Matinee Theater

1h

Drama

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.

Episodes

Cast

Beginning Now

1. Beginning Now

1h

31st Oct 1955

Make Believe Mother

2. Make Believe Mother

1h

1st Nov 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.

The Persistent Image

3. The Persistent Image

1h

2nd Nov 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.

I'm Straight with the World

4. I'm Straight with the World

1h

3rd Nov 1955

This is the tragic love story of a man and woman who fall in love as youngsters, but each married another.

Progress and Minnie Sweeney

5. Progress and Minnie Sweeney

1h

4th Nov 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.

The House on Wildwood Lane

6. The House on Wildwood Lane

1h

7th Nov 1955

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

7. Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

1h

8th Nov 1955

One for the Road

8. One for the Road

1h

9th Nov 1955

An Apple for Miss Myrtle

9. An Apple for Miss Myrtle

1h

10th Nov 1955

The Man Without a Country

10. The Man Without a Country

1h

11th Nov 1955

Jigsaw

11. Jigsaw

1h

14th Nov 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.

She's the One with the Funny Face

12. She's the One with the Funny Face

1h

15th Nov 1955

All the Hoffmeyers in the World

13. All the Hoffmeyers in the World

1h

16th Nov 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.

The Aspern Papers

14. The Aspern Papers

1h

17th Nov 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.

Roman Fever

15. Roman Fever

1h

18th Nov 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.

Midsummer

16. Midsummer

1h

21st Nov 1955

The Lady Chooses

17. The Lady Chooses

1h

22nd Nov 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

The Courtship of Miles Standish

18. The Courtship of Miles Standish

1h

23rd Nov 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

Dispossessed

19. Dispossessed

1h

25th Nov 1955

One for the Road

20. One for the Road

1h

28th Nov 1955

A beautiful young socialite is found murdered.

The Touchstone

21. The Touchstone

1h

29th Nov 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.

Wuthering Heights

22. Wuthering Heights

1h

30th Nov 1955

A mother discovers she is falling in love with the man her daughter has married.

The Brass Ring

23. The Brass Ring

1h

1st Dec 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.

Jason

24. Jason

1h

2nd Dec 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.

Arrowsmith

25. Arrowsmith

1h

5th Dec 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.

Passing Strange

26. Passing Strange

1h

6th Dec 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.

For These Services

27. For These Services

1h

7th Dec 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.

Cordially - With Bombs

28. Cordially - With Bombs

1h

8th Dec 1955

The White Oaks

29. The White Oaks

1h

9th Dec 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

O'Toole from Moscow

30. O'Toole from Moscow

1h

12th Dec 1955

The Milwaukee Rocket

31. The Milwaukee Rocket

1h

13th Dec 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

This One is Different

32. This One is Different

1h

14th Dec 1955

A man is determined to prevent his teen-age daughter from leaving home and entering a convent - Tv Guide

Sins of the Fathers

33. Sins of the Fathers

1h

15th Dec 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.

See You on Sunday

34. See You on Sunday

1h

16th Dec 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.

Coming of Age

35. Coming of Age

1h

19th Dec 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.

Technique

36. Technique

1h

20th Dec 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.

Gallin: All-American

37. Gallin: All-American

1h

21st Dec 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.

Santa is No Saint

38. Santa is No Saint

1h

22nd Dec 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

The Unwelcomed

39. The Unwelcomed

1h

23rd Dec 1955

The Red Sanders Story

40. The Red Sanders Story

1h

26th Dec 1955

Class of '58

41. Class of '58

1h

9th Jul 1956

Horns of the Dilemma

42. Horns of the Dilemma

1h

28th Dec 1955

Little Girls Grow Up

43. Little Girls Grow Up

1h

29th Dec 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

The Shot

44. The Shot

1h

30th Dec 1955

Mr. Krane

45. Mr. Krane

1h

3rd Jan 1956

Yesterday is Gone

46. Yesterday is Gone

1h

4th Jan 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

Double Door

47. Double Door

1h

5th Jan 1956

The Happy Rest

48. The Happy Rest

1h

6th Jan 1956

The Gate

49. The Gate

1h

9th Jan 1956

One Left Over

50. One Left Over

1h

10th Jan 1956

All the Trees in the Field

51. All the Trees in the Field

1h

11th Jan 1956

The Century Plant

52. The Century Plant

1h

12th Jan 1956

Friday the 13th

53. Friday the 13th

1h

13th Jan 1956

The Old Maid

54. The Old Maid

1h

16th Jan 1956

Mother Was a Bachelor

55. Mother Was a Bachelor

1h

17th Jan 1956

The Bottom of the River

56. The Bottom of the River

1h

18th Jan 1956

The Carefree Tree

57. The Carefree Tree

1h

19th Jan 1956

Interlude

58. Interlude

1h

20th Jan 1956

The Big Box

59. The Big Box

1h

23rd Jan 1956

Sincerely Yours, Charlie Fisher

60. Sincerely Yours, Charlie Fisher

1h

24th Jan 1956

Doc

61. Doc

1h

25th Jan 1956

The Amateur

62. The Amateur

1h

26th Jan 1956

Light and Shadow

63. Light and Shadow

1h

27th Jan 1956

Romney

64. Romney

1h

30th Jan 1956

O Promise Me

65. O Promise Me

1h

31st Jan 1956

Hold My Hand and Run

66. Hold My Hand and Run

1h

1st Feb 1956

Dark Possession

67. Dark Possession

1h

2nd Feb 1956

The Diamond

68. The Diamond

1h

3rd Feb 1956

Susan and God

69. Susan and God

1h

6th Feb 1956

As Young As You Feel

70. As Young As You Feel

1h

7th Feb 1956

The White Knight

71. The White Knight

1h

8th Feb 1956

The Anxious Years

72. The Anxious Years

1h

9th Feb 1956

The Heart of Mary Lincoln

73. The Heart of Mary Lincoln

1h

10th Feb 1956

The Middle Son

74. The Middle Son

1h

13th Feb 1956

Valentine's Day

75. Valentine's Day

1h

14th Feb 1956

Summer Cannot Last

76. Summer Cannot Last

1h

15th Feb 1956

The Last Battlefield

77. The Last Battlefield

1h

16th Feb 1956

The Catbird Seat

78. The Catbird Seat

1h

17th Feb 1956

Dream House

79. Dream House

1h

20th Feb 1956

The Runaways

80. The Runaways

1h

21st Feb 1956

The Ledger

81. The Ledger

1h

22nd Feb 1956

When the Bough Breaks

82. When the Bough Breaks

1h

23rd Feb 1956

I Want to March

83. I Want to March

1h

24th Feb 1956

Skylark

84. Skylark

1h

27th Feb 1956

Tall, Dark Stranger

85. Tall, Dark Stranger

1h

28th Feb 1956

Anything But Love

86. Anything But Love

1h

29th Feb 1956

Robin Daw

87. Robin Daw

1h

1st Mar 1956

Letter to a Stranger

88. Letter to a Stranger

1h

2nd Mar 1956

Dinner at Antoine's

89. Dinner at Antoine's

1h

5th Mar 1956

The Mating of Watkins Tottle

90. The Mating of Watkins Tottle

1h

6th Mar 1956

Her Son's Wife

91. Her Son's Wife

1h

7th Mar 1956

The Shining Palace

92. The Shining Palace

1h

8th Mar 1956

The Odd Ones

93. The Odd Ones

1h

9th Mar 1956

A Cowboy for Chris

94. A Cowboy for Chris

1h

12th Mar 1956

The Rocking Chair

95. The Rocking Chair

1h

13th Mar 1956

The Big Guy

96. The Big Guy

1h

14th Mar 1956

Statute of Limitations

97. Statute of Limitations

1h

15th Mar 1956

The Baron and the Banshees

98. The Baron and the Banshees

1h

16th Mar 1956

Notebook Warrior

99. Notebook Warrior

1h

19th Mar 1956

Temptation for a King

100. Temptation for a King

1h

20th Mar 1956

The White Knight

101. The White Knight

1h

21st Mar 1956

The Anxious Years

102. The Anxious Years

1h

22nd Mar 1956

M is for the Many

103. M is for the Many

1h

23rd Mar 1956

Silent Partner

104. Silent Partner

1h

26th Mar 1956

Winter in April

105. Winter in April

1h

27th Mar 1956

Bread Upon the Waters

106. Bread Upon the Waters

1h

28th Mar 1956

The Giant Killer

107. The Giant Killer

1h

29th Mar 1956

The Book of Ruth

108. The Book of Ruth

1h

30th Mar 1956

Singer in the Valley

109. Singer in the Valley

1h

2nd Apr 1956

The Heart of a Husband

110. The Heart of a Husband

1h

3rd Apr 1956

From the Desk of Margaret Tydings

111. From the Desk of Margaret Tydings

1h

4th Apr 1956

But You Look Like Sisters

112. But You Look Like Sisters

1h

5th Apr 1956

The House of Seven Gables

113. The House of Seven Gables

1h

6th Apr 1956

Fiddlin' Man

114. Fiddlin' Man

1h

9th Apr 1956

The Hollow Woman

115. The Hollow Woman

1h

10th Apr 1956

People in Glass

116. People in Glass

1h

11th Apr 1956

One of the Family

117. One of the Family

1h

12th Apr 1956

Young Hands, Young Feet

118. Young Hands, Young Feet

1h

13th Apr 1956

The Lark Shall Sing

119. The Lark Shall Sing

1h

16th Apr 1956

In Dread of Winter

120. In Dread of Winter

1h

17th Apr 1956

The Babylonian Heart

121. The Babylonian Heart

1h

19th Apr 1956

Ask Me No Questions

122. Ask Me No Questions

1h

20th Apr 1956

Whom Death Has Joined Together

123. Whom Death Has Joined Together

1h

23rd Apr 1956

The Wedding

124. The Wedding

1h

24th Apr 1956

The Reckoning

125. The Reckoning

1h

25th Apr 1956

A Woman Named Ruby

126. A Woman Named Ruby

1h

26th Apr 1956

The Bright Boy

127. The Bright Boy

1h

27th Apr 1956

The Carefree Tree

128. The Carefree Tree

1h

30th Apr 1956

Graybeards and Witches

129. Graybeards and Witches

1h

1st May 1956

The Legend of Jenny Lind

130. The Legend of Jenny Lind

1h

2nd May 1956

Daughter of the Seventh Day

131. Daughter of the Seventh Day

1h

3rd May 1956

Night Must Fall

132. Night Must Fall

1h

4th May 1956

The 25th Hour

133. The 25th Hour

1h

7th May 1956

A Man and His Maid

134. A Man and His Maid

1h

8th May 1956

Perspective

135. Perspective

1h

9th May 1956

The Catamaran

136. The Catamaran

1h

10th May 1956

Johnny Came Marching Home

137. Johnny Came Marching Home

1h

11th May 1956

A Family Affair

138. A Family Affair

1h

14th May 1956

Blind Date

139. Blind Date

1h

16th May 1956

To Have and to Hold

140. To Have and to Hold

1h

17th May 1956

Edwina Black

141. Edwina Black

1h

18th May 1956

The Spare Room

142. The Spare Room

1h

21st May 1956

The Bottle Imp

143. The Bottle Imp

1h

22nd May 1956

Brief Music

144. Brief Music

1h

23rd May 1956

The Girl from Boro Park

145. The Girl from Boro Park

1h

24th May 1956

To Whom It May Concern

146. To Whom It May Concern

1h

25th May 1956

Bachelor Buttons

147. Bachelor Buttons

1h

28th May 1956

The Children of Papa Juan

148. The Children of Papa Juan

1h

29th May 1956

Herself Alone

149. Herself Alone

1h

30th May 1956

Three for the Money

150. Three for the Money

1h

31st May 1956

Taxi to the Moon

151. Taxi to the Moon

1h

1st Jun 1956

The Goodtime Boys

152. The Goodtime Boys

1h

4th Jun 1956

The American

153. The American

1h

5th Jun 1956

Cause for Suspicion

154. Cause for Suspicion

1h

6th Jun 1956

Fight the Whole World

155. Fight the Whole World

1h

7th Jun 1956

Autumn Crocus

156. Autumn Crocus

1h

8th Jun 1956

George Has a Birthday

157. George Has a Birthday

1h

11th Jun 1956

The Serpent's Tooth

158. The Serpent's Tooth

1h

12th Jun 1956

Crime at Blossom's

159. Crime at Blossom's

1h

13th Jun 1956

The Luck of Amos Currie

160. The Luck of Amos Currie

1h

14th Jun 1956

Alison's House

161. Alison's House

1h

15th Jun 1956

Safe Place

162. Safe Place

1h

18th Jun 1956

The Guest Cottage

163. The Guest Cottage

1h

19th Jun 1956

Forsaking All Others

164. Forsaking All Others

1h

20th Jun 1956

Love, Honor and O'Day

165. Love, Honor and O'Day

1h

21st Jun 1956

The Damask Cheek

166. The Damask Cheek

1h

22nd Jun 1956

Moon Over

167. Moon Over

1h

25th Jun 1956

But Fear Itself

168. But Fear Itself

1h

26th Jun 1956

The Birthday Present

169. The Birthday Present

1h

27th Jun 1956

The Ghost of Greenwich Village

170. The Ghost of Greenwich Village

1h

28th Jun 1956

The Young and the Damned

171. The Young and the Damned

1h

29th Jun 1956

There's Always Juliet

172. There's Always Juliet

1h

2nd Jul 1956

Seasoned Timber

173. Seasoned Timber

1h

3rd Jul 1956

The Declaration

174. The Declaration

1h

4th Jul 1956

High Places

175. High Places

1h

5th Jul 1956

Black Chiffon

176. Black Chiffon

1h

6th Jul 1956

Class of '58

177. Class of '58

1h

9th Jul 1956

Marriage by the Millions

178. Marriage by the Millions

1h

11th Jul 1956

Backfire

179. Backfire

1h

12th Jul 1956

The Bishop Misbehaves

180. The Bishop Misbehaves

1h

13th Jul 1956

Remittance

181. Remittance

1h

16th Jul 1956

Beg, Borrow or Steal

182. Beg, Borrow or Steal

1h

17th Jul 1956

Summer Pavilion

183. Summer Pavilion

1h

18th Jul 1956

The Feast

184. The Feast

1h

19th Jul 1956

A Full, Rich Life

185. A Full, Rich Life

1h

20th Jul 1956

The Reverberator

186. The Reverberator

1h

23rd Jul 1956

Woman at the Window

187. Woman at the Window

1h

24th Jul 1956

Another Sky

188. Another Sky

1h

25th Jul 1956

Letter of Introduction

189. Letter of Introduction

1h

26th Jul 1956

Home at Seven

190. Home at Seven

1h

27th Jul 1956

The Cypress Tree

191. The Cypress Tree

1h

30th Jul 1956

Belong to Me

192. Belong to Me

1h

31st Jul 1956

Pygmalion Jones

193. Pygmalion Jones

1h

1st Aug 1956

Gretel

194. Gretel

1h

2nd Aug 1956

Some Man Will Want You

195. Some Man Will Want You

1h

3rd Aug 1956

The Fall of the House of Usher

196. The Fall of the House of Usher

1h

6th Aug 1956

Cupid Rode a Horse

197. Cupid Rode a Horse

1h

7th Aug 1956

The Old Payola

198. The Old Payola

1h

8th Aug 1956

The Perfect Alibi

199. The Perfect Alibi

1h

10th Aug 1956

First air date

31st Oct 1955

Last air date

13th Jun 1958

Status

Ended

Type

Scripted

Original language

en

Networks