ANTHOLOGY TV SERIES from the 1940's on...
There are lots of seldom or never seen anthology tv shows from years past that were a great place to find many wonderful character actors in different roles... sure wish one of the fun retro channels would bring them back on! UPDATE: One has... Decades Tv Channel often runs several Anthology type shows, Loretta Young's show, One Step Beyond, Thriller... can check out their schedule, they change it up and add new shows all the time :) http://www.decades.com/schedule/
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- CreatorE.A. PattersonWilliam A. SeiterStarsArthur Q. BryanBill ErwinGeorge SandersPresented by Eastman Kodak, this show was a series of original scripts directed by acclaimed directors and featuring well-known performers. The stories ranged from musicals to comedies and dramas.
- CreatorHal KanterRichard MichaelsStarsDarryl HickmanDwayne HickmanPat CrowleySummer replacement show featuring pilot programs that had not been sold.
- StarsKen CarpenterJay JacksonOtto KrugerLive dramatic shows featuring Hollywood stars, adaptations of motion pictures, and a host accompanying. The host would introduce each act, and would conduct an interview with the stars at the end of the play.
- StarsBert LytellJay JacksonBob StantonThis 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 made with the Book-of-the-Month Club, and the plays were adaptations of current novels. Starting in the third season, the television plays were adaptations of plays, novels, dramas, etc., by known and unknown authors. The title of the show was changed to "Repertory Theatre" (1949) for episodes 1.29 to 1.31 and "Arena Theatre" (1949) for episodes 1.32 to 1.38. Effective with episode 1.39, the original title was used. Starting with the fourth season, this show alternated weekly with "The Goodyear Theatre" (1951); starting in the eighth season, this program alternated with "The Goodyear Theatre" (1951) and "The ALCOA Hour" (1955).
- StarsWalter MatthauDavid WhiteConstance FordThe show featured original plays plus plays adapted from works.
- StarsGene RaymondJohn WarburtonNolan LearyAn anthology series which became the first successful filmed series on American television.
- StarsJane WymanPaul BryarTim GrahamAn anthology series hosted by Jane Wyman.
- StarsPolly BergenArlene DahlAnita ColbyAn anthology series with episodes split between comedies and drama. Anita Colby and Arlene Dahl shared hosting duties the first season that was originally filmed live but switched to film. Polly Bergen took over as hostess in the next year.
- StarsSarah ChurchillHoward WierumFrank DalyProbably the longest-running anthology series on television, the "Hallmark Hall of Fame" has been presenting television dramatizations of famous plays and books, as well as original programs especially written for the series, since 1951.
- StarsJason WingreenPaulene MyersMildred TraresAn anthology series of well regarded screenplays. Presenting twelve shows over it's run it showcased many up and coming actors and garnered it's share of Emmy nominations.
- StarsChris PetersenRonny CoxGuillermo San JuanPredecessor to CBS Schoolbreak Specials, this late-afternoon anthology series features stories designed to appeal to the preteen after school audience.
- CreatorJoe ConnellyStarsRonald ReaganDon HerbertNancy ReaganAn American anthology series, with a new episode and different actors and actresses each week. Hosted by Ronald Reagan, the series was sponsored by General Electric's Department of Public Relations.
- StarsJames MasonIrene DunneRobert PaigeOriginally billed as "Playhouse of the Stars" this long running anthology series was originally presented live from New York City. Irene Dunne was briefly the hostess in 1952, and the show frequently used Broadway performers in classic stories.
- StarsDesi ArnazBetty FurnessBruce GordonAn anthology series hosted by Betty Furness in the first season, and Desi Arnaz in the second. Stories came from several genres, often based on fact. A two part episode was spun off as the popular show The Untouchables (1959).
- StarsCampbell SingerThomas HeathcoteRichard CaldicotRichard O. Sullivan as a child genius in the play "Honour Bright".
- StarsElmer DavisCharles DingleRichard BishopDramatic anthology series presenting plays adopted from Pulitzer Prize winning stories, plays, novels, et cetera.
- CreatorA.J. BaconNeil MunroJilly CooperStarsFrank ThorntonJohn Le MesurierRobert DorningAnthology series of one-off, unrelated situation comedies.
- Anthology series consisting of unsold television pilots developed for the 1971-1972 season that weren't picked-up by CBS for their fall line-up
- StarsGeorgann JohnsonParker FennellyJames DeanA Friday night series lasting 2 seasons, of 30 minute playlets, interrupted by cute ads on the value of eating canned soup.
- StarsWilliam BrowerBiff McGuireErnest TruexAn anthology series based in New York City which attracted a high caliber group of actors, often Broadway stars. Stories were both drama and comedies, some original but others adaptions of films and plays.
- Dramatizations of various social issues and ethical dilemmas are presented for the viewer to ponder the resolutions themselves.
- StarsThomas MitchellRussell ThorsonPaul HahnAnthology series based on the short stories of O. Henry.
- StarsRobert SterlingFletcher MarkleJames DalyBroadway plays were presented live in condensed one hour versions.
- StarsRex MarshallRobert EmhardtRobert H. HarrisLive plays featuring people who were in dangerous and threatening situations.
- StarsJames WesterfieldMildred DunnockHenry JonesThis live show was seen through the "eye" of the camera. The actors in each episode would talk to the camera as if it were a person.
- StarsTruman BradleyMichael FoxMarshall ThompsonIn this science-fiction anthology series host Truman Bradley introduces stories extrapolated from actual scientific data available in the 1950's, concentrating on such concepts as space flight, UFO's and mental telepathy.
- StarsGuy KibbeeFaye EmersonJohn ConteThis was an anthology series which aired live. It often featured adaptations of one-act stage plays.
- StarsWillie TylerFrank WelkerHal SmithA youth anthology series focusing primarily on adaptations of children's literature.
- StarsVincent PriceBernadene HayesJoan LeslieA filmed anthology presented in the summer of 1953.
- StarsJoan BennettDennis HopperRip TornA short-lived anthology series, with a running theme. Each episode focused on a person or group that was being pursued. Charles Russell and Eva Wolas shared the role of the producer, while several well-known actors performed. At least one of the episodes was scripted by Rod Serling, who had recently moved to California.
- StarsJohn ContePeter HansenSarah ChurchillA daily anthology show, featuring original material, as well as adaptations of literary classics.
- StarsMarvin MillerPaul FreesRoy GordonIn this hit 1950s TV series, a millionaire indulges himself giving away $1 million apiece to persons he has never met.
- StarsGeorge SandersDon HaggertyPaul HarberThirty minute mystery drama series hosted by George Sanders.
- CreatorRichard AndrewsStarsRichard KileyBetsy PalmerEdward AndrewsIn this live drama series, over two hundred live plays, covering all aspects of society, were shown.
- StarsHugh ReillyGene RaymondRichard ReevesFamily-oriented stories from the pages of "Reader's Digest" were dramatized on film.
- StarsDonald GrayColin TapleyRon RandellThis British production featured lesser-known actors in filmed plays showing people caught in "the vise" of fate created by their own deeds.
- StarsJohn NesbittFrank BaxterMaurice MarsacAnthology series originally featured plays by host, John Nesbitt for season one. Beginning in September 1957, works from other authors were presented as well until series ended in April 1958. Frank Baxter hosted the third and final season.
- StarsJack WebbFelix ReinschKurt KreugerEpisodes based on stories from "True" magazine.
- StarsRussell JohnsonVan HeflinEddie Little SkyA filmed series of one-hour dramatizations of the lives of famous historical people, as well as important historical events.
- StarsIrene DaileyRene AuberjonoisGeorge VoskovecAmerican television anthology series of wide range of genres, from history and drama, to fantasy, and science fiction. Fiction novels, stories, stage plays, fairytales, and historic events are dramatized in each episode.
- StarsDick StarkEdward BinnsRichard KileyLive psychological and murder mystery dramas, and one of the first U.S. television dramas to make effective use of background music.
- StarsSylvia SidneyEdward Everett HortonMelville CooperThis syndicated show presented adaptations of Broadway shows.
- StarsDonald WoodsWally VernonAllen JenkinsAn anthology, the episodes of which were based mostly on the original short stories of Daymon Runyan.
- CreatorMorton S. FineDavid FriedkinStarsWalter CoyScott ForbesDabbs GreerAn unglamorized look at the settling of the American West with pioneers dealing with the elements, beset with nefarious characters and other problems that test their fortitude.
- StarsJohn ConteBurt DouglasKarl SwensonA syndicated anthology series adapted from stories published in the Saturday Evening Post magazine.
- StarsTim O'ConnorJames ValentineHurd HatfieldThe award winning bing play of Mary Chase came to television in 1958. It tells the story of Elwood P. Dowd (Art Carney), a personable chap who drinks a little, and befriends a "pookah", a six foot rabbit he calls "Harvey". Unfortunately, his sister and main caregiver Veta Louise Simmons formation Lorne, and her spinster daughter Myrtle Mae, have had Elwood's condition negatively affect their social lives. Elwood's engaging personality with its one flaw creates problems for those around him. So his sister, thinking it is in his best interests, seeks a cure for her brother's problem. But nothing is ever that simple.
- StarsJack LemmonDavid NivenRobert RyanWhen The Alcoa Hour dramatic anthology series moved from Sunday night to Monday, both the name and the format were changed. Instead of having a completely different cast for each episode, the series now used a set group of actors who would appear repeatedly throughout the series in various roles. While most of the productions were serious dramas, a few comedies were also included in the mix.
- StarsWalter MatthauLee MarvinMargaret HamiltonAmerican television anthology series that aired in 1954 on the American Broadcasting Company "ABC" as a summer replacement for The Motorola Television Hour on alternate weeks from June 1, 1954 to September 21, 1954, swapping airings with the U.S. Steel Hour. The series was produced by Herbert Brodkin. There were nine episodes, one of which was written by Rod Serling.
- StarsJohn McQuadeMarsha HuntE.G. MarshallLive melodrama series featuring situations that people did not create themselves.
- StarsWalter SlezakVincent PriceEverett SloaneAnthology series featuring a different mystery each week.
- StarsDonald MayLarry ThorLew GalloDramatic series of actual people and events at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.
- StarsDanny ThomasHans ConriedVan JohnsonThomas starred in the musical-variety and comedy episodes (many drawn from his earlier Make Room for Daddy (1953)) and hosted the more dramatic offerings.
- StarsHenry JonesJune DaytonRuth WoodsModel Ruth Woods hosted this anthology series of twice-weekly one act plays. The stories could be either dramatic or light comedy with a different cast for each episode. The series ran for only the 1952-53 season.
- CreatorAl SimonStarsWestbrook Van VoorhisBill ErwinNorman AldenA short-lived anthology series narrated by Westbrook Van Voorhis. Each episode tells its own thriller story and featured its own unique cast.
- StarsPhilip CareyLaraine DayWillis BoucheyThis show started in New York City, with Broadway actors and actresses. It then moved to Hollywood, California, where Hollywood actors and actresses headed the cast.
- StarsBetty FurnessClaudette ColbertMargaret HamiltonThe Best of Broadway is a 60-minute live television anthology series that aired on CBS Television on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time from September 15, 1954, to May 4, 1955, for a total of nine episodes. Each show was broadcast live in color from New York City, was an adaptation of a famous Broadway play, and included commercials for Westinghouse featuring Betty Furness. Using a "giant new studio", plays were presented in front of a studio audience, which contributed to a Broadway-like atmosphere.
- StarsFred AstaireKeir DulleaBrian EliotHosted by famous dancer and actor Fred Astaire, this series presented a new drama with each week's episode. Unlike some of the earlier drama series, which tended either toward classics or toward light subject matter, this series often had powerful stories about painful or controversial subjects. Many big names got involved with this series, including actors like Charlton Heston and Lee Marvin, directors like John Ford, and writers like Ray Bradbury.
- StarsRoald DahlPaul TremaineRichard Morse"'Way Out" was a drama in the macabre genre was broadcast each week hosted by Roald Dahl.
- StarsRobert HuttonSteve BrodieBonita GranvilleAn American dramatic anthology series that was known as Gruen Guild Playhouse when it debuted on ABC. "Guild" was dropped from the title when it was shown on the DuMont Television Network in 1952. Sponsored by the Gruen Watch Company.
- StarsLeslie NielsenAudrey HepburnGrace KellyA short-lived American anthology series, lasting for about 3 months. Its first episode was an adaptation of the novel "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes. The show featured early television appearances by then-popular film actors, such as Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. The series was created by famed theatre manager Norris Houghton, but failed to find a show sponsor.
- StarsJoseph CottenJesse WhiteCarl Benton ReidAn anthology of mini-features, new productions largely consisting of hasty retreads of successful 20th Century Fox movies.
- StarsCedric HardwickeJane WyattPatricia SmithMotorola Hour was one of many anthology series in the 1950's. It aired every other week on ABC, featuring top ranked talent in original scripts and well known stories.
- StarsWalter WinchellJohn LarchGeorge CisarCrime stories that Walter Winchell had covered while working with the New York City Police Department.
- StarsAdolphe MenjouTroy MeltonCharles Davis"Target" was a 30-minute US television horror and suspense anthology series produced by Ziv Television Programs, Inc. for first-run syndication.
- StarsLew AyresMelvyn DouglasRalph BellamyFrontier Justice was a CBS television Western anthology series which was a repackaging of episodes from CBS's Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater.
- StarsRay TealRobert CarsonFrank J. ScannellThe anthology series dramatized the lives of clergymen of all faiths and the problems they faced in both their professional and personal lives.
- StarsLuis Van RootenRobert EmhardtLoïs BoltonThis live series featured adaptations of other works (novels, plays, et cetera) plus original works for the show. It was primarily dramas, but a few musicals also were presented. The show is considered one of the major drama series during The Golden Age of Television. Up through episode 1.8, the show alternated with "The Goodyear Theatre" and "The Philco Television Playhouse"; beginning with episode 1.9 to the end of the series in 1957, the show alternated with "The Goodyear Theatre".
- StarsAnna MasseyJohn CastleAnna Cropper"Dead of Night" was a non-hosted UK television anthology series of supernatural fiction, produced by the BBC and broadcast on BBC2 in 1972.
- StarsAdolphe MenjouJohn HamiltonDan WhiteTV comedy anthology series
- StarsJohn GabrielCharles 'Bud' TingwellErik ChittyA classic anthology science fiction series which features adaptations of stories by famous authors including Isaac Asimov, J.G. Ballard, Frederik Pohl and John Wyndham.
- StarsRobert EmhardtMilton BerleJimmy DuranteA show featuring various specials. Some specials were comedy, and others were serious drama by famous authors.
- CreatorBrian ClemensStarsJohn KarlenMichael ParksSusan StrasbergA 90 minute late-night mystery and suspense anthology series which ran on ABC (American Broadcasting Company), between 1973 and 1978.
- CreatorRichard MathesonStarsSebastian CabotSheila LarkenMeg FosterAn anthology of suspense dramas concentrating on individuals confronted with supernatural occurrences.
- CreatorSheldon EppsStarsScott YooJulie AndrewsRenée FlemingFilmed and televised versions of theater productions, such as plays, musicals, operas, ballets, and concerts from around the world.
- StarsAnthony QuayleDarren McGavinJack Thompson"The Evil Touch" was an anthology horror, science fiction and mystery series hosted by Anthony Quayle between 1973-74..
- StarsEllwood KieserPat McGeehanEfrem Zimbalist Jr.This American Roman Catholic religious-themed anthology sheds light on the contemporary search for meaning, freedom, and love.
- StarsBrian RixJoby BlanshardCyril LuckhamBBC Sunday-Night Play is the anthology drama series which replaced Sunday Night Theatre in 1960.
- CreatorFletcher MarkleStarsBetty FurnessPaul BransonCharlton HestonA pinnacle of the Golden Age of Television, "Studio One" presented a wide range of memorable dramas and received eighteen Emmy nominations and five wins during its prestigious nine-year run on CBS.
- StarsWilliam LundiganArt GilmoreMary CostaThis was an anthology series that presented a different story and different set of characters on each episode. It ran from 1954 to 1958 and featured Casino Royale of James Bond fame, which led to two theatrical movies of the same name.
- StarsEd HerlihyVaughn TaylorValerie CossartA well-received anthology series presenting live television dramas.
- StarsWilliam ShatnerAlexander ScourbyClint YoungLive dramas that were broadcast every other week. The show had covered both light and serious drama and featured both well-known and not so well-known actors and actresses.
- StarsLyman BrysonGeorge CrothersAbby LewisOne of Television's earliest religious series providing inspirational drama and readings. Aired usually on Sunday mornings.
- StarsMonica CalhounTammy LaurenNick AngottiCBS late afternoon specials designed for middle school and high school students, dramatizing issues affecting teenagers.
- StarsRichard JoyPaul LambertHelen KleebOf the many anthology series, this is considered the most ambitious with outstanding talent in front of the camera. Attracting top ranked directors and scripts, it was often filmed live including the entire first season.
- CreatorIrving BrecherStarsJackie CooperPatricia BreslinBernadetteSocrates "Sock" Miller joins the city council, clashing with the mayor John Peoples. Sock dates then marries his daughter Mandy complicating things. Sock has a basset named Cleo who shares her thoughts and best friend Rollo.
- StarsJoe E. BrownDolores GrayJohn RaittA once-a-month replacement for Milton Berle's Texaco Star Theatre, it was a one-hour variety show with a circus theme. Hosted by Jimmy Durante.
- CreatorSam ElkinStarsW. Somerset MaughamRobert H. HarrisRoss MartinA short-lived attempt to adapt the works of the veteran British writer William Somerset Maugham for a television audience. Introductions and epilogues often depicted the writer himself, and were filmed in his residence in the French Riviera.