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Kraft Theatre

Original title: Kraft Television Theatre
  • TV Series
  • 1947–19581947–1958
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
187
YOUR RATING
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Kraft Television Theatre (1947)
  • Drama
A well-received anthology series presenting live television dramas.A well-received anthology series presenting live television dramas.A well-received anthology series presenting live television dramas.
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
187
YOUR RATING
  • Stars
    • Ed Herlihy
    • Vaughn Taylor
    • Valerie Cossart
Top credits
  • Stars
    • Ed Herlihy
    • Vaughn Taylor
    • Valerie Cossart
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 3 wins & 8 nominations total

    Episodes589

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Photos62

    James Dean in Kraft Television Theatre (1947)
    Elizabeth Montgomery and Lee Remick in Kraft Television Theatre (1947)
    Walter Matthau and Nancy Walker in Kraft Television Theatre (1947)
    Kraft Television Theatre (1947)
    William Shatner in Kraft Television Theatre (1947)
    Kraft Television Theatre (1947)
    Kraft Television Theatre (1947)
    Kraft Television Theatre (1947)
    Kraft Television Theatre (1947)
    Kraft Television Theatre (1947)
    Kraft Television Theatre (1947)
    Kraft Television Theatre (1947)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ed Herlihy
    Ed Herlihy
    • Announceras Announcer…
    24 episodes24 eps • 1947–1958
    Vaughn Taylor
    Vaughn Taylor
    • Mr. Mergenthwirkeras Mr. Mergenthwirker…
    32 episodes32 eps • 1947–1957
    Valerie Cossart
    • Mrs. Ryersonas Mrs. Ryerson…
    23 episodes23 eps • 1947–1956
    E.G. Marshall
    E.G. Marshall
    • Colonel Hodgesas Colonel Hodges…
    20 episodes20 eps • 1950–1957
    Joe Maross
    Joe Maross
    • Don Birnhamas Don Birnham
    17 episodes17 eps • 1952–1957
    Mercer McLeod
    • Hardcastleas Hardcastle…
    16 episodes16 eps • 1947–1954
    Richard Kiley
    Richard Kiley
    • Fred Staplesas Fred Staples…
    16 episodes16 eps • 1948–1958
    Dan Morgan
    • 3rd Class Passengeras 3rd Class Passenger…
    16 episodes16 eps • 1950–1958
    Harry Townes
    Harry Townes
    • Billas Bill…
    15 episodes15 eps • 1949–1958
    John Stephen
    • Loomisas Loomis
    15 episodes15 eps • 1947–1954
    Margaret Phillips
    Margaret Phillips
    • Kateas Kate
    14 episodes14 eps • 1947–1953
    John Baragrey
    John Baragrey
    • Edward Rochesteras Edward Rochester
    13 episodes13 eps • 1947–1958
    J. Pat O'Malley
    J. Pat O'Malley
    • Dovetailas Dovetail
    13 episodes13 eps • 1951–1958
    John Newland
    John Newland
    • Krogstadas Krogstad
    12 episodes12 eps • 1949–1953
    Felicia Montealegre
    • Emma Woodhouseas Emma Woodhouse…
    11 episodes11 eps • 1949–1956
    Nancy Marchand
    Nancy Marchand
    • Annas Ann…
    11 episodes11 eps • 1951–1958
    Henry Jones
    Henry Jones
    • Professor Bowdinas Professor Bowdin…
    11 episodes11 eps • 1953–1958
    Mark Roberts
    Mark Roberts
    • Kellyas Kelly…
    10 episodes10 eps • 1949–1958
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Unlike some other early television series, many episodes of this series survive as kinescope recordings. The March 3, 1948 episode is the oldest episode for which a complete copy exists.
    • Connections
      Featured in Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The Early Years (1955-1970) (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      Music of Manhattan
      By Norman Clautier

    User reviews1

    Review
    Top review
    Dean superb in last live television drama
    A LONG TIME TILL DAWN was one of James Dean's last television appearances (out of 25 or so between 1951 and 1954). A Kraft Playhouse hour long presentation in 1953, it starred Dean as Joe Harris, a sociopathic young man who has been unable to make it in NYC with his young wife and whose barely repressed rage has resulted in felony charges - beatings and robberies - that have ended in two prison terms. The drama opens as he has just been let out of his last six month prison term and returns to his NYC neighborhood, looking for his wife, who has returned home to their small town and is living with his father.

    Joe's rage erupts at the storekeeper who advised his wife to leave and he assaults him. Back in his hometown he attempts to make believe he has turned over a new leaf and that all of his mistakes are behind him. However, the old man he has assaulted dies and the police are looking for Joe.

    This production is typical of early television dramas but it is far better written (Rod Serling) than most and Dean is brilliant in a very complex role. He far outshines everyone else in the cast. Although the ending is melodramatic and a bit irrational in terms of continuity, it doesn't really hurt the essentially way ahead of its time character study of the sociopathic personality. All fans of Dean are encouraged to add this to their collection.

    A kinescope of the final dress rehearsal in b&w is available on videotape. The lighting tends to vary from good to rather dark, but it tends to apply mainly to the quality of the commercials (which are left in) and only infringes on a few minutes of act two of the drama.
    helpful•7
    7
    • arneblaze
    • Dec 21, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 7, 1947 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Kraft Mystery Theatre
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • J. Walter Thompson Agency
      • Kraft Foods Inc.
      • Talent Associates
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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