The Nat King Cole Show

Nat Cole (v, p), The Boateneers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Gordon Jenkins (dir)

The Boateneers (bkv) on c; Nat Cole (p) on c.

Personnel

1. The Boateneers consisted of Joseph Boatner, Doryee Brown, William Glover, Bill Baker, and Robert Hinson.

2. Interviewed in 2019, pianist Dick Hyman said he played on the initial New York episodes of The Nat King Cole Show.

Location

While it is not yet known with any certainty which theater or studio was used for the New York broadcasts of The Nat King Cole Show, at least one episode (28 January 1957) originated from the Colonial Theatre. It's likely the others were broadcast there also.

Nat Cole (v, p), The Boateneers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Gordon Jenkins (dir)

The Boateneers (bkv) on b; Nat Cole (p) on b-c.

Nat Cole (v, p), The Boateneers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Gordon Jenkins (dir)

The Boateneers (bkv) on c, e; Nat Cole (p) on b, d; others unknown (acc) on a-c, e.

Nat Cole (v, p), The Boateneers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Gordon Jenkins (dir)

d, e  performed as medley

The Boateneers (bkv) on a, c-e; Nat Cole (p) on c-d.

Nat Cole, Perry Como (v), others unknown (acc), Mitchell Ayres (con)

Perry Como (v) on c.

Nat Cole (v, p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Gordon Jenkins (dir)

Nat Cole (p) on c.

Personnel

The Boateneers once again provided backing vocals for the episode, but they appear on none of the performances, only the beginning of the 'Memory' segment just prior to "There Goes My Heart".

Nat Cole (v, p), The Boateneers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Gordon Jenkins (dir)

b, c  performed as medley

The Boateneers (bkv) on b-c, e; Nat Cole (p) on d; others unknown (acc) on a-c, e.

Nat Cole (v, p), The Eddie Beale Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Nat Cole (p) on b, d.

Nat Cole (v, p), unknown (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

unknown (bkv) on a-b; Nat Cole (p) on d.

Nat Cole (v, p), The Boateneers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

The Boateneers (bkv) on b-c, e; Nat Cole (p) on d.

Nat Cole (v), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Nat Cole (v, p), The Herman McCoy Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), Stuff Smith (vn), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

The Herman McCoy Singers (bkv) on c; Nat Cole (p) on d; Stuff Smith (vn) on d; others unknown (acc) on a-c, e.

Guest

1. Stuff Smith

Nat Cole (v, p), The Herman McCoy Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

The Herman McCoy Singers (bkv) on b, d; Nat Cole (p) on a.

Dates

Although Nat announces that he'd be in New York next week, this episode was most likely kinescoped a week earlier, on or around 14 January.

Nat Cole (v, p), The Boateneers, unknown (bkv), Count Basie (p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

The Boateneers (bkv) on c, e; unknown (bkv) on c; Count Basie (p) on d; Nat Cole (p) on d.

Guest

1. Count Basie

Nat Cole (v, p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Nat Cole (p) on d; others unknown (acc) on a-c, e.

Dates and Location

It seems most likely that this episode was kinescoped in New York in late January, possibly the 30th—prior to leaving for Havana—and broadcast on 4 February 1957. At the time of the show's airing, Cole was performing at the Tropicana in Havana, Cuba. Despite the TV Guide of 2-8 February indicating that this episode originated from Miami, it is our contention that this is most likely not the case.

Riddle's ledger also suggests that two episodes were kinescoped in New York around 30 January. Our belief is that episodes from 4 February and 18 February were done in New York prior to Cuba, while the episode of 11 February was kinescoped several weeks earlier in Los Angeles.

Further indicating that this episode was not done in Miami or Cuba, The Boateeners, the New York-based vocal group that appeared on the episodes originating from that city, were also present on this episode but sang only incidental music near the end of the episode. It doesn't make much sense that they would be flown to Miami for a such a small role.

Nat Cole (v, p), The Herman McCoy Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Nat Cole (v) on a-c, e, (p) on a, d; The Herman McCoy Singers (bkv) on b-c.

Dates and Location

Though broadcast on 11 February while Cole was in Havana, Cuba, this episode was kinescoped in Los Angeles on or around 14 January. Nelson Riddle's ledger, dated 14 January, indicates that the episode was to be "used in February."

As with the previous episode, TV Guide erroneously reported that this show originated from Miami. Cole even mentions during this episode that for the past week he had performing at The Tropicana in Havana, with "Tea For Two" a frequent request. But Cole almost certainly uttered these words nearly more than two weeks before his engagement in Havana began and nearly a month before the episode aired.

Further, the presence of The Herman McCoy Singers almost certainly places this in Los Angeles and not Miami or Havana.

Nat Cole (v), The Boateneers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

The Boateneers (bkv) on b.

Dates and Location

Though Cole was performing in Miami at the time of this broadcast, this episode was kinescoped in New York in late January (possibly 30 January) prior to his departure for Cuba.

Nat Cole (v, p), The Herman McCoy Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

The Herman McCoy Singers (bkv) on b-c; Nat Cole (p) on d.

Dates and Location

Though broadcast on 25 February, this episode was probably kinescoped in Los Angeles on or around 21 January. As with similar episodes, Riddle's ledger entry of 21 January indicates that these performances would once again be used in February.

Nat Cole (v, p), The Herman McCoy Singers, unknown (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

The Herman McCoy Singers (bkv) on a-b; unknown (bkv) on b; Nat Cole (p) on d.

The information for this session comes courtesy of Cole discographer Roy Holmes. Holmes may have possessed audio or footage of this episode, but neither is known to exist at this time.

Nat Cole (v, p), The Herman McCoy Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

The Herman McCoy Singers (bkv) on e; Nat Cole (p) on b; others unknown (acc) on a, c-e.

The information for this session comes courtesy of Cole discographer Roy Holmes. Holmes may have possessed audio or footage of this episode, but neither is known to exist at this time.

Personnel

Holmes says The Herman McCoy Singers were also present on both "Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams" and "You Are My First Love".

Maria Cole, Nat Cole (v), unknown (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Maria Cole (v) on b-d; unknown (bkv) on a.

The information for this session comes courtesy of Cole discographer Roy Holmes and the ledger of Nelson Riddle. Holmes may have possessed audio or footage of this episode, but neither is known to exist at this time.

Songs

1. Riddle's ledger identifies an arrangement for "I'll Never Forget What's-Her-Name", but Holmes does not include this in his listing of performances.

2. According to Holmes, Maria Cole was guest and performed a solo rendition of "I Didn't Know What Time It Was".

Nat Cole (v, p), unknown (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

unknown (bkv) on c; Nat Cole (p) on d; others unknown (acc) on a-c, e.

The information for this session comes primarily from Cole discographer Roy Holmes and the ledger of Nelson Riddle. Holmes may have possessed audio or footage of this episode, but neither is known to exist at this time.

Nat Cole (v), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

The information for this session comes from the ledger of Nelson Riddle.

Nat Cole (v), The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv), Juan Tizol (vtb), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), Jack Costanzo (bgo), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv) on a, d-e; Juan Tizol (vtb) on a-c, e; Jack Costanzo (bgo) on d.

Nat Cole (v, p), The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv), Juan Tizol (vtb), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv) on a, c, e; Juan Tizol (vtb) on a-c, e; Nat Cole (p) on d; others unknown (acc) on a-c, e.

Location

The Copa Room of the Sands Hotel (where Cole was performing at the time) was recreated as the setting for this episode.

Nat Cole (v), The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv) on d.

Location

The Las Vegas strip was the setting for this episode, as Cole was performing at the Sands Hotel at the time of this broadcast.

Nat Cole (v, p), The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv), Juan Tizol (vtb), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), Jack Costanzo (bgo), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv) on a, e; Juan Tizol (vtb) on a-b, d-e; Nat Cole (p) on c-d; Jack Costanzo (bgo) on d; others unknown (acc) on a-b, e.

Nat Cole (v), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Songs

Listed in Nelson Riddle's ledger, "It's Only A Paper Moon" is the only known performance from this episode. While a kinescope is rumored to exist, it has yet to surface.

Guest

1. Stan Kenton was guest. (Thanks to Kenton scholar Steven Harris for providing this info.)

Nat Cole (v), The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv) on a-b, d-e.

Personnel

The Randy Van Horne Singers consisted of Ralph Brewster, Ralph Carmichael, Jimmy Joyce, Randy Van Horne, possibly Loulie Jean Norman, and one other unidentified woman.

This episode marks the first known appearance in the Nat Cole story of Ralph Carmichael, who in 1960 would become Cole's full-time musical director.

Nat Cole (v, p), unknown (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Nat Cole (v) on a-b, d, (p) on c; unknown (bkv) on b.

Nat Cole (v, p), Lurlean Hunter (v), unknown (bkv, cl), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Lurlean Hunter (v) on c; unknown (bkv) on a, (cl) on b; Nat Cole (p) on a, c; others unknown (acc) on a, c-d.

Guest

1. Lurlean Hunter

Nat Cole (v), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Personnel

The Randy Van Horne Singers probably appeared on this episode.

Location

Cole's show made the switch to NBC Burbank studios in June, but it is not known if this episode was filmed there or at the studios in Hollywood.

Songs

The listed song titles come from the ledger of Nelson Riddle, who wrote these arrangements for this episode. The remaining performances for this episode are not known at this time. To date, no audio or footage has surfaced.

Nat Cole (v), The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv), Harry Warren (p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Harry Warren (p) on d.

Dates

While Riddle's ledger indicates that these arrangements were written for the June 24th episode, contemporary newspapers list Harry Warren as the show's guest for the June 17th episode.

Further, a surviving ticket stub of the June 24th episode makes no mention of a guest, listing only Nelson Riddle and the Randy Van Horne Singers. Other surviving tickets from July and December, respectively, list either the name of the guest or indicate that a special guest star will be appearing. The absence of this on the ticket of the 24th, while not conclusive, does suggest that Warren likely appeared on the 17th.

Personnel

The Randy Van Horne Singers consisted of Ralph Brewster, Jimmy Joyce, Randy Van Horne, possibly Loulie Jean Norman, and one other unidentified woman.

Guest

1. Harry Warren

Nat Cole (v, p), The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Nat Cole (v) on a-c, e, (p) on d; The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv) on b-c.

Personnel

The Randy Van Horne Singers consisted of Ralph Brewster, Jimmy Joyce, Randy Van Horne, possibly Loulie Jean Norman, and one other unidentified woman.

Songs

Cole sings 20 seconds of Laine's composition "It Only Happens Once", which the trio recorded in the 1940s.

Cole and Laine also performed a "T.V. of Tomorrow" medley, which consisted of parodies (with special lyrics most likely the work of Shirley Henry) of the following songs:

That's My Desire (Laine)
Nature Boy (Nat)
Rockin' Chair (Laine)
By The River Ste. Marie (Nat and Laine)
Mona Lisa (Nat)
On The Sunny Side Of The Street (Laine)
Night Lights (Nat)
Be A Clown (Nat and Laine)

Guest

1. Frankie Laine

June Christy (v), Nat Cole (v, p), The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv), Plas Johnson (ts), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Mel Tormé, Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

June Christy (v) on d; Nat Cole (v) on a-c, e, (p) on d; The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv) on a, c; Plas Johnson (ts) on a, c; Mel Tormé (d) on d; Lee Young (d) on a-c, e; others unknown (acc) on a-c, e.

Personnel

The Randy Van Horne Singers consisted of Ralph Brewster, Jimmy Joyce, Randy Van Horne, possibly Loulie Jean Norman, and one other unidentified woman.

Guests

1. June Christy
2. Mel Tormé

Nat Cole (v), The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv), Juan Tizol (vtb), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv) on a-c, e.

Personnel

The Randy Van Horne Singers consisted of Ralph Brewster, Jimmy Joyce, Randy Van Horne, possibly Loulie Jean Norman, and one other unidentified woman.

Guests

1. Pearl Bailey
2. Louis Bellson

Nat Cole (v, p), Sammy Davis Jr., The Hi-Lo's (v), The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Sammy Davis Jr. (v) on d-e; The Hi-Lo's (v) on e; The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv) on a, e; Nat Cole (p) on c-d.

Dates

This episode was most likely kinescoped on or around July 23rd when it was scheduled for broadcast. The episode, however, was pre-empted by The Big Issue and broadcast one week later on July 30th instead.

Personnel

The Randy Van Horne Singers consisted of Ralph Brewster, Betty Joyce, Jimmy Joyce, Toni Stevens, Randy Van Horne, one unidentified man, and two unidentified women.

Songs

While the 'Memory' spot at the end of the show features both "Blue Horizon" and "Linger Awhile", the latter is only a 40-second interlude between choruses of the former and does not include Cole.

Guests

1. Sammy Davis, Jr.
2. The Hi-Lo's

Harry Belafonte, Nat Cole (v), The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Harry Belafonte (v) on d; The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv) on a-b, d.

Personnel

The Randy Van Horne Singers consisted of Ralph Brewster, Ralph Carmichael, Jimmy Joyce, Toni Stevens, Randy Van Horne, and three unidentified women.

Songs

During a career segment, Cole sings brief versions of "Straighten Up And Fly Right", "Nature Boy", and "Send For Me". Accompanying himself on piano and with Belafonte on drums, the two men join forces for a few bars of "How High The Moon".

Guest

1. Harry Belafonte

Nat Cole (v, p), Lisa Kirk, Jimmie Komack (v), Children's Chorus, The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Lisa Kirk (v) on e; Jimmie Komack (v) on e; Children's Chorus (bkv) on c; The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv) on a, f; Nat Cole (p) on e.

Personnel

For this episode, identifiable members of the Randy Van Horne Singers are Ralph Brewster, Jimmy Joyce, Randy Van Horne, and possibly Toni Stevens. Others are unknown.

Arrangements

While Nelson Riddle most likely arranged all music for this episode, his ledger only identifies original arrangements for "Valentina" and "La Seine".

Songs

Cole appears to be singing to a pre-recorded track on "La Seine".

Guests

1. Lisa Kirk
2. Jimmie Komack

Nat Cole (v), The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Dates

Though broadcast on August 20th, this episode was kinescoped on or around July 30th. At time of airing, Cole was performing at the 500 Club in Atlantic City.

Songs

This is the only 30-minute episode of The Nat King Cole Show that has yet to surface. Information on the titles above comes from TV Guide, via Jim Davidson, and the ledger of Nelson Riddle.

This episode, described by Nat during the close of the August 20 episode as "a cavalcade of song from the past 30 years", features the following performances from the show's guests:

Easy To Love (King Sisters)
I'll Be Seeing You (Johnny Desmond, arranged by Nelson Riddle)
Moonlight In Vermont (Alvino Rey)
Consideration (Johnny Desmond)

Riddle's ledger includes a new arrangement of "Blue Skies", which has been included in the main listing as a Cole performance. This, however, cannot be verified at this time.

Guests

1. Johnny Desmond
2. Alvino Rey
3. The King Sisters

Nat Cole (v, p), The Merry Macs (v), The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv), Judd McMichael (cl), Vern Rowe (t), Margaret Whiting (p, per), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Nat Cole (v) on a-d, f, (p) on e; The Merry Macs (v) on e; The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv) on a; Judd McMichael (cl) on e; Vern Rowe (t) on e; Margaret Whiting (p) on e, (per) on e.

Dates

Though broadcast on August 27th, this episode was likely taped/kinescoped on or around August 9th, prior to Cole leaving Los Angeles for an engagement in Atlantic City.

Personnel

For this episode, the Merry Macs consisted of Judd McMichael, Ted McMichael, Marjorie Garland McMichael, and Vern Rowe. The Randy Van Horne Singers consisted of Ralph Brewster, Jimmy Joyce, Randy Van Horne, and two unidentified women.

Guests

1. Margaret Whiting
2. The Merry Macs

Nat Cole, Julius LaRosa, Peggy Lee (v), The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Julius LaRosa (v) on e; Peggy Lee (v) on e; The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv) on a, c, f.

Personnel

Of the Randy Van Horne Singers whom appear on camera, only Jimmy Joyce and Randy Van Horne have been identified. Two other men are unknown.

Songs

"Makin' Records" is a parody of "Makin' Whoopee", with new lyrics by Shirley Henry.

Guests

1. Peggy Lee
2. Julius LaRosa

Nat Cole (v, p), Ella Fitzgerald (v), The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Ella Fitzgerald (v) on d-e; The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv) on a; Nat Cole (p) on d.

Personnel

The Randy Van Horne Singers consisted of Randy Van Horne, possibly Loulie Jean Norman and Toni Stevens, and two unidentified men.

Composers

Shirley Henry was responsible for the special lyrics for "Anything Goes" and "You're The Top".

Guests

1. Ella Fitzgerald
2. The Four Lads

Nat Cole (v, p), Tony Martin (v, cl), The Jerry Graff Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Tony Martin (v) on d, (cl) on d; The Jerry Graff Singers (bkv) on a, e; Nat Cole (p) on d.

Personnel

The Jerry Graff Singers consisted of Jerry Graff, Don MacLeod, and two unidentified women.

Guests

1. Tony Martin
2. The Sparkletones
3. Guy Lombardo also makes a brief appearance prior to Nat singing a few bars of the Rheingold beer theme.

Nat Cole (v), The Jerry Graff Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

The Jerry Graff Singers (bkv) on a-c, e.

Personnel

The Jerry Graff Singers consisted of Jerry Graff, Don MacLeod, and two unidentified women.

Composers

Shirley Henry penned special lyrics to "Who Cares?" and "Tea For Two". She also may have written the lyrics for the Rheingold spot that Cole performed to the music of "Nothing Ever Changes".

Songs

On "Tea For Two", the Dunhills dance while Nat sings, then all four men dance together. The 1:16 timing refers only to Cole's vocal.

Guests

1. Gogi Grant
2. The Dunhills

Tony Bennett, Nat Cole, The Beachcombers With Natalie (v), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Tony Bennett (v) on d; The Beachcombers With Natalie (v) on d.

Date & Time

The show's script says this episode was performed from 3:30-4:00 pm Las Vegas time, one hour earlier than usual.

Personnel

The Beachcombers with Natalie were: Natalie Alesna Shepherd, Jerry Graff, Don MacLeod, and Bill Shepherd.

Songs

Cole and Bennett appear briefly at the end of "Muskrat Ramble", which is otherwise a feature for The Beachcombers with Natalie.

Nat performs a Rheingold spot to the music of "Little Girl", with special lyrics possibly penned by Shirley Henry.

Guests

1. Tony Bennett
2. The Beachcombers with Natalie

Nat Cole, Eartha Kitt (v), The Jerry Graff Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Eartha Kitt (v) on d-e; The Jerry Graff Singers (bkv) on a-b.

Personnel

The Jerry Graff Singers consisted of Jerry Graff, Don MacLeod, and two unidentified women.

Songs

Nat performs a spot for Rheingold to the tune of "Mona Lisa", arranged by Nelson Riddle and with special lyrics possibly penned by Shirley Henry. Henry was also responsible for the special lyrics for the "The Sheik Of Araby".

Guests

1. Eartha Kitt

Nat Cole (v, p), Stan Getz, Coleman Hawkins, Illinois Jacquet, Flip Phillips (ts), Roy Eldridge (t), Oscar Peterson (p), John Collins, Herb Ellis (g), Ray Brown, Charlie Harris (b), Jo Jones, Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Nat Cole (v) on a-b, d-f, (p) on c, g; Stan Getz (ts) on a, c, e; Coleman Hawkins (ts) on a-b, e; Illinois Jacquet (ts) on a, d; Flip Phillips (ts) on a, d; Roy Eldridge (t) on a, c, e; Oscar Peterson (p) on a-b, e-f; John Collins (g) on a, d, f-g; Herb Ellis (g) on a-c, e-f; Ray Brown (b) on a-c, e-f; Charlie Harris (b) on a, d, f-g; Jo Jones (d) on a, e; Lee Young (d) on a, d, f-g; others unknown (acc) on a-b, d, f-g.

Songs

Nat sings also sings a Rheingold spot to the tune of "Everybody Loves My Baby", arranged by Nelson Riddle.

Guests

1. Norman Granz' Jazz At The Philharmonic

Cab Calloway (v), Nat Cole (v, p), The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Cab Calloway (v) on e; Nat Cole (v) on a-e, g, (p) on f; The Randy Van Horne Singers (bkv) on a-c, g; John Collins (g) on a-e, g; Charlie Harris (b) on a-e, g; Lee Young (d) on a-e, g; others unknown (acc) on a-e, g.

Personnel

Members of the Randy Van Horne singers appearing on camera are Hal Hopper, possibly Randy Van Horne, and two there unidentified men.

Composers

"Home On The Range" and "Don't Fence Me In" feature special lyrics by Shirley Henry.

Songs

Nat performs a Rheingold spot to the music of "To The Ends Of The Earth".

Guests

1. Cab Calloway
2. Hugh O'Brian

Nat Cole (v, p), Johnny Mercer (v), The Cheerleaders (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Johnny Mercer (v) on d; The Cheerleaders (bkv) on b; Nat Cole (p) on c-d.

Personnel

The Cheerleaders were Donna Manners, Tom Roddy, Patty (last name unknown), and an unidentified man.

Songs

Nat sings a Rheingold spot to the tune of "Too Marvelous For Words".

Guests

1. Johnny Mercer
2. The Cheerleaders

Nat Cole, Billy Preston (v, org), The Cheerleaders (bkv), Barney Bigard (cl), Ted Buckner (t), George Washington (tb), Gerald Wiggins (p), John Collins (g), Arthur Edwards, Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Billy Preston (v) on e, (org) on e; The Cheerleaders (bkv) on a; Barney Bigard (cl) on c; Ted Buckner (t) on c; George Washington (tb) on c; Gerald Wiggins (p) on c; John Collins (g) on a-b, d, f; Nat Cole (org) on e; Arthur Edwards (b) on c; Charlie Harris (b) on a-b, d, f; others unknown (acc) on a-b, d, f.

Personnel

The Cheerleaders were Donna Manners, Tom Roddy, Don Williams, and Patty (last name unknown). These four would be with the show until its end in December.

Songs

Nat performs a Rheingold spot to the music of "Sweet Georgia Brown".

Nat also introduces his new closing theme "It's Just About That Time Again", written especially for him by Alan Bergman, Marilyn Keith (Bergman), and Lew Spence.

Guests

1. Cornel Wilde
2. Peggy King
3. Michel Ray
4. Billy Preston

Nat Cole, Mahalia Jackson (v), The Cheerleaders (bkv), Buddy Collette (ww, ts), Ray Linn, Mickey Mangano, Jimmy Salko (t), Russ Brown, Jerry Rosa (tb), Juan Tizol (vtb), Paul Smith (p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Mahalia Jackson (v) on c; The Cheerleaders (bkv) on a; Buddy Collette (ww) on a-b, d, (ts) on a-b, d; Ray Linn (t) on a-b, d; Mickey Mangano (t) on a-b, d; Jimmy Salko (t) on a-b, d; Russ Brown (tb) on a-b, d; Jerry Rosa (tb) on a-b, d; Juan Tizol (vtb) on a-b, d; Paul Smith (p) on a-b, d; John Collins (g) on a-b, d; Charlie Harris (b) on a-b, d; Lee Young (d) on a-b, d.

Songs

Nat performs a Rheingold spot to the music of "Somebody Loves Me".

Nat, the Cheerleaders, and Mahalia Jackson sing a medley of songs, each only a few bars long. These are:

I Feel A Song Coming On (Nat)
I Hear Music (Cheerleaders)
It Don't Mean A Thing (Nat)
True Love (Nat)
Jamaica Farewell (Cheerleaders)
Jailhouse Rock (Nat)
Ain't Gonna Study War No More (Mahalia)
Sing, Sing, Sing (Nat & Cheerleaders)
The Song Is Ended (Nat & Cheerleaders)

Guests

1. Mahalia Jackson
2. Nelson Riddle

Nat Cole (v, p), Ella Fitzgerald (v), The Cheerleaders (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Ella Fitzgerald (v) on d; The Cheerleaders (bkv) on a, c; Nat Cole (p) on b.

Composers

The special lyrics heard on "Beer Barrel Polka" are likely the work of Shirley Henry.

Songs

At the end of the show, Cole sang both of his closing themes, "It's Just About That Time Again" and the "Shadow Waltz".

Guests

1. Ella Fitzgerald

Nat Cole (v, p), Betty Hutton (v), The Cheerleaders (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

f, g  performed as medley

Nat Cole (v) on a-c, e-h, (p) on d, f; Betty Hutton (v) on e-g; The Cheerleaders (bkv) on a; others unknown (acc) on a-c, e-h.

Date

Cole departed Los Angeles for Australia on 26 November for a week of performances and was still appearing in the country when this episode was broadcast. It was likely kinescoped just prior to leaving the states.

Songs

During a brief sketch, Nat and Betty Hutton each take turns singing a few bars of songs associated with the other. These are:

Mona Lisa (Hutton)
Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief (Nat)
Answer Me, My Love (Hutton)
His Rocking Horse Ran Away (Nat)

Guest

1. Betty Hutton

Nat Cole (v, p), The Mills Brothers (v), The Cheerleaders (bkv), Harold Diner (tb), Juan Tizol (vtb), Russ Brown (btb), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

The Mills Brothers (v) on d; The Cheerleaders (bkv) on a, d.

Personnel

The Mills Brothers were Harry Mills, Herbert Mills, Donald Mills, and guitarist Norman Brown.

Songs

Nat and the Mills Brothers also performed a medley of songs, though each performance is no more than a few bars each and is omitted here. They are:

I Want To Be Happy (Nat)
I'm the Guy (Mills Brothers)
If I Had You (Nat)
If I Had My Way (Mills Brothers)
I'll String Along With You (Nat)
I'll Be Around (Mills Brothers)
Sweet Lorraine (Nat)
Sweet Adeline (Mills Brothers and Nat)

Guest

1. The Mills Brothers

Nat Cole (v, p), Billy Eckstine (v, t, jaz), The Cheerleaders (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (dir)

Billy Eckstine (v) on d-e, (t) on e, (jaz) on e; The Cheerleaders (bkv) on a; Nat Cole (p) on d-e; others unknown (acc) on a-d, f.

Dates

At the end of the December 10 episode, Nat mentions that he's opening at the Koko club in Phoenix the following Monday, which would be the 16th. Therefore, we are uncertain if he returned to Burbank to shoot the final episode on the 17th, or if it was kinescoped prior to leaving for his opening in Phoenix.

Songs

Nat performs "It's Just About That Time Again" as a closing theme for the broadcast.

Arrangements

"Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries" is essentially the same chart that Eckstine used during his 1951 duet of the tune with Woody Herman, which was arranged by Shorty Rogers.

Guest

1. Billy Eckstine