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Matinee Theater (1955)

5.3 3 seasons 574 episodes Ended

Drama

Matinee Theater is an American anthology series that aired on NBC during the Golden Age of Television, from 1955 to 1958. The series, which ran daily in the afternoon, was frequently live. It was produced by Albert McCleery, Darrell Ross, George Cahan and Frank Price with executive producer George Lowther. McCleery had previously produced the live series Cameo Theatre which introduced to television the concept of theater-in-the-round, TV plays staged with minimal sets. Jim Buckley of the Pewter Plough Playhouse recalled: When Al McCleery got back to the States, he originated a most ambitious theatrical TV series for NBC called Matinee Theater: to televise five different stage plays per week live, airing around noon in order to promote color TV to the American housewife as she labored over her ironing. Al was the producer. He hired five directors and five art directors. Richard Bennett, one of our first early presidents of the Pewter Plough Corporation, was one of the directors and I was one of the art directors and, as soon as we were through televising one play, we had lunch and then met to plan next week’s show. That was over 50 years ago, and I’m trying to think; I believe the TV art director is his own set decorator —yes, of course! It had to be, since one of McCleery’s chief claims to favor with the producers was his elimination of the setting per se and simply decorating the scene with a minimum of props. It took a bit of ingenuity.

Watch S1 E1 Latest: S3 E135

Seasons & episodes

Beginning NowOct 31, 1955 · 1h 0m

Make Believe MotherNov 1, 1955 · 1h 0m

A man who left his wife and infant son turns up years later. He drops in for a visit at the home of his now-married son and grandchildren.…

The Persistent ImageNov 2, 1955 · 1h 0m

A once successful writer, who now verges on the alcoholic, makes one last attempt to sell his latest work. When this fails, he must decide…

I'm Straight with the WorldNov 3, 1955 · 1h 0m

This is the tragic love story of a man and woman who fall in love as youngsters, but each married another.

Progress and Minnie SweeneyNov 4, 1955 · 1h 0m

A young intern tries to convince his fiance she shouldn't have the responsibility of supporting her divorced sister and the sister's child.

The House on Wildwood LaneNov 7, 1955 · 1h 0m

Beyond a Reasonable DoubtNov 8, 1955 · 1h 0m

One for the RoadNov 9, 1955 · 1h 0m

An Apple for Miss MyrtleNov 10, 1955 · 1h 0m

The Man Without a CountryNov 11, 1955 · 1h 0m

JigsawNov 14, 1955 · 1h 0m

An elderly father is being pressured by his family to sell his orange groves to a real estate developer. He resists but starts to reconside…

She's the One with the Funny FaceNov 15, 1955 · 1h 0m

All the Hoffmeyers in the WorldNov 16, 1955 · 1h 0m

During all the years of their married life, Helen has been bullied by her husband Phil--about the neglected house, her ill health and the c…

The Aspern PapersNov 17, 1955 · 1h 0m

In a Korean battle five Americans become detached from their company. They take over a hut in which they find and capture two North Korean…

Roman FeverNov 18, 1955 · 1h 0m

A shy school principal and a rising young attorney are both in love with the same woman. A man who looks a great deal like Abraham Lincoln…

MidsummerNov 21, 1955 · 1h 0m

The Lady ChoosesNov 22, 1955 · 1h 0m

The daughter and sister of a pretty widown decide to play Cupid. Both want to marry her off to a likely suitor. - Tv Guide

The Courtship of Miles StandishNov 23, 1955 · 1h 0m

A Polish merchant learns that his teen-age son and daughter have been won over to communism. He laboriously arranges an escape from the cou…

DispossessedNov 25, 1955 · 1h 0m

One for the RoadNov 28, 1955 · 1h 0m

A beautiful young socialite is found murdered.

The TouchstoneNov 29, 1955 · 1h 0m

A middle-aged bachelor thus far has avoided matrimony. His friends, knowing he is in need of money, arrange a meeting with a prospective br…

Wuthering HeightsNov 30, 1955 · 1h 0m

A mother discovers she is falling in love with the man her daughter has married.

The Brass RingDec 1, 1955 · 1h 0m

A meek little file clerk turns into a veritable tiger when his boss hires an efficiency expert. His file system has worked for 30 years. an…

JasonDec 2, 1955 · 1h 0m

A husband has definite ideas about bringing up his children. He feels his way of life on an isolated island is better than letting his offs…

ArrowsmithDec 5, 1955 · 1h 0m

Three generations come together to celebrate the grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. During the evening the newly wedded granddaughter…

Passing StrangeDec 6, 1955 · 1h 0m

A woman art instructor entering her 30s falls in love with a pupil younger than she. Her overbearing brother tries to convince the woman th…

For These ServicesDec 7, 1955 · 1h 0m

Following the death of her husband, a widow insists on keeping his tailor shop open even though business is falling off. A long-time friend…

Cordially - With BombsDec 8, 1955 · 1h 0m

The White OaksDec 9, 1955 · 1h 0m

An elderly man of letters supports his orphaned teen-age granddaughter. When he hires a young male secretary, the girl believes she has fal…

O'Toole from MoscowDec 12, 1955 · 1h 0m

The Milwaukee RocketDec 13, 1955 · 1h 0m

A young couple moves into the ground floor apartment of a mansion owned by an elderly woman. The husband at first resents the fact that the…

This One is DifferentDec 14, 1955 · 1h 0m

A man is determined to prevent his teen-age daughter from leaving home and entering a convent - Tv Guide

Sins of the FathersDec 15, 1955 · 1h 0m

This is the well-known story of Biblical times about Ruth, whose devotion to her mother-in-law tkes her into a new land among strangers.

See You on SundayDec 16, 1955 · 1h 0m

When a confirmed bachelor who owns a restaurant tries to sell his special recipe for a salad dressing, he gets involved with a beautiful gi…

Coming of AgeDec 19, 1955 · 1h 0m

A young English couple decide that they will live with the groom's aged mother after the wedding. When the bride puts up her house for sale…

TechniqueDec 20, 1955 · 1h 0m

A governess, in love with the father of her charge, is dismayed when she learns the widower is unaware of her feelings and plans to marry a…

Gallin: All-AmericanDec 21, 1955 · 1h 0m

The idyllic existence of an American college professor, who has moved with his second wife and two children to Mexico, is menaced by the su…

Santa is No SaintDec 22, 1955 · 1h 0m

The fifth wealthiest woman in the world hires detectives to trail her fifth husband and ensure his faithfulness. The husband decides to reg…

The UnwelcomedDec 23, 1955 · 1h 0m

The Red Sanders StoryDec 26, 1955 · 1h 0m

Class of '58Jul 9, 1956 · 1h 0m

Horns of the DilemmaDec 28, 1955 · 1h 0m

Little Girls Grow UpDec 29, 1955 · 1h 0m

A young man is trying to keep up pretenses even though the business he inherited from his father is failing. He is furious when a practical…

The ShotDec 30, 1955 · 1h 0m

Mr. KraneJan 3, 1956 · 1h 0m

Yesterday is GoneJan 4, 1956 · 1h 0m

A wealthy industrialist offers to revive the dwindling industry in a small town. In his ruthless business dealings he threatens to ruin the…

Double DoorJan 5, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Happy RestJan 6, 1956 · 1h 0m

The GateJan 9, 1956 · 1h 0m

One Left OverJan 10, 1956 · 1h 0m

All the Trees in the FieldJan 11, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Century PlantJan 12, 1956 · 1h 0m

Friday the 13thJan 13, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Old MaidJan 16, 1956 · 1h 0m

Mother Was a BachelorJan 17, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Bottom of the RiverJan 18, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Carefree TreeJan 19, 1956 · 1h 0m

InterludeJan 20, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Big BoxJan 23, 1956 · 1h 0m

Sincerely Yours, Charlie FisherJan 24, 1956 · 1h 0m

DocJan 25, 1956 · 1h 0m

The AmateurJan 26, 1956 · 1h 0m

Light and ShadowJan 27, 1956 · 1h 0m

RomneyJan 30, 1956 · 1h 0m

O Promise MeJan 31, 1956 · 1h 0m

Hold My Hand and RunFeb 1, 1956 · 1h 0m

Dark PossessionFeb 2, 1956 · 1h 0m

The DiamondFeb 3, 1956 · 1h 0m

Susan and GodFeb 6, 1956 · 1h 0m

As Young As You FeelFeb 7, 1956 · 1h 0m

The White KnightFeb 8, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Anxious YearsFeb 9, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Heart of Mary LincolnFeb 10, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Middle SonFeb 13, 1956 · 1h 0m

Valentine's DayFeb 14, 1956 · 1h 0m

Summer Cannot LastFeb 15, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Last BattlefieldFeb 16, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Catbird SeatFeb 17, 1956 · 1h 0m

Dream HouseFeb 20, 1956 · 1h 0m

The RunawaysFeb 21, 1956 · 1h 0m

The LedgerFeb 22, 1956 · 1h 0m

When the Bough BreaksFeb 23, 1956 · 1h 0m

I Want to MarchFeb 24, 1956 · 1h 0m

SkylarkFeb 27, 1956 · 1h 0m

Tall, Dark StrangerFeb 28, 1956 · 1h 0m

Anything But LoveFeb 29, 1956 · 1h 0m

Robin DawMar 1, 1956 · 1h 0m

Letter to a StrangerMar 2, 1956 · 1h 0m

Dinner at Antoine'sMar 5, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Mating of Watkins TottleMar 6, 1956 · 1h 0m

Her Son's WifeMar 7, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Shining PalaceMar 8, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Odd OnesMar 9, 1956 · 1h 0m

A Cowboy for ChrisMar 12, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Rocking ChairMar 13, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Big GuyMar 14, 1956 · 1h 0m

Statute of LimitationsMar 15, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Baron and the BansheesMar 16, 1956 · 1h 0m

Notebook WarriorMar 19, 1956 · 1h 0m

Temptation for a KingMar 20, 1956 · 1h 0m

The White KnightMar 21, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Anxious YearsMar 22, 1956 · 1h 0m

M is for the ManyMar 23, 1956 · 1h 0m

Silent PartnerMar 26, 1956 · 1h 0m

Winter in AprilMar 27, 1956 · 1h 0m

Bread Upon the WatersMar 28, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Giant KillerMar 29, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Book of RuthMar 30, 1956 · 1h 0m

Singer in the ValleyApr 2, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Heart of a HusbandApr 3, 1956 · 1h 0m

From the Desk of Margaret TydingsApr 4, 1956 · 1h 0m

But You Look Like SistersApr 5, 1956 · 1h 0m

The House of Seven GablesApr 6, 1956 · 1h 0m

Fiddlin' ManApr 9, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Hollow WomanApr 10, 1956 · 1h 0m

People in GlassApr 11, 1956 · 1h 0m

One of the FamilyApr 12, 1956 · 1h 0m

Young Hands, Young FeetApr 13, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Lark Shall SingApr 16, 1956 · 1h 0m

In Dread of WinterApr 17, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Babylonian HeartApr 19, 1956 · 1h 0m

Ask Me No QuestionsApr 20, 1956 · 1h 0m

Whom Death Has Joined TogetherApr 23, 1956 · 1h 0m

The WeddingApr 24, 1956 · 1h 0m

The ReckoningApr 25, 1956 · 1h 0m

A Woman Named RubyApr 26, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Bright BoyApr 27, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Carefree TreeApr 30, 1956 · 1h 0m

Graybeards and WitchesMay 1, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Legend of Jenny LindMay 2, 1956 · 1h 0m

Daughter of the Seventh DayMay 3, 1956 · 1h 0m

Night Must FallMay 4, 1956 · 1h 0m

The 25th HourMay 7, 1956 · 1h 0m

A Man and His MaidMay 8, 1956 · 1h 0m

PerspectiveMay 9, 1956 · 1h 0m

The CatamaranMay 10, 1956 · 1h 0m

Johnny Came Marching HomeMay 11, 1956 · 1h 0m

A Family AffairMay 14, 1956 · 1h 0m

Blind DateMay 16, 1956 · 1h 0m

To Have and to HoldMay 17, 1956 · 1h 0m

Edwina BlackMay 18, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Spare RoomMay 21, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Bottle ImpMay 22, 1956 · 1h 0m

Brief MusicMay 23, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Girl from Boro ParkMay 24, 1956 · 1h 0m

To Whom It May ConcernMay 25, 1956 · 1h 0m

Bachelor ButtonsMay 28, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Children of Papa JuanMay 29, 1956 · 1h 0m

Herself AloneMay 30, 1956 · 1h 0m

Three for the MoneyMay 31, 1956 · 1h 0m

Taxi to the MoonJun 1, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Goodtime BoysJun 4, 1956 · 1h 0m

The AmericanJun 5, 1956 · 1h 0m

Cause for SuspicionJun 6, 1956 · 1h 0m

Fight the Whole WorldJun 7, 1956 · 1h 0m

Autumn CrocusJun 8, 1956 · 1h 0m

George Has a BirthdayJun 11, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Serpent's ToothJun 12, 1956 · 1h 0m

Crime at Blossom'sJun 13, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Luck of Amos CurrieJun 14, 1956 · 1h 0m

Alison's HouseJun 15, 1956 · 1h 0m

Safe PlaceJun 18, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Guest CottageJun 19, 1956 · 1h 0m

Forsaking All OthersJun 20, 1956 · 1h 0m

Love, Honor and O'DayJun 21, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Damask CheekJun 22, 1956 · 1h 0m

Moon OverJun 25, 1956 · 1h 0m

But Fear ItselfJun 26, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Birthday PresentJun 27, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Ghost of Greenwich VillageJun 28, 1956 · 1h 0m

A college boy accidentally kills a girl who is trying to blackmail him.

The Young and the DamnedJun 29, 1956 · 1h 0m

There's Always JulietJul 2, 1956 · 1h 0m

Seasoned TimberJul 3, 1956 · 1h 0m

The DeclarationJul 4, 1956 · 1h 0m

High PlacesJul 5, 1956 · 1h 0m

Black ChiffonJul 6, 1956 · 1h 0m

Class of '58Jul 9, 1956 · 1h 0m

Marriage by the MillionsJul 11, 1956 · 1h 0m

BackfireJul 12, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Bishop MisbehavesJul 13, 1956 · 1h 0m

RemittanceJul 16, 1956 · 1h 0m

Beg, Borrow or StealJul 17, 1956 · 1h 0m

Summer PavilionJul 18, 1956 · 1h 0m

The FeastJul 19, 1956 · 1h 0m

A Full, Rich LifeJul 20, 1956 · 1h 0m

The ReverberatorJul 23, 1956 · 1h 0m

Woman at the WindowJul 24, 1956 · 1h 0m

Another SkyJul 25, 1956 · 1h 0m

Letter of IntroductionJul 26, 1956 · 1h 0m

An American divorcee, transplanted to Paris, receives a letter stating that she is about to be visited by a young man who doesn't know she…

Home at SevenJul 27, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Cypress TreeJul 30, 1956 · 1h 0m

Belong to MeJul 31, 1956 · 1h 0m

Pygmalion JonesAug 1, 1956 · 1h 0m

GretelAug 2, 1956 · 1h 0m

Some Man Will Want YouAug 3, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Fall of the House of UsherAug 6, 1956 · 1h 0m

Cupid Rode a HorseAug 7, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Old PayolaAug 8, 1956 · 1h 0m

The Perfect AlibiAug 10, 1956 · 1h 0m

Cast

John ConteHost