| Runtime: | 15 minutes |
| Producer: | Ted Hammerstein |
| Director: | Bill Seaman |
| Starring: | Earl Wilson (host) |
| Country: | United States |
Stage Entrance is an American variety and interview television show broadcast on the DuMont Television Network.[1]
The host, Broadway columnist Earl Wilson, interviewed "established stars and young hopefuls" in addition to providing news about show business.[2] On the quarter-hour episodes, Wilson typically had one famous guest and one newcomer.[3] Artists who appeared on the program included Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, who received Downbeat Awards on the February 24, 1952, episode.[4] Other guests included Jack Leonard, Barbara Nichols, Buddy Rich, and Mel Torme.[5]
As with most DuMont series, no complete episodes are known to exist. A short clip exists of an episode from February 24, 1952 featuring Leonard Feather presenting awards from Downbeat to Parker and Gillespie, and then a performance from Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Dick Hyman, Sandy Block, and Charlie Smith.
Tod Hammerstein was the producer, and Bill Seaman was the director.[1] The program initially was broadcast on Wednesdays from 7:45 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. In September 1951 it was moved to Mondays from 8 to 8:30 p.m. E. T. Its final time slot, beginning in December 1951, was Sundays from 7 to 7:30 p.m. E. T. The show was canceled effective March 2, 1952; it was replaced by Georgetown University Forum, which had been seen at 6:30 p.m. E. T. on Sundays.[6]