Christmas at the 53rd

It's the annual Christmas Party at the precinct, and the kids are running wild, grabbing fingerprint ink, stealing Santa's hair, etc. But then everyone settles down to watch a talent show.

Captain Block does a musical-comedy act, most of the force does some backup singing; Toody's cousin Al does a magic act, Alice Ghostley does a humorous song.....and so forth.

The most surprising talent, at least to me, was the singing voice of Joe E. Ross ("Toody," co-star of the show.) He was really good, despite that gruff voice of his.

The 53d precinct might be a bumbling sort of group, but they are musically and comically talented as this episode proves

The ver entertaining Car 54 hit a new hight with this episode with some wonderful mini sketches all pieced together under the guise of a Christmas show at the precinct for the officers family and friends.

Some surprisingly good singing, an excellent HMS Pinafore parody, and several other extremely well written and presented skits.

Nat Hiken really was a bit of a master.

Enjoy.

The 53rd Precinct put on an Xmas pageant.

The premise is just what you read above. This isn't a great episode. There are some funny visuals as it opens up, with bratty kids wreaking havoc at the station, but the comedy otherwise is sorely lacking.

Captain Block sings -- backed by a chorus of officers; Toody does "You're Nobody (Til Somebody Loves You)"; Carl Ballantyne performs a lame magic act; Schnauser does a short "comedy" bit -- if you can call it that. At the end Toody and Muldoon sing a duet singing each other's praises. The only decent part is seeing a young Alice Ghostley performing a comedic torch song.

None of the numbers are very Xmas-y and you are better off watching CAR 54's Season Two Xmas episode instead. 4/10.