Bell Telephone Hour Telecasts, 1959-1962: Alfred Drake

Though he was a classically-trained, Shakespearean actor, Alfred Drake (1914-92) actually made his mark as the male lead in a series of Broadway musical comedies. Among other accomplishments, he originated the role of Curly in Oklahoma! circa 1943, and toplined such productions as Kismet and Kiss Me Kate. Meanwhile, Drake also landed occasional television appearances; he was a frequent guest on the musical performance series THE BELL TELEPHONE HOUR. This compilation brings into a single package numerous BELL spots that Drake did between 1959 and '62. The package is divided into several "themed" chapters: one features selections from musicals based on Twain, Shaw and Shakespeare; the second features songs from various American wars; the third features songs from operettas, and the fourth features songs from the musicals Kiss Me Kate and The Boys from Syracuse.