Hollywood Backstage (1964 TV series)

Format

From 1964 to 1968, the American television program Hollywood Backstage offered viewers a peek behind the curtain of the film industry. Originally called Hollywood Star Newsreel, it was hosted by several figures, including John Willis and Army Archerd. Willis provided narration for footage capturing historic moments on movie sets, at charity events, celebrity roasts, star interviews, and other Hollywood happenings. The show covered premieres such as It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, the first film shown at the Cinerama Dome; The Unsinkable Molly Brown at the Egyptian Theater; The Spy Who Came In from the Cold; Viva Maria!; Battle of the Bulge; Zsa Zsa Gabor attending Doctor Zhivago; The Blue Max; and Fantastic Voyage at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. On-set visits included Kiss Me, Stupid with Kim Novak; Colorado location work for Stagecoach starring Ann-Margret; Divorce American Style with Dick Van Dyke and Debbie Reynolds; Who's Minding the Mint?; and The Fearless Vampire Killers. Other segments featured Edward G. Robinson at the dedication of his wax figure at the now-defunct Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park, California; the opening of Gazzarri's Hollywood a Go Go on the Sunset Strip; the custom auto shop of George Barris; and a tour of the historic MGM back lot in Culver City, California, which has since been demolished. Interviews included Sonny & Cher, Nancy Wilson, Janet Leigh, Red Buttons, Lorne Greene, Trini Lopez, Robert Wagner, Carolyn Jones, and Mamie Van Doren riding a motorcycle with Dave Ekins.