"Armstrong Circle Theatre" (1950) TV series 1950-1963

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Directors:

William Corrigan
John Fitchen

Writers:

Irve Tunick (writer) (2 episodes)
Vance Bourjaily (writer) (episode)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

Release Date:

6 June 1950 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Documentary dramas - plays that were based on true stories, were the forte of Armstrong Circle Theater. Many movie actors and actresses got their start here.

Plot Keywords:

Anthology | Current Events | Public Service | Company Sponsor Name In Title

Cast

Douglas Edwards	...	Host / ... (53 episodes, 1957-1961)
John Cameron Swayze	...	Host / ... (36 episodes, 1955-1957)

Runtime:

USA:60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Trivia:

From June 1950 to June 1955 this show was broadcast weekly for 30 minutes and consisted of original dramas relating to the contemporary world. In September 1955 the show was expanded to 60 minutes and programming consisted of dramatic shows featuring current, real-life events. Between September 1955 and June 1956, this show alternated every four weeks with the following TV shows: "Playwrights '56" (1955); "The 20th Century-Fox Hour" (1955); and "The United States Steel Hour" (1953). In July 1956 "The Kaiser Aluminum Hour" (1956) replaced "Playwrights '56" (1955) and the four shows continued to alternate every four weeks until October 1957. Starting in October 1957, this show alternated every week with the "The United States Steel Hour." This continued until June 1963 when "Reckoning" replaced "The United States Steel Hour"; the final broadcast was on 28 August 1963.

Dean effective in early tv drama

Gene Lockhart stars as an old irishman, longing to win the lottery to return home, in THE BELLS OF COCKAIGNE, a half hour drama, co-starring James Dean. Dean is effective as a young husband and father, who needs money to move to a dry climate in order to aid his ailing son. When Lockhart wins the lottery with a lucky number at the same time, Dean loses his pay in a poker game, Lockhart slips him the lucky lottery number, aiding the young couple as he simultaneously gives up his dream of returning to Ireland. Lockhart is fine. The DVD release of this production states it is an hour long, but it is not. It's 30 minutes. It's paired with the 1957 documentary THE JAMES DEAN STORY.