Bonino (TV series)
Bonino is an ethnic situation comedy television series starring Ezio Pinza as an Italian-American opera singer trying to rear his eight children after the death of their mother. Originating in the Hudson Theatre in New York City, the program aired live on NBC from September 12 to December 26, 1953.
Pinza's character is Babbo Bonino. Mary Wickes portrayed Martha the housekeeper. The actors portraying the children were Conrad Janis as eldest son Edward, Lenka Peterson as older daughter Doris, Chet Allen as Jerry; Oliver Andes as Carlo, Gaye Huston as Fancesca, and Van Dyke Parks as Andrew, the youngest. Mike Kellin appeared in the role of Rusty. Donald Harris took over the role of Rusty on November 18, 1953.
David Opatoshu, portrayed Walter Rogers. Anthony Eisley played John Clinton.
Bonino aired at 9 p.m. Eastern on Saturday before Ted Mack's The Original Amateur Hour. Its principal competition was The Jackie Gleason Show on CBS.
Each episode included a song by Pinza.
Bonino was sponsored by Philip Morris cigarettes and Lady Esther cosmetics. It was replaced by a Spike Jones program.
Thomas Phipps and Robert Alan Aurthur created Bonino, and Aurthur was the program's writer. Fred Coe was the producer, and Gordon Duff was the director.
