Rehearsals were done at Nola Studios, above Lindy's Restaurant, New York. The actual filming of each episode was done at Du Mont Studios on East 67th Street. Every classic episode was shot before a live audience, sitting on wood benches. Three cameras were used; when one ran out of film, the other two were used. Each episode was shot in sequence, filming wasn't stopped except for scenery changes or a mechanical breakdown. The show depended on speed to build up a momentum of laughter. Each episode lasted 25 minutes on screen and these were filmed in fifty minutes! Phil Silvers warmed up the audience before the show and he entertained them during the scene changes too. For each show, Phil was paid £1600 per week, plus 50% of the profit.
CBS TV: 1 x Audition show, 142 x 30 minute shows and a one-off special.
United States of America original run dates: 20 September 1955 - 19 June 1959
United Kingdom original run dates: 20 April 1957 - 2 June 1960 (129 episodes)
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Fort Baxter, nine miles from Roseville, Kansas
Camp Fremont, Grove City, California
Episodes set in Fort Baxter
Episodes set in Camp Fremont
N.B. Gold Fever is actually set in Fort Baxter and Camp Fremont -
but for convenience purposes only - it's put in this section.
