Found, earliest color videotape predates Fred Astaire tape.

[etype2]

This message received today from a forum I participate in. A link to the announcement is also included.

The premiere presentation of the earliest preserved and restored color television videotape will be presented in Los Angeles February 24, 2024.

“ Quad Videotape Group member David Crosthwait has been waiting to tell the story of a recovrring a slightly older color video recording then has previously been widely known. It will be presented— O on the big screen — February 24, 2024 at the Billy Wilder theater in Los Angeles. Admission is free.


“Until recently, the oldest entertainment program known to survive on color videotape was An Evening with Fred Astaire, broadcast live on October 17, 1958, on NBC. The original 2 in. videotape of that acclaimed special was preserved by the UCLA Film & Television Archive in 1987, garnering engineers Ed Reitan, Don Kent, television archivist Dan Einstein and the Archive itself Emmy Awards for the technically challenging project. Last year, thanks to Milton Berle’s widow, Lorna Berle, a rare color videotape of the Kraft Music Hall Starring Milton Berle that predates the Astaire special by nine days (airdate October 8, 1958) was deposited at UCLA. Through the extensive efforts of engineer David Crosthwait of DC Video in Burbank, CA, this historic 2 in. color videotape starring Milton Berle (a.k.a. “Uncle Miltie”) has been preserved by the UCLA Film & Television Archive.

Join us for the world premiere screening of the preservation of the earliest known entertainment program to survive on color videotape. Introduced by engineer David Crosthwait of DC Video, who will give a presentation outlining the significant technical challenges of this preservation project. The evening will highlight additional Kraft Music Hall surprises, with superstar guests Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie and more.”—Mark Quigley, UCLA Film and Television Archive.

There are several other Milton Berle color recordings from other shows that will also be presented.

It makes for a great evening, and trip to LA from out of town.

Details, admission information and theater location are at this link.”

https://www.cinema.ucla.edu/events/2...n-milton-berle

[ChrisW6ATV]

Wow, this is very nice to know! Thank you for posting it.

[old_tv_nut]

I wonder if the included original commercials are the amazing live color Kraft foods commercials. They were always examples of the best that color TV could do.

[dtvmcdonald]

I've seen plays of early "non-entertainment" tapes, but I don't remember whether they are older.

What's the situation?

[Electronic M]

I wonder if the program will be released to the public? I sure as heck won't be in LA.

[old_tv_nut]

Originally Posted by dtvmcdonald

I've seen plays of early "non-entertainment" tapes, but I don't remember whether they are older.

What's the situation?

I believe the oldest is the tape of Eisenhower at the switch of the Washington, DC NBC station to color.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKqHZcXvUAs

[etype2]

I think DC Video wants to protect the integrity of the video per Mrs. Berle wishes, but the video may eventually be released on the DC Video website or associates.

Mrs. Astaire is vehemently opposed to “An Evening With Fred Astaire” being on the internet, and blocked it on YouTube.

[Joel Cairo]

Yes, I thought I noticed that Kris Trexler had moved it over to Vimeo...

For those keeping score at home, the version that is posted there is the 1/26/1959 repeat performance... I don't believe the actual 1958 premiere version has ever been re-broadcast since the restoration, since the transfer of the reels that held the commercials for that initial airing were rather unstable.

- Kevin

[etype2]

Yes, a few years back, saw the Astaire video on Vimeo. I had a short clip on YouTube which Mrs. Astaire had promptly removed.

[etype2]

Teaser image.

https://visions4netjournal.com/wp-co.../Berle-MT.jpeg

[Dude111]

Thank you all!!!!