Retro Friday: Early Days of TV Edition

Ahh, the early days of TV -- when someone like Korla Pandit (real name: John Roland Redd) could sit there and play the Hammond organ while clouds were projected in the background. He never talked, but just stared into the camera. And yes, that was the show. KTLA pioneer Klaus Landsberg put Pandit on the brand new TV station in 1949, when he launched the 15-minute program "Korla Pandit's Adventures In Music."

Check out more about Korla Pandit here.



And now for something a little different: Some old, B&W TV commercials. This collection includes spots from Sugar Smacks, Alka-Seltzer, Bosco syrup, Tootsie Roll pop, Nabisco swiss creme sandwich cookies, Old Gold cigarettes ("made by tobacco men, not medicine men"), Ovaltine, Tang and Lifebuoy soap.

But my favorite has to be the one featuring Mike Wallace, pimping shortening -- P&G's "Fluffo." "Ahh man, that's SOME apple pie!"