This auction has ended. View lot details
You may also be interested in
Television Memorabilia
Lot 183
A Bill Bohnert Production Design for Chubby Checker's Appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show
4 – 14 June 2024, 12:00 PDT
Online, Los AngelesUS$300 - US$500
Looking for a similar item?
Our Popular Culture specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistAsk about this lot
Client Services (Los Angeles)
Client Services (New York)
A Bill Bohnert Production Design for Chubby Checker's Appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show
Original gouache on board, 10 ¼ x 21 ½ in. Unsigned, but with 3 snapshots of Checker performing in front of the actual screen dated May 1963, and another snapshot of an unidentified young man, dated July 1963, posing in front of the screen.
Emmy Award-nominated Set Designer/Art Director Bill Bohnert stood by his philosophy, "You can't keep going if you don't enjoy what you're doing," and it explains his longevity in show business. He began his television career working on The Ed Sullivan Show as an assistant art director when the current director was hospitalized with a nervous breakdown! This red flag did not deter Bohnert, however, as he was thrilled to be working for the most popular show on television. Bohnert created as many as 6 original designs per show, 50 weeks a year, with the attendant construction which that involved – an astonishing accomplishment. He worked on the Sullivan show for a decade before moving on to dozens of variety and game shows including Donny and Marie, The Electric Company, American Gladiators, America's Funniest Home Videos, and many more. Chubby Checker's 1963 performance of a two-song medley of "Let's Limbo Some More" and "Limbo Rock" featured Bohner's beautiful design in the background (one wishes the show had been in color). Checker's performance was highlighted by Checker doing the limbo himself during the instrumental part of the song, with Ed Sullivan putting the limbo stick back up so that Checker could do it again! At the end of the performance while the audience loudly applauded, Checker shook Sullivan's hand and Sullivan remarked, "I didn't think you could do it!" to great laughter.
Largest 10.25 x 21 in.
Emmy Award-nominated Set Designer/Art Director Bill Bohnert stood by his philosophy, "You can't keep going if you don't enjoy what you're doing," and it explains his longevity in show business. He began his television career working on The Ed Sullivan Show as an assistant art director when the current director was hospitalized with a nervous breakdown! This red flag did not deter Bohnert, however, as he was thrilled to be working for the most popular show on television. Bohnert created as many as 6 original designs per show, 50 weeks a year, with the attendant construction which that involved – an astonishing accomplishment. He worked on the Sullivan show for a decade before moving on to dozens of variety and game shows including Donny and Marie, The Electric Company, American Gladiators, America's Funniest Home Videos, and many more. Chubby Checker's 1963 performance of a two-song medley of "Let's Limbo Some More" and "Limbo Rock" featured Bohner's beautiful design in the background (one wishes the show had been in color). Checker's performance was highlighted by Checker doing the limbo himself during the instrumental part of the song, with Ed Sullivan putting the limbo stick back up so that Checker could do it again! At the end of the performance while the audience loudly applauded, Checker shook Sullivan's hand and Sullivan remarked, "I didn't think you could do it!" to great laughter.
Largest 10.25 x 21 in.
Additional information
Bid now on these items
