On July 29, 1957 Jack Paar began his stint as the host of the Tonight Show–changed to The Jack Paar Show–on NBC-TV. He was the host for five years. Mr. Paar’s version of The Tonight Show was very different than today’s. He preferred literary types over Hollywood stars trying to promote their latest movies. A factoid to toss out at your next cocktail party: While Paar did not originate the phrase “I kid you not,” his frequent use of it made it an American catchphrase.
In this clip, Jack Paar is trying to do a live commercial for Poloroid camera (click here for Pam’s recent blog posting about the new Poloroid camera on Go Retro!). A problem arises when Jerry Lewis decides to get into the act…
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I loved Poloroid cameras and was excited when I read that they were coming out with the Pic 300. I wasn’t sure I liked the idea of the photo only being the size of a business card but after seeing a video review of it on Amazon, I might just add it to my wish list!
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I remember the Polaroid camera my mother bought in the early ’60s — smaller than the one Jack Paar was holding. Mother loved it. I remember how pleased she was when she took a picture of my grandfather and his brother. The first wasn’t good, which enabled her to take another immediately. Ah, Technology!
As I recall, you snapped the photo, then waited 60 seconds before opening the back of the camera and removing your print. Then we had a cartridge of some smelly goo that we applied to the photo, and that had to dry. The film was expensive and I don’t think she took many pictures with it. I have a few — badly faded.
And I remember how disappointed Mother was when within a short few years the camera was obsolete and we could no longer buy the film. Yes, I would say she was upset by that.