Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysAPA Heritage MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)

General Electric Theater

  • TV Series
  • 1953–19621953–1962
  • TV-GTV-G
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
390
YOUR RATING
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Ronald Reagan in General Electric Theater (1953)
  • 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 Re... Read allAn 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.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.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
390
YOUR RATING
  • Creator
    • Joe Connelly
  • Stars
    • Ronald Reagan
    • Don Herbert
    • Nancy Reagan
Top credits
  • Creator
    • Joe Connelly
  • Stars
    • Ronald Reagan
    • Don Herbert
    • Nancy Reagan
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 6User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 11 Primetime Emmys
      • 2 wins & 13 nominations total

    Episodes303

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Photos37

    John Raitt in General Electric Theater (1953)
    General Electric Theater (1953)
    Natalie Wood in General Electric Theater (1953)
    Natalie Wood in General Electric Theater (1953)
    Natalie Wood in General Electric Theater (1953)
    Natalie Wood in General Electric Theater (1953)
    Henry Fonda and Dorothy Malone in General Electric Theater (1953)
    Vincent Price in General Electric Theater (1953)
    Joseph Cotten and Gaby Rodgers in General Electric Theater (1953)
    Patricia Donahue in General Electric Theater (1953)
    Ronald Reagan in General Electric Theater (1953)
    General Electric Theater (1953)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ronald Reagan
    Ronald Reagan
    • Self - Hostas Self - Host…
    208 episodes208 eps • 1953–1962
    Don Herbert
    Don Herbert
    • Self - G.E. Progress Reporteras Self - G.E. Progress Reporter…
    8 episodes8 eps • 1954–1956
    Nancy Reagan
    Nancy Reagan
    • Selfas Self…
    4 episodes4 eps • 1955–1960
    Lee Marvin
    Lee Marvin
    • Art Templeas Art Temple…
    7 episodes7 eps • 1954–1961
    Edgar Buchanan
    Edgar Buchanan
    • Buckskinas Buckskin…
    7 episodes7 eps • 1955–1959
    Nora Marlowe
    • Angie Dwyeras Angie Dwyer…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1954–1962
    Whit Bissell
    Whit Bissell
    • Czadekas Czadek…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1954–1960
    Clark Howat
    Clark Howat
    • Detectiveas Detective…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1956–1961
    Howard McNear
    Howard McNear
    • Clarence Dinwoodieas Clarence Dinwoodie…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1957–1961
    Rhys Williams
    Rhys Williams
    • Bishop Tenneyas Bishop Tenney…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1953–1961
    Pitt Herbert
    Pitt Herbert
    • Martin Perkinsas Martin Perkins…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1954–1961
    Joan Fontaine
    Joan Fontaine
    • Countess Irene Forellias Countess Irene Forelli…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1956–1961
    Vera Miles
    Vera Miles
    • Debra Stoneas Debra Stone…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1954–1960
    Walter Baldwin
    Walter Baldwin
    • Henry Clayburnas Henry Clayburn…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1955–1961
    Harry Tyler
    Harry Tyler
    • Daley - Chauffeuras Daley - Chauffeur…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1953–1958
    Alice Backes
    Alice Backes
    • Ann Linihanas Ann Linihan…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1959–1962
    Dayton Lummis
    • Arnold Hoffmanas Arnold Hoffman…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1953–1957
    Frank Gerstle
    Frank Gerstle
    • Dan Farrolas Dan Farrol…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1954–1962
    • Creator
      • Joe Connelly
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    More like this

    The United States Steel Hour
    8.2
    The United States Steel Hour
    Armstrong Circle Theatre
    8.1
    Armstrong Circle Theatre
    The Dick Powell Theatre
    7.5
    The Dick Powell Theatre
    Schlitz Playhouse
    7.8
    Schlitz Playhouse
    Alfred Hitchcock Presents
    8.5
    Alfred Hitchcock Presents
    Lux Video Theatre
    7.8
    Lux Video Theatre
    The Ford Television Theatre
    7.6
    The Ford Television Theatre
    The Loretta Young Show
    7.7
    The Loretta Young Show
    Small Town Girl
    6.3
    Small Town Girl
    Call Me Madam
    6.8
    Call Me Madam
    Climax!
    6.8
    Climax!
    Kraft Theatre
    8.2
    Kraft Theatre

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The show's sponsor, General Electric, owned the rights to the series from 2004 to 2011 as majority owner of NBC Universal Television, the successor to Revue Studios that was formed following the NBC/"Universal" merger from the combination of NBC with "Universal Television." "NBC Universal" has been controlled by Comcast since 2011, and fully owned by them since 2013.
    • Connections
      Featured in Classic Sci-Fi TV: 150 Episodes (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      Emblem
      (Opening theme)

      by Elmer Bernstein

    User reviews6

    Review
    Top review
    Lou Costello's dramatic role
    "General Electric Theater" was one of the many excellent anthology series during the Golden Age of American television. It's easy to see why corporate sponsors often inserted their names into the titles of these series: the episodes were often of a high standard, catering for an intelligent audience.

    "G.E. Theater" was hosted by Ronald Reagan, at a time when his acting career had hit a slump and he was mulling a career change. More than any other acting role, Reagan's stint as host of "G.E. Theater" (and corporate spokesman for General Electric) was instrumental in his political career. While this series was in production, General Electric sent Reagan to make personal appearances at G.E. factories all over the United States. Reagan met the factory employees and listened to their concerns, getting to meet the public (and taking an interest in their problems) as he never was able to do during his years as a second-string leading man at Warner Brothers. These experiences inspired him to run for public office.

    This posting relates specifically to "Blaze of Glory", an above-average episode of "General Electric Theater" which aired in 1958, starring Lou Costello in a rare dramatic role, following his break-up with Bud Abbott. The split-up of Abbott & Costello had been one of the most vicious and acrimonious split-ups in show-biz history (which is saying a great deal), and Costello was now making a creditable effort to continue his career in a different direction. Unfortunately, he was a difficult type to cast in dramatic roles ... but he gives an excellent performance here.

    "Blaze of Glory" stars Lou Costello as a bumbling plumber (slightly more intelligent than his usual comedy roles) who is sent to a hotel suite to repair a leaky pipe. But the suite is now occupied by a gang of crooks planning their latest robbery. The leader of the crooks (with a poncy foreign name) is played by Jonathan Harris: this was a few years before Harris played Dr Zachary Smith on "Lost in Space", yet Harris's performance here is almost exactly the same as his Dr Smith. Harris is meant to be playing a Moriarty-style criminal genius, but he's not very believable. Even less believable are the no-talent actors who play his deeze-dem-doze henchmen.

    Harris and his henchmen are planning their next caper. When plumber Costello accidentally overhears their plans, he tries to slip out ... but clumsily makes his presence known. Harris and the other crooks capture Costello, planning to kill him. In a fairly implausible climax, Costello manages to outwit Harris and turn the tables on him, capturing all the crooks single-handed.

    The script is pretty bad, far below the usual high standard for "General Electric Theater". But Lou Costello turns in an excellent performance with this poor material, and almost single-handedly elevates it to excellence. It's a shame that he got so few chances to play dramatic roles. On the strength of Costello's performance, I highly recommend "Blaze of Glory" ... not just to Abbott & Costello fans, but to everyone interested in drama from the Golden Age of television.
    helpful•11
    2
    • F Gwynplaine MacIntyre
    • Aug 26, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 1, 1953 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • G.E. Theater
    • Filming locations
      • Iverson Ranch - 1 Iverson Lane, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • General Electric (GE)
      • MCA Television
      • Revue Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      30 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Ronald Reagan in General Electric Theater (1953)
    Top Gap
    By what name was General Electric Theater (1953) officially released in Canada in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page
    Add episode

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The 10 Most Anticipated Marvel and DC Movies
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    2022 TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.