Matinee Theater (1955)
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 —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.
Matinee Theater: Season 1 - 100 Episode s
1x1 - Beginning Now
October 31, 1955
1x2 - Make Believe Mother
November 1, 1955
A man who left his wife and infant son turns up years later. He drops in for a visit at the home of his now-married son and grandchildren. His sudden appearance and penchant for gambling wreak havoc in his son's home.
1x3 - The Persistent Image
November 2, 1955
A once successful writer, who now verges on the alcoholic, makes one last attempt to sell his latest work. When this fails, he must decide which is more important, personal integrity or money.
1x4 - I'm Straight with the World
November 3, 1955
This is the tragic love story of a man and woman who fall in love as youngsters, but each married another.
1x5 - Progress and Minnie Sweeney
November 4, 1955
A young intern tries to convince his fiance she shouldn't have the responsibility of supporting her divorced sister and the sister's child.
1x6 - The House on Wildwood Lane
November 7, 1955
1x7 - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
November 8, 1955
1x8 - One for the Road
November 9, 1955
1x9 - An Apple for Miss Myrtle
November 10, 1955
1x10 - The Man Without a Country
November 11, 1955
1x11 - Jigsaw
November 14, 1955
An elderly father is being pressured by his family to sell his orange groves to a real estate developer. He resists but starts to reconsider when he considers that his tomboy grandaughter could use the money to develope her singing career.
1x12 - She's the One with the Funny Face
November 15, 1955
1x13 - All the Hoffmeyers in the World
November 16, 1955
During all the years of their married life, Helen has been bullied by her husband Phil--about the neglected house, her ill health and the care of their son. Lately, Phil has been seeing much of Ruth, their next-door-neighbor, whose husband Matt, according to Phil, is ""an unambitious cop."" A terrible accident reveals Phil as he really is.
1x14 - The Aspern Papers
November 17, 1955
In a Korean battle five Americans become detached from their company. They take over a hut in which they find and capture two North Korean soldiers, and an orphaned youngster. The boy soon becomes their mascot.
1x15 - Roman Fever
November 18, 1955
A shy school principal and a rising young attorney are both in love with the same woman. A man who looks a great deal like Abraham Lincoln arrives in town as a summer boarder and becomes involved in the situation.
1x16 - Midsummer
November 21, 1955
1x17 - The Lady Chooses
November 22, 1955
The daughter and sister of a pretty widown decide to play Cupid. Both want to marry her off to a likely suitor. - Tv Guide
1x18 - The Courtship of Miles Standish
November 23, 1955
A Polish merchant learns that his teen-age son and daughter have been won over to communism. He laboriously arranges an escape from the country, with his rebellious son virtually his prisoner. Even in Sweden their trouble continues, as the son informs on a priest who has aided their escape. - Tv Guide
1x19 - Dispossessed
November 25, 1955
1x20 - One for the Road
November 28, 1955
A beautiful young socialite is found murdered.
1x21 - The Touchstone
November 29, 1955
A middle-aged bachelor thus far has avoided matrimony. His friends, knowing he is in need of money, arrange a meeting with a prospective bride who might be willing to support a husband.
1x22 - Wuthering Heights
November 30, 1955
A mother discovers she is falling in love with the man her daughter has married.
1x23 - The Brass Ring
December 1, 1955
A meek little file clerk turns into a veritable tiger when his boss hires an efficiency expert. His file system has worked for 30 years. and he's not going to change it for an efficiency expert.
1x24 - Jason
December 2, 1955
A husband has definite ideas about bringing up his children. He feels his way of life on an isolated island is better than letting his offspring be subjected to education and other ""cruelties"" of civilization.
1x25 - Arrowsmith
December 5, 1955
Three generations come together to celebrate the grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. During the evening the newly wedded granddaughter insists on modeling her grandmother's wedding gown.
1x26 - Passing Strange
December 6, 1955
A woman art instructor entering her 30s falls in love with a pupil younger than she. Her overbearing brother tries to convince the woman that the artist is only using her to further his career.
1x27 - For These Services
December 7, 1955
Following the death of her husband, a widow insists on keeping his tailor shop open even though business is falling off. A long-time friend, who has been in love with her for many years, tries to convince the grief-stricken widow she is making a mistake by treating the shop as a shrine to her husband's memory.
1x28 - Cordially - With Bombs
December 8, 1955
1x29 - The White Oaks
December 9, 1955
An elderly man of letters supports his orphaned teen-age granddaughter. When he hires a young male secretary, the girl believes she has fallen in love. -Tv Guide
1x30 - O'Toole from Moscow
December 12, 1955
1x31 - The Milwaukee Rocket
December 13, 1955
A young couple moves into the ground floor apartment of a mansion owned by an elderly woman. The husband at first resents the fact that the old lady imposes on his wife to do household chores. Then they learn they have been made sole heirs in her will. -Tv Guide
1x32 - This One is Different
December 14, 1955
A man is determined to prevent his teen-age daughter from leaving home and entering a convent - Tv Guide
1x33 - Sins of the Fathers
December 15, 1955
This is the well-known story of Biblical times about Ruth, whose devotion to her mother-in-law tkes her into a new land among strangers.
1x34 - See You on Sunday
December 16, 1955
When a confirmed bachelor who owns a restaurant tries to sell his special recipe for a salad dressing, he gets involved with a beautiful girl FBI agent.
1x35 - Coming of Age
December 19, 1955
A young English couple decide that they will live with the groom's aged mother after the wedding. When the bride puts up her house for sale, her five brothers and sisters, whom she has not seen for years, descend upon her from all corners of the British Isles to try to prevent the sale.
1x36 - Technique
December 20, 1955
A governess, in love with the father of her charge, is dismayed when she learns the widower is unaware of her feelings and plans to marry another woman. In her bitter disappointment, the governess turns the young boy against his prospective stepmother in an effort to prevent the marriage from taking place.
1x37 - Gallin: All-American
December 21, 1955
The idyllic existence of an American college professor, who has moved with his second wife and two children to Mexico, is menaced by the sudden appearance of his first wife, who is determined to win him back.
1x38 - Santa is No Saint
December 22, 1955
The fifth wealthiest woman in the world hires detectives to trail her fifth husband and ensure his faithfulness. The husband decides to regain his freedom by arranging his own ""death.""-Tv Guide
1x39 - The Unwelcomed
December 23, 1955
1x40 - The Red Sanders Story
December 26, 1955
1x41 - Class of '58
July 9, 1956
1x42 - Horns of the Dilemma
December 28, 1955
1x43 - Little Girls Grow Up
December 29, 1955
A young man is trying to keep up pretenses even though the business he inherited from his father is failing. He is furious when a practical joker at the alumni reunion asks him if he needs a job. -NBC
1x44 - The Shot
December 30, 1955
1x45 - Mr. Krane
January 3, 1956
1x46 - Yesterday is Gone
January 4, 1956
A wealthy industrialist offers to revive the dwindling industry in a small town. In his ruthless business dealings he threatens to ruin the town banker. The other prominent citizens are forced to choose between the banker and the industry the town needs so badly.- TV GUIDE
1x47 - Double Door
January 5, 1956
1x48 - The Happy Rest
January 6, 1956
1x49 - The Gate
January 9, 1956
1x50 - One Left Over
January 10, 1956
1x51 - All the Trees in the Field
January 11, 1956
1x52 - The Century Plant
January 12, 1956
1x53 - Friday the 13th
January 13, 1956
1x54 - The Old Maid
January 16, 1956
1x55 - Mother Was a Bachelor
January 17, 1956
1x56 - The Bottom of the River
January 18, 1956
1x57 - The Carefree Tree
January 19, 1956
1x58 - Interlude
January 20, 1956
1x59 - The Big Box
January 23, 1956
1x60 - Sincerely Yours, Charlie Fisher
January 24, 1956
1x61 - Doc
January 25, 1956
1x62 - The Amateur
January 26, 1956
1x63 - Light and Shadow
January 27, 1956
1x64 - Romney
January 30, 1956
1x65 - O Promise Me
January 31, 1956
1x66 - Hold My Hand and Run
February 1, 1956
1x67 - Dark Possession
February 2, 1956
1x68 - The Diamond
February 3, 1956
1x69 - Susan and God
February 6, 1956
1x70 - As Young As You Feel
February 7, 1956
1x71 - The White Knight
February 8, 1956
1x72 - The Anxious Years
February 9, 1956
1x73 - The Heart of Mary Lincoln
February 10, 1956
1x74 - The Middle Son
February 13, 1956
1x75 - Valentine's Day
February 14, 1956
1x76 - Summer Cannot Last
February 15, 1956
1x77 - The Last Battlefield
February 16, 1956
1x78 - The Catbird Seat
February 17, 1956
1x79 - Dream House
February 20, 1956
1x80 - The Runaways
February 21, 1956
1x81 - The Ledger
February 22, 1956
1x82 - When the Bough Breaks
February 23, 1956
1x83 - I Want to March
February 24, 1956
1x84 - Skylark
February 27, 1956
1x85 - Tall, Dark Stranger
February 28, 1956
1x86 - Anything But Love
February 29, 1956
1x87 - Robin Daw
March 1, 1956
1x88 - Letter to a Stranger
March 2, 1956
1x89 - Dinner at Antoine's
March 5, 1956
1x90 - The Mating of Watkins Tottle
March 6, 1956
1x91 - Her Son's Wife
March 7, 1956
1x92 - The Shining Palace
March 8, 1956
1x93 - The Odd Ones
March 9, 1956
1x94 - A Cowboy for Chris
March 12, 1956
1x95 - The Rocking Chair
March 13, 1956
1x96 - The Big Guy
March 14, 1956
1x97 - Statute of Limitations
March 15, 1956
1x98 - The Baron and the Banshees
March 16, 1956
1x99 - Notebook Warrior
March 19, 1956
1x100 - Temptation for a King
March 20, 1956
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