https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/1a1a4c0e-71ba-4655-8b49-b91bca4f545d Help us preserve, scan and post more rare and endangered films on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PeriscopeFilm Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCddem5RlB3bQe99wyY49g0g/join Website: www.PeriscopeFilm.com Part 1: https://youtu.be/mFi2M1Zs_4o Dating to January 19, 1961, this kinescope film shows a portion of President John F. Kennedy's pre-inaugural gala, featuring Ella Fitzgerald, Bette Davis, Laurence Olivier, Gene Kelly, Louis Prima and Keely Smith, Mahalia Jackson, Sidney Poitier, Joey Bishop, Leonard Bernstein, and more. The telecast was directed by Peter Lawford. The event was held at the National Guard Armory. Despite a major snowstorm that disrupted performances and technical issues including audio problems, the gala was a historic event. This portion starts with comedic monologues by Joey Bishop, who jokes about the election, the weather, and campaign absurdities. He introduces musical acts including Louis Prima and Keely Smith, who deliver lively jazz numbers like "When You're Smiling" and "That Old Black Magic." Rising star Juliet Prowse performs a high-energy dance, followed by a mock news flash parodying election recounts. Opera singer Helen Traubel offers a stirring patriotic performance, invoking prayer and national hope. Jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald sings both melancholic and cheerful songs, highlighting love and simplicity in life. Gene Kelly adds a nostalgic touch with an Irish-themed musical tribute. Throughout the event, there’s a blend of humor, reverence, and celebration, underscoring both the gravity and festivity surrounding the inauguration. 0:00 – Frank Sinatra with Joey Bishop. Sinatra jokingly assures the President-elect that the nation is behind him. Comedic interruptions include jokes about Navajo votes, Barry Goldwater, and a recount in New Mexico. 1:39 – Joey Bishop thanks the organizers and delivers political jokes and self-deprecating humor about the weather, dressing rooms, and the show. He also makes light of the campaign bumper stickers and family life in the White House. 4:21 – Joey Bishop introduces the musical duo Louis Prima and Keely Smith along with their band, The Witnesses. 5:42 – 13:14 – Musical performances by Louis Prima and Keely Smith, including "When You're Smiling," "I'm Confessing That I Love You," and "That Old Black Magic," blending swing, jazz, and humor. 14:11 – A young rising star, Juliet Prowse, is introduced for her performance. 15:36 – 17:40 – Juliet Prowse delivers a musical and dance performance with high-energy expressions like "Hallelujah" and "Heat." 18:17 – More political satire regarding recounts in New York City and a fictional update from the Metropolitan Opera precinct. Includes jokes involving Kennedy, Nixon, and Mussolini. 19:33 – 23:07 – Helen Traubel performs a powerful operatic piece invoking divine guidance and prayer for the new administration. 23:45 – Ella Fitzgerald is praised as a legend in popular music before her set begins. 24:29 – 26:55 – Ella Fitzgerald sings “But Not for Me” and delivers a soulful, emotional jazz performance. 27:12 – 28:59 – Ella transitions to a more upbeat, hopeful song celebrating simplicity and joy in “Give Me the Simple Life.” 29:20 – A speaker jokes about being the only one with tire chains, and introduces a mock senator from Hawaii, who humorously claims to be governor instead. A fake recount puts Nixon one vote ahead with one precinct left. 31:05 – Gene Kelly is introduced to the stage. 31:48 – 33:17 – Gene Kelly sings a nostalgic Irish-themed song, “The Hat My Dear Old Father Wore Upon St. Patrick’s Day.” Motion picture films don't last forever; many have already been lost or destroyed. For almost two decades, we've worked to collect, scan and preserve the world as it was captured on 35mm, 16mm and 8mm movies -- including home movies, industrial films, and other non-fiction. If you have endangered films you'd like to have scanned, or wish to donate celluloid to Periscope Film so that we can share them with the world, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us via the weblink below. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iOTHzbSx68 Mirrored from Periscope Film (https://www.youtube.com/@PeriscopeFilm) Sat, 13 Jun 2026 12:55:49 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://peertube.dngr.us https://peertube.dngr.us/lazy-static/avatars/41a6fee9-7f57-42d0-a5fc-5db4f1af2e31.png https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/1a1a4c0e-71ba-4655-8b49-b91bca4f545d All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://peertube.dngr.us/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.