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The Philco Television Playhouse

  • TV Series
  • 1948–19561948–1956
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
113
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
24,307
2,635
Kraft Theatre (1947)
Drama
This 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 Ass... Read allThis 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... Read allThis 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 m... Read all
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
113
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
24,307
2,635
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Stars
      • Bert Lytell
      • Jay Jackson
      • Bob Stanton
    Top credits
    • Stars
      • Bert Lytell
      • Jay Jackson
      • Bob Stanton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 2User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Nominated for 7 Primetime Emmys
      • 1 win & 7 nominations total

    Episodes266

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Photos41

    The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)
    Sidney Poitier and Delbert Mann in The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)
    Kurt Kasznar in The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)
    James Dean and Kurt Kasznar in The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)
    James Dean and Kurt Kasznar in The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)
    James Dean and Kurt Kasznar in The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)
    The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)
    The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)
    David Opatoshu in The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)
    Lillian Gish and Bert Lytell in The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)
    Lillian Gish in The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)
    Lillian Gish and Jean Pearson in The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bert Lytell
    Bert Lytell
    • Self - Host…
    52 episodes52 eps • 1948–1955
    Jay Jackson
    • Announcer…
    36 episodes36 eps • 1950–1954
    Bob Stanton
    • Self - Announcer…
    20 episodes20 eps • 1948–1951
    E.G. Marshall
    E.G. Marshall
    • Alf Rylett…
    13 episodes13 eps • 1950–1955
    Vinton Hayworth
    Vinton Hayworth
    • H.L. Potter…
    10 episodes10 eps • 1950–1952
    Vaughn Taylor
    Vaughn Taylor
    • Alfred Stubbs…
    10 episodes10 eps • 1948–1951
    Nelson Olmsted
    Nelson Olmsted
    • Mr. Arcularis
    10 episodes10 eps • 1949–1952
    Edgar Stehli
    Edgar Stehli10 episodes10 eps • 1949–1953
    John Baragrey
    John Baragrey
    • Colonel Brandon…
    9 episodes9 eps • 1948–1955
    Joseph Buloff
    Joseph Buloff
    • The Cantor
    8 episodes8 eps • 1950–1953
    John Newland
    John Newland
    • D.W. Griffith…
    8 episodes8 eps • 1950–1952
    David Opatoshu
    David Opatoshu
    • George…
    8 episodes8 eps • 1952–1955
    John Seymour8 episodes8 eps • 1949–1951
    Olive Deering
    Olive Deering
    • Desdemona…
    7 episodes7 eps • 1948–1953
    Alfred Ryder
    Alfred Ryder
    • Philip…
    7 episodes7 eps • 1949–1952
    Ben Lackland
    • Pickett…
    7 episodes7 eps • 1949–1952
    Alfreda Wallace7 episodes7 eps • 1949–1951
    Grace Kelly
    Grace Kelly
    • Ann Rutledge…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1950–1953
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      During the first season, the show had three names: "The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse" for episodes 1.1 through 1.28; "Repertory Theatre" for episodes 1.29 through 1.31; "Arena Theatre" for episodes 1.32 through 1.38; and finally, starting with episode 1.39, the original name, "The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse", was restored.
    • Connections
      Featured in Grace Kelly: The American Princess (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Salute to Industry
      By Morris Mamorsky

    User reviews2

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    It really was the Golden Age of Television.
    As we enter Y2K, it's good to look back on such terrific programs as The Philco Television Playhouse (so named for a time when one sponsor would pick up the whole tab for the series), when the production people strove for excellence, to do the very best they could on the air for their audience, and when actual thought and attention to the on-screen activities was mandatory. (It was for programs such as this that the "TV Dinner" was created, for better or worse. But at least there was something then to attract our continuous attention.) Philco Television Playhouse and the other anthologies of the day were very, very good television, indeed.
    helpful•12
    1
    • Hup234!
    • Oct 16, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 3, 1948 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Arena Theatre
    • Production company
      • Showcase Productions
    • 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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