As the 1950s dawned America was a colossus militarily, economically and culturally. It bestrode a globe it was doing so much to shape in its own image. But it had concerns; the threat of communism. As well as for the Movies and Radio there was another concern: the growing rise of Tv.For Radio, even now in its golden age of mass viewers and superstar filled programmes, that they had a handy solution with ‘The Big Present’. Its idea was basic but effective. Consider 90 a few minutes of air-time and fill it with the stars of stage, screen and radio performing comedy sketches, play extracts and musical quantities.It sounds simple enough and aided by an enormous spending budget from NBC it was successful, staffed by the best writers and complex team in the business.Hosted by Tallulah Bankhead, with her sharp and acidic wit and her brilliance at ad-libbing ‘The Big Display’ was big entertainment with big stars for the big audience.