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

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:

In the late 1960s, Armstrong Circle Theatre was temporarily revived, but not as a weekly anthology series of docudramas. Instead, it presented, over a period of about two years, four special programs, all adaptations of classic Broadway shows. "Brigadoon", "Carousel", and "Kiss Me Kate" all starred Robert Goulet (with different leading ladies), and "Kismet" starred José Ferrer in his only televised appearance in a Broadway musical.

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.