George Burns Television Productions

An elementary school dropout, George Burns went on to become one of America’s most beloved entertainers. This book covers a neglected part of his career—his work as a television producer. Burns was not only a behind-the-scenes producer, but also filled the role of producer in various comedies in which he starred. Though his forte was situation comedies, Burns’ company, McCadden Productions, also produced dramatic anthology series and pilots, including a pilot considered to be a precursor to the popular TV series Mission: Impossible.
This book focuses on Burns’ wide variety of production efforts, and follows his involvement in television productions from his 1950 comedy series with his wife, Gracie Allen, through his participation in the fantasy sitcom Mister Ed, and finally to his last producer credit in 1981, I Love Her Anyway, a remake of The Burns and Allen Show.

Richard Irvin is a self-described documentarian of television history. He lives in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

Richard Irvin
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 196
Bibliographic Info: 18 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2014
pISBN: 978-0-7864-9486-6
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1621-6
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments vi
Preface 1
1. George Burns, Executive Producer 3
2. George and Gracie—The Live TV Shows 13
3. George and Gracie—The Filmed Shows 25
4. George and the Charming Bachelor—The Bob Cummings Show 62
5. George and the Wisecracking Dog—The People’s Choice 85
6. George and His McCadden Comedy Projects and Pilots 100
7. George and His Dramatic Anthologies 122
8. George Without Gracie 137
9. George and Filmways 146
10. George and Warner Brothers 157
11. George and United Artists 168
12. George and the Final Pilot 177
Chapter Notes 183
Bibliography 187
Index 189