Armstrong Circle Theatre 

Documentary dramas, plays that were based on true stories, were the forte of Armstrong Circle Theater. Many movie actors and actresses got their start here.

Stars:

Douglas Edwards, Sandy Becker, Bob Sherry

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Douglas Edwards	...	Himself - Host / ... 70 episodes, 1957-1961
Sandy Becker	...	Himself - Host 41 episodes, 1954-1955
Bob Sherry	...	Himself - Host / ... 38 episodes, 1953-1954
John Cameron Swayze	...	Himself - Host 36 episodes, 1955-1957
Joe Ripley	...	Himself - Host 33 episodes, 1952-1953

Storyline

Running for almost thirteen years, this dramatic anthology series featured many well-know actors and actresses, as well as a number who would later go on to become stars. Originally, the program presented dramas written by contemporary writers on a number of subjects, but later in its run it changed to documentary-style dramas on subjects ranging from espionage and the history of Russian communism to the dangers of medical and insurance fraud.

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Plot Keywords:

anthology | three word title | company sponsor name in title | current events | public service | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 June 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

Armstrong Circle Theatre

Company Credits

Production Co:

Talent Associates

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

From June 1950 to June 1955 this show was broadcast weekly for 30 minutes, and consisted of original dramas relating to the contemporary world. In September 1955 it was expanded to 60 minutes, and programming consisted of dramatic shows featuring current, real-life events. Between September 1955 and June 1956 this show alternated every four weeks with the following television shows: Playwrights '56 (1955), The 20th Century-Fox Hour (1955), and The United States Steel Hour (1953). In July 1956, The Kaiser Aluminum Hour (1956) replaced Playwrights '56 (1955), and the four shows continued to alternate every four weeks until October 1957, when it alternated every week with the "The United States Steel Hour". This continued until June 1963, when "Reckoning" replaced "The United States Steel Hour". The final broadcast was August 28, 1963.

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Connections

Featured in Ancient Aliens: The UFO Conspiracy (2018)

User Reviews

Dean effective in early tv drama

Gene Lockhart stars as an old irishman, longing to win the lottery to return home, in THE BELLS OF COCKAIGNE, a half hour drama, co-starring James Dean. Dean is effective as a young husband and father, who needs money to move to a dry climate in order to aid his ailing son. When Lockhart wins the lottery with a lucky number at the same time, Dean loses his pay in a poker game, Lockhart slips him the lucky lottery number, aiding the young couple as he simultaneously gives up his dream of returning to Ireland. Lockhart is fine. The DVD release of this production states it is an hour long, but it is not. It's 30 minutes. It's paired with the 1957 documentary THE JAMES DEAN STORY.