TV: 1940s
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- StarsFrank GallopJack La RueMercer McLeod"Lights Out" was a US narrated horror short story series.
- StarsWilliam BrowerBiff McGuireErnest TruexAn anthology series based in New York City which attracted a high caliber group of actors, often Broadway stars. Stories were both drama and comedies, some original but others adaptions of films and plays.
- StarsBert LytellJay JacksonBob StantonThis live dramatic series featured original stories and adaptations of novels, plays, etc., during its eight-year run. During the first year, the show was sponsored by the Actor's Equity Association, and featured adaptations of Broadway plays and musicals. Bert Lytell, the former President of the Association, acted as host. During the second season, an agreement was made with the Book-of-the-Month Club, and the plays were adaptations of current novels. Starting in the third season, the television plays were adaptations of plays, novels, dramas, etc., by known and unknown authors. The title of the show was changed to "Repertory Theatre" (1949) for episodes 1.29 to 1.31 and "Arena Theatre" (1949) for episodes 1.32 to 1.38. Effective with episode 1.39, the original title was used. Starting with the fourth season, this show alternated weekly with "The Goodyear Theatre" (1951); starting in the eighth season, this program alternated with "The Goodyear Theatre" (1951) and "The ALCOA Hour" (1955).
- StarsEd HerlihyVaughn TaylorValerie CossartA well-received anthology series presenting live television dramas.
- StarsRex MarshallRobert EmhardtRobert H. HarrisLive plays featuring people who were in dangerous and threatening situations.
- StarsFrank M. ThomasNicholas SaundersWilliam GarganPrivate detective Martin Kane works in New York solving crimes. Depending on the year, Kane was either smooth and suave or hard bitten and the cooperation he received from the police depended on the year. The only constant was Happy McMann's tobacco shop where Kane hung out.
- StarsGene RaymondJohn WarburtonNolan LearyAn anthology series which became the first successful filmed series on American television.
- StarsLarry SemonOliver ThorndikeParker McCormickSuspense/Anthology series based on an ABC radio series which ran from 1946-48. The half-hour series mostly consisted of original dramas concerning murder, mayhem or insanity. Series narrator Larry Semon was the only regular; each week a new set of actors were featured. The title of the series was derived from a clock which was major plot element in each story. The show's musical theme was "The Sands of Time."
- StarsGuy KibbeeFaye EmersonJohn ConteThis was an anthology series which aired live. It often featured adaptations of one-act stage plays.
- StarsMilton BerleSid StoneJimmy NelsonThe Texaco Star Theatre was one of the most popular shows in the history of television. In the first year, Milton Berle was not the permanent emcee, but once he replaced the rotation, the show soared to ratings dominance (Number One in 1950-51), NBC dominated Tuesday night, and Berle became the first great star of the new medium, "Mr. Television". The basic format was modeled after a vaudeville variety hour, spotlighting Berle's jokes, sight gags, and costumes.
- StarsWill BradleyFred RobbinsWilliam B. WilliamsHosted by well-known disc-jockey Fred Robbins (and later Bill Williams), this show gave viewers a glimpse into the world of jazz. Showcasing the talents of some of the premier musicians and singers of the genre, Robbins also introduced viewers to some of the inside lingo used by the performers and their fans.
- StarsThe Oscar Bradley OrchestraLee VinesDan SeymourThe host interviewed entertainers, politicians and average Americans to discuss important events in their lives.
- StarsBennett Cerf
- CreatorClifford GoldsmithStarsHouse JamesonJackie KelkMary MaloneBased on a popular radio show, this middle-class-American-family comedy is built around the life of the Aldrich family of Elm Street, Centerville and particularly focuses on the adventures of high-schooler Henry Aldrich.
- StarsMarc ConnellyGeorge KeaneDon HanmerProduced by the ABC as its television network was just getting off the ground, this program was one of the first dramatic series television to attract top-name actors and actresses. Performing plays by such authors as Poe and Thurber, cast members included current well-known performers like Julie Harris and Cloris Leachman, as well as up-and-coming talents like Marlon Brando. The series was renamed "The Play's the Thing" midway through its final season.
- StarsAnne FrancisJanis PaigeEva Marie SaintTwo plot lines evolved for this show. The first, broadcast from August 1949 to January 1951, was a live variety show set in a nightclub with guest singers, comedians, etc. Guests who did not perform that night, or other famous people, were seen sitting at ringside in the "nightclub." The original emcee was George "the Greek Ambassador of Good Will" Givot but he left after two months, replaced by comedian Harold Barry who was succeeded by singer Bob Russell. Anne Francis appeared in floor covering commercials as "Bonny Maid" assisted by four other people. The show went off the air in January 1951 and returned in September 1951 with a different format. Lady Irish Mountbatten appeared with a group of children and the show featured children's stories and songs; the show finally went off the air in December 1951.
- StarsArthur ShieldsLeif EricksonSelena RoyleFilmed dramas of famous literary short stories by authors such as Guy de Maupassant, Robert Louis Stevenson, Henry James, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, etc.
- StarsSammy Spear and His OrchestraJackie GleasonJack LescoulieAn hour of live variety, in the classic sense of television's Golden Age.
- StarsFred WaringJoe MarineDaisy BernierStandard musical show featuring Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians. During the 1949-50 season, there was a dance contest titled Video Ballroom.
- StarsEd SullivanThe Ray Bloch OrchestraRay BlochThe classic prime time variety show most famous for its vaudeville acts and rock music performances.