John Conte
Host
Matinee Theater (1955)
Season 2
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.
Released Nov. 8, 1955
Episode 45 min
None+
Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery
Keywords: tmdb.anthology, imdb.two-word-title, imdb.anthology, imdb.television, awards.emmy-award-winner, awards.emmy-award-nominated, awards.golden-globe-winner, awards.golden-globe-nominated
Production Companies: NBC
Network: NBC
Country: United States
Languages:
English
S2E1 - The House Off Fifth Avenue
A well-known woman mystery writer believes she has found the way to commit the perfect murder. Unknown to her, a greedy nephew, who stands to inherit her money, plans to make her the victim of her own ingenuity.
Aug. 27, 1956, midnight
S2E2 - Yankee Doodler
Halvard Solness a brilliant architect and builder, becomes moody and afraid of life as he grows old. Hilda a girl who represents the younger generation comes into his life at this point and inspires him to change his attitude.
Aug. 29, 1956, midnight
S2E3 - The Pink Hippopotamus
The governess of two motherless children believes they are possessed by the spirits of two deceased servants.
Aug. 30, 1956, midnight
S2E4 - September Tide
the story of the romance of Jennie Jerome, an American girl, who fell in love with the son of the Duke of Marlborough, Lord Randolph Churchill.
Against the wishes of their parents, the young sweethearts plan to marry. Based on the biography by Anita Leslie of the parents of Sir Winston Churchill.
Aug. 31, 1956, midnight
S2E5 - Are You Listening?
A 15-year-old boy who suffers from lack of attention tries to get attention from his mother by showing off a watch he has stolen.
Sept. 3, 1956, midnight
S2E6 - Ladies' Maid Bell
A teenage daughter tries to effect a reconciliation between her divorced parents. The father is a famous author who has never had time for his family.
Sept. 4, 1956, midnight
S2E7 - 100 Red Convertibles
Sept. 5, 1956, midnight
S2E8 - The Ivy Curtain
Sept. 6, 1956, midnight
S2E9 - The Gramercy Ghost
Sept. 7, 1956, midnight
S2E10 - Lovers
Sept. 10, 1956, midnight
S2E11 - Reach for the Stars
Sept. 11, 1956, midnight
S2E12 - I Like It Here
The child star of a TV show has her father convinced she is capable only of angelic behavior. But when the father falls in love with a script girl and decides to marry her, his daughter attempts to cause trouble. - Tv Guide
Sept. 12, 1956, midnight
S2E13 - A Question of Balance
In 1874 a former New York city policeman walks all the way to Texas to claim a ranch left to him by a relative. He finds that he is unwelcome.
Sept. 13, 1956, midnight
S2E14 - The Marriage Royal
""A young girl's boy friend is appalled at the way she plays on people's emotions for monetary rewards. She tries to make him understand that her meager salary will not support her aunt, her uncle and herself. When a rich old man comes to their small village, the girl goes immediately to strike up another friendship""--TV guide.
Sept. 14, 1956, midnight
S2E15 - Mad Money
Harry Parker, a man who has spent his entire life traveling with carivals learns that the granddaughter of a woman he had once loved lives in the small town where the carnival has stopped. The girl's finance comes to play the shell game with the money the couple have saved for their wedding. - Tv Guide
Sept. 19, 1956, midnight
S2E16 - A Letter from Johnny Brock
Sept. 20, 1956, midnight
S2E17 - Uncle Harry
Sept. 21, 1956, midnight
S2E18 - At Mrs. Leland's
Sept. 24, 1956, midnight
S2E19 - The House Next Door
Sept. 25, 1956, midnight
S2E20 - Alumni Reunion
Sept. 26, 1956, midnight
S2E21 - Sound of Fear
Sept. 27, 1956, midnight
S2E22 - Late Date
Sept. 28, 1956, midnight
S2E23 - Pride and Prejudice
Oct. 1, 1956, midnight
S2E24 - Pearls of Sheba
Oct. 2, 1956, midnight
S2E25 - The Stamp Caddy
Oct. 15, 1956, midnight
S2E26 - The Egotist
Oct. 16, 1956, midnight
S2E27 - The Family Man
Oct. 17, 1956, midnight
S2E28 - Sight Unseen
Oct. 18, 1956, midnight
S2E29 - The Eye of the Storm
Oct. 19, 1956, midnight
S2E30 - The Man in the Seven League Boots
Oct. 22, 1956, midnight
S2E31 - The Woman Across the Hall
Oct. 23, 1956, midnight
S2E32 - And Then There Were Three
Oct. 24, 1956, midnight
S2E33 - Shake the Stars Down
Oct. 29, 1956, midnight
S2E34 - Horse Power
Oct. 30, 1956, midnight
S2E35 - Without Sanction
Oct. 31, 1956, midnight
S2E36 - The Outing
Nov. 2, 1956, midnight
S2E37 - Thank You, Edmondo
Nov. 5, 1956, midnight
S2E38 - The Tell-Tale Heart
Nov. 6, 1956, midnight
S2E39 - Strangers on a Honeymoon
Nov. 7, 1956, midnight
S2E40 - A Dram of Poison
Nov. 8, 1956, midnight
S2E41 - The Shining Hour
Nov. 9, 1956, midnight
S2E42 - Love, Marriage and Five Thousand Dollars
Nov. 12, 1956, midnight
S2E43 - Step Into Darkness
Nov. 13, 1956, midnight
S2E44 - Candle in the Dark
Nov. 14, 1956, midnight
S2E45 - Savrola
Nov. 15, 1956, midnight
S2E46 - Table Set at Night
Nov. 16, 1956, midnight
S2E47 - Madame de Treymes
Nov. 19, 1956, midnight
S2E48 - The People vs. John Tarr
Nov. 20, 1956, midnight
S2E49 - The Location of Roycemore College
Nov. 21, 1956, midnight
S2E50 - Dracula
Nov. 23, 1956, midnight
S2E51 - Julie
Nov. 26, 1956, midnight
S2E52 - The Empty Nest
Nov. 27, 1956, midnight
S2E53 - Spare Your Pity
Nov. 28, 1956, midnight
S2E54 - The Last Leaf
Nov. 30, 1956, midnight
S2E55 - Therese
Dec. 3, 1956, midnight
S2E56 - Julie
Dec. 4, 1956, midnight
S2E57 - Refugee
Dec. 6, 1956, midnight
S2E58 - Jenny Kissed Me
Dec. 7, 1956, midnight
S2E59 - Miracle at Carville
Dec. 10, 1956, midnight
S2E60 - The Upper Hand
Dec. 11, 1956, midnight
S2E61 - Love is a Locksmith
Dec. 12, 1956, midnight
S2E62 - Captain Brassbound's Conversion
Dec. 13, 1956, midnight
S2E63 - The Wisp End
Dec. 14, 1956, midnight
S2E64 - Prominent Citizens
Dec. 17, 1956, midnight
S2E65 - Head of the Family
Dec. 18, 1956, midnight
S2E66 - Password
Dec. 19, 1956, midnight
S2E67 - Late Love
Dec. 20, 1956, midnight
S2E68 - Eugenie Grandet
Dec. 21, 1956, midnight
S2E69 - Cold Christmas
Dec. 24, 1956, midnight
S2E70 - Little Women
Dec. 25, 1956, midnight
S2E71 - For Sweetheart, Wife or Mother
Dec. 26, 1956, midnight
S2E72 - Smilin' Through
Dec. 27, 1956, midnight
S2E73 - Strong Medicine
Dec. 28, 1956, midnight
S2E74 - Everything's Relative
Dec. 31, 1956, midnight
S2E75 - Miss Morissa
Jan. 2, 1957, midnight
S2E76 - The Scandalous Priest
Jan. 3, 1957, midnight
S2E77 - Dark Victory
Jan. 4, 1957, midnight
S2E78 - The Lonely Look
Jan. 7, 1957, midnight
S2E79 - The Sudden Truth
Jan. 8, 1957, midnight
S2E80 - The Man in the Half-Moon
Jan. 9, 1957, midnight
S2E81 - The Hex
Jan. 10, 1957, midnight
S2E82 - If This Be Error
Jan. 11, 1957, midnight
S2E83 - On the Trail of the Kingsfield
Jan. 14, 1957, midnight
S2E84 - Here We Are
Jan. 15, 1957, midnight
S2E85 - Arms and the Man
Jan. 16, 1957, midnight
S2E86 - Home is the Hunted
Jan. 17, 1957, midnight
S2E87 - Madam Ada
Jan. 18, 1957, midnight
S2E88 - Night Train
Jan. 22, 1957, midnight
S2E89 - This Language
Jan. 23, 1957, midnight
S2E90 - The 13th Crypt
Jan. 24, 1957, midnight
S2E91 - Mr. Pirn Passes By
Jan. 25, 1957, midnight
S2E92 - Anything for a Laugh
Jan. 29, 1957, midnight
S2E93 - Realms of Gold
Jan. 30, 1957, midnight
S2E94 - Deacon of Oak Ridge
Jan. 31, 1957, midnight
S2E95 - Accent on Youth
Feb. 1, 1957, midnight
S2E96 - Three Kids
Feb. 4, 1957, midnight
S2E97 - Frankenstein
Feb. 5, 1957, midnight
S2E98 - The Most Dangerous Man
Feb. 6, 1957, midnight
S2E99 - One
Feb. 7, 1957, midnight
S2E100 - The Importance of Being Earnest
Feb. 8, 1957, midnight
S2E101 - The Brat's House
Feb. 11, 1957, midnight
S2E102 - Mr. Todd
Feb. 12, 1957, midnight
S2E103 - A Case of Pure Fiction
Feb. 13, 1957, midnight
S2E104 - The Master Builder
Feb. 14, 1957, midnight
S2E105 - The Others
Feb. 15, 1957, midnight
S2E106 - The Remarkable Mr. Jerome
Feb. 19, 1957, midnight
S2E107 - Bobbie
Feb. 20, 1957, midnight
S2E108 - The Hickory Limb
Feb. 21, 1957, midnight
S2E109 - The Bridge
Feb. 22, 1957, midnight
S2E110 - The Serpent's Tooth
Feb. 25, 1957, midnight
S2E111 - Voyage to Mandok
Feb. 26, 1957, midnight
S2E112 - The Day Before the Wedding
Feb. 27, 1957, midnight
S2E113 - Queen of Spades
Feb. 28, 1957, midnight
S2E114 - Shadow and Substance
March 1, 1957, midnight
S2E115 - You Touched Me
March 4, 1957, midnight
S2E116 - The Hemlock Cup
March 5, 1957, midnight
S2E117 - Papa's Wife
March 6, 1957, midnight
S2E118 - The Prizewinner
March 7, 1957, midnight
S2E119 - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
March 8, 1957, midnight
S2E120 - Yesterday's Magic
March 14, 1957, midnight
S2E121 - Tongue of Silver
March 15, 1957, midnight
S2E122 - Peaceable Kingdom
March 18, 1957, midnight
S2E123 - The 19th Hole
March 19, 1957, midnight
S2E124 - Wedding in the Family
March 20, 1957, midnight
S2E125 - The Ways of Courage
March 25, 1957, midnight
S2E126 - Journey Into Darkness
March 26, 1957, midnight
S2E127 - Barricade at the Big Black
March 27, 1957, midnight
S2E128 - The Vicarious Years
March 28, 1957, midnight
S2E129 - The First Year
March 29, 1957, midnight
S2E130 - End of the Rope
April 1, 1957, midnight
S2E131 - We Won't Be Any Trouble
April 2, 1957, midnight
S2E132 - The Daughter of Mata Hari
April 3, 1957, midnight
S2E133 - Talk You of Killing
April 4, 1957, midnight
S2E134 - The Pursuit of Happiness
April 5, 1957, midnight
S2E135 - Wuthering Heights [restaged]
April 8, 1957, midnight
S2E136 - Long Distance
April 9, 1957, midnight
S2E137 - The Point of Cleaning
April 10, 1957, midnight
S2E138 - The Sport
April 11, 1957, midnight
S2E139 - The Flashing Stream
April 12, 1957, midnight
S2E140 - Thread That Runs So True
April 15, 1957, midnight
S2E141 - Jamie Picks a Wife
April 16, 1957, midnight
S2E142 - Blind Man's Bluff
April 17, 1957, midnight
S2E143 - The Story of Joseph
April 19, 1957, midnight
S2E144 - Pushover
April 24, 1957, midnight
S2E145 - Ashes in the Wind
April 25, 1957, midnight
S2E146 - A Hat, a Coat, a Glove
April 26, 1957, midnight
S2E147 - The Professional
April 29, 1957, midnight
S2E148 - Guardians of the Temple
April 30, 1957, midnight
S2E149 - The Short Safari of B'wana Ben
May 1, 1957, midnight
S2E150 - Church on Monday
May 2, 1957, midnight
S2E151 - The Gioconda Smile
May 3, 1957, midnight
S2E152 - Show of Strength
May 6, 1957, midnight
S2E153 - Make Believe Affair
May 7, 1957, midnight
S2E154 - Hymn to the Dedicated
May 8, 1957, midnight
S2E155 - Thursday's Child
May 9, 1957, midnight
S2E156 - Big-Hearted Herbert
May 10, 1957, midnight
S2E157 - The Embattled Maiden
May 13, 1957, midnight
S2E158 - The Middle-Aged Freshman
May 14, 1957, midnight
S2E159 - Best Friend in Town
May 15, 1957, midnight
S2E160 - Jane Eyre
May 16, 1957, midnight
S2E161 - Starmaster
May 17, 1957, midnight
S2E162 - Aftermath
May 20, 1957, midnight
S2E163 - Guest at the Embassy
May 21, 1957, midnight
S2E164 - Second-Hand Lover
May 22, 1957, midnight
S2E165 - The Avenging of Anne Leete
May 23, 1957, midnight
S2E166 - The Lonesome Husband
May 24, 1957, midnight
S2E167 - Puzzle in the Stars
May 27, 1957, midnight
S2E168 - The Gwendolyn Harleth Story
May 28, 1957, midnight
S2E169 - The Girls Named Almaya
May 29, 1957, midnight
S2E170 - The Dream That Was Fixed
May 30, 1957, midnight
S2E171 - A Growing Wonder
May 31, 1957, midnight
S2E172 - Bachelor Father
June 3, 1957, midnight
S2E173 - The Golden Door
June 4, 1957, midnight
S2E174 - Rain in the Morning
June 5, 1957, midnight
S2E175 - Eye of the Storm
June 7, 1957, midnight
S2E176 - Rich Man, Poor Man
June 10, 1957, midnight
S2E177 - The Party Dress
June 11, 1957, midnight
S2E178 - White-Headed Boy
June 12, 1957, midnight
S2E179 - Liza
June 17, 1957, midnight
S2E180 - Pigeons and People
June 19, 1957, midnight
S2E181 - Things Hoped For
June 20, 1957, midnight
S2E182 - Mr. Wendigo
June 21, 1957, midnight
S2E183 - Stopover
June 24, 1957, midnight
S2E184 - A Light in the Sky
June 25, 1957, midnight
S2E185 - The Charmer
June 26, 1957, midnight
S2E186 - The Brief Candle
June 28, 1957, midnight
S2E187 - Too Much Johnson
July 1, 1957, midnight
S2E188 - Money in the Bank
July 2, 1957, midnight
S2E189 - Trouble Traine
July 3, 1957, midnight
S2E190 - The Last Voyage
July 4, 1957, midnight
S2E191 - The Price of Scandal
July 5, 1957, midnight
S2E192 - But When She Was Bad
July 11, 1957, midnight
S2E193 - The Fable of Harry
July 12, 1957, midnight
S2E194 - Portrait in Mini
July 15, 1957, midnight
S2E195 - The Cask of Amontillado
July 16, 1957, midnight
S2E196 - The Richest Man in the World
July 17, 1957, midnight
S2E197 - The Last Hour
July 18, 1957, midnight
S2E198 - The First Captain
July 22, 1957, midnight
S2E199 - Shuttered Hearts
July 24, 1957, midnight
S2E200 - One for All
July 25, 1957, midnight
S2E201 - Call It a Day
July 26, 1957, midnight
S2E202 - Ann Veronica
July 29, 1957, midnight
S2E203 - Boys Will Be Men
July 30, 1957, midnight
S2E204 - The Forbidden Search
July 31, 1957, midnight
S2E205 - The Fawn with Crooked Teeth
Aug. 1, 1957, midnight
S2E207 - The Rose Bush
Aug. 5, 1957, midnight
S2E208 - Finley's Fan Club
Aug. 6, 1957, midnight
S2E209 - Laugh a Little Tear
Aug. 7, 1957, midnight
S2E210 - The Invisible Man
Aug. 8, 1957, midnight
S2E211 - Where Angels Fear
Aug. 9, 1957, midnight
S2E212 - First Love
Aug. 13, 1957, midnight
S2E213 - The Last Survivors
Aug. 14, 1957, midnight
S2E214 - Time for Action
Aug. 15, 1957, midnight
S2E215 - Haven's End
Aug. 20, 1957, midnight
S2E216 - Heed the Falling Sparrow
Aug. 21, 1957, midnight
S2E217 - The President's Child Bride
Aug. 22, 1957, midnight
S2E218 - Now or Never
Aug. 23, 1957, midnight
S2E219 - Awakening
Aug. 27, 1957, midnight
S2E220 - Angel Face
Aug. 28, 1957, midnight
S2E221 - The Star Sapphire
Aug. 29, 1957, midnight
S2E222 - Women Have Ways
Aug. 30, 1957, midnight
S2E223 - Jewel Boy
Sept. 2, 1957, midnight
S2E224 - Molly Morgan
Sept. 3, 1957, midnight
S2E225 - Woman Alone
Sept. 4, 1957, midnight
S2E226 - Among Strangers
Sept. 6, 1957, midnight
S2E227 - The Adjustable Mr. Willing
Sept. 9, 1957, midnight
S2E228 - Freedom Comes Later
Sept. 10, 1957, midnight
S2E229 - In the Fog
Sept. 11, 1957, midnight
S2E230 - Son of 37 Fathers
Sept. 12, 1957, midnight
S2E231 - Hand Me Down
Sept. 13, 1957, midnight
S2E232 - Emma
Sept. 16, 1957, midnight
S2E233 - Personal Equation
Sept. 17, 1957, midnight
S2E234 - Night Cry
Sept. 18, 1957, midnight
S2E235 - The Mysterious Disappearance
Sept. 19, 1957, midnight
S2E236 - The Impersonal Touch
Sept. 20, 1957, midnight
S2E237 - The Story of Sarah
Sept. 22, 1957, midnight
S2E238 - The Waiting Swan
Sept. 24, 1957, midnight
S2E239 - One Mummy Too Many
Sept. 25, 1957, midnight
S2E240 - Hearthstones
Sept. 26, 1957, midnight
S2E241 - The Reluctant Heiress
Sept. 27, 1957, midnight
Network: NBC
Episode Runtime: 45 min.
Season Runtime: 45 min.
Released: Nov. 8, 1955
Last Air Date: June 13, 1958, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: NR
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