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Matinee Theater

Matinee Theater

First Air Date: 1955-10-31

Seasons: 3

Episodes: 574

Rating: 5.0/10

Overview:

Matinee Theater is an American anthology series that aired on NBC during the Golden Age of Television, from 1955 to 1958. The series, which ran daily in the afternoon, was frequently live. It was produced by Albert McCleery, Darrell Ross, George Cahan and Frank Price with executive producer George Lowther. McCleery had previously produced the live series Cameo Theatre which introduced to television the concept of theater-in-the-round, TV plays staged with minimal sets. Jim Buckley of the Pewter Plough Playhouse recalled: When Al McCleery got back to the States, he originated a most ambitious theatrical TV series for NBC called Matinee Theater: to televise five different stage plays per week live, airing around noon in order to promote color TV to the American housewife as she labored over her ironing. Al was the producer. He hired five directors and five art directors. Richard Bennett, one of our first early presidents of the Pewter Plough Corporation, was one of the directors and I was one of the art directors and, as soon as we were through televising one play, we had lunch and then met to plan next week’s show. That was over 50 years ago, and I’m trying to think; I believe the TV art director is his own set decorator β€”yes, of course! It had to be, since one of McCleery’s chief claims to favor with the producers was his elimination of the setting per se and simply decorating the scene with a minimum of props. It took a bit of ingenuity.

Genres: Drama


πŸ“Ί Seasons

Episode 1: Beginning Now Episode 2: Make Believe Mother Episode 3: The Persistent Image Episode 4: I'm Straight with the World Episode 5: Progress and Minnie Sweeney Episode 6: The House on Wildwood Lane Episode 7: Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Episode 8: One for the Road Episode 9: An Apple for Miss Myrtle Episode 10: The Man Without a Country Episode 11: Jigsaw Episode 12: She's the One with the Funny Face Episode 13: All the Hoffmeyers in the World Episode 14: The Aspern Papers Episode 15: Roman Fever Episode 16: Midsummer Episode 17: The Lady Chooses Episode 18: The Courtship of Miles Standish Episode 19: Dispossessed Episode 20: One for the Road Episode 21: The Touchstone Episode 22: Wuthering Heights Episode 23: The Brass Ring Episode 24: Jason Episode 25: Arrowsmith Episode 26: Passing Strange Episode 27: For These Services Episode 28: Cordially - With Bombs Episode 29: The White Oaks Episode 30: O'Toole from Moscow Episode 31: The Milwaukee Rocket Episode 32: This One is Different Episode 33: Sins of the Fathers Episode 34: See You on Sunday Episode 35: Coming of Age Episode 36: Technique Episode 37: Gallin: All-American Episode 38: Santa is No Saint Episode 39: The Unwelcomed Episode 40: The Red Sanders Story Episode 41: Class of '58 Episode 42: Horns of the Dilemma Episode 43: Little Girls Grow Up Episode 44: The Shot Episode 45: Mr. Krane Episode 46: Yesterday is Gone Episode 47: Double Door Episode 48: The Happy Rest Episode 49: The Gate Episode 50: One Left Over Episode 51: All the Trees in the Field Episode 52: The Century Plant Episode 53: Friday the 13th Episode 54: The Old Maid Episode 55: Mother Was a Bachelor Episode 56: The Bottom of the River Episode 57: The Carefree Tree Episode 58: Interlude Episode 59: The Big Box Episode 60: Sincerely Yours, Charlie Fisher Episode 61: Doc Episode 62: The Amateur Episode 63: Light and Shadow Episode 64: Romney Episode 65: O Promise Me Episode 66: Hold My Hand and Run Episode 67: Dark Possession Episode 68: The Diamond Episode 69: Susan and God Episode 70: As Young As You Feel Episode 71: The White Knight Episode 72: The Anxious Years Episode 73: The Heart of Mary Lincoln Episode 74: The Middle Son Episode 75: Valentine's Day Episode 76: Summer Cannot Last Episode 77: The Last Battlefield Episode 78: The Catbird Seat Episode 79: Dream House Episode 80: The Runaways Episode 81: The Ledger Episode 82: When the Bough Breaks Episode 83: I Want to March Episode 84: Skylark Episode 85: Tall, Dark Stranger Episode 86: Anything But Love Episode 87: Robin Daw Episode 88: Letter to a Stranger Episode 89: Dinner at Antoine's Episode 90: The Mating of Watkins Tottle Episode 91: Her Son's Wife Episode 92: The Shining Palace Episode 93: The Odd Ones Episode 94: A Cowboy for Chris Episode 95: The Rocking Chair Episode 96: The Big Guy Episode 97: Statute of Limitations Episode 98: The Baron and the Banshees Episode 99: Notebook Warrior Episode 100: Temptation for a King Episode 101: The White Knight Episode 102: The Anxious Years Episode 103: M is for the Many Episode 104: Silent Partner Episode 105: Winter in April Episode 106: Bread Upon the Waters Episode 107: The Giant Killer Episode 108: The Book of Ruth Episode 109: Singer in the Valley Episode 110: The Heart of a Husband Episode 111: From the Desk of Margaret Tydings Episode 112: But You Look Like Sisters Episode 113: The House of Seven Gables Episode 114: Fiddlin' Man Episode 115: The Hollow Woman Episode 116: People in Glass Episode 117: One of the Family Episode 118: Young Hands, Young Feet Episode 119: The Lark Shall Sing Episode 120: In Dread of Winter Episode 121: The Babylonian Heart Episode 122: Ask Me No Questions Episode 123: Whom Death Has Joined Together Episode 124: The Wedding Episode 125: The Reckoning Episode 126: A Woman Named Ruby Episode 127: The Bright Boy Episode 128: The Carefree Tree Episode 129: Graybeards and Witches Episode 130: The Legend of Jenny Lind Episode 131: Daughter of the Seventh Day Episode 132: Night Must Fall Episode 133: The 25th Hour Episode 134: A Man and His Maid Episode 135: Perspective Episode 136: The Catamaran Episode 137: Johnny Came Marching Home Episode 138: A Family Affair Episode 139: Blind Date Episode 140: To Have and to Hold Episode 141: Edwina Black Episode 142: The Spare Room Episode 143: The Bottle Imp Episode 144: Brief Music Episode 145: The Girl from Boro Park Episode 146: To Whom It May Concern Episode 147: Bachelor Buttons Episode 148: The Children of Papa Juan Episode 149: Herself Alone Episode 150: Three for the Money Episode 151: Taxi to the Moon Episode 152: The Goodtime Boys Episode 153: The American Episode 154: Cause for Suspicion Episode 155: Fight the Whole World Episode 156: Autumn Crocus Episode 157: George Has a Birthday Episode 158: The Serpent's Tooth Episode 159: Crime at Blossom's Episode 160: The Luck of Amos Currie Episode 161: Alison's House Episode 162: Safe Place Episode 163: The Guest Cottage Episode 164: Forsaking All Others Episode 165: Love, Honor and O'Day Episode 166: The Damask Cheek Episode 167: Moon Over Episode 168: But Fear Itself Episode 169: The Birthday Present Episode 170: The Ghost of Greenwich Village Episode 171: The Young and the Damned Episode 172: There's Always Juliet Episode 173: Seasoned Timber Episode 174: The Declaration Episode 175: High Places Episode 176: Black Chiffon Episode 177: Class of '58 Episode 178: Marriage by the Millions Episode 179: Backfire Episode 180: The Bishop Misbehaves Episode 181: Remittance Episode 182: Beg, Borrow or Steal Episode 183: Summer Pavilion Episode 184: The Feast Episode 185: A Full, Rich Life Episode 186: The Reverberator Episode 187: Woman at the Window Episode 188: Another Sky Episode 189: Letter of Introduction Episode 190: Home at Seven Episode 191: The Cypress Tree Episode 192: Belong to Me Episode 193: Pygmalion Jones Episode 194: Gretel Episode 195: Some Man Will Want You Episode 196: The Fall of the House of Usher Episode 197: Cupid Rode a Horse Episode 198: The Old Payola Episode 199: The Perfect Alibi

Episode 1: The House Off Fifth Avenue Episode 2: Yankee Doodler Episode 3: The Pink Hippopotamus Episode 4: September Tide Episode 5: Are You Listening? Episode 6: Ladies' Maid Bell Episode 7: 100 Red Convertibles Episode 8: The Ivy Curtain Episode 9: The Gramercy Ghost Episode 10: Lovers Episode 11: Reach for the Stars Episode 12: I Like It Here Episode 13: A Question of Balance Episode 14: The Marriage Royal Episode 15: Mad Money Episode 16: A Letter from Johnny Brock Episode 17: Uncle Harry Episode 18: At Mrs. Leland's Episode 19: The House Next Door Episode 20: Alumni Reunion Episode 21: Sound of Fear Episode 22: Late Date Episode 23: Pride and Prejudice Episode 24: Pearls of Sheba Episode 25: The Stamp Caddy Episode 26: The Egotist Episode 27: The Family Man Episode 28: Sight Unseen Episode 29: The Eye of the Storm Episode 30: The Man in the Seven League Boots Episode 31: The Woman Across the Hall Episode 32: And Then There Were Three Episode 33: Shake the Stars Down Episode 34: Horse Power Episode 35: Without Sanction Episode 36: The Outing Episode 37: Thank You, Edmondo Episode 38: The Tell-Tale Heart Episode 39: Strangers on a Honeymoon Episode 40: A Dram of Poison Episode 41: The Shining Hour Episode 42: Love, Marriage and Five Thousand Dollars Episode 43: Step Into Darkness Episode 44: Candle in the Dark Episode 45: Savrola Episode 46: Table Set at Night Episode 47: Madame de Treymes Episode 48: The People vs. John Tarr Episode 49: The Location of Roycemore College Episode 50: Dracula Episode 51: Julie Episode 52: The Empty Nest Episode 53: Spare Your Pity Episode 54: The Last Leaf Episode 55: Therese Episode 56: Julie Episode 57: Refugee Episode 58: Jenny Kissed Me Episode 59: Miracle at Carville Episode 60: The Upper Hand Episode 61: Love is a Locksmith Episode 62: Captain Brassbound's Conversion Episode 63: The Wisp End Episode 64: Prominent Citizens Episode 65: Head of the Family Episode 66: Password Episode 67: Late Love Episode 68: Eugenie Grandet Episode 69: Cold Christmas Episode 70: Little Women Episode 71: For Sweetheart, Wife or Mother Episode 72: Smilin' Through Episode 73: Strong Medicine Episode 74: Everything's Relative Episode 75: Miss Morissa Episode 76: The Scandalous Priest Episode 77: Dark Victory Episode 78: The Lonely Look Episode 79: The Sudden Truth Episode 80: The Man in the Half-Moon Episode 81: The Hex Episode 82: If This Be Error Episode 83: On the Trail of the Kingsfield Episode 84: Here We Are Episode 85: Arms and the Man Episode 86: Home is the Hunted Episode 87: Madam Ada Episode 88: Night Train Episode 89: This Language Episode 90: The 13th Crypt Episode 91: Mr. Pirn Passes By Episode 92: Anything for a Laugh Episode 93: Realms of Gold Episode 94: Deacon of Oak Ridge Episode 95: Accent on Youth Episode 96: Three Kids Episode 97: Frankenstein Episode 98: The Most Dangerous Man Episode 99: One Episode 100: The Importance of Being Earnest Episode 101: The Brat's House Episode 102: Mr. Todd Episode 103: A Case of Pure Fiction Episode 104: The Master Builder Episode 105: The Others Episode 106: The Remarkable Mr. Jerome Episode 107: Bobbie Episode 108: The Hickory Limb Episode 109: The Bridge Episode 110: The Serpent's Tooth Episode 111: Voyage to Mandok Episode 112: The Day Before the Wedding Episode 113: Queen of Spades Episode 114: Shadow and Substance Episode 115: You Touched Me Episode 116: The Hemlock Cup Episode 117: Papa's Wife Episode 118: The Prizewinner Episode 119: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Episode 120: Yesterday's Magic Episode 121: Tongue of Silver Episode 122: Peaceable Kingdom Episode 123: The 19th Hole Episode 124: Wedding in the Family Episode 125: The Ways of Courage Episode 126: Journey Into Darkness Episode 127: Barricade at the Big Black Episode 128: The Vicarious Years Episode 129: The First Year Episode 130: End of the Rope Episode 131: We Won't Be Any Trouble Episode 132: The Daughter of Mata Hari Episode 133: Talk You of Killing Episode 134: The Pursuit of Happiness Episode 135: Wuthering Heights [restaged] Episode 136: Long Distance Episode 137: The Point of Cleaning Episode 138: The Sport Episode 139: The Flashing Stream Episode 140: Thread That Runs So True Episode 141: Jamie Picks a Wife Episode 142: Blind Man's Bluff Episode 143: The Story of Joseph Episode 144: Pushover Episode 145: Ashes in the Wind Episode 146: A Hat, a Coat, a Glove Episode 147: The Professional Episode 148: Guardians of the Temple Episode 149: The Short Safari of B'wana Ben Episode 150: Church on Monday Episode 151: The Gioconda Smile Episode 152: Show of Strength Episode 153: Make Believe Affair Episode 154: Hymn to the Dedicated Episode 155: Thursday's Child Episode 156: Big-Hearted Herbert Episode 157: The Embattled Maiden Episode 158: The Middle-Aged Freshman Episode 159: Best Friend in Town Episode 160: Jane Eyre Episode 161: Starmaster Episode 162: Aftermath Episode 163: Guest at the Embassy Episode 164: Second-Hand Lover Episode 165: The Avenging of Anne Leete Episode 166: The Lonesome Husband Episode 167: Puzzle in the Stars Episode 168: The Gwendolyn Harleth Story Episode 169: The Girls Named Almaya Episode 170: The Dream That Was Fixed Episode 171: A Growing Wonder Episode 172: Bachelor Father Episode 173: The Golden Door Episode 174: Rain in the Morning Episode 175: Eye of the Storm Episode 176: Rich Man, Poor Man Episode 177: The Party Dress Episode 178: White-Headed Boy Episode 179: Liza Episode 180: Pigeons and People Episode 181: Things Hoped For Episode 182: Mr. Wendigo Episode 183: Stopover Episode 184: A Light in the Sky Episode 185: The Charmer Episode 186: The Brief Candle Episode 187: Too Much Johnson Episode 188: Money in the Bank Episode 189: Trouble Traine Episode 190: The Last Voyage Episode 191: The Price of Scandal Episode 192: But When She Was Bad Episode 193: The Fable of Harry Episode 194: Portrait in Mini Episode 195: The Cask of Amontillado Episode 196: The Richest Man in the World Episode 197: The Last Hour Episode 198: The First Captain Episode 199: Shuttered Hearts Episode 200: One for All Episode 201: Call It a Day Episode 202: Ann Veronica Episode 203: Boys Will Be Men Episode 204: The Forbidden Search Episode 205: The Fawn with Crooked Teeth Episode 207: The Rose Bush Episode 208: Finley's Fan Club Episode 209: Laugh a Little Tear Episode 210: The Invisible Man Episode 211: Where Angels Fear Episode 212: First Love Episode 213: The Last Survivors Episode 214: Time for Action Episode 215: Haven's End Episode 216: Heed the Falling Sparrow Episode 217: The President's Child Bride Episode 218: Now or Never Episode 219: Awakening Episode 220: Angel Face Episode 221: The Star Sapphire Episode 222: Women Have Ways Episode 223: Jewel Boy Episode 224: Molly Morgan Episode 225: Woman Alone Episode 226: Among Strangers Episode 227: The Adjustable Mr. Willing Episode 228: Freedom Comes Later Episode 229: In the Fog Episode 230: Son of 37 Fathers Episode 231: Hand Me Down Episode 232: Emma Episode 233: Personal Equation Episode 234: Night Cry Episode 235: The Mysterious Disappearance Episode 236: The Impersonal Touch Episode 237: The Story of Sarah Episode 238: The Waiting Swan Episode 239: One Mummy Too Many Episode 240: Hearthstones Episode 241: The Reluctant Heiress

Episode 1: Father Come Home Episode 2: Villa of the Angels Episode 3: A Tone of Time Episode 4: Almost Any Man Will Do Episode 5: Sing for Me Episode 6: Run for the Money Episode 7: Lest We Forget Episode 8: The Glass Hill Episode 9: Out of the Frying Pan Episode 10: The Last Stop Episode 11: The Weak and the Strong Episode 12: Nine-Finger Jack Episode 13: Elementals Episode 14: Plummer in Paradise Episode 15: Something About a Dollar Episode 16: Return in Winter Episode 17: Grandmama and Grandfather Episode 18: Aesop and Rhodope Episode 19: All Over the World Episode 20: The Ransom of Sigmund Freud Episode 21: Iris Episode 22: Remember Me Kindly Episode 23: The Embassy House Episode 24: Witness to Murder Episode 25: The Johnson House Episode 26: Cadenza Episode 27: Green Shores Episode 28: A Question of Balance Episode 29: Daniel Webster and the Sea Serpent Episode 30: The Conversation Tables Episode 31: Out of My Darkness Episode 32: The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg Episode 33: The Broom and the Groom Episode 34: A Cloud for Jeni Episode 35: The Consul Episode 36: The Old Friend Episode 37: Give Me a Wand Episode 38: The Sure Thing Episode 39: Dark of the Moon Episode 40: The Giver and the Gift Episode 41: No Time for Comedy Episode 42: Gentleman of Fortune Episode 43: The Gentleman Caller Episode 44: Tender Leaves Episode 45: In 25 Words or Less Episode 46: Sara Crewe Episode 47: Amahl and the Night Visitors Episode 48: The Little Minister Episode 49: Daughter of Kings Episode 50: The Survival Kit Episode 51: The House with the Golden Street Episode 52: The Europeans Episode 53: The Collected Letters of Mr. Sage Episode 54: Two-Picture Deal Episode 55: The Great Obstacle Courtship Episode 56: A Chance to Die Episode 57: Home on the Range Episode 58: The Makropoulos Secret Episode 59: More Than a Man Episode 60: Something Stolen, Something New Episode 61: Thunderbolt Episode 62: Daisy Mayne Episode 63: The Man Who Wanted to Hate Episode 64: The Golden Fleecing Episode 65: Forever and Ever Episode 66: Decision Episode 67: Solider's Boy Episode 68: The Man with Pointed Toes Episode 69: Love Out of Town Episode 70: Cave-In Episode 71: The Iceman Episode 72: The Long, Long Laugh Episode 73: Man Without a Country Episode 74: The Odd Ones Episode 75: Monsieur Beaucaire Episode 76: Life Upon the Wicked Stage Episode 77: Without Fear or Favor Episode 78: The Third Person Episode 79: Eden End Episode 80: The 10th Muse Episode 81: Goodbye on Thursday Episode 82: Heart's Desire Episode 83: Marriage of Convenience Episode 84: The Suicide Club Episode 85: The 65th Floor Episode 86: The Hickory Heart Episode 87: The Devil's Violin Episode 88: Wednesday's Child Episode 89: Vigilante Episode 90: The Prophet Hosea Episode 91: Mrs. Moonlight Episode 92: With Love We Live Episode 93: You and I Episode 94: Career Angel Episode 95: Contingent Fire Episode 96: Anxious Night Episode 97: On Approval Episode 98: Dandy Dick Episode 99: Hush, Mahala, Hush Episode 100: O'Rourke's House Episode 101: The Alleyway Episode 102: The Vagabond Episode 103: The Silver Spider Episode 104: Design for Glory Episode 105: The Inspector General Episode 106: The Two Mrs. Carrolls Episode 107: The Velvet Glove Episode 108: Death Takes a Holiday Episode 109: Man of the House Episode 110: A Case of Fear Episode 111: Walk in the Sky Episode 112: The Canterville Ghost Episode 113: Found Money Episode 114: Washington Whispers Money Episode 115: A Boy Grows Up Episode 116: Phony Venus Episode 117: Some Blessed People Episode 118: The Quiet Street Episode 119: The Quest of Quesnay Episode 120: Angel Street Episode 121: The Cause Episode 122: Much Ado About Nothing, Part 1 Episode 123: Much Ado About Nothing, Part 2 Episode 124: Day of Discoveries Episode 125: The Young and the Fair Episode 126: The Riddle of Mary Murray Episode 127: Button Button Episode 128: The End of the Season Episode 129: Look Out for John Tucker Episode 130: The Road to Recovery Episode 131: The Nightbird's Crying Episode 132: The Story of Marcia Gordon Episode 133: Town in Turmoil Episode 134: Washington Square Episode 135: Course for Collision