On July 20, 1950, ABC introduced audiences to The Arthur Murray Party, a beloved American variety show that would captivate viewers for an entire decade, running until 1960. The program was hosted by the dancing duo Arthur and Kathryn Murray, and it cleverly doubled as a promotional vehicle for several well-known dance studios. What made it truly groundbreaking was its format: celebrities — ranging from musicians to actors to singers — would appear on the show and learn dance moves alongside the hosts. As the first television program to turn dance instruction into genuine entertainment, The Arthur Murray Party built remarkable popularity throughout its ten-year presence on the airwaves.

Everything about The Arthur Murray Party was conceived as a grand dance spectacle, deliberately crafted to delight audiences at home and everyone participating on set. Both celebrity guests and everyday people would show up dressed to the nines for the "party," and this often sparked wonderfully comedic moments. Much of each episode revolved around the hosts and instructors from their dance studios guiding guests and famous faces through brand-new dance routines. Each installment wrapped up with Arthur and Kathryn Murray taking the floor themselves for their own signature performance. The show holds a special place in television history as the first program to spotlight social dancing, playing a key role in bringing ballroom dancing into the mainstream.

Fun Facts about The Arthur Murray Party:

  • They featured a fun segment called the "mystery dance." The hosts would demonstrate part of a dance, and contestants who could correctly name it would win free dance lessons.
  • The show featured several famous guests, including Groucho Marx, Bob Hope, and Buddy Holly. The excitement generated by these guests had a significant impact on the show's ratings, attracting a wider range of viewers.
  • The choreographer, James Starbuck, won an Emmy award for his work on the show.
  • The show had a massive and dedicated following, with millions of viewers tuning in each week.