What was the Arthur Murray TV show that made television history in the 50s?
The name Arthur Murray has long been associated to social dances. Being renowned dance instructor and a businessman, his dance studio chain named after him Arthur Murray Dance Studios have been teaching America the beauty of ballroom dancing for over 98 years. Such love and passion for ballroom dancing as well as smart business venturing has even made a mark on television history. In the Golden Age of Television, there was once an Arthur Murray TV show which ran for over a decade. Hosted by the dance studio icon Arthur Murray along with his wife Kathryn, the Arthur Murray Party was basically variety show which consists of ballroom dancing, comedy, songs and dance contests that would ultimately advertise Arthur Murray dance studio chain. This Arthur Murray TV show has been one of the rare shows that were able to be broadcast on the four major commercial networks namely ABC, Dumont Television Network, CBS and NBC. It had its first run on July 20, 1950 and had its final episode on September 6, 1960.
As a basic setup of this Arthur Murray TV show, the Arthur Murray Party is like a huge social party that is being broadcast on television where Arthur and Kathryn Murray will perform their weekly mystery dance in which viewers who can identify it will be given two free dance lessons from their local Arthur Murray Dance Studio in their area. Another way of promoting their studio in his Arthur Murray TV show is when their dance instructors would teach their special guest how to dance. By carefully teaching them a step by step flow of the dance step, their guests will follow through the lesson until the whole dance is finished. Most of their guests are sport stars, musicians as well as actors. Most notable guest in the show was a singer, writer and pianist Johnnie Ray who made the dancers squealing with excitement. This Arthur Murray TV show was also noted for their dancers to wear elegant wardrobe which often caused problem during those conservative times. At the end of each Arthur Murray TV show, the Murrays would perform the last dance in the form of Strauss waltz. Indeed The Arthur Murray Party has made its mark in sharing to the American audience the exciting aspect of ballroom dancing as well as how Arthur Murray Dance Studios all over the country teach people who came to love such recreational activity.
Over 5 decades have passed since its last broadcast of The Arthur Murray Time in NBC; it seems that the dance studio franchise had no more Arthur Murray TV shows similar to the 50’s classic variety show. Other than several Arthur Murray TV advertisements and a couple of dance sport competitions, there have been no more significant appearances on television that could equal the Arthur Murray Party. Bui as the world shift its focus on the internet, Arthur Murray Dance Studios have also made their presence felt to reach out the enthusiast of ballroom dancing.
Arthur Murray Dance Studios once had an Arthur Murray TV show known as The Arthur Murray Party which has over a decade of run and was broadcast by the 4 major commercial networks. This variety show which is hosted by the Murrays was also the dance studios advertising show here guest stars would be taught some dance steps.