Hollywood-based KTLA-TV Channel 5 in Los Angeles, was the first commercially licensed television station west of the Mississippi. It first aired a 30-minute variety show from the Paramount TV theatre starring Bob Hope , Dorothy Lamour, William Bendix and Jerry Colonna. It was estimated that 322 television receivers were in use in Los Angeles at the time.

                                  The KTLA studios in 1949

  
 
Russ Tamblyn,left, as the gang leader of the Jets in the 1961 musical film  
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