The Hollywood Palace

Himself - Host (32 episodes, 1964-1970)

Himself - Host / ... (16 episodes, 1965-1969)

Himself - Host / ... (13 episodes, 1964-1969)

Ray Hines was the security guard for the Hollywood Palace theater and studio, employed by ABC TV, maintaining a secure facility, while also supervising Studio Page staff members during day and evening schedules. Ray's presence was almost around the clock during production taping schedules. Ray also would assist celebrity guests and hosts on their arrival and their departure for their television appearance. During taping, Ray Hines remained at the theater's rear elephant doors, which were directly opposite the "star dressing room", where he maintained control over fans and activities passing through the backstage area. Ray Hines lived at the Hollywood Tower Penthouse Suite, which had been formerly occupied by film actor George Raft in the 40-50s. In emergencies he was within walking distance to the Hollywood Palace. One such instance was during one mid-night, the muslin and shark-toothed scrim soft fabric cyclorama burst into flames. Ray Hines alerted the Hollywood Fire Station who arrived and saved the facility. The muslin and scrim were replaced within two days by Tom Mayhew's drapery department allowing taping on schedule. Ray Hines, after the series was canceled, remained at the stage-theater facility until ABC TV closed the television studio property.

Nick Vanoff fired the first Hollywood Palace "Billboard Girl" after the fifth show. She was a member of the Tom Hansen Dancers, appearing on the CBS Red Skelton Hour, which became a scheduling problem for the leggy curvaceous showgirl. After missing air-show rehearsals, and showing up late in the taping day, Vanoff replaced the performer, the following week, with Raquel Welch. Patrick Curtis accompanied Raquel when she was scheduled for rehearsal and show taping day. Patrick, always sitting in the last row aisle seat adjacent to the orchestra area, became a fixture, like a "Brinks Guard" guarding his property! These "Hollywood Palace Billboard" segments, at the end of the variety hour, introduced Raquel Welch. Raquel, soon noticed by agents and movie producers, was on the series for several years before quitting the assignment.

"Tina, the baby elephant" circus performer was the only performer/act to have the most repeated performances on the seven year series. "Tina" was invited each season, sometimes returning two to three times each season, for a return engagement. The trainer and Tina's crew would wash, bath, and groom Tina in the adjacent parking lot, where Tina's trailer-dressing room parked. Before each rehearsal and performance day, the crew would take a blow torch burning off any hair on the baby elephant's body. The blow torch flame did not damage, nor burn, the elephant's hide. "Shaved" was their terminology for the make-up preparation.