Visit the UCLA Film & Television Archive website(opens in a new tab) to learn more about upcoming screenings and events.
Free admission. No advance reservations. Your seat will be assigned to you when you pick up your ticket at the box office. Seats are assigned on a first come, first served basis. The box office opens one hour before the event.
In person: Ruta Lee, Rich Little, Jo Anne Worley.
Premiering on NBC on October 17, 1966, Hollywood Squares became one of the most popular game shows in television history, with over 4,000 episodes of the original network incarnation produced through 1981. The longevity of the simple tic-tac-toe game was driven in large part by the show’s charismatic, quick-witted host, Peter Marshall. A talented actor and nightclub comedian, Marshall breezily tackled the daunting task of corralling the series’ boisterous, rotating stable of nine celebrities, setting up punchlines and volleying retorts with equal aplomb.
While high-wattage superstars such as Vincent Price and Sammy Davis Jr. often guested, the literal center of Hollywood Squares’ towering, neon-lit set featured an icon like no other — actor and comedian Paul Lynde. Beloved by audiences of all stripes, Lynde routinely brought down the house with bawdy ad-libs and double entendres — delivered impeccably with a knowing wink. Painfully closeted in his personal life to protect his showbiz career, Lynde turned conventional wisdom of the day upside down, boldly introducing the masses to an undeniably empowered, queer-coded persona previously unseen on television.
Join us as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the premiere of Hollywood Squares and the birth centennials of Peter Marshall and Paul Lynde. Two preserved episodes will be screened, complete with original commercials, as well as an extended clip reel showcasing a galaxy of guest stars, risque retorts and the genius of Paul Lynde.
Programmed and notes written by John H. Mitchell Television Curator Mark Quigley.
Screening 1 of 3
Hollywood Squares
Year: 11/19/1968 Country: U.S. Language: English Runtime: 30 min. Digital. Color.
With original commercials!
Celebrity guests include Cliff Arquette (a.k.a. Charlie Weaver), Kaye Ballard, Wally Cox, Gypsy Rose Lee, Paul Lynde, Rose Marie, Greg Morris, Jan Murray, Gig Young.
DCP. NBC. Production: A Merrill Heater/Bob Quigley production. Director: Jerome Shaw. Host: Peter Marshall.
Preserved by the UCLA Film & Television Archive from an original 2 in. videoreel. Engineering services by CBS Media Exchange.
Screening 2 of 3
Hollywood Squares
Year: 4/5/1973 Country: U.S. Language: English Runtime: 30 min. Digital. Color.
With original commercials!
Celebrity guests include Pearl Bailey, Ernest Borgnine, Dick Enberg, Paul Lynde, Ricardo Montalbán, Karen Valentine and more.
DCP. NBC. Production: A Merrill Heater/Bob Quigley production. Producer: Jay Redack. Editorial staff: Harry Friedman, Gary Johnson, Harold Schneider, Rick Kellard. Director: Jerome Shaw. Host: Peter Marshall.
Preserved by the UCLA Film & Television Archive from a 1/2 in. open reel videotape off-air recording. Engineering services by DC Video.
Screening 3 of 3
Hollywood Squares
Country: U.S. Language: English Runtime: 35 min. Digital. Color.
Curated from a range of archival resources, this extended clip reel features a tribute to Peter Marshall, a compilation of Paul Lynde zingers, a roll call of celebrity guests, including stars Ruta Lee, Rich Little and Jo Anne Worley, guest spots ranging from soul star Chaka Khan to ’70s icon Burt Reynolds, bloopers, promos and more.
DCP. Special thanks to Laurie Marshall, Jim Pierson, Randy Yantek.
