2x1 - The Death of Manolete

September 12, 1957

The last hours in the life of Spain's most celebrated matador.

2x2 - The Dark Side of the Earth

September 19, 1957

A drama set in 1956, during the unsuccessful Hungarian uprising against the Russians

2x3 - Topaze

September 26, 1957

A mild-mannered schoolteacher gradually abandons all his principles - and finds the success which has always hitherto eluded him.

2x4 - A Sound of Different Drummers

October 3, 1957

In a dystopian society, reading is forbidden.

2x6 - Around the World in 90 Minutes

October 17, 1957

October 17, 1957, the CBS Television Network diverted from its typical format of live dramatic presentations for "Playhouse 90" to cover Michael Todd's gigantic party commemorating the one-year anniversary of the release of his film "Around The World In 80 Days". Todd invited 18-thousand people to the gala in New York City's Madison Square Garden though the number probably was far greater because of party-crashers. Walter Cronkite hosted the coverage with future ABC Sports ace Jim McKay and news veteran Bill Leonard handling the interviewing of numerous celebrity party guests. During the broadcast, Garry Moore hosted occasional comedy vignettes of how Todd came to create his Academy award-winning movie.

2x7 - The Mystery of Thirteen

October 24, 1957

The story of William Palmer, one of the most notorious poisoners in Victorian England - or was he?

2x8 - The Edge of Innocence

October 31, 1957

A lawyer's new brother-in-law disapproves of his specialty of defending murderers. But when he finds himself accused of murder, he asks for his help.

2x9 - The Clouded Image

November 7, 1957

2x10 - The Jet-Propelled Couch

November 14, 1957

Based on a case history in psychologist Dr. Robert Linder's book "The 50-Minute Hour." Unbeknownst to his friends and colleagues, the outwardly sane and secure atomic physicist Dr. Kirk Allen has for many years been embarking upon imaginary visits to another planet. At first this mental abnormality harms no one, but when Allen begins acting strangely on the job, the Pentagon begins to suspect that he is a security risk. Under psychological counseling, Allen reveals his "secret life" and provides surprisingly accurate extraterrestrial charts as "proof" that he is truly out of this world.

2x11 - The Troublemakers

November 21, 1957

2x12 - Panic Button

November 28, 1957

A Civil Aeronautics Board investigation determines that the reason a plane crashed, killing all aboard except one of the pilots, is that either the dead pilot or the survivor became panic-stricken and pushed the wrong button, but the investigators aren't sure which one was at fault.

2x13 - Galvanized Yankee

December 5, 1957

In a Northern prisoner-of-war camp during the Civil War, a crippled Yankee commander has a rebellious Rebel executed. The dead man's brother, also a prisoner, vows vengeance. He volunteers to accompany the commander on a mission, planning to murder him along the way but changes his mind and escapes instead, deciding the commander is "already dead." The commander, a changed man, covers up for the escapees and himself faces court martial.

2x14 - The Thundering Wave

December 12, 1957

Middle-aged actress Victoria Maxwell comes to terms with her destructive lifestyle as she struggles with the lead role in a Broadway-bound play. Matters are complicated by the fact that she is co-starring opposite her estranged husband, Allen Grant, whom she never stopped loving.

2x15 - For I Have Loved Strangers

December 19, 1957

2x16 - The Lone Woman

December 26, 1957

2x17 - Reunion

January 2, 1958

A reunion party for old army buddies turns inexorably into something darker and more sinister.

2x18 - The Last Man

January 9, 1958

2x19 - The 80 Yard Run

January 16, 1958

Long ago, Christian made a run of 80 yards to make the winning touchdown in a football game. It was the greatest moment of his life. Or was it the beginning of his decline?

2x20 - Before I Die

January 23, 1958

An innocent man, doomed to die for the murder of a cop that he didn't commit, is rushed from prison to the county hospital for an emergency operation. The surgeon becomes convinced of the man's innocence when he mumbles a girl's name under anesthesia. The surgeon seeks the help of a psychiatrist to penetrate his patient's subconscious.

2x21 - The Gentleman from Seventh Avenue

January 30, 1958

Mr. Golden wonders if he has wasted his life; but the news that he is to become a grandfather cheers him.

2x22 - The Violent Heart

February 6, 1958

Photographer Paul is invited to a French estate to take pictures but a romance develops with the lady of the house. A sudden death creates a suspicion of murder.

2x23 - No Time at All

February 13, 1958

An airliner flying nonstop at night from Miami to New York fails to check in, then disappears from radar. We see how its disappearance affects people on the ground. The Episode was directed by David Swift, who also collaborated with Charles Einstein with the screenplay. Charles Einstein is also credited with writing the story. Guests include William Lundigan, Betsy Palmer, Jane Greer, Buster Keaton, Chico Marx, Frank Wilcox & Charles Bronson. The Production Company was CBS Television Network and was distributed in the USA by CBS.

2x24 - Point of No Return

February 20, 1958

Waiting to find out if he's obtained a valuable promotion, a banker returns to the small town he grew up in.

2x25 - Portrait of a Murderer

February 27, 1958

Based on a true story, Donald Bashor robs and bludgeons two women to their deaths. While committing the crimes he maintains a normal existence with his girlfriend Florry.

2x26 - The Last Clear Chance

March 6, 1958

A veteran lawyer must defend his own son when the latter is threatened with disbarment.

2x27 - The Male Animal

March 13, 1958

The trustees of Midwestern University have forced three teachers out of their jobs for being suspected communists. Trustee Ed Keller has also threatened mild mannered English Professor Tommy Turner, because he plans to read a controversial piece of prose in class.

2x28 - The Right Hand Man

March 20, 1958

The story of a struggle for control of a Hollywood talent agency.

2x29 - Turn Left at Mount Everest

April 3, 1958

2x30 - The Dungeon

April 17, 1958

2x31 - Verdict of Three

April 24, 1958

A murder trial is followed through different jurors and their reactions.

2x32 - Rumors of Evening

May 1, 1958

2x33 - Not the Glory

May 8, 1958

2x34 - Nightmare at Ground Zero

May 15, 1958

After the first atom bomb test, scientists realize the bomb was more powerful than they expected - which may have terrible results.

2x35 - Bomber's Moon

May 22, 1958

A hard-hearted Colonel loses many men in his group's bombing missions over World War II Germany, but keeps on going and won't tolerate a young lieutenant losing his nerve under the strain, who refuses to continue.

2x36 - Natchez

May 29, 1958

A Civil War veteran returns home to find his father has become a social pariah.

2x37 - The Innocent Sleep

June 5, 1958

When a rich man marries a much younger wife and his ailing health gets rather worse, the housekeeper suspects a murder attempt is looming.

2x38 - A Town Has Turned to Dust

June 19, 1958

A weakling sheriff is unable to prevent a lynching. Can he redeem himself by preventing a second one?

2x39 - The Great Gatsby

June 26, 1958

A Midwesterner becomes fascinated with his wealthy neighbor, who obsesses over his lost love.

2x40 - Bitter Heritage

August 7, 1958

The James boys, being framed for a bank heist, are saved by the banker's daughter.