John Conte
Host
Matinee Theater (1955)
Season 1
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.
Released Nov. 8, 1955
Episode 45 min
None+
Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery
Keywords: tmdb.anthology, imdb.two-word-title, imdb.anthology, imdb.television, awards.emmy-award-winner, awards.emmy-award-nominated, awards.golden-globe-winner, awards.golden-globe-nominated
Production Companies: NBC
Network: NBC
Country: United States
Languages:
English
S1E1 - Beginning Now
Oct. 31, 1955, midnight
S1E2 - Make Believe Mother
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.
Nov. 1, 1955, midnight
S1E3 - The Persistent Image
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.
Nov. 2, 1955, midnight
S1E4 - I'm Straight with the World
This is the tragic love story of a man and woman who fall in love as youngsters, but each married another.
Nov. 3, 1955, midnight
S1E5 - Progress and Minnie Sweeney
A young intern tries to convince his fiance she shouldn't have the responsibility of supporting her divorced sister and the sister's child.
Nov. 4, 1955, midnight
S1E6 - The House on Wildwood Lane
Nov. 7, 1955, midnight
S1E7 - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
Nov. 8, 1955, midnight
S1E8 - One for the Road
Nov. 9, 1955, midnight
S1E9 - An Apple for Miss Myrtle
Nov. 10, 1955, midnight
S1E10 - The Man Without a Country
Nov. 11, 1955, midnight
S1E11 - Jigsaw
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.
Nov. 14, 1955, midnight
S1E12 - She's the One with the Funny Face
Nov. 15, 1955, midnight
S1E13 - All the Hoffmeyers in the World
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.
Nov. 16, 1955, midnight
S1E14 - The Aspern Papers
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.
Nov. 17, 1955, midnight
S1E15 - Roman Fever
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.
Nov. 18, 1955, midnight
S1E16 - Midsummer
Nov. 21, 1955, midnight
S1E17 - The Lady Chooses
The daughter and sister of a pretty widown decide to play Cupid. Both want to marry her off to a likely suitor. - Tv Guide
Nov. 22, 1955, midnight
S1E18 - The Courtship of Miles Standish
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
Nov. 23, 1955, midnight
S1E19 - Dispossessed
Nov. 25, 1955, midnight
S1E20 - One for the Road
A beautiful young socialite is found murdered.
Nov. 28, 1955, midnight
S1E21 - The Touchstone
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.
Nov. 29, 1955, midnight
S1E22 - Wuthering Heights
A mother discovers she is falling in love with the man her daughter has married.
Nov. 30, 1955, midnight
S1E23 - The Brass Ring
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.
Dec. 1, 1955, midnight
S1E24 - Jason
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.
Dec. 2, 1955, midnight
S1E25 - Arrowsmith
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.
Dec. 5, 1955, midnight
S1E26 - Passing Strange
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.
Dec. 6, 1955, midnight
S1E27 - For These Services
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.
Dec. 7, 1955, midnight
S1E28 - Cordially - With Bombs
Dec. 8, 1955, midnight
S1E29 - The White Oaks
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
Dec. 9, 1955, midnight
S1E30 - O'Toole from Moscow
Dec. 12, 1955, midnight
S1E31 - The Milwaukee Rocket
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
Dec. 13, 1955, midnight
S1E32 - This One is Different
A man is determined to prevent his teen-age daughter from leaving home and entering a convent - Tv Guide
Dec. 14, 1955, midnight
S1E33 - Sins of the Fathers
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.
Dec. 15, 1955, midnight
S1E34 - See You on Sunday
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.
Dec. 16, 1955, midnight
S1E35 - Coming of Age
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.
Dec. 19, 1955, midnight
S1E36 - Technique
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.
Dec. 20, 1955, midnight
S1E37 - Gallin: All-American
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.
Dec. 21, 1955, midnight
S1E38 - Santa is No Saint
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
Dec. 22, 1955, midnight
S1E39 - The Unwelcomed
Dec. 23, 1955, midnight
S1E40 - The Red Sanders Story
Dec. 26, 1955, midnight
S1E41 - Class of '58
July 9, 1956, midnight
S1E42 - Horns of the Dilemma
Dec. 28, 1955, midnight
S1E43 - Little Girls Grow Up
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
Dec. 29, 1955, midnight
S1E44 - The Shot
Dec. 30, 1955, midnight
S1E45 - Mr. Krane
Jan. 3, 1956, midnight
S1E46 - Yesterday is Gone
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
Jan. 4, 1956, midnight
S1E47 - Double Door
Jan. 5, 1956, midnight
S1E48 - The Happy Rest
Jan. 6, 1956, midnight
S1E49 - The Gate
Jan. 9, 1956, midnight
S1E50 - One Left Over
Jan. 10, 1956, midnight
S1E51 - All the Trees in the Field
Jan. 11, 1956, midnight
S1E52 - The Century Plant
Jan. 12, 1956, midnight
S1E53 - Friday the 13th
Jan. 13, 1956, midnight
S1E54 - The Old Maid
Jan. 16, 1956, midnight
S1E55 - Mother Was a Bachelor
Jan. 17, 1956, midnight
S1E56 - The Bottom of the River
Jan. 18, 1956, midnight
S1E57 - The Carefree Tree
Jan. 19, 1956, midnight
S1E58 - Interlude
Jan. 20, 1956, midnight
S1E59 - The Big Box
Jan. 23, 1956, midnight
S1E60 - Sincerely Yours, Charlie Fisher
Jan. 24, 1956, midnight
S1E61 - Doc
Jan. 25, 1956, midnight
S1E62 - The Amateur
Jan. 26, 1956, midnight
S1E63 - Light and Shadow
Jan. 27, 1956, midnight
S1E64 - Romney
Jan. 30, 1956, midnight
S1E65 - O Promise Me
Jan. 31, 1956, midnight
S1E66 - Hold My Hand and Run
Feb. 1, 1956, midnight
S1E67 - Dark Possession
Feb. 2, 1956, midnight
S1E68 - The Diamond
Feb. 3, 1956, midnight
S1E69 - Susan and God
Feb. 6, 1956, midnight
S1E70 - As Young As You Feel
Feb. 7, 1956, midnight
S1E71 - The White Knight
Feb. 8, 1956, midnight
S1E72 - The Anxious Years
Feb. 9, 1956, midnight
S1E73 - The Heart of Mary Lincoln
Feb. 10, 1956, midnight
S1E74 - The Middle Son
Feb. 13, 1956, midnight
S1E75 - Valentine's Day
Feb. 14, 1956, midnight
S1E76 - Summer Cannot Last
Feb. 15, 1956, midnight
S1E77 - The Last Battlefield
Feb. 16, 1956, midnight
S1E78 - The Catbird Seat
Feb. 17, 1956, midnight
S1E79 - Dream House
Feb. 20, 1956, midnight
S1E80 - The Runaways
Feb. 21, 1956, midnight
S1E81 - The Ledger
Feb. 22, 1956, midnight
S1E82 - When the Bough Breaks
Feb. 23, 1956, midnight
S1E83 - I Want to March
Feb. 24, 1956, midnight
S1E84 - Skylark
Feb. 27, 1956, midnight
S1E85 - Tall, Dark Stranger
Feb. 28, 1956, midnight
S1E86 - Anything But Love
Feb. 29, 1956, midnight
S1E87 - Robin Daw
March 1, 1956, midnight
S1E88 - Letter to a Stranger
March 2, 1956, midnight
S1E89 - Dinner at Antoine's
March 5, 1956, midnight
S1E90 - The Mating of Watkins Tottle
March 6, 1956, midnight
S1E91 - Her Son's Wife
March 7, 1956, midnight
S1E92 - The Shining Palace
March 8, 1956, midnight
S1E93 - The Odd Ones
March 9, 1956, midnight
S1E94 - A Cowboy for Chris
March 12, 1956, midnight
S1E95 - The Rocking Chair
March 13, 1956, midnight
S1E96 - The Big Guy
March 14, 1956, midnight
S1E97 - Statute of Limitations
March 15, 1956, midnight
S1E98 - The Baron and the Banshees
March 16, 1956, midnight
S1E99 - Notebook Warrior
March 19, 1956, midnight
S1E100 - Temptation for a King
March 20, 1956, midnight
S1E101 - The White Knight
March 21, 1956, midnight
S1E102 - The Anxious Years
March 22, 1956, midnight
S1E103 - M is for the Many
March 23, 1956, midnight
S1E104 - Silent Partner
March 26, 1956, midnight
S1E105 - Winter in April
March 27, 1956, midnight
S1E106 - Bread Upon the Waters
March 28, 1956, midnight
S1E107 - The Giant Killer
March 29, 1956, midnight
S1E108 - The Book of Ruth
March 30, 1956, midnight
S1E109 - Singer in the Valley
April 2, 1956, midnight
S1E110 - The Heart of a Husband
April 3, 1956, midnight
S1E111 - From the Desk of Margaret Tydings
April 4, 1956, midnight
S1E112 - But You Look Like Sisters
April 5, 1956, midnight
S1E113 - The House of Seven Gables
April 6, 1956, midnight
S1E114 - Fiddlin' Man
April 9, 1956, midnight
S1E115 - The Hollow Woman
April 10, 1956, midnight
S1E116 - People in Glass
April 11, 1956, midnight
S1E117 - One of the Family
April 12, 1956, midnight
S1E118 - Young Hands, Young Feet
April 13, 1956, midnight
S1E119 - The Lark Shall Sing
April 16, 1956, midnight
S1E120 - In Dread of Winter
April 17, 1956, midnight
S1E121 - The Babylonian Heart
April 19, 1956, midnight
S1E122 - Ask Me No Questions
April 20, 1956, midnight
S1E123 - Whom Death Has Joined Together
April 23, 1956, midnight
S1E124 - The Wedding
April 24, 1956, midnight
S1E125 - The Reckoning
April 25, 1956, midnight
S1E126 - A Woman Named Ruby
April 26, 1956, midnight
S1E127 - The Bright Boy
April 27, 1956, midnight
S1E128 - The Carefree Tree
April 30, 1956, midnight
S1E129 - Graybeards and Witches
May 1, 1956, midnight
S1E130 - The Legend of Jenny Lind
May 2, 1956, midnight
S1E131 - Daughter of the Seventh Day
May 3, 1956, midnight
S1E132 - Night Must Fall
May 4, 1956, midnight
S1E133 - The 25th Hour
May 7, 1956, midnight
S1E134 - A Man and His Maid
May 8, 1956, midnight
S1E135 - Perspective
May 9, 1956, midnight
S1E136 - The Catamaran
May 10, 1956, midnight
S1E137 - Johnny Came Marching Home
May 11, 1956, midnight
S1E138 - A Family Affair
May 14, 1956, midnight
S1E139 - Blind Date
May 16, 1956, midnight
S1E140 - To Have and to Hold
May 17, 1956, midnight
S1E141 - Edwina Black
May 18, 1956, midnight
S1E142 - The Spare Room
May 21, 1956, midnight
S1E143 - The Bottle Imp
May 22, 1956, midnight
S1E144 - Brief Music
May 23, 1956, midnight
S1E145 - The Girl from Boro Park
May 24, 1956, midnight
S1E146 - To Whom It May Concern
May 25, 1956, midnight
S1E147 - Bachelor Buttons
May 28, 1956, midnight
S1E148 - The Children of Papa Juan
May 29, 1956, midnight
S1E149 - Herself Alone
May 30, 1956, midnight
S1E150 - Three for the Money
May 31, 1956, midnight
S1E151 - Taxi to the Moon
June 1, 1956, midnight
S1E152 - The Goodtime Boys
June 4, 1956, midnight
S1E153 - The American
June 5, 1956, midnight
S1E154 - Cause for Suspicion
June 6, 1956, midnight
S1E155 - Fight the Whole World
June 7, 1956, midnight
S1E156 - Autumn Crocus
June 8, 1956, midnight
S1E157 - George Has a Birthday
June 11, 1956, midnight
S1E158 - The Serpent's Tooth
June 12, 1956, midnight
S1E159 - Crime at Blossom's
June 13, 1956, midnight
S1E160 - The Luck of Amos Currie
June 14, 1956, midnight
S1E161 - Alison's House
June 15, 1956, midnight
S1E162 - Safe Place
June 18, 1956, midnight
S1E163 - The Guest Cottage
June 19, 1956, midnight
S1E164 - Forsaking All Others
June 20, 1956, midnight
S1E165 - Love, Honor and O'Day
June 21, 1956, midnight
S1E166 - The Damask Cheek
June 22, 1956, midnight
S1E167 - Moon Over
June 25, 1956, midnight
S1E168 - But Fear Itself
June 26, 1956, midnight
S1E169 - The Birthday Present
June 27, 1956, midnight
S1E170 - The Ghost of Greenwich Village
June 28, 1956, midnight
S1E171 - The Young and the Damned
June 29, 1956, midnight
S1E172 - There's Always Juliet
July 2, 1956, midnight
S1E173 - Seasoned Timber
July 3, 1956, midnight
S1E174 - The Declaration
July 4, 1956, midnight
S1E175 - High Places
July 5, 1956, midnight
S1E176 - Black Chiffon
July 6, 1956, midnight
S1E177 - Class of '58
July 9, 1956, midnight
S1E178 - Marriage by the Millions
July 11, 1956, midnight
S1E179 - Backfire
July 12, 1956, midnight
S1E180 - The Bishop Misbehaves
July 13, 1956, midnight
S1E181 - Remittance
July 16, 1956, midnight
S1E182 - Beg, Borrow or Steal
July 17, 1956, midnight
S1E183 - Summer Pavilion
July 18, 1956, midnight
S1E184 - The Feast
July 19, 1956, midnight
S1E185 - A Full, Rich Life
July 20, 1956, midnight
S1E186 - The Reverberator
July 23, 1956, midnight
S1E187 - Woman at the Window
July 24, 1956, midnight
S1E188 - Another Sky
July 25, 1956, midnight
S1E189 - Letter of Introduction
July 26, 1956, midnight
S1E190 - Home at Seven
July 27, 1956, midnight
S1E191 - The Cypress Tree
July 30, 1956, midnight
S1E192 - Belong to Me
July 31, 1956, midnight
S1E193 - Pygmalion Jones
Aug. 1, 1956, midnight
S1E194 - Gretel
Aug. 2, 1956, midnight
S1E195 - Some Man Will Want You
Aug. 3, 1956, midnight
S1E196 - The Fall of the House of Usher
Aug. 6, 1956, midnight
S1E197 - Cupid Rode a Horse
Aug. 7, 1956, midnight
S1E198 - The Old Payola
Aug. 8, 1956, midnight
S1E199 - The Perfect Alibi
Aug. 10, 1956, midnight
Network: NBC
Episode Runtime: 45 min.
Season Runtime: 45 min.
Released: Nov. 8, 1955
Last Air Date: June 13, 1958, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: NR
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