Alcoa Theatre (1957)
A landmark NBC anthology drama series featuring Hollywood's finest in tales of sudden danger and human resilience, airing from 1957 to 1960.
Alcoa Theatre - Series Information
- Original Title: Alcoa Theatre
- First Air Year: 1957
- Last Air Year: 1960
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 109
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: NBC
- Alternative Titles: Alcoa-Goodyear Theatre (FR), Alcoa-Goodyear Theatre (US)
- Production Companies: Showcase Productions, Four Stars Productions, Screen Gems
Alcoa Theatre - Plot
Alcoa Theatre is a half-hour American anthology series telecast on NBC at 9:30 pm on alternate Monday nights from October 7, 1957 to September 16, 1960. The program also aired under the title Turn of Fate, with the stories depicting the difficulties faced by individuals who are suddenly thrust into unexpected and perilous dangers. Alcoa Theatre was syndicated together with Goodyear Theatre as Award Theatre. In 1955, The Alcoa Hour premiered in a one-hour format aired on Sunday nights, but it was reduced to 30 minutes, retitled Alcoa Theatre, and moved to Monday evening in 1957. The show employed an alternating rotating company of actors: David Niven, Robert Ryan, Jane Powell, Jack Lemmon and Charles Boyer. Each appeared in dramatic and light comedic roles through the first season.
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Alcoa Theatre - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- David Niven
- Jane Powell
- Jack Carson
- James Nolan
- Paul E. Burns
- Robert Ryan
- John Eldredge
- Edward Binns
- Lawrence Dobkin
- Harold J. Stone
Writers
- Fred Freiberger
- Leonard Freeman
- Alec Coppel
- David Swift
- Leon Ware
Executive Producers
- Robert Sparks
Alcoa Theatre - FAQs
What is Alcoa Theatre about?
Alcoa Theatre is a half-hour NBC anthology drama series that aired from 1957 to 1960. Each episode tells a standalone story about individuals suddenly thrust into unexpected and dangerous situations. The show featured a rotating company of prominent Hollywood stars performing dramatic and light comedic roles.
Who were the rotating stars of Alcoa Theatre?
The show built its identity around a revolving ensemble of Hollywood talent. During the first season, David Niven, Robert Ryan, Jane Powell, Jack Lemmon, and Charles Boyer each took turns headlining episodes, appearing in both dramatic and light comedic stories throughout the run.
When did Alcoa Theatre first air on NBC?
Alcoa Theatre premiered on NBC on October 7, 1957, airing at 9:30 pm on alternate Monday nights. It ran until September 16, 1960, spanning three seasons and 109 episodes total across its three-year broadcast run.
Is Alcoa Theatre connected to any other series?
Alcoa Theatre has a notable broadcast history. It evolved from The Alcoa Hour, a one-hour Sunday night series that premiered in 1955. It was also syndicated together with Goodyear Theatre under the combined title Award Theatre, and aired in some markets as Turn of Fate.
How many seasons and episodes does Alcoa Theatre have?
Alcoa Theatre ran for three seasons with a total of 109 episodes. Season 1 contained 39 episodes, Season 2 had 34 episodes, and Season 3 wrapped up the series with 36 episodes, concluding the show's run in September 1960.
Did Gene Roddenberry write for Alcoa Theatre?
Gene Roddenberry, who would later create Star Trek, was among the writers who contributed scripts to Alcoa Theatre. The series attracted a talented pool of television writers including Fred Freiberger, Leonard Freeman, and Alec Coppel, reflecting the high production standards of the era.
What genre is Alcoa Theatre?
Alcoa Theatre is a drama anthology series. Each self-contained episode explores the pressures and perils faced by ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances, blending tense dramatic storytelling with occasional lighter comedic moments depending on the episode and the featured star.
What are shows similar to Alcoa Theatre?
Fans of classic anthology drama will enjoy The Dick Powell Show (1961), Inside No. 9 (2014), Thirty-Minute Theatre (1965), and Somerset Maugham Hour (1960). For a similar era and tone, Prudential Family Playhouse (1950) and The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985) are also worth exploring.
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