The Porter Wagoner Show No. 35
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 35
Porter Wagoner Show #35 with special guests The Rhodes Family.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 35
Introduction to Porter Wagoner show #35. Program opens with Wagoner and Wagonmasters Speck Rhodes, Don Warden, Norma Jean, and George McCormick seen singing "Howdy Neighbor Howdy." Over title card decorated with drawing of Wagoner, announcer Hairl Hensley introduces Wagoner and The Wagonmasters, show regulars Speck Rhodes and Norma Jean, and "your favorite songs and stars of the Grand Ole Opry!" Wide shot of Wagonmasters playing, Speck Rhodes dancing. MS Buck Trent's flashy banjo playing. Wearing rhinestone-highlighted Nudie Cohen suit, Wagoner welcomes audience, then plays guitar and sings "Fireball Mail."
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 35
Gap-toothed comedian Speck Rhodes enters wearing his trademark checkered suit with bow tie and bowler hat. Rhodes comments about size of audience, and though there's no shot of a crowd, the audio suggests that this was the first episode shot with a studio audience. Wagoner introduces entire Rhodes family as show's guests, brings on Speck's brother Slim. Wagoner introduces Dusty's daughters Sandra and Donna, who sing "Fair and Tender Ladies," a surprisingly haunting and atmospheric number, with string and steel guitar backing by The Rhodes Family. Wagoner and Dusty Rhodes introduce a commercial message.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 35
Backed by The Wagonmasters, Buck Trent solos on banjo on an instrumental version of "Cripple Creek." Wagoner refers to the custom-made twisters on Trent's instrument, saying "You keep pickin' that banjo that way, you gonna cripple that banjo."
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 35
Wagoner introduces Norma Jean, who plays guitar and sings her once- controversial signature song "Let's Go All The Way," backed by The Wagonmasters. MS Buck, MS Speck, Don and George.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 35
Accompanied by The Wagonmasters, Wagoner plays guitar and sings "I've Enjoyed As Much Of This As I Can Stand." MS Don on steel guitar, MS Buck Trent. Wagoner introduces "a word from our sponsor."
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 35
Returning from commercial break Wagoner thanks sponsors but can't keep a straight face, and we soon see why - Speck enters holding a fiddle. Wagoner says: "There's violinists, and there's fiddle players, then there's Speck." Speck calls on his brothers and his brother's band to help him play a "classical type" piece -- "you all know classical music, right?" "Oh sure," they all say, looking dubious. Speck: "Do you all know 'The Hot Canary'?" Slim: "Sure -- do you know it?" Speck: "No, I'm not too hot on that one." So they all play "St. Louis Blues," complete with Speck's tuning jokes, false starts, horsing around, swiveling hips, and intentionally excruciating playing. Painful. Exact same routine as on show number 26A; must've been a real show-stopper, the audience seems to eat it up.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 35
Wagoner pitches the show's souvenir booklet, featuring pictures and song lyrics, which can be purchased by mail for only fifty cents. Something makes a loud crashing sound offscreen, and Wagoner says "You didn't blow up over there, did you, my boy?"
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 35
Accompanied by The Wagonmasters, Wagoner plays guitar and sings the week's sacred song, "Coming Home."
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 35
Wagoner introduces the Rhodes Family and band including steel guitarist John Hughey and guitar player Butch George, who plays guitar and sings "You Only Want Me When You're Lonely" backed by The Rhodes Family. Shots of rest of family.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 35
Backed by The Wagonmasters and the Rhodes Family, Wagoner and Slim Rhodes duet on a version of "Take Me Back To Tulsa" called "Take Me Back To Memphis." Nice wide shot of entire nine-piece ensemble. Wagoner wraps up show as Wagonmasters play instrumental show outro and announcer thanks audience for watching. Wagoner shakes hands of Norma Jean and Donna Rhodes, Speck dances.