A single kinescope film recording of this live TV series exists at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago.
Originally filmed in 1947-48 by Jerry Fairbanks Productions and titled Public Prosecutor, the program starred John Howard, Walter Sande, and Anne Gwynne in a typical murder-mystery setting.
The series is most notable for being television's first filmed series.
After running in syndication earlier that year as Public Prosecutor, the program aired on DuMont from 6 September 1951 to 28 February 1952 and was retitled Crawford Mystery Theatre, after sponsor Crawford Clothes. The series was padded out to thirty minutes with the addition of a panel show segment. Before the guilty party was revealed, three studio panelists would attempt to guess his or her identity. This version of the show was hosted by Warren Hull.
The series is most notable for being television's first filmed series.
After running in syndication earlier that year as Public Prosecutor, the program aired on DuMont from 6 September 1951 to 28 February 1952 and was retitled Crawford Mystery Theatre, after sponsor Crawford Clothes. The series was padded out to thirty minutes with the addition of a panel show segment. Before the guilty party was revealed, three studio panelists would attempt to guess his or her identity. This version of the show was hosted by Warren Hull.