The Porter Wagoner Show No. 291
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 291
The Porter Wagoner Show #291 featuring special guest Stringbean.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 291
Promo for The Porter Wagoner Show #291 featuring special guest Stringbean. Porter brandishes a whip, saying it plays a part later in the program and that "Wagonmasters really play good when I have this." Porter cracks the whip as we fade out over art card with colorful illustration of our fearless leader.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 291
Opening of Porter Wagoner show #291. Standard pre-recorded opening begins with CU of Porter s shiny red boots walking down hallway, which cuts to rear view of Wagoner s garish green Nudie suit festooned with rhinestone wagon wheels and cacti. Montage of smiling Porter happily walking through WSM-TV studio as stage hands and technicians prep show. Don Howser s voice over reads: "Direct from Nashville Tennessee, here s The Porter Wagoner Show!" Quick shots of regulars as Howser announces them: "Starring Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, Speck Rhodes, Don Howser, The Wagonmasters, and today s special guest star." Momentary pause in VO (presumably left for Howser to read the guest star s name on air), then prerecorded segment ends with Howser s "...and now, here s Porter." Cut to live portion as Porter, wearing dazzling, rhinestone-studded red Nudie suit, plays guitar and sings "Fireball Mail" backed by Wagonmasters Buck Trent, Don Warden, Mack Magaha, George McCormick, Jack Little and Speck Rhodes, all but Speck in matching white Nudie suits. Colorful shot of audience applauding. MS Buck's twangy banjo solo.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 291
Porter introduces "my favorite entertainer, of all of 'em," Stringbean, crediting ol' String with being the originator of his trademark hand gesture. Wearing his trademark a night-shirt and pants garb that make him look like a very tall man with very short legs, Stringbean plays banjo and sings the Stanley Brothers' classic "Little Maggie." Great shot of String backed by The Wagonmasters. Stringbean plugs his new LP "Me and My Old Crow (Got a Good Thing Goin')" and Porter makes a reference to the crow that sits on Stringbean's shoulder on Hee Haw. Porter's clearly just tickled to death by everything ol' String does.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 291
Backed by The Wagonmasters, Banjo-totin' Buck Trent tears it up on the classic "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" while Porter cracks the whip.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 291
Finally we find out what exactly that whip is *really* for, as Porter cracks it while Dolly Parton belts out her rip-snortin' version of Jimmy Rodgers' "Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel #8)." The Wagonmasters hoot and whistle while they back her up as Porter cracks the whip throughout the song, unable to keep a straight face. Dolly yodels like her life depended on it, and that voice with Buck's chiming banjo is utterly spine-tingling.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 291
Still out of breath from the last number, Porter and Dolly duet on "Tomorrow Is Forever" (from their "Porter Wayne and Dolly Rebecca" LP) backed by The Wagonmasters. Peculiar sparkly light effect superimposed over them as song ends.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 291
Introducing Speck Rhodes, Porter says "Boys, I may need that whip before this next act is over." Well, a hook, at least. Porter introduces the gap-toothed, checkered-suit-wearing cornpone comedian, who places a call on an old-fashioned crank phone to his fictional girlfriend, Sadie the telephone operator. Corny old-fashionmed jokes ensue. Split-screen effect of Wagonmaster George McCormick laughing at puchline, as sound of cracking whip is heard off screen. Closer... closer...
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 291
It's sacred song time, and Dolly, Don Warden, and George McCormick sing "Who At My Door Is Standing," backed by the rest of The Wagonmasters. Don and George sing oddly cloaked in darkness.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 291
Poprter reintroduces Stringbean, who plays banjo and sings "Me and My Old Crow (Got a Good Thing Goin')," a song about his fortunes with the aforementioned Hee Haw crow, backed by The Wagonmasters.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 291
Porter tells a funny story about Stringbean and Grandpa Jones, then String and Buck Trent break it down on the banjo duet "Cindy" as Porter wraps up the show, waving goodbye as Don Howser signs off and credits roll as The Wagonmasters play us off the air.