The Hollywood Palace (1964-1970) was a weekly variety show on ABC staged at the former Hollywood Playhouse. The show's specialty became transforming the set via pieces splitting apart or flying in. This transition broke the normal scheduled commercial breaks. The unique design, revolving guest hosts and singers/comedians kept the show alive until 1970. In this Bing Crosby Christmas Special, Bing and Kathryn Crosby, with their children Harry, Mary Francis and Nathaniel host Christmas themed acts with stars Cyd Charisse, Bob Newhart, The Cuban Cossacks, Roy Fitzell and trained dog act Excess baggage.
The story has to do with a crippled child, Carol Bird, the only daughter of her wealthy parents, who are proud of two strong, healthy sons, in addition. Little Carol is a hopeless invalid, and the tender love and affection of the entire family go out to her, fearing the day when the soul shall take its flight from the fragile body. Carol has a devoted Uncle Jack also, a traveler in distant lands, who cheers her by a letter, in which he promises to come home and spend Christmas with her. But little Carol has other friends, outside of her sphere indeed, but nevertheless faithful, loyal friends, who would go any length to spare her pain or to bring her pleasure. These are none other than the nine ragged members of the Ruggles family, little boys and girls who live nearby, whom Carol has often watched at play and wished that she could join them. Mrs. Ruggles, their widowed mother, toils ceaselessly to bring up this healthy brood of hers, from Sarah Maude, the elder, and the little mother,
Johnny Cash celebrates the Christmas season with guests June Carter Cash, Roy Clark, Andy Kaufman, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and the Statler Brothers
