Frank Stanton
Director
Playhouse 90 (1956)
Season 2
Playhouse 90 is an American television anthology series that was telecast on CBS from 1956 to 1960 for a total of 133 episodes. It originated from CBS Television City in Los Angeles, California. Since live anthology drama series of the mid-1950s were usually hour-long shows, the title highlighted the network's intention to present something unusual, a weekly series of hour-and-a-half dramas rather than 60-minute plays. Playhouse 90 began as a pitch by Frank Stanton—the formidable, forward-thinking right-hand man to CBS chairman William S. Paley—during a brainstorming session for program ideas. The project was ultimately developed by Hubbell Robinson, a CBS vice president who received no screen credit on Playhouse 90 but is often described as its creator.
Released Oct. 4, 1956
Episode 90 min
None+
Keywords: mdblist.has-trailer, imdb.two-word-title, imdb.anthology-television-series, imdb.all-star-cast, awards.emmy-award-winner, awards.emmy-award-nominated, awards.golden-globe-winner, awards.golden-globe-nominated
Network: CBS
Country: United States
Languages:
English
S2E1 - The Death of Manolete
The last hours in the life of Spain's most celebrated matador.
Sept. 12, 1957, midnight
S2E2 - The Dark Side of the Earth
A drama set in 1956, during the unsuccessful Hungarian uprising against the Russians
Sept. 19, 1957, midnight
S2E3 - Topaze
A mild-mannered schoolteacher gradually abandons all his principles - and finds the success which has always hitherto eluded him.
Sept. 26, 1957, midnight
S2E4 - A Sound of Different Drummers
In a dystopian society, reading is forbidden.
Oct. 3, 1957, midnight
S2E5 - The Playroom
When a mother wins an award, she finds out a few things about her three grown-up children.
Oct. 10, 1957, midnight
S2E6 - Around the World in 90 Minutes
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.
Oct. 17, 1957, midnight
S2E7 - The Mystery of Thirteen
The story of William Palmer, one of the most notorious poisoners in Victorian England - or was he?
Oct. 24, 1957, midnight
S2E8 - The Edge of Innocence
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.
Oct. 31, 1957, midnight
S2E9 - The Clouded Image
Nov. 7, 1957, midnight
S2E10 - The Jet-Propelled Couch
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.
Nov. 14, 1957, midnight
S2E11 - The Troublemakers
Nov. 21, 1957, midnight
S2E12 - Panic Button
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.
Nov. 28, 1957, midnight
S2E13 - Galvanized Yankee
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.
Dec. 5, 1957, midnight
S2E14 - The Thundering Wave
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.
Dec. 12, 1957, midnight
S2E15 - For I Have Loved Strangers
Dec. 19, 1957, midnight
S2E16 - The Lone Woman
Dec. 26, 1957, midnight
S2E17 - Reunion
A reunion party for old army buddies turns inexorably into something darker and more sinister.
Jan. 2, 1958, midnight
S2E18 - The Last Man
Jan. 9, 1958, midnight
S2E19 - The 80 Yard Run
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?
Jan. 16, 1958, midnight
S2E20 - Before I Die
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.
Jan. 23, 1958, midnight
S2E21 - The Gentleman from Seventh Avenue
Mr. Golden wonders if he has wasted his life; but the news that he is to become a grandfather cheers him.
Jan. 30, 1958, midnight
S2E22 - The Violent Heart
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.
Feb. 6, 1958, midnight
S2E23 - No Time at All
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.
Feb. 13, 1958, midnight
S2E24 - Point of No Return
Waiting to find out if he's obtained a valuable promotion, a banker returns to the small town he grew up in.
Feb. 20, 1958, midnight
S2E25 - Portrait of a Murderer
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.
Feb. 27, 1958, midnight
S2E26 - The Last Clear Chance
A veteran lawyer must defend his own son when the latter is threatened with disbarment.
March 6, 1958, midnight
S2E27 - The Male Animal
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.
March 13, 1958, midnight
S2E28 - The Right Hand Man
The story of a struggle for control of a Hollywood talent agency.
March 20, 1958, midnight
S2E29 - Turn Left at Mount Everest
April 3, 1958, midnight
S2E30 - The Dungeon
April 17, 1958, midnight
S2E31 - Verdict of Three
A murder trial is followed through different jurors and their reactions.
April 24, 1958, midnight
S2E32 - Rumors of Evening
May 1, 1958, midnight
S2E33 - Not the Glory
May 8, 1958, midnight
S2E34 - Nightmare at Ground Zero
After the first atom bomb test, scientists realize the bomb was more powerful than they expected - which may have terrible results.
May 15, 1958, midnight
S2E35 - Bomber's Moon
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.
May 22, 1958, midnight
S2E36 - Natchez
A Civil War veteran returns home to find his father has become a social pariah.
May 29, 1958, midnight
S2E37 - The Innocent Sleep
When a rich man marries a much younger wife and his ailing health gets rather worse, the housekeeper suspects a murder attempt is looming.
June 5, 1958, midnight
S2E38 - A Town Has Turned to Dust
A weakling sheriff is unable to prevent a lynching. Can he redeem himself by preventing a second one?
June 19, 1958, midnight
S2E39 - The Great Gatsby
A Midwesterner becomes fascinated with his wealthy neighbor, who obsesses over his lost love.
June 26, 1958, midnight
S2E40 - Bitter Heritage
The James boys, being framed for a bank heist, are saved by the banker's daughter.
Aug. 7, 1958, midnight
Watch Trailer
CBS
90 min/ep
12060 min
Oct. 4, 1956
May 16, 1960, midnight
Ended
NR
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