Four Star Playhouse 

This show featured four rotating stars, Charles Boyer, David Niven, Ida Lupino, and Dick Powell in individual episodes consisting of everything from comedy to drama.

Stars:

David Niven, Dick Powell, Charles Boyer

Nominated for 14 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
David Niven	...	Adams / ... 32 episodes, 1952-1956
Dick Powell	...	Willie Dante / ... 32 episodes, 1952-1956
Charles Boyer	...	Paul / ... 30 episodes, 1952-1956
Ida Lupino	...	Ellen / ... 19 episodes, 1953-1956
Herb Vigran	...	Monte / ... 14 episodes, 1952-1956

Storyline

This show featured four rotating stars, Charles Boyer, David Niven, Ida Lupino, and Dick Powell in individual episodes consisting of everything from comedy to drama.

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Plot Keywords:

anthology series | early television | anthology | number in title | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The original four stars who were to appear in this show were Charles Boyer, Joel McCrea, Dick Powell, and Rosalind Russell. McCrea and Russell pulled out soon after the company was formed, and were replaced by Ida Lupino and David Niven.

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Crazy Credits

In episode 1.2, "Dante's Inferno," the character played by Regis Toomey is listed as "Lt. Wald," even though he is referred to in dialog several times as "Lt. Waldo." The role of Herb Vigran is identified there as "Monty Leeds," but in all subsequent episodes set in the titular nightclub the name is given as "Monte [no surname]."

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Alternate Versions

The syndicated rerun version of the episode "The House Always Wins" (4/28/1955), also used for at least one video release, is missing Jack Benny's cameo appearance.

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Connections

Referenced in Death in Hollywood (1990)

User Reviews

The Lonely Ida Lupino

Although Ida Lupino was not that interesting to look at, her themes of loneliness and singleness made a valuable contribution to later projects such as 'The Twilight Zone' and 'Thriller'. I can't say that I enjoyed this particular project, or any of her projects leading up to 1959. She was probably a better writer than actress.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 September 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Star Performance

Filming Locations:

Republic Studios - 4024 Radford Avenue, North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Four Star Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min (129 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System) Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1