Matinee Theater (1955)
A groundbreaking NBC anthology series that staged five live plays per week, bringing theatrical drama to American daytime television from 1955 to 1958.
Matinee Theater - Series Information
- Original Title: Matinee Theater
- First Air Year: 1955
- Last Air Year: 1958
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 574
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: NBC
- Production Companies: NBC
Matinee Theater - Plot
Matinee Theater is an American anthology series that aired on NBC during the Golden Age of Television, from 1955 to 1958. The series, which ran daily in the afternoon, was frequently live. It was produced by Albert McCleery, Darrell Ross, George Cahan and Frank Price with executive producer George Lowther. McCleery had previously produced the live series Cameo Theatre which introduced to television the concept of theater-in-the-round, TV plays staged with minimal sets.
Jim Buckley of the Pewter Plough Playhouse recalled:
When Al McCleery got back to the States, he originated a most ambitious theatrical TV series for NBC called Matinee Theater: to televise five different stage plays per week live, airing around noon in order to promote color TV to the American housewife as she labored over her ironing. Al was the producer. He hired five directors and five art directors. Richard Bennett, one of our first early presidents of the Pewter Plough Corporation, was one of the directors and I was one of the art directors and, as soon as we were through televising one play, we had lunch and then met to plan next week's show. That was over 50 years ago, and I'm trying to think; I believe the TV art director is his own set decorator —yes, of course! It had to be, since one of McCleery's chief claims to favor with the producers was his elimination of the setting per se and simply decorating the scene with a minimum of props. It took a bit of ingenuity.
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Matinee Theater - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- John Conte
- Johnny Crawford
- John Hoyt
- Peter Hansen
- Patrick Macnee
- Peggy McCay
- Zsa Zsa Gabor
- John Abbott
- Irene Hervey
- Tom Tryon
Writers
- Helene Hanff
- Jerome Ross
- Dale Wasserman
- Frank D. Gilroy
- Samson Raphaelson
Matinee Theater - FAQs
What is Matinee Theater about?
Matinee Theater is an American anthology drama series that aired on NBC from 1955 to 1958. It broadcast five different live stage plays each week in the afternoon, using minimal sets and innovative staging techniques pioneered by producer Albert McCleery, targeting daytime audiences during the Golden Age of Television.
How many episodes does Matinee Theater have?
Matinee Theater ran for 574 episodes across three seasons: Season 1 comprised 199 episodes, Season 2 featured 240 episodes, and Season 3 concluded with 135 episodes. The series aired daily on weekday afternoons, making it one of the most prolific live drama productions in early American television history.
When did Matinee Theater first air on NBC?
Matinee Theater premiered on NBC in 1955 and ran until 1958, spanning three seasons. It was broadcast during the afternoon on weekdays, making it one of the most ambitious daily live drama series of the Golden Age of Television.
Who were the main cast members of Matinee Theater?
As an anthology series, Matinee Theater featured a rotating cast. Notable performers included John Conte as host, along with Johnny Crawford, John Hoyt, Peter Hansen, Patrick Macnee, Peggy McCay, Zsa Zsa Gabor, John Abbott, Irene Hervey, and Tom Tryon appearing across various episodes.
Was Matinee Theater broadcast live on television?
Yes, Matinee Theater was frequently broadcast live on NBC. Producer Albert McCleery staged five different plays per week in real time, using a theater-in-the-round approach with minimal sets and props — a technique he had previously developed on his earlier live series Cameo Theatre.
Where can I watch Matinee Theater online?
Streaming availability for Matinee Theater is limited due to its age and the fact that many episodes were broadcast live. You can check JustWatch for any currently available viewing options in your region, or explore archive resources such as the Internet Archive for preserved episodes.
Who produced Matinee Theater for NBC?
Matinee Theater was produced by Albert McCleery, Darrell Ross, George Cahan, and Frank Price, with George Lowther serving as executive producer. McCleery was the creative driving force, bringing his theater-in-the-round staging philosophy from his earlier series Cameo Theatre to this ambitious daily NBC production.
What genre is Matinee Theater?
Matinee Theater is a drama anthology series. Each episode presented a self-contained stage play adapted for live television, covering a wide range of dramatic subjects and styles. The series was notable for its theatrical staging approach and its role in promoting color television to American daytime audiences.
More About Matinee Theater
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