"Four Star Playhouse" (1952) TV series 1952-1956

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Tay Garnett

Writers:

Jerome Gruskin (writer)
Frank L. Moss (adaptation) (story "Listener, The")

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

25 September 1952 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

This show featured four rotating stars, Charles Boyer, David Niven, Ida Lupino and Dick Powell in individual episodes consisting of everything from comedy to drama.

Plot Keywords:

Anthology | Number In Title

Awards:

Nominated for 14 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

David Niven	...	Various Characters / ... (33 episodes, 1952-1956)
Dick Powell	...	Willie Dante / ... (32 episodes, 1952-1956)
Charles Boyer	...	Paul / ... (29 episodes, 1952-1956)
Ida Lupino	...	Ann / ... (19 episodes, 1952-1956)
Herb Vigran	...	Monte - Bartender / ... (15 episodes, 1952-1956)

Also Known As:

Best in Mystery (USA) (syndication title)
Four Star Theatre (UK) (new title)
Singer Playhouse (USA) (syndication title)
Star Performance (USA) (rerun title)

Runtime:

USA:30 min (129 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Four Star Productions

Trivia:

During the first season (September 1952 to June 1953), this program was broadcast on the CBS-TV network on Thursday evenings between 8:30 and 9:00 PM alternating with "The Amos 'n Andy Show" (1951).

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Biography: Angela Lansbury: A Balancing Act" (1998)

The Lonely Ida Lupino

Although Ida Lupino was not that interesting to look at, her themes of loneliness and singleness made a valuable contribution to later projects such as 'The Twilight Zone' and 'Thriller'. I can't say that I enjoyed this particular project, or any of her projects leading up to 1959. She was probably a better writer than actress.