Where Are They Now?

Indeed, where are they now? Where are the actors, the singers, the celebrities of our youth? Where are the artists who entertained us at the movies, on radio, and that small television screen in our living rooms? Where have they gone?

It's unfortunate that no one lives forever but in the case of those entertainers we knew back in the 1950's their art, if not the people themselves, still lives but it's not always easy to see them where we once did. No, that place has been taken by others who quite seem to measure up to the artistry of those we grew up with. Yet, thanks to DVD's, old video tapes and retro TV cable channels we can view them once more.

The Lone Ranger and the Cisco Kid still ride the range and fight injustice. Sky King still flies the Songbird in the western skies, and even Sgt. Bilko still tries to get rich with his many schemes. And, of course, Lucy Ricardo still tries to get into show business despite the best efforts of her husband, Ricky, to prevent her.

We can also view some of the singers, Dean Martin, Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Eddie Fisher and Perry Como. And let's not forget the comedians Bob Hope, Red Skelton, George Burns & Gracie Allen, George Gobel and Wally Cox. Then there were the stars of situation comedies; among them Robert Young, Eve Arden, Lucille Ball, Stu Irwin and so many others over the years.

These were the pioneers of television entertainment who spent their lives honing their craft in vaudeville, the legitimate theater, radio, movies and some in night clubs. The used the new medium of television in the 1950's to bring to a new generation the tried and true routines that had proven successful on radio and in the movies. Some soared and some fizzled but the experiments were indeed fascinating to view.

We watched variety shows that featured everything from circus acts and singers to stand up comedians. We were also exposed to bits of culture with abbreviated ballet dances to opera singers singing one of their more famous arias. There were medical shows that delved into the trials and dilemmas of those who chose to heal the sick. Detective shows that highlighted the fight against crime by police forces and private detectives were also quite popular during that time. And, of course, the venerable western that galloped across the screen. And then was my favorite science fiction and fantasy which were represented by many juvenile and adult presentations.

All of these shows featured actors and actresses that flashed across the small screen in what turned out to be a very quick progression. We had our favorites and those who proved not to be too popular. But, we watched and were entertained by them all.

Now, as we look back we stop and wonder how and where the time went we also pause and ponder where these performers are now. Reality then rears it head and we fully realize that a majority of them are no longer with us. They exist only on bits of celluloid, magnetic tape, vinyl records, publicity stills, kinescopes and video tape - all of which is slowly being transferred to CD's and DVD's so that we again may see what we saw when it was new and exciting.

I can't begin to relay how many times I've heard young people who sit in fascination watching those old shows and then openly voice their wonder at why entertainment today is not as fresh, not as versatile, not as meaningful as contemporary attempts have been. It gives me hope that perhaps imagination is not extinct and the future of entertainment may find the soul that has lain dormant for so long and revive it once more for newer generations.