Classic TV: The 50s : 1950s catchphrases

You know how some long forgotten memories will suddenly pop into your head? Well, today, when trying to negotiate the sale of one home and the purchase of another, the phrase What a revoltin' development this is! came to me. It is one of the catchphrases from The Life of Riley. The series starring William Bendix ran from January 1953 to August 1958. (The almost forgotten first version of the show with Jackie Gleason lasted on season, October 1949 until March 1950.) Bendix frequently used this catchphrase.

Do you remember any other 50 catchphrases that you heard used at home or at school?

mf

Trust me. Im The Doctor.

Lucy I'm home..I Love Lucy ( I still hear that one)
Now cut that out..Jack Benny

Those are great. Another from "I Love Lucy" might be: "Lucy, you got some 'splanin' to do."

"Now cut that out," is the foundation of my world-famous Jack Benny impression (for a rapidly shrinking audience of people who know what Jack Benny sounded like).

mf

Trust me. Im The Doctor.

"Just the facts, ma'am" from Dragnet

"Dragnet" was a gold-mine of catchphrases, wasn't it? I think especially of the often parodied opening narration: "Wednesday, August 12. It was hot in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of robbery division" Ending with: "My name's Friday."

mf

Trust me. Im The Doctor.

One I still use teasingly if the situation warrants: "Boy, Beaver, are you in trouble".

But throughout it all, my motto was "Dignity! Always dignity!".

If we were dawdling when it was time to eat, or get in the car to go someplace, my Dad would "channel," Buffalo Bob: "Hey, boys and girls - what time is it!?"

Jackie Gleason's "And, awaaayyyy we go!," was also useful in a variety of situations.

Jackie Gleason used a lot of expressions. In one Honeymooners episode, he was trying to be groovy with a group of teenagers and said goodbye using a 1920s line he thought was still hip. He said "See ya later, alligator." Gleason's popularity was so great, he brought that line back from the dead and a song was even made with that title. Ralph also said "Pow, right in the kisser!" and "To the moon, Alice!" and "Har har hardee har har"

Reggie van Gleason,III said "Mmm boy, are you fat." Fenwick Babbit said "You're a nice man." Charlie Bratton said "I gotta get me some more of these cigars." and "What's that slop you're eating?" Clem Finch said "Some day I'm gonna kill that man." Stanley Sogg said "Tonight's movie is brought to you by Mother Fletcher."

Jimmy Durante said "I'm surrounded by incompetents."

Steve Allen asked "Is it bigger than a breadbox?"

Ed Sullivan said "Tonight, we have a really big shew."

Jack Paar said "I kid you not." He asked guest Oscar Levant about Dinah Shore. Oscar said "I love Dinah, but my doctor won't let me watch her show. I'm diabetic."

Well I'll be a dirty bird.

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Well I'll be a dirty bird.

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George Gobel! Haven't thought about him in years!

He would sometimes introduce his show with another widely quoted (at the time) catchphrase: "So here I am, there you are, and here's the show."

mf

Trust me. Im The Doctor.

They don't hardly make that kind anymore.

Speaking of which, I watched an episode of "The George Gobel Show" very recently. Funny stuff. Shame he is becoming forgotten.




You're not getting any thinner, this time you're a cookie winner

Many shows had the host make some sort of sign off remark at the end of the show. Gobel got in trouble one week when he signed off: "Who says you can't buy happiness? Stop off on the way home and pick up a fifth."

Jimmy Durante always said: "Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are."

And every host at one time or another said: "We're a little late folks, so good night."

Jimmy Durante Goodnight Mrs Calabash wherever you are
Red skelton God Bless

Who was that masked man?

"Oh Pancho." "Oh Cisco!" "Oh ho ho ho ho."

Stand back away from your televisionary sets. Here comes Quaker Puffed Rice.

Holy mackul, Andy!

Lady!! I like it, I like it!

Now youcan be Queen for a Day!

How ah ya, how ah ya, how ah ya.

Wunnaful, a wunnaful. Now let's get on with da show.

When I'm about to perform a seemingly difficult task at work: "Hey, Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat".

But throughout it all, my motto was "Dignity! Always dignity!".

Hopscotching the world for headlines! (or D.O.D. handouts)

Be sure and tell'em Groucho sent you.

This is WNBT-TV signing off. beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

"Say the secret word and divide $100" - Groucho

"Write if you get work." "Hang by your thumbs."

Write if you get work." "Hang by your thumbs."

That was Bob & Ray.

How about: "Mmm. Fresh tracks, kemo sabe." (It was only years later that I realized how he knew the tracks were fresh.)

Exit..Stage left.
I dought I saw a poody cat.
He's smarter than the average bear.
Hmmmm, Hmmmmmm, Hmmmmmmm, Picture a dog just receiving a dog biscuit jumping into the air and coming back down and hugging himself.

"Hold it! I think you're going to like this picture!" from the opening of Love That Bob.


Some movies are released; others sneak out.

"I'm getting kind of misty, Dobe"
Maynard G. Krebs (The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis

But throughout it all, my motto was "Dignity! Always dignity!".

Arf, arf! Arf, arf, arf! (Timmy fell down the well!)

"Head 'em up! Move 'em out!"

But throughout it all, my motto was "Dignity! Always dignity!".

Well! That's my little Margie!

Ward. We need to talk about the Beaver.


Most of my friends who have inferiority complexes are absolutely right.