JACK BARRY - AUTOGRAPH - HFSID 347696

JACK BARRY
Five days after 21 made its debut on NBC, Barry signed this release form allowing use of his name and image to be used in newspaper publicity and editorials.
Typed DS: "Jack Barry", ¼ page, 8½x11. No place, but likely New York City, 1956 September 15. Headed: "Release Form". In letter form to News Syndicate Co., Inc., New York, New York. Begins: "Gentlemen". In full: "In consideration of the publicity to be given to me and which may arise herefrom, my consent is hereby irrevocably given to you, your assignees and licensees, and to the Chicago Tribune-New York News Syndicate, Inc., and its subscribers and licensees, to use my name, picture, or portrait, in publications for editorial or promotional purposes, excluding, however, commercial advertising." Television show host Jack Barry (1918-1984) began his career in game shows in 1947, hosting Juvenile Jury. He later served as host of Wisdom of the Ages (1952), Winky-Dink and You (1953), The Big Surprise (1955-1956), Tic Tac Dough (1956) and Concentration (1958, nighttime version). Barry is perhaps best remembered for hosting the quiz show Twenty One (1956-1958), produced by Jack Barry and Dan Enright Productions, which debuted on NBC-TV on September 10, 1956. On November 28 of that year, Charles Van Doren, a college professor, first appeared as a contestant on Twenty One, defeating champion Herb Stempel on December 5th. It was later revealed that Stempel, Van Doren and other contestants had been supplied with the answers and told when to lose, leading to a Congressional investigation. Neither Barry nor Enright were indicted, but Twenty One, which had become the first regular show to beat I Love Lucy in its time slot, was cancelled. Barry's career was not over, however. He later hosted The Generation Gap (1969), The Reel Game (1971), The Joker's Wild (1972-1984) and Break the Bank (1976). He also made guest appearances on The Addams Family (1964, as a reporter) and Batman (1966, playing a newscaster). Lightly toned. Note on verso in unknown hand. Otherwise, fine condition.