The 1950s was an important decade in the history of television. Many of the 1950s TV shows became cultural icons and synonymous with classic TV shows. These 50s TV shows are a must have for any serious collector and a must watch for anyone who wants to reminisce of years gone by. Keep reading to see the top ten list of the old TV shows from the 50's.
The following is a list of the most popular TV shows in the 50s. Most of the 1950s TV shows are household names and have easily recognizable characters even if you aren't a old TV show lover. We will start this list with number 10 and work our way down to number 1. These 1950s popular TV shows are sure to be a hit with you and your family.
Don't want to read all 10? Click here to see the number 1 show!
10. Alfred Hitchcock Presents...
Coming in at number 10 is the 1950s television show Alfred Hitchcock Presents... The show has become a cult classic as many people love the works of Alfred Hitchcock even in modern day. The above picture is one of the more current dvd sets that includes some of the most popular episodes of the show as well as 15 of Alfred Hitchcock's most popular movies.
The tv show as well as the movies all have a thriller/mystery vibe that Alfred Hitchcock is well known for. If you have one seen one of his movies or shows you will want to watch every other one as well!
Want to learn more? Check out some details here.
9. Perry Mason
Perry Mason began airing on CBS in 1957. Perry Mason is portrayed by Raymond Burr in the series. With the show spanning almost a decade it not only was popular in its day but it also helped set the tone for many law series that have aired since including Law and Order!
The series follows Perry Mason, a Los Angeles lawyer, who helps those who have have hopeless cases. Part detective and part lawyer Mr. Mason never gives up until the truth comes out! The series aired for a total of 271 episodes and every one is included in this DVD set.
Get the complete series set by clicking here.
8. Have Gun- Will Travel
Coming in at number 8 we have a largely unknown 1950s western TV show, Have Gun- Will Travel. The show aired on CBS from 1957 until 1963. The show was rated 2nd or 3rd in each of its four first seasons. The show aired a total of 225 episodes over its six seasons. The show was so popular that it even spawned a successful radio broadcast. We considered putting this item far higher up the list but as this shown has aged it has become more of an unknown than some of the more iconic westerns on this list.
This 50s TV series is set in San Francisco in 1875 follows a man who calls himself Paladin. Paladin travels around the Old West working as a mercenary gunfighter. Paladin charges a high amount for his services but works for poor people for free. Each episode shows him traveling to find his target and in his gentlemanly way challenging them to a gunfight.
Learn more about this set by clicking here.
7. The Untouchables
Coming in at number 7 is the Untouchables. The Untouchables aired from 1959 until 1963 on ABC. The show is based on the memoir of Eliot Ness and Oscar Fraley.
The Untouchables tells the story of Eliot Ness and his group of untouchables as they fight crime in and around Chicago during the prohibition era. With plenty of excitement and action to go around follow this group of crime-fighters as they bring down Al Capone and continue to fight the Mob after his capture.
Check out some of the reviews here...
6. Sgt. Bilko- The Phil Silvers Show
Known as The Phil Silvers Show or even as Sgt. Bilko this show originally aired by the title You'll Never Get Rich. The show aired on CBS from 1955 until 1959. The show aired for a total of 143 episodes over its 4 seasons.
The Phil Silvers Show follows the lives of the soldiers in the moter pool at Fort Baxter in Roseville, Kansas. Sgt. Bilko is their commanding officer but seems to do more scheming and planning than commanding. He is always up to a new get rich scheme to try and enrich himself. He often drags his men along with him or they are the targets of his scheme. His hilarious antics always end up angering his commanding officer, Col. John T. Hall, but he is never quite able to catch Bilko in his schemes.
Check out the reviews of the series by clicking here...
5. Rawhide
In at number 5 is another 1950s TV western, Rawhide. The show starred Eric Fleming and Clint Eastwood. The show aired on CBS from 1959 until 1966. The show aired for a total of 217 episodes over its 8 seasons. Every episode of the show was aired in black and white.
Rawhide was set in the 1860s and follows the cattle drivers as they face a variety of problems while traveling across the country. Gil Favor, played by Eric Fleming, is the trail boss and often starts the episodes with a monologue. Often the episodes involve the cattle drivers coming across different people and helping them to solve their problems. Rowdy Yates, played by Clint Eastwood, is a young and impetuous trail hand and must often be reigned in by the trail boss, Gil.
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4. The Red Skelton Show
The Red Skelton Show began airing on NBC in the fall of 1951. After 2 years the show was moved to CBS in 1953 and stayed with CBS until 1970 when it moved back to NBC for its final season.
The show was a comedy/variety show with the main star being Richard Bernard "Red" Skelton. The show received 3 Emmys during its time on the air. "Red" often began the show with an opening monologue which then led into his different special guests that he had on almost every episode.
Learn more about this series by clicking here.
3. Looney Tunes
We considered skipping this iconic show since it spanned many decades before and after the 50's but we just couldn't leave it out. The Looney Tunes cartoons have been a favorite of generations of children and still remain a favorite of many into their adulthood.
Unfortunately there has never been a complete collection released of every episode of the Looney Tunes collection. The most that has been released up until now is the Looney Tunes Golden collection volumes 1-6. This set includes 356 episodes of your favorite cartoons in one box set. Hopefully in the future they will release a more complete collection but currently this is the best one they have.
See some more reviews of the series by clicking here...
2. Gunsmoke
Coming in at number 2 we have Gunsmoke! This show could easily be number 1 in the list of most popular shows in the 50s, 60s, and even 70s but rather than rank it number 1 on three different lists we decided to give it number 2 on the 50s list. Gunsmoke began airing in 1955 and aired until 1975. The show aired a total of 635 episodes over those 20 seasons.
Matt Dillon is the Marshall in Dodge City. Many of the people who travel through Dodge City have no regard for the law and Matt must deal with the problems that these people create. Matt must use his good judgement and gun talents to help keep the West from becoming wild again.
Get the first 5 seasons of the show by Clicking Here.
1. I Love Lucy
Coming in at number 1 is the most well known of the fifties TV shows. This 1950s TV series starred one of the most popular movie stars of the time, Lucille Ball. The I Love Lucy show aired on CBS from 1951 until 1957. The show was the first scripted show to be recorded in front of a live studio audience. It also won 5 Emmy awards during its six seasons. I Love Lucy was the most watched TV show in the US during 4 of its 6 seasons.
The I Love Lucy Show follows Lucy Ricardo and her husband Ricky. Many of the episodes also involve their neighbors, Fred and Ethel Mertz. Lucy often gets Ethel in trouble with her and the husbands are left to clean up the mess. Each episode is a comedy classic and a must watch for any fan of old style comedy.
Get the complete DVD series today! Click Here
That wraps up our 50s TV shows list. Do you agree with our list of the most popular TV shows in the 1950s? Would your list of the best 1950s TV shows look like this or would you change it entirely? Let us know what you would have chosen in the comments.
