Playhouse 90 (1956)
The landmark CBS anthology drama that defined live television, presenting bold 90-minute plays with Hollywood's finest talent from 1956 to 1960.
Playhouse 90 - Series Information
- Original Title: Playhouse 90
- First Air Year: 1956
- Last Air Year: 1960
- Created by: Hubbell Robinson, Frank Stanton
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (90 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 134
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: CBS
Playhouse 90 - Plot
Playhouse 90 is an American television anthology series that was telecast on CBS from 1956 to 1960 for a total of 133 episodes. It originated from CBS Television City in Los Angeles, California. Since live anthology drama series of the mid-1950s were usually hour-long shows, the title highlighted the network's intention to present something unusual, a weekly series of hour-and-a-half dramas rather than 60-minute plays. Playhouse 90 began as a pitch by Frank Stanton—the formidable, forward-thinking right-hand man to CBS chairman William S. Paley—during a brainstorming session for program ideas. The project was ultimately developed by Hubbell Robinson, a CBS vice president who received no screen credit on Playhouse 90 but is often described as its creator.
Playhouse 90 - Trailer
Watch a rare archival clip and get a glimpse of this golden age television landmark.
Playhouse 90 - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Hubbell Robinson
- Frank Stanton
Main Cast
- Kim Hunter
- Cliff Robertson
- Nehemiah Persoff
- Charles Bronson
- Jack Palance
- Charles Bickford
- John Ericson
- Dana Andrews
- Joseph Bernard
- Nicholas Colasanto
Writers
- Rod Serling
- Pat Frank
- Leonard Spigelgass
- E.A. Ellington
- Abby Mann
Playhouse 90 - FAQs
What is Playhouse 90 about?
Playhouse 90 was a CBS anthology drama series that aired from 1956 to 1960, presenting original 90-minute live television plays each week. Each episode told a standalone story with a fresh cast, tackling serious dramatic themes at a time when most TV dramas ran only 60 minutes.
Why was Playhouse 90 considered groundbreaking television?
Playhouse 90 pushed the boundaries of what television drama could achieve. Its 90-minute format was unprecedented for a weekly series, and it attracted major Hollywood talent both in front of and behind the camera. Episodes like Requiem for a Heavyweight and The Miracle Worker are still celebrated as some of the finest live TV ever produced.
Who created Playhouse 90?
The series originated from a pitch by Frank Stanton, the influential right-hand man to CBS chairman William S. Paley. It was developed and shepherded into production by Hubbell Robinson, a CBS vice president widely regarded as its creative architect, though he received no on-screen credit.
Who wrote episodes of Playhouse 90?
Playhouse 90 attracted some of the most talented writers of the era. Rod Serling, Reginald Rose, and Abby Mann contributed landmark scripts, alongside Pat Frank, Leonard Spigelgass, David Swift, Charles Einstein, Martin Goldsmith, Don Murray, and E.A. Ellington, forming an extraordinary roster of dramatic talent.
Who are the main actors in Playhouse 90?
As an anthology series, Playhouse 90 featured a rotating cast of performers across its 134 episodes. Notable actors who appeared include Kim Hunter, Cliff Robertson, Jack Palance, Charles Bronson, Dana Andrews, Nehemiah Persoff, Nicholas Colasanto, Jason Robards, Keenan Wynn, and Sydney Pollack.
Did Playhouse 90 win any awards?
Playhouse 90 earned widespread critical recognition during its run, winning multiple Emmy Awards. Rod Serling's Requiem for a Heavyweight won the Emmy for Best Single Program of the Year in 1957, and the series repeatedly swept acting and writing categories, cementing its reputation as the pinnacle of live television drama.
How many seasons and episodes does Playhouse 90 have?
Playhouse 90 ran for four seasons on CBS, producing a total of 134 episodes. Season 1 contained 39 episodes, Season 2 had 40, Season 3 featured 38, and Season 4 concluded the series with 17 episodes before the show ended in 1960.
When did Playhouse 90 first air on CBS?
Playhouse 90 premiered on CBS in October 1956, launching with Rod Serling's acclaimed drama Requiem for a Heavyweight. The series ran until 1960, spanning four seasons and establishing itself as one of the defining achievements of American television's golden age.
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