ANTHOLOGY TV SERIES from the 1940's on...
by ReelRarities | created - 01 Jun 2012 | updated - 2 months ago | PublicThere 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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1. Screen Directors Playhouse (1955–1956)
30 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Presented by Eastman Kodak, the program was a series of original scripts directed by acclaimed directors and featuring well known performers. The stories ranged from musicals to comedies and dramas.
Stars: Arthur Q. Bryan, Bill Erwin, Macdonald Carey, George Sanders
Votes: 113
2. Vacation Playhouse (1963–1967)
30 min | Drama, Comedy, Crime
Summer replacement show featuring pilot programs that had not been sold.
Stars: Darryl Hickman, Dwayne Hickman, Pat Crowley, Soupy Sales
Votes: 28
3. Lux Video Theatre (1950–1959)
30 min | Comedy, Drama
Live dramatic shows featuring Hollywood stars. Initially, the show was a thirty-minute weekly show, but when it moved to NBC in August 1954, the show was extended to sixty minutes, and the ... See full summary »
Stars: Ken Carpenter, Jay Jackson, Otto Kruger, Gordon MacRae
Votes: 83
4. Repertory Theatre (1948–1956)
60 min | Drama
This live dramatic series featured original stories and adaptations of novels, plays, et cetera during its eight year run. During the first year, the show was sponsored by the Actor's ... See full summary »
Stars: Bert Lytell, Jay Jackson, Bob Stanton, E.G. Marshall
Votes: 70
5. Goodyear Playhouse (1951–1957)
60 min | Drama
The show featured original plays plus plays adapted from works.
Stars: Walter Matthau, David White, Constance Ford, Gene Lyons
Votes: 52
6. Fireside Theatre (1949–1955)
30 min | Drama
An anthology series which became the first successful filmed series on American television.
Stars: Gene Raymond, John Warburton, Nolan Leary, Dabbs Greer
Votes: 47
8. Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre (1955–1958)
30 min | Drama
An anthology series hosted by Jane Wyman.
Stars: Jane Wyman, Paul Bryar, Tim Graham, Simon Scott
Votes: 36
9. The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse (1953–1955)
30 min | Drama
An 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. ... See full summary »
Stars: Polly Bergen, Arlene Dahl, Anita Colby, Dorothy Green
Votes: 35
10. Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951– )
Comedy, Drama
Probably 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.
Stars: Richard Derr, Vinton Hayworth, Parker McCormick, Harry Mehaffey
Votes: 256
11. CBS Playhouse (1967– )
90 min | Drama
An 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.
Stars: Jason Wingreen, Paulene Myers, Mildred Trares, Melvyn Douglas
Votes: 25
12. CBS Afternoon Playhouse (1978– )
60 min | Drama, Romance
Predecessor to CBS Schoolbreak Specials, this late-afternoon anthology series features stories designed to appeal to the preteen after school audience.
Stars: Chris Petersen, Ronny Cox, Guillermo San Juan, David Hollander
Votes: 44
13. General Electric Theater (1953–1962)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
An 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.
Stars: Ronald Reagan, Don Herbert, Nancy Reagan, Lee Marvin
Votes: 225
14. Schlitz Playhouse (1951–1959)
30 min | Comedy, Drama
Originally 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.
Stars: James Mason, Irene Dunne, Robert Paige, Walter Coy
Votes: 181
15. Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (1958–1960)
60 min | Drama
An 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).
Stars: Desi Arnaz, Betty Furness, Bruce Gordon, Keenan Wynn
Votes: 89
16. ITV Television Playhouse (1955–1967)
60 min | Drama
Stars: Campbell Singer, Thomas Heathcote, Dinsdale Landen, Miriam Karlin
Votes: 32
17. Pulitzer Prize Playhouse (1950–1952)
60 min | Drama
Dramatic anthology series presenting plays adopted from Pulitzer Prize winning stories, plays, novels, et cetera.
Stars: Elmer Davis, Charles Dingle, Richard Bishop, Joan Chandler
Votes: 20
18. Celebrity Playhouse (1955– )
30 min | Drama
Stars: Scott Brady, Angela Lansbury, Howard Duff, Philip Carey
Votes: 19
19. Comedy Playhouse (1961–2017)
30 min | Comedy
Comedic anthology series.
Stars: Frank Thornton, John Le Mesurier, Robert Dorning, Bernard Cribbins
Votes: 30
20. Comedy Playhouse (1971– )
30 min | Comedy
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
21. Campbell Summer Soundstage (1952–1954)
30 min | Drama
Stars: Parker Fennelly, James Dean, Don Hanmer, Kristine Miller
Votes: 14
22. The ABC Afternoon Playbreak (1972– )
90 min | Comedy, Drama
Stars: Rosemary Prinz, Denise Alexander, Barbara Barrie, Katherine Helmond
Votes: 23
23. The Ford Theatre Hour (1948–1951)
60 min | Drama
An 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.
Stars: William Brower, Biff McGuire, Ernest Truex, Ruth McDevitt
Votes: 32
24. Inside/Out (1973–1974)
15 min | Family
Dramatizations of various social issues and ethical dilemmas are presented for the viewer to ponder the resolutions themselves.
Votes: 19
25. The O. Henry Playhouse (1957– )
30 min | Comedy
Stars: Thomas Mitchell, Russell Thorson, Morey Amsterdam, Robert Karnes
Votes: 24
26. Love Story (1954– )
30 min | Romance, Drama
Stars: James Gregory, Beatrice Straight, Lee Bowman, Patricia Breslin
Votes: 9
27. Front Row Center (1955–1956)
60 min | Biography, Drama, Romance
Broadway plays were presented live in condensed one hour versions.
Stars: Robert Sterling, Fletcher Markle, James Daly, Olive Sturgess
Votes: 17
28. Suspense (1949–1954)
25 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Live plays featuring people who were in dangerous and threatening situations.
Stars: Rex Marshall, Robert Emhardt, John Baragrey, Mildred Natwick
Votes: 146
29. The Gulf Playhouse (1952–1953)
30 min | Drama
This 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.
Stars: Mildred Dunnock, James Westerfield, Eddie Bracken, Henry Jones
Votes: 23
30. Science Fiction Theatre (1955–1957)
25 min | Drama, Sci-Fi
In 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 ... See full summary »
Stars: Truman Bradley, Marshall Thompson, Michael Fox, Peter Hansen
Votes: 295
31. The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre (1948–1950)
30 min | Drama
This was an anthology series which aired live. It often featured adaptations of one-act stage plays.
Stars: Guy Kibbee, Faye Emerson, John Conte, Vicki Cummings
Votes: 24
32. ABC Weekend Specials (1977–1995)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
A youth anthology series focusing primarily on adaptations of children's literature.
Stars: Willie Tyler, Frank Welker, Hal Smith, Janet Waldo
Votes: 219
33. Summer Theatre (1953– )
30 min | Drama
A filmed anthology presented in the summer of 1953.
Stars: Vincent Price, Bernadene Hayes, Joan Leslie, Phyllis Coates
Votes: 10
34. Pursuit (1958–1959)
60 min | Drama
Stars: Robert Alda, Warner Anderson, Lew Ayres, Jimmy Baird
Votes: 30
35. Matinee Theatre (1955–1958)
60 min | Drama, Horror, Mystery
A daily anthology show, featuring original material, as well as adaptations of literary classics.
Stars: John Conte, Johnny Crawford, Sarah Churchill, Joan Elan
Votes: 73
36. The Millionaire (1955–1960)
30 min | Drama
In this hit 1950's TV series, a millionaire indulges himself giving away one million dollars apiece to persons that he has never met.
Stars: Marvin Miller, Paul Frees, Roy Gordon, Russ Conway
Votes: 399
37. The George Sanders Mystery Theater (1957– )
30 min | Mystery
Thirty minute mystery drama series hosted by George Sanders.
Stars: George Sanders, Don Haggerty, Paul Harber, Toni Gerry
Votes: 13
38. The United States Steel Hour (1953–1963)
60 min | Comedy, Drama
In this live drama series, over two hundred live plays, covering all aspects of society, were shown.
Stars: Richard Kiley, Betsy Palmer, Mona Freeman, Hans Conried
Votes: 106
39. TV Reader's Digest (1955–1956)
30 min | Drama
Family-oriented stories from the pages of "Reader's Digest" were dramatized on film.
Stars: Hugh Reilly, Gene Raymond, Paul Cavanagh, Anthony Eustrel
Votes: 28
40. The Vise (1954–1961)
30 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
This British production featured less known actors in filmed plays showing people caught in "the vise" of fate created by their own deeds.
Stars: Donald Gray, Colin Tapley, Ron Randell, Robert Arden
Votes: 32
41. Telephone Time (1956–1958)
30 min | Drama
Between 1956 and September 1957, this filmed show featured plays by John Nesbitt, the host of the show. Starting in September 1957, plays by other authors were presented.
Stars: John Nesbitt, Frank Baxter, Maurice Marsac, Florenz Ames
Votes: 89
42. G.E. True (1962– )
30 min | Adventure, Drama
Episodes based on stories from "True" magazine.
Stars: Jack Webb, Felix Reinsch, Kurt Kreuger, Charles H. Radilak
Votes: 13
43. The Great Adventure (1963–1964)
60 min | Drama
A filmed series of one-hour dramatizations of the lives of famous historical people, as well as important historical events.
Stars: Russell Johnson, Van Heflin, Kent Smith, Eddie Little Sky
Votes: 87
44. NET Playhouse (1964–1972)
90 min | Biography, Drama, History
American 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.
Stars: Rene Auberjonois, Irene Dailey, George Voskovec, Richard Dysart
Votes: 19
45. Danger (1950–1955)
30 min | Drama
Live psychological and murder mystery dramas, and one of the first U.S. television dramas to make effective use of background music.
Stars: Dick Stark, Edward Binns, Joseph Anthony, Richard Kiley
Votes: 53
46. Broadway Television Theatre (1952–1954)
60 min | Comedy, Drama
This syndicated show presented adaptations of Broadway shows.
Stars: Sylvia Sidney, Melville Cooper, Edward Everett Horton, Ernest Truex
Votes: 14
47. Damon Runyon Theater (1955–1956)
30 min | Comedy, Drama
An anthology, the episodes of which were based mostly on the original short stories of Daymon Runyan.
Stars: Donald Woods, Wally Vernon, Allen Jenkins, Clegg Hoyt
Votes: 28
48. Frontier (1955–1956)
30 min | Western
An 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.
Stars: Walter Coy, Scott Forbes, Dabbs Greer, Jack Kelly
Votes: 31
49. Ponds Theater (1953– )
60 min | Drama
Stars: Valerie Cossart, Harry Townes, Mildred Dunnock, Carmen Mathews
Votes: 29