, we rarely pay attention to it and do not even suspect that once its appearance was a real event that caused a storm of various emotions in people. However, not only the coveted picture box has become an incredible innovation, but also many interesting milestones that have been overcome in movies, TV shows and TV shows much earlier than we imagined.

1. First interracial kiss: "You are in your little corner" (1962)

Most people have long believed that the British soap opera 10th Ambulance (1957-1967) was the first television show to feature interracial kissing in all its glory around 1964. Four years later, this milestone was crossed by "Star Trek" - a series that aired on television in 1966-1969. However, in 2015, the National Archives of the British Film Institute made an incredible discovery, namely - they found a recording of an earlier show that had already made it opening. It was a play directed by the Royal Court, and which was called "You are in your little corner", which was shown on ITV back in 1962.

Written by Jamaican playwright Barry Record, the play is about a middle-class Jamaican immigrant who leaves his homeland and travels to London, in the Brixton area, after which he strikes up a relationship with a white woman from the working class. For the show at the Royal Court, the main character, who was the brother of the screenwriter - Lloyd Record, kissed the actress Elizabeth McLennan. Note that the play was not limited to one kiss, and the audience was shown a scene in which a couple was resting naked in bed, after which they got up and dressed.

2. The first death of the protagonist: "Make Room for Daddy" (1953-1957), Danny Thomas Show (1957-1964)

In the era of "Game of Thrones", when the death of characters, including the main ones, will surprise no one, it is worth remembering the very first documented death of a character on the TV screen. Surprisingly, but true: this did not happen in some first horror film, but on the contrary, in a comedy series - a genre in which, as a rule, deaths are quite rare. Make Room for Daddy is a comedy series by actor Danny Thomas who projects a fictional version of himself onto the screen. In it, he is a successful singer who works in a nightclub and tries to find the perfect balance between his career and his personal life. It was a funny, entertaining show, each episode of which ended with a song.

However, Thomas did not like the fact that the role of his wife in the series was played by actress Jean Hagen, with whom they, in general, did not get along on the set. After one such skirmish, Jean left the set and refused to return to her role in the show, which presented the producers with a rather difficult problem. As we understand, in the 1950s, divorce was not only not accepted, but was also under a kind of taboo on television. Therefore, the producers decided to kill this character. It was this decision that ultimately led to a drop in the popularity of the show itself, since viewers did not appreciate such a move. Thomas's character got a new romance line by proposing to a new girlfriend, however ABC canceled the show after three seasons. Fortunately, it was intercepted by CBS, which gave it a new title "The Danny Thomas Show" and renewed it for another eight seasons.

3. First reruns: "I love Lucy" (1951-1957)

The television series I Love Lucy was in many ways truly groundbreaking. If only because the main roles were played by a real married couple - Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. This series was produced by their own company Desilu Productions, and was one of the first to use a 3D system during filming. Note also that the show was filmed in Hollywood while everyone else was preferably filmed in New York. When Lucille became pregnant by her husband, her pregnancy was also forced into the show's script. It was an innovation in the television series, when real pregnancy became firmly embedded in the plot itself. It is worth mentioning that in 1953 Ball gave birth to a child - Desi Arnaz Jr.

"I Love Lucy" was filmed for profit and aired one episode a week. However, Arnaz wanted his wife to get more rest, be able to recover from childbirth and spend more time with her son. This is how reruns came about. Desi played some of the best episodes from the show's first season, entertaining viewers while his wife was on maternity leave. As other producers realized the benefits of reruns and the replayability of episodes, they began filming 39 episodes per season and then repeating them for thirteen weeks during the summer months. The replay system soon became wildly popular and is the norm for many TV shows today.

4. First show in color: "Little Sisko" (1950-1956)

Many shows of that time were painted after the appearance of the first color films, if only because few people had the money and the necessary equipment to shoot them in this format and produce a color picture. That is why color broadcast on TV in the 50s is a real sensation. Little Sisko is an American western-style TV series that follows a pair of criminal heroes like Robin Hood who fight corruption in the United States. The series is based on the story of O. Henry "The Way of Caballero", which was released in 1907.

The series debuted in 1950 and became the first syndicated series in history, as well as a color show since its very first season. But because many programs in the early 60s were still black and white, most viewers did not immediately see the series in all its glory and shades. The first show, which was already broadcast in color, was "Marriage" (1954), in which the main roles were played by a real couple - Hume Cronin and Jessica Tandy. The series received a warm welcome from critics, but it was put on hold when the pair embarked on a theater tour. After that, there were rumors about the continuation of the show, however, they did not live up to expectations.

5. The first sci-fi series: "Captain Video and His Video Rangers" (1949-1955)

Despite the fact that Star Trek is the longest running sci-fi series that has maintained its popularity since its release in 1966 to the present day, the first show of this genre was the series Captain Video and His Video Rangers - a space adventure story, which took place in 2254. The show was broadcast live, but also did not hesitate to use innovative filming methods, with decay, overlay effects and lighting techniques, which made it possible to create the impression that the protagonist and his team were truly traveling in time.

This show is considered one of the most demanding of the time for a team of technicians who had extremely little time to change templates and sets, as well as adjust them between scenes. During its show, it showcased several technological advances at once, such as portable television screens, two-way radios and powerful X-ray machines.

Surprising fact: it provided invaluable assistance to the American military during the Vietnam War. When they were captured and tortured to find out who their leader was, they replied, "Captain Video." Surprisingly, they were believed, which helped the soldiers avoid further torture and hide the identity of their real commanders.

About that, from the last century to the present day, you can find out from the next article on this topic.