Startime (I) (1959–1960)

Stars:

Dean Martin, Marian Anderson, Alice Backes

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Dean Martin	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1959-1960)
Marian Anderson	...	Herself (2 episodes, 1959-1960)
Alice Backes	...	Aunt Pauline (2 episodes, 1959-1960)
Polly Bergen	...	Herself (2 episodes, 1959-1960)
John F. Kennedy	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1959-1960)
Ethel Merman	...	Herself (2 episodes, 1959-1960)
Richard Nixon	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1959-1960)
Jack Paar	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1959-1960)
Vincent Price	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1959-1960)
Ed Wynn	...	Amos Benedict (2 episodes, 1959-1960)
Carl Ballantine	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1960)
Bob Crosby	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1960)
Nanette Fabray	...	Herself (2 episodes, 1960)
Woody Herman	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1960)
Ronald Reagan	...	Himself - Host (2 episodes, 1960)
Jack Sperling	...	Himself (2 episodes, 1960)

Storyline

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Musical

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 October 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ford Startime

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hubbell Robinson Productions, Shamley Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (32 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

The Odd Couple in a Drama

I never heard of "Startime" playhouse on television in 1959. Audie Murphy made a few appearances on television. His performance in "The Man" episode was not good. Mr. Murphy played a disturbed former soldier who is trying to kill his former buddy's mother (Thelma Ritter). Ms. Ritter is terrific. Mr. Murphy tried to keep up with Ms. Ritter. Their scenes together were good, but when he is alone and trying to act like a psycho, he overacts.

The script is not very good. It doesn't explain why he wants to kill his buddy's mother, however, you can't stop watching the entire one-hour show. Another performance that was over Mr. Murphy's head was in "The Quiet American". Mr. Murphy was best in westerns.

The highlight came after the show was when Mr. Murphy spoke to the audience, apparently, it wasn't a routine thing to do for the star of the show, but Mr. Murphy wanted to. It was nice to see this quiet man, standing in front of his sponsor's car, praising his leading lady, the other actors, and the sponsor. That segment showed you a glimpse of the real man. What a waste, when Mr. Murphy died in that plane accident in 1971.