Screen Directors Playhouse
Screen Directors Playhouse is an American radio and television anthology series which brought leading Hollywood actors to the NBC microphones beginning in 1949. The radio program broadcast adaptations of films, with original directors of the films sometimes involved in the productions, although their participation was usually limited to introducing the radio adaptations and taking a brief "curtain call" with the cast and host at the end of the program. During the 1955–56 season, the series was seen on television, focusing on original teleplays and several adaptations of famous short stories.
Radio
The radio version ran for 122 episodes and aired on NBC from January 9, 1949 to September 28, 1951 under several different titles: NBC Theater, Screen Directors Guild Assignment, Screen Directors Assignment and, as of July 1, 1949, Screen Directors Playhouse.Actors on the radio series included Fred Astaire, Lucille Ball, Tallulah Bankhead, Charles Boyer, Claudette Colbert, Ronald Colman, Gary Cooper, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Marlene Dietrich, Kirk Douglas, Irene Dunne, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Henry Fonda, Cary Grant, William Holden, Burt Lancaster, James Mason, Ray Milland, Gregory Peck, William Powell, Edward G. Robinson, Norma Shearer, Barbara Stanwyck, James Stewart, John Wayne, and Loretta Young.
Television
The television version, produced and filmed at Hal Roach Studios, was broadcast for one season of 35 half-hour episodes on NBC, under the sponsorship of Eastman Kodak, airing from October 5, 1955 to June 27, 1956. The final seven episodes aired on ABC from July 4 to September 26. Billed in the opening credits of their respective television episodes are: Lee Aaker, Lola Albright, John Alderson, Leon Ames, Lew Ayres, Lynn Bari, Ralph Bellamy, William Bendix, John Bentley, Charles Bickford, Janet Blair, Ward Bond, Neville Brand, Walter Brennan, Hillary Brooke, Joe E. Brown, Edgar Buchanan, Rory Calhoun, Macdonald Carey, Jack Carson, Joan Caulfield, Gower Champion, Marge Champion, Fred Clark, Constance Cummings, Linda Darnell, Laraine Day, Yvonne deCarlo, Brandon De Wilde, Bobby Driscoll, James Dunn, Leo Durocher, Robert Easton, Buddy Ebsen, Marilyn Erskine, Frank Fay, Errol Flynn, Scott Forbes, Wallace Ford, Sally Forrest, Rita Gam, Nancy Gates, Leo Genn, Greta Granstedt, Barbara Hale, Don Hanmer, Dick Haymes, Dennis Hopper, Kim Hunter, Buster Keaton, Angela Lansbury, Peter Lawford, Cloris Leachman, Sheldon Leonard, Peter Lorre, James Lydon, Jeanette MacDonald, Jimmy McHugh, Fred MacMurray, Lotfi Mansouri, Vera Miles, Ray Milland, Sal Mineo, Thomas Mitchell, George Montgomery, Patricia Morison, Barry Nelson, Edmond O'Brien, Dan O'Herlihy, Dennis O'Keefe, ZaSu Pitts, Basil Rathbone, Philip Reed, Robert Ryan, George Sanders, Herb Shriner, Mary Sinclair, Rod Steiger, William Talman, Casey Tibbs, June Vincent, John Wayne, Pat Wayne, Michael Wilding, Fay Wray, Teresa Wright, Keenan Wynn, May Wynn and Alan Young. But there was one difference between the two versions of the program: while the radio program had presented only condensed versions of well-known plays and films, the television version presented mostly original dramas.The directors of television episodes are: Lewis Allen, Claude Binyon, Frank Borzage, John Brahm, David Butler, Gower Champion, William Dieterle, Allan Dwan, John Ford, Tay Garnett, Hugo Haas, Byron Haskin, Stuart Heisler, Ida Lupino, Leo McCarey, Norman Z. McLeod, George Marshall, Ted Post, H. C. Potter, John Rich, William A. Seiter, George Sherman, Andrew L. Stone, Ted Tetzlaff, Frank Tuttle, George Waggner and Fred Zinnemann.
Directors, vital dates, years of activity as director, episode titles, writers and broadcast dates
- Leo McCarey "Meet the Governor"
- Frank Borzage "Day Is Done"
- John Brahm "A Midsummer Daydream"
- George Waggner "Arroyo"
- William A. Seiter "Want Ad Wedding"
- Norman Z. McLeod "Life of Vernon Hathaway"
- Andrew L. Stone "The Final Tribute"
- Stuart Heisler "The Brush Roper"
- Leo McCarey "Tom and Jerry"
- John Ford "Rookie of the Year"
- H. C. Potter "Lincoln's Doctor's Dog"
- George Marshall "The Silent Partner"
- Ted Tetzlaff "The Titanic Incident"
- Tay Garnett "Hot Cargo"
- Allan Dwan "It's Always Sunday"
- Ida Lupino "No. 5 Checked Out"
- David Butler "Prima Donna"
- George Sherman "Cry Justice"
- Byron Haskin "Affair in Sumatra"
- William Dieterle "One Against Many"
- Claude Binyon "It's a Most Unusual Day"
- George Waggner "The Sword of Villon"
- Fred Zinnemann "Markheim"
- Frank Tuttle "Claire"
- Frank Borzage "A Ticket for Thaddeus"
- Hugo Haas "The Dream"
- Gower Champion "What Day Is It?"
- Lewis Allen "Every Man Has Two Wives"
- Tay Garnett "Partners"
- Ted Post "White Corridors"
- Tay Garnett "The Carroll Formula"
- John Rich "Apples on the Lilac Tree"
- John Brahm "The Bitter Waters"
- Frank Borzage "The Day I Met Caruso"
- Allan Dwan "High Air"
Directors listed by number of "Best Director" Academy Award nominations
- Fred Zinnemann : The Search, High Noon, From Here to Eternity, The Nun's Story, The Sundowners, A Man for All Seasons and Julia
- John Ford : The Informer, Stagecoach, The Grapes of Wrath, How Green Was My Valley and The Quiet Man
- Leo McCarey : The Awful Truth, Going My Way and The Bells of St. Mary's
- Frank Borzage : 7th Heaven and Bad Girl
- William Dieterle : The Life of Emile Zola
Television episodes
| First aired | # | Title | Stars | Writer | Director | Synopsis Cast |
| Oct 5 1955 | 01 | "Meet the Governor" | Herb Shriner and Barbara Hale | Leo McCarey | Leo McCarey | Announcer: "Tonight our director is Leo McCarey, three-time Academy Award winner and creator of such famous pictures as Ruggles of Red Gap, The Awful Truth and Going My Way. The story Mr. McCarey has selected for us this evening is called 'Meet The Governor' and it stars Herb Shriner, in his first dramatic role on television, and co-stars Barbara Hale." Styled in the manner of an episode from a filmed sitcom, replete with a laugh track. |
| Oct 12 1955 | 02 | "Day Is Done" | Rory Calhoun and Bobby Driscoll | William Tunberg | Frank Borzage | Announcer: "Tonight, our director is Academy Award winner Frank Borzage, creator of such celebrated pictures as Seventh Heaven and A Farewell to Arms. The story Mr. Borzage has selected for us this evening is entitled 'Day Is Done' and it stars Rory Calhoun and Bobby Driscoll." Announcer: "Next week, Gower Champion will make his first appearance as a director when he brings us a sparkling dance comedy entitled, 'What Day Is It?' Teamed with Gower will be his lovely wife and partner, Marge Champion. One of the show's highlights will be their famous clown dance. A happy half hour will be yours to enjoy next week when Screen Directors Playhouse brings you 'What Day Is It?' Be sure to join us." |
| Oct 19 1955 | 03 | "A Midsummer Daydream" | Kim Hunter Keenan Wynn Don Hanmer | William Saroyan | John Brahm | Announcer: "Tonight we are pleased to present the noted director John Brahm. Mr. Brahm has chosen for this evening a bright and amusing story by the Pulitzer Prize-winning dramatist William Saroyan. The story is entitled 'A Midsummer Daydream' and it stars Kim Hunter, Keenan Wynn and Don Hanmer." Introduction: "I'm William Saroyan. This play happens on a day made for daydreaming so, of course, it's about marriage. Everyone knows such a day. There are one or two every year. Everything on such a day seems both wide awake and fast asleep. The light on such a day is exceptionally good, too, so that all of a sudden it's easy to see faraway things, like islands, church spires, the towers of tall buildings, snow on mountain tops and so on. The air on such a day is good to breathe, too. Even mistakes of a whole lifetime suddenly seem insignificant and unworthy of regret. In a world in which perfection must always remain only a word, perfection itself seems possible at last, with a little luck. Such days are almost too good to be true for human beings. Perhaps it's just as well that they don't happen too often. When they do happen, though, they seem to change everybody, for the better." |
| Oct 26 1955 | 04 | "Arroyo" | George Waggner | |||
| Nov 2 1955 | 05 | "Want Ad Wedding" | William A. Seiter | |||
| Nov 9 1955 | 06 | "Life of Vernon Hathaway" | Alan Young and Cloris Leachman | Barbara Merlin From a story by Richard Wormser | Norman Z. McLeod | Announcer: "Next week, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes the versatile Hollywood director, Andrew Stone, whose many fine pictures include The Night Holds Terror, The Steel Trap and The Great Victor Herbert. For next week's production, Mr. Stone has written a dramatic story of the medical profession entitled 'Final Tribute'. The stars will be Laraine Day, Dan O'Herlihy and Thomas Mitchell. Be sure to join us." |
| Nov 16 1955 | 07 | "The Final Tribute" | Laraine Day Dan O'Herlihy Thomas Mitchell | Teleplay by Andrew L. Stone From a story by Octavus Roy Cohen | Andrew L. Stone | Announcer: "Next week, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Mr. David Butler, director of such hits as Calamity Jane with star Doris Day, Glory and April in Paris. Mr. Butler will bring us a hilarious musical about a famous singing star, her protege and two famous celebrities. 'Prima Donna' will star Jeanette MacDonald, with special guest stars Laraine Day and Leo Durocher. Be sure to join us." |
| Nov 23 1955 | 08 | "The Brush Roper" | Walter Brennan Lee Aaker and Edgar Buchanan | William Tunberg and Fred Gipson From a story by Fred Gipson | Stuart Heisler | Announcer: "Tonight, we are pleased to welcome Mr. Stuart Heisler who has directed such outstanding pictures as Biscuit Eater, Smash-Up and Blue Skies. For this evening, Mr. Heisler has chosen a humorous western story entitled 'The Brush Roper', which stars Walter Brennan in the leading role." |
| Nov 30 1955 | 09 | "Tom and Jerry" | Leo McCarey | |||
| Dec 7 1955 | 10 | "Rookie of the Year" | John Wayne Vera Miles Ward Bond and introducing Pat Wayne | Written by Frank Nugent From a story by W. R. Burnett | John Ford | Announcer: "Tonight, our director is John Ford, the only man ever to win four Academy Awards for direction. Mr. Ford has selected a fascinating story about the baseball world entitled 'Rookie of the Year'. The starring role is played by one of Hollywood's best known stars, John Wayne, in his first dramatic role on television, and introduces his son, Pat Wayne." Screen Directors Playhouse is brought to you on film by the men and women of Eastman Kodak and Kodak dealers everywhere." |
| Dec 14 1955 | 11 | "Lincoln's Doctor's Dog" | Robert Ryan and Charles Bickford | Written by William R. Cox from a story by Christopher Morley | H. C. Potter | Announcer: "Tonight, our director is Mr. H. C. Potter, whose Hollywood and Broadway successes include Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House and Point of No Return. For this evening, Mr. Potter directs a new television drama entitled 'Lincoln's Doctor's Dog'. The stars are Robert Ryan, Charles Bickford and Richard Long." Introduction by H. C. Potter: "For a long time, it had been an axiom, among book publishers, that stories with a medical background, stories about pets, and incidents in the life of Abraham Lincoln were invariably popular. And the publishers nodded wistfully to each other that a title like 'Lincoln's Doctor's Dog', the triple threat, would be practically irresistible. But nobody ever did anything about it. Until, one day, recently, my friend Christopher Morley, one of the most prolific and best loved American authors, began to dream. Did Lincoln, perhaps, have a doctor, who had a dog, who had a story?" |
| Dec 21 1955 | 12 | "The Silent Partner" | Buster Keaton ZaSu Pitts Joe E. Brown | Written by Barbara Hammer from a story by Barbara Hammer and George Marshall | George Marshall | |
| Dec 28 1955 | 13 | "The Titanic Incident" | Leo Genn May Wynn and Philip Reed | Written by William R. Cox | Ted Tetzlaff | Announcer: "Tonight, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Mr. Ted Tetzlaff, whose many directorial credits include The Window and The White Tower. Tonight, Mr. Tetzlaff directs a story of a gamble at sea aboard the most glamourous ship of its day, entitled 'The Titanic Incident', starring Leo Genn in his first dramatic role on television. Screen Directors Playhouse is brought to you on film by the men and women of Eastman Kodak and Kodak dealers everywhere." Announcer: "Next week, Screen Directors Playhouse proudly presents Miss Ida Lupino, Hollywood's most famous woman director. Miss Lupino will bring us a suspenseful story involving a deaf girl and a gangster, entitled 'No. 5 Checked Out'. Our stars will be Teresa Wright, Peter Lorre and William Talman. Be sure to join us." |
| Jan 4 1956 | 14 | "Hot Cargo" | Rory Calhoun Yvonne deCarlo | Written by David Dortort From a story by Tay Garnett | Tay Garnett | Announcer: "Tonight, we are pleased to present the distinguished Hollywood director Tay Garnett, whose well known motion pictures include A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, with Bing Crosby, The Postman Always Rings Twice and The Black Knight. For this evening, Mr. Garnett has selected the dramatic story entitled 'Hot Cargo'. The stars are Rory Calhoun and Yvonne deCarlo." |
| Jan 11 1956 | 15 | "It's Always Sunday" | Dennis O'Keefe Sheldon Leonard with Fay Wray | Written by D. D. Beauchamp from a story by Jesse Goldstein and Frank Fox | Allan Dwan | Announcer: "Tonight, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Mr. Allan Dwan, director of Sands of Iwo Jima, starring John Wayne. For this evening, Mr. Dwan brings us a warmly human story about a minister and a tramp, entitled 'It's Always Sunday'. Our stars are Dennis O'Keefe, Sheldon Leonard and Fay Wray." |
| Jan 18 1956 | 16 | "No. 5 Checked Out" | Teresa Wright Peter Lorre and William Talman | Written by Willard Wiener from a story by Ida Lupino | Ida Lupino | Announcer: "Tonight, Screen Directors Playhouse proudly presents Miss Ida Lupino, renowned for her direction of The Hitch-Hiker and The Bigamist. For this evening, Miss Lupino brings us the searching story of a deaf girl and the man she is afraid to love, entitled 'No. 5 Checked Out'. In tonight's cast are Teresa Wright, Peter Lorre and William Talman." |
| Feb 1 1956 | 17 | "Prima Donna" | Jeanette MacDonald and Special Guest Stars Laraine Day Leo Durocher | Written by Gene Raymond and Peter Milne from a story by Gene Raymond | David Butler | Announcer: "Tonight, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Mr. David Butler, director of the musical Calamity Jane, which starred Doris Day, and the recently released Glory. For this evening, Mr. Butler will bring us a happy musical treat entitled 'Prima Donna'. Our star is Jeanette MacDonald with special guest stars Laraine Day and Leo Durocher." Note: Gene Raymond, who wrote the story and co-wrote the teleplay, was married to Jeanette MacDonald from 1937 until her death in 1965. |
| Feb 15 1956 | 18 | "Cry Justice" | MacDonald Carey Dick Haymes James Dunn with June Vincent | Written by Donald Hyde | George Sherman | Announcer: "Tonight, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Mr. George Sherman, noted for his direction of many fine western films. His pictures include The Treasure of Pancho Villa and Chief Crazy Horse. For this evening, Mr. Sherman brings us an exciting story of the old west entitled 'Cry Justice'. Our stars are MacDonald Carey, Dick Haymes and James Dunn. Screen Directors Playhouse is brought to you on film by the men and women of Eastman Kodak and Kodak dealers everywhere." Opening narration : "This is Westfield, Missouri". The year is 1871. Some men are planning the future, others are trying to steal it. Justice is swift, the punishment grim and sometimes mistakes are made." Announcer: "Next week, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Mr. Byron Haskin, noted for his direction of such exciting films as The Naked Jungle and His Majesty O'Keefe. Mr. Haskin will bring us an intriguing story of romance set against the tropical background, entitled 'Affair in Sumatra', with Ralph Bellamy, Rita Gam and Basil Rathbone. Be sure to join us." Announcer: "Each week at this time, the Eastman Kodak company invites you to see an outstanding screenplay, produced on Eastman Kodak film with all the scope and realism that only modern motion picture techniques make possible, and brought to you on Screen Directors Playhouse." |
| Feb 22 1956 | 19 | "Affair in Sumatra" | Byron Haskin | |||
| Mar 7 1956 | 20 | "One Against Many" | William Dieterle | |||
| Mar 14 1956 | 21 | "It's a Most Unusual Day" | Claude Binyon | |||
| Apr 4 1956 | 22 | "The Sword of Villon" | George Waggner | |||
| Apr 11 1956 | 23 | "Markheim" | Fred Zinnemann | |||
| Apr 25 1956 | 24 | "Claire" | George Montgomery Angela Lansbury | Philip MacDonald and George Sinclair From a story by Ruth Capps | Frank Tuttle | Announcer: "Tonight Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Mr. Frank Tuttle, who's pictures include Waikiki Wedding and Hell on Frisco Bay starring Alan Ladd. Dr. Stanley Wayne…..George Montgomery Vera Wayne…..Angela Lansbury Kate…..Armanda Randolph Roberta…..Jean Willes Carl…..William Erwin |
| May 9 1956 | 25 | "A Ticket for Thaddeus" | Frank Borzage | - | ||
| May 16 1956 | 26 | "The Dream" | George Sanders Sal Mineo Patricia Morison | Teleplay by Richard and Patricia Karlan Based on a short story by Ivan Turgenev | Hugo Haas | Announcer: "Tonight, our director is Mr. Hugo Haas, one of Hollywood's newest and most talented director-actors. Hugo Haas: "Good evening. All of us live in two worlds — the world of dreams and the world of reality — but who of us can say when one begins and the other ends… or if life itself is not just "The Dream?" Announcer: "Our stars are George Sanders, Sal Mineo and Patricia Morison." Note: Ivan Turgenev's short story "The Dream" , was initially published in 1877. |
| Jun 6 1956 | 27 | "What Day Is It?" | Gower Champion | |||
| Jun 13 1956 | 28 | "Every Man Has Two Wives" | Barry Nelson Janet Blair Buddy Ebsen Mary Sinclair | Frank Gill, Jr. and DeWitt Bodeen From a story by Thames Williamson | Lewis Allen | Announcer: "Tonight, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Mr. Lewis Allen, director of such famous films as Our Hearts Were Young and Gay and The Uninvited. For this evening, Mr. Allen brings us a delightful comedy entitled 'Every Man Has Two Wives'. Our stars are Barry Nelson, Janet Blair, Buddy Ebsen and Mary Sinclair." Styled in the manner of an episode from a filmed sitcom, replete with a laugh track. |
| Jul 4 1956 | 29 | "Partners" | Tay Garnett | |||
| Jul 11 1956 | 30 | "White Corridors" | Ted Post | |||
| Jul 18 1956 | 31 | "The Carroll Formula" | Michael Wilding | Story and teleplay by John L. Greene | Tay Garnett | Announcer: "Tonight, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Mr. Tay Garnett, famous for his direction of such comedy hits as A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. For this evening, Mr. Garnett brings us the hilarious story of a young English professor who stumbles unto a fantastic secret written between the lines of Alice in Wonderland. Our story 'The Carroll Formula'. Our star Michael Wilding." Announcer: "Next week, one of Hollywood's most talented young directors, John Rich, takes over our directors' chair. Mr. Rich will bring us the delightful and humorous story of a young businesswoman who tries to become a housewife after ten years of marriage to her housekeeping husband. Be sure to join us when Screen Directors Playhouse presents Joan Caulfield and MacDonald Carey in 'Apples on the Lilac Tree'." |
| Jul 25 1956 | 32 | "Apples on the Lilac Tree" | John Rich | |||
| Aug 1 1956 | 33 | "The Bitter Waters" | George Sanders and Constance Cummings | Teleplay by Zoe Akins from a story by Henry James | John Brahm | Announcer: "Tonight's Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes the distinguished Hollywood director Mr. John Brahm. For this evening, Mr. Brahm has chosen the story of a beautiful woman's struggle to combat the specter of an ambitious pact. Based on a famous short story by Henry James, our play is called 'The Bitter Waters'. Our stars are George Sanders and Constance Cummings." Note: Henry James' "Louisa Pallant", variously described as a short story or a novella, was initially published in the February 1888 issue of Harper's New Monthly Magazine. |
| Sep 5 1956 | 34 | "The Day I Met Caruso" | The voice of Enrico Caruso as recorded by R.C.A. VICTOR Album LM 6127 Introducing Lotfi Mansouri | Teleplay by Zoe Akins from a story by Elizabeth Bacon Rodewald | Frank Borzage | Announcer: "Tonight, Screen Directors Playhouse is proud to again welcome the distinguished Academy Award-winning director Frank Borzage. Mr. Borzage brings us an unusual musical treat based on a true story from the life of Enrico Caruso and featuring the actual voice of the immortal singer. Our story is entitled 'The Day I Met Caruso'... and introduces Lotfi Mansouri in the title role." Female narrator: "I had been visiting my father's cousin Hannah in Boston. It was years ago, soon after my tenth birthday. There was a dreadful thing called war... and a wonderful thing called the opera... and the greatest singer in the world was a man named Enrico Caruso whom we listed to on the fine Victrola my father had bought, though anything not necessary was regarded as an extravagance in our Quaker household and a sin for which one might be read out of the Society of Friends. Now, Cousin Hannah was putting me on the train for the trip home — my first trip alone — back to New York." Announcer: "Next week, Screen Directors Playhouse presents Mr. Allan Dwan, director of such famous hits as Brewster's Millions and Sands of Iwo Jima. Mr. Dwan has chosen an exciting drama of the men who tunnel through treacherous mud and rock in the high pressure atmosphere under our nation's great rivers. Be sure to join us next week when William Bendix stars in 'High Air'." |
| Sep 12 1956 | 35 | "High Air" | William Bendix Dennis Hopper and John Alderson | Teleplay by A. I. Bezzerides From a story by Borden Chase | Allan Dwan | Announcer: "Tonight, Screen Directors Playhouse presents Mr. Allan Dwan, director of such famous hits as Brewster's Millions and Sands of Iwo Jima. Mr. Dwan brings us an exciting drama that pits father against son in the treacherous high pressure atmosphere of a tunnel construction job. Our story is entitled 'High Air'. Our star William Bendix." Narrator: "New York is an island city. Every year it becomes more crowded… and the torrents of people that come and go require more bridges… more subways… more tunnels. Here, below the Hudson River, sandhogs are building a tube of steel, pushing it through a mile and a half of muck and sand and rock… and what holds the muck and water back?… air. Nothing but air. High air that is rammed into the tunnel by powerful compressors that pump it up to thirty, forty, fifty pounds per square inch. Under such terrific pressure, men can work only a short stretch at a time — an hour below, five hours above. The sandhogs pass the hours between shifts in the sweat shack — sweating it out with all windows closed and heat dancing in waves from the steam pipes to keep them warm." Announcer: "Next week, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Academy Award winner Frank Borzage, whose hits include 7th Heaven and A Farewell to Arms. Mr. Borzage has chosen a heartwarming story of a new citizen's awakening to American freedom... entitled 'A Ticket for Thaddeus'. Edmond O'Brien will star in the title role. Be sure to join us." |