75th Anniversary: America’s biggest stars graced Channel 4 cameras

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Dionne Warwick sang her smash hit “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” written by Oklahoman Jimmy Webb.  Tons of huge stars knew their way to Oklahoma City.  They performed in the now legendary 4th of July Stars and Stripes shows of the 1970″s produced by Channel 4 and shown nationally on NBC.

“So, we had stars like Bob Hope, Tennessee Ernie Ford,  Kate Smith, the 5th Dimension,  Dione Warwick, Mike Douglas,  John Davidson every year.  So, that was a real kick and those were real fun shows to do” said the late Bill Thrash of Channel 4.

75th anniversary: The birth of Oklahoma television

“You know one of the delegates wants to legalize marijuana. I  guess that’s one way to get your campaign off the ground.” quipped Bob Hope at the show. At his shoulder was Anita Bryant, born in Barnsdall Oklahoma.

Sports heroes, many with Oklahoma ties

“And now for the first time here are the Singing Super Sportsmen featuring Micky Mantle, Bob Feller, Mean Joe Green, Wayne Wells, Bill Vessles, Steve Owens and Allie Reynolds” said the Stars and Stripes announcer welcomijng the sports heroes to the stage.

Household names like Ron Howard, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers graced Channel 4 cameras from the earliest days.

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“Here would come the Smother Brothers you know, the early days of Folk Rock that come on to WKY and so you started bringing this national talent to Oklahoma City” says Dr. Bob Blackburn, Oklahoma historian.

Dino Lalli was one of the first local entertainment reporters in the country

“Channel 4’s reputation was everywhere and it was such an honor to be as part of that” says Lalli.

Names that became legends in music, stage and television,  including a young up and coming comedian, Jerry Seinfeld.

“I’ve been doing this thing about the Oklahoma license plate. I like  that very modest slogan, Oklahoma, it’s OK. We’re OK. If anyone wants to know, we’re OK” jokes Seinfeld.

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Some stars WERE so big even Dino got nervous.

“I think Charleston Heston may have been one of those, having grown up watching his movies” says Lalli. “But he was great and I was really star struck with him walking in.

But he could not have been kinder and nicer.”

Even through three quarters of a century of the biggest names, Dino sums it up pretty well. The real star of the show is Oklahoma’s first television station, Channel 4.

“To be a part of the history of this incredible station. That alone is such an honor.”

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