A television version of the popular radio game show "Break the Bank" (1945-1955). Contestants would be asked questions for a progressively larger cash prize, and the final question was the "break the bank" question which was worth all the money in the bank. The television version debuted in 1948 on ABC, co-hosted by Bert Parks and Bud Collyer. In October 1956, a prime version of the show debuted on NBC under the title "Break the $250,000 Bank". It was permanently canceled in January 1957, featuring the actress Ethel Waters as the penultimate contestant.—Dimos I