Matinee Theater
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.
- Created By
- First Aired on
Oct 31, 1955
- Popularity: 147.1996
- 6 votes
- Networks
- (US)
- Production
NBC (US)
- Status: Ended
Show Ended
3 seaons till Jun 13, 1958
Last episode: Course for Collision
Seasons & episodes
Total 3 seasons, 574 episodes
Season 1
Aired
Episode 1Beginning Now60 min
Overview not available
Episode 2Make Believe Mother60 min
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.
Episode 3The Persistent Image60 min
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.
Episode 4I'm Straight with the World60 min
This is the tragic love story of a man and woman who fall in love as youngsters, but each married another.
Episode 5Progress and Minnie Sweeney60 min
A young intern tries to convince his fiance she shouldn't have the responsibility of supporting her divorced sister and the sister's child.
Top Cast
Crew & Team
Producer
Producer
