John Conte
Host
Matinee Theater (1955)
Season 3
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
S3E1 - Father Come Home
In a small town, enraged townsfolk refuse to believe the tale of a stranger. He claims that the man they believe committed a murder was miles away at the time of the killing.
Oct. 15, 1957, midnight
S3E2 - Villa of the Angels
Frank Wilson is bringing his boss home for dinner and is anxious to make a good impression. He asks his wife Jane to try not to be so shy and tells her she must learn to be more decisive. During the day a strange young man comes to the house posing as a magazine salesman. Jane feels that this a good opportunity to practice being forceful.- Tv Guide
Oct. 16, 1957, midnight
S3E3 - A Tone of Time
A successful career woman falls ill and discovers someone has been administering small doses of poison to her every day. - Tv Guide
Oct. 17, 1957, midnight
S3E4 - Almost Any Man Will Do
After years of carrying the responsibilities of two jobs, Mitchell Dayton has a nervous breakdown. He moves his family to Florida where he takes a job in a gas station. One afternoon he is knocked unconscious, and when he awakens he is hundreds of miles away from home with no money, no identification, and suffers from amnesia. - Tv Guide
Oct. 18, 1957, midnight
S3E5 - Sing for Me
Gomer, a beautiful young girl is blamed by townspeople for the suicide of one of their men. They are about to kill her when Hosea saves her life. The young prophet falls in love with Gomer, grateful to Hosea, promises to become his wife. - Tv Guide
Oct. 21, 1957, midnight
S3E6 - Run for the Money
Recently promoted, a young man is offered help in learning his new duties. The offer comes from a young-lady collegue, whose real motive is to break up his marriage.
Oct. 22, 1957, midnight
S3E7 - Lest We Forget
Oct. 23, 1957, midnight
S3E8 - The Glass Hill
Marcia Miller has inherited her successful mother's talent for fashion designing. But Marcia has decided she doesn't want to follow in her mother's footsteps. - Tv Guide
Oct. 24, 1957, midnight
S3E9 - Out of the Frying Pan
Pretty Martha Radway is vigorously campaigning with members of the League of Women Voters for a new school in their town.
Oct. 25, 1957, midnight
S3E10 - The Last Stop
Dr. Austin Sloper had always hoped that his daughter Catherine would grow into as charming and brilliant as woman as her mother had been. But Catherine grew up to be a very ordinary woman. - Tv Guide
Oct. 28, 1957, midnight
S3E11 - The Weak and the Strong
The year is 1962, and it is known that Russia is planning a full-scale nuclear attack against the U. S and Canada. In a desperate last-minute effort to avert war, the president makes plans to fly to Russia to meet directly with the Russian leaders. - Tv Guide
Oct. 29, 1957, midnight
S3E12 - Nine-Finger Jack
Oct. 30, 1957, midnight
S3E13 - Elementals
Oct. 31, 1957, midnight
S3E14 - Plummer in Paradise
Nov. 1, 1957, midnight
S3E15 - Something About a Dollar
Nov. 4, 1957, midnight
S3E16 - Return in Winter
Nov. 7, 1957, midnight
S3E17 - Grandmama and Grandfather
Nov. 8, 1957, midnight
S3E18 - Aesop and Rhodope
Nov. 11, 1957, midnight
S3E19 - All Over the World
Nov. 12, 1957, midnight
S3E20 - The Ransom of Sigmund Freud
Nov. 13, 1957, midnight
S3E21 - Iris
Nov. 14, 1957, midnight
S3E22 - Remember Me Kindly
Nov. 15, 1957, midnight
S3E23 - The Embassy House
Nov. 18, 1957, midnight
S3E24 - Witness to Murder
Nov. 19, 1957, midnight
S3E25 - The Johnson House
Nov. 20, 1957, midnight
S3E26 - Cadenza
Nov. 25, 1957, midnight
S3E27 - Green Shores
Nov. 26, 1957, midnight
S3E28 - A Question of Balance
Nov. 27, 1957, midnight
S3E29 - Daniel Webster and the Sea Serpent
Nov. 29, 1957, midnight
S3E30 - The Conversation Tables
Dec. 2, 1957, midnight
S3E31 - Out of My Darkness
Dec. 3, 1957, midnight
S3E32 - The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg
Dec. 4, 1957, midnight
S3E33 - The Broom and the Groom
Dec. 5, 1957, midnight
S3E34 - A Cloud for Jeni
Dec. 6, 1957, midnight
S3E35 - The Consul
Dec. 9, 1957, midnight
S3E36 - The Old Friend
Dec. 10, 1957, midnight
S3E37 - Give Me a Wand
Dec. 10, 1957, midnight
S3E38 - The Sure Thing
Dec. 11, 1957, midnight
S3E39 - Dark of the Moon
Dec. 12, 1957, midnight
S3E40 - The Giver and the Gift
Dec. 13, 1957, midnight
S3E41 - No Time for Comedy
Dec. 16, 1957, midnight
S3E42 - Gentleman of Fortune
Dec. 17, 1957, midnight
S3E43 - The Gentleman Caller
Dec. 18, 1957, midnight
S3E44 - Tender Leaves
Dec. 19, 1957, midnight
S3E45 - In 25 Words or Less
Dec. 20, 1957, midnight
S3E46 - Sara Crewe
Dec. 23, 1957, midnight
S3E47 - Amahl and the Night Visitors
Dec. 24, 1957, midnight
S3E48 - The Little Minister
Dec. 25, 1957, midnight
S3E49 - Daughter of Kings
Dec. 31, 1957, midnight
S3E50 - The Survival Kit
Jan. 2, 1958, midnight
S3E51 - The House with the Golden Street
Jan. 3, 1958, midnight
S3E52 - The Europeans
Jan. 6, 1958, midnight
S3E53 - The Collected Letters of Mr. Sage
Jan. 7, 1958, midnight
S3E54 - Two-Picture Deal
Jan. 8, 1958, midnight
S3E55 - The Great Obstacle Courtship
Jan. 9, 1958, midnight
S3E56 - A Chance to Die
Jan. 10, 1958, midnight
S3E57 - Home on the Range
Jan. 13, 1958, midnight
S3E58 - The Makropoulos Secret
Jan. 14, 1958, midnight
S3E59 - More Than a Man
Jan. 15, 1958, midnight
S3E60 - Something Stolen, Something New
Jan. 16, 1958, midnight
S3E61 - Thunderbolt
Jan. 17, 1958, midnight
S3E62 - Daisy Mayne
Jan. 20, 1958, midnight
S3E63 - The Man Who Wanted to Hate
Jan. 21, 1958, midnight
S3E64 - The Golden Fleecing
Jan. 22, 1958, midnight
S3E65 - Forever and Ever
Jan. 23, 1958, midnight
S3E66 - Decision
Jan. 24, 1958, midnight
S3E67 - Solider's Boy
Jan. 27, 1958, midnight
S3E68 - The Man with Pointed Toes
Jan. 28, 1958, midnight
S3E69 - Love Out of Town
Jan. 31, 1958, midnight
S3E70 - Cave-In
Feb. 3, 1958, midnight
S3E71 - The Iceman
Feb. 4, 1958, midnight
S3E72 - The Long, Long Laugh
Feb. 5, 1958, midnight
S3E73 - Man Without a Country
Feb. 6, 1958, midnight
S3E74 - The Odd Ones
Feb. 7, 1958, midnight
S3E75 - Monsieur Beaucaire
Feb. 11, 1958, midnight
S3E76 - Life Upon the Wicked Stage
Feb. 12, 1958, midnight
S3E77 - Without Fear or Favor
Feb. 13, 1958, midnight
S3E78 - The Third Person
Feb. 14, 1958, midnight
S3E79 - Eden End
Feb. 17, 1958, midnight
S3E80 - The 10th Muse
Feb. 18, 1958, midnight
S3E81 - Goodbye on Thursday
Feb. 20, 1958, midnight
S3E82 - Heart's Desire
Feb. 21, 1958, midnight
S3E83 - Marriage of Convenience
Feb. 24, 1958, midnight
S3E84 - The Suicide Club
Feb. 25, 1958, midnight
S3E85 - The 65th Floor
Feb. 26, 1958, midnight
S3E86 - The Hickory Heart
Feb. 27, 1958, midnight
S3E87 - The Devil's Violin
Feb. 28, 1958, midnight
S3E88 - Wednesday's Child
March 4, 1958, midnight
S3E89 - Vigilante
March 5, 1958, midnight
S3E90 - The Prophet Hosea
March 7, 1958, midnight
S3E91 - Mrs. Moonlight
March 10, 1958, midnight
S3E92 - With Love We Live
March 11, 1958, midnight
S3E93 - You and I
March 12, 1958, midnight
S3E94 - Career Angel
March 13, 1958, midnight
S3E95 - Contingent Fire
March 14, 1958, midnight
S3E96 - Anxious Night
March 18, 1958, midnight
S3E97 - On Approval
March 19, 1958, midnight
S3E98 - Dandy Dick
March 20, 1958, midnight
S3E99 - Hush, Mahala, Hush
March 21, 1958, midnight
S3E100 - O'Rourke's House
March 25, 1958, midnight
S3E101 - The Alleyway
March 26, 1958, midnight
S3E102 - The Vagabond
March 27, 1958, midnight
S3E103 - The Silver Spider
March 28, 1958, midnight
S3E104 - Design for Glory
April 1, 1958, midnight
S3E105 - The Inspector General
April 2, 1958, midnight
S3E106 - The Two Mrs. Carrolls
April 3, 1958, midnight
S3E107 - The Velvet Glove
April 4, 1958, midnight
S3E108 - Death Takes a Holiday
April 8, 1958, midnight
S3E109 - Man of the House
April 9, 1958, midnight
S3E110 - A Case of Fear
April 10, 1958, midnight
S3E111 - Walk in the Sky
April 11, 1958, midnight
S3E112 - The Canterville Ghost
April 15, 1958, midnight
S3E113 - Found Money
April 17, 1958, midnight
S3E114 - Washington Whispers Money
April 18, 1958, midnight
S3E115 - A Boy Grows Up
April 22, 1958, midnight
S3E116 - Phony Venus
April 23, 1958, midnight
S3E117 - Some Blessed People
April 24, 1958, midnight
S3E118 - The Quiet Street
April 25, 1958, midnight
S3E119 - The Quest of Quesnay
May 7, 1958, midnight
S3E120 - Angel Street
May 9, 1958, midnight
S3E121 - The Cause
May 12, 1958, midnight
S3E122 - Much Ado About Nothing, Part 1
May 20, 1958, midnight
S3E123 - Much Ado About Nothing, Part 2
May 21, 1958, midnight
S3E124 - Day of Discoveries
May 22, 1958, midnight
S3E125 - The Young and the Fair
May 23, 1958, midnight
S3E126 - The Riddle of Mary Murray
May 27, 1958, midnight
S3E127 - Button Button
May 29, 1958, midnight
S3E128 - The End of the Season
June 3, 1958, midnight
S3E129 - Look Out for John Tucker
June 4, 1958, midnight
S3E130 - The Road to Recovery
June 5, 1958, midnight
S3E131 - The Nightbird's Crying
June 6, 1958, midnight
S3E132 - The Story of Marcia Gordon
June 10, 1958, midnight
S3E133 - Town in Turmoil
June 11, 1958, midnight
S3E134 - Washington Square
June 12, 1958, midnight
S3E135 - Course for Collision
June 13, 1958, 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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