Long before "reality television" as we know it, pioneering producer Ralph Edwards made history with both the radio and television incarnations of his series, This is Your Life, in which noteworthy people were surprised to find themselves the subjects of live, in-studio biographical journeys attended by important people from their lives, overseen/hosted by Mr. Edwards himself. Offering personal, often emotional reminiscences from subjects and their family members, friends, and past collaborators (many rarely photographed elsewhere), the series offers a rare glimpse into the private world of celebrities and remarkable individuals.
The Archive is grateful to have received hundreds of television episodes of This is Your Life (1952-1961; 1971-72; 1983, and occasional specials) from Ralph Edwards Productions, including a significant number of programs on DVD. Episodes in the collection include a diverse range of subjects, ranging from Hollywood notables such as Ida Lupino to Holocaust survivor Hanna Bloch Kohner. The collection includes radio broadcasts of This is Your Life from 1948-1950.
Download the Archive's publication, "This is Your Life: Preserving Holocaust Survivor Testimonies on Early Television."
The collection also includes game shows and other vintage TV productions from Ralph Edwards, including series such as Place the Face, Truth or Consequences, End of the Rainbow, The Ralph Edwards Show and many others.
View Ralph Edwards and This is Your Life collection master list.
To arrange onsite research viewing access, please contact the Archive Research and Study Center (ARSC).
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