Bonino (TV series)

Bonino is an ethnic situation comedy television series starring Ezio Pinza (1892–1957) as an Italian-American opera singer trying to rear his eight children after the death of their mother. Originating in the Hudson Theatre in New York City,[1] the program aired live on NBC from September 12 to December 26, 1953.[2]

Bonino
Cast of the show.
StarringEzio Pinza
Mary Wickes
Chet Allen
Van Dyke Parks
David Opatoshu
Conrad Janis
Mike Kellin
Lenke Peterson
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons1/2
No. of episodesUnknown; no more than 16
Production
Running time30 minutes
Release
Original networkNBC
Picture formatBlack and white
Original releaseSeptember 12 (1953-09-12) –
December 26, 1953 (1953-12-26)

Pinza's character is Babbo Bonino. Mary Wickes (1910–1995) portrayed Martha the housekeeper. The actors portraying the children were Conrad Janis (born 1928) as eldest son Edward, Lenka Peterson (born 1925) as older daughter Doris, Chet Allen (1939–1984) as Jerry; Oliver Andes as Carlo, Gaye Huston as Fancesca, and Van Dyke Parks (born 1943) as Andrew, the youngest.[3] Mike Kellin (1922–1983) appeared in the role of Rusty. Donald Harris took over the role of Rusty on November 18, 1953.[2]

David Opatoshu (1918–1996), portrayed Walter Rogers. Anthony Eisley (1925–2003) played John Clinton.[2]

Bonino aired at 9 p.m. Eastern on Saturday before Ted Mack's The Original Amateur Hour. Its principal competition was The Jackie Gleason Show on CBS.[4]

Each episode included a song by Pinza.[2]

Bonino was sponsored by Philip Morris cigarettes and Lady Esther cosmetics.[5] It was replaced by a Spike Jones program.[6]

Thomas Phipps and Robert Alan Aurthur created Bonino, and Aurthur was the program's writer. Fred Coe was the producer, and Gordon Duff was the director.[1]

References
  1. Leszczak, Bob (2012). Single Season Sitcoms, 1948-1979: A Complete Guide. McFarland. pp. 19–20. ISBN 9780786468126. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  2. Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing Group. p. 165. ISBN 9780307483201. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  3. Alex McNeil, Total Television, New York: Penguin Books, 1996, p. 111
  4. 1953-1954 American network television schedule
  5. "Sponsors Bow Out on 'Bonino'" (PDF). Billboard. November 14, 1953. p. 3. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  6. "Spike Jones To Replace Pinza on NBC" (PDF). Billboard. December 26, 1953. p. 3. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
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