Screen Directors Playhouse

Screen Directors Playhouse

Joan Crawford in a production of Flamingo Road on the May 26, 1950 radio version of Screen Directors Playhouse.
Other names NBC Theater
Screen Directors Guild Assignment
Screen Directors Assignment
Genre Anthology drama
Running time 30 minutes (radio episodes 1–8 and 10–75) and all television episodes
1 hour (radio episodes 9 and 76–122)
Country United States
Language(s) English
Home station NBC (1949–51 and 1955–56)
ABC (1956)
Hosted by radio hosts: Frank Barton
Hal Gibney
Jimmy Wallington (1949–51)
Starring Each radio and television episode used predominantly top-tier personalities
Written by radio scripts: Richard Alan Simmons, Milton Geiger, Jack Rubin, Nat Wolf
Directed by radio: Bill Karn, Warren Lewis
Produced by radio: Howard Wylie
Air dates January 9, 1949 (1949-01-09) (radio version)/October 5, 1955 (1955-10-05) (television version) to September 28, 1951 (1951-09-28) (radio version)/September 26, 1956 (1956-09-26) (television version)
No. of episodes 122
Audio format Monaural sound

Screen Directors Playhouse (sometimes written as Screen Directors' Playhouse) is a popular American radio and television anthology series which brought leading Hollywood actors to the NBC microphones beginning in 1949. The radio program broadcast adaptations of films, with original directors of the films sometimes involved in the productions, although their participation was usually limited to introducing the radio adaptations and taking a brief "curtain call" with the cast and host at the end of the program. During the 1955–56 season, the series was seen on television, focusing on original teleplays and several adaptations of famous short stories (such as Robert Louis Stevenson's "Markheim").

Radio

The radio version ran for 122 episodes and aired on NBC from January 9, 1949 to September 28, 1951 under several different titles: NBC Theater, Screen Directors Guild Assignment, Screen Directors Assignment and, as of July 1, 1949, Screen Directors Playhouse.

Actors on the radio series included Fred Astaire, Lucille Ball, Tallulah Bankhead, Charles Boyer, Claudette Colbert, Ronald Colman, Gary Cooper, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Marlene Dietrich, Kirk Douglas, Irene Dunne, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Henry Fonda, Cary Grant, William Holden, Burt Lancaster, James Mason, Ray Milland, Gregory Peck, William Powell, Edward G. Robinson, Norma Shearer, Barbara Stanwyck, James Stewart, John Wayne, and Loretta Young.[1]

Television

The television version, produced and filmed at Hal Roach Studios, was broadcast for one season of 35 half-hour episodes on NBC, under the sponsorship of Eastman Kodak,[2] airing from October 5, 1955 to June 27, 1956. The final seven episodes aired on ABC from July 4 to September 26. Billed in the opening credits of their respective television episodes are: Lee Aaker (episode 8), Lola Albright (episode 4), John Alderson (episode 35), Leon Ames (episode 5), Lew Ayres (episode 20), Lynn Bari (episode 4), Ralph Bellamy (episode 19), William Bendix (episode 35), John Bentley (episode 30), Charles Bickford (episode 11), Janet Blair (episode 28), Ward Bond (episode 10), Neville Brand (episode 4), Walter Brennan (episode 8), Hillary Brooke (episode 22), Joe E. Brown (episode 12), Edgar Buchanan (episode 8), Rory Calhoun (episodes 2 and 14), Macdonald Carey (episodes 18 and 32), Jack Carson (episode 4), Joan Caulfield (episode 32), Gower Champion (episode 27), Marge Champion (episode 27), Fred Clark (episode 5), Constance Cummings (episode 33), Linda Darnell (episode 30), Laraine Day (episodes 7 and 17), Yvonne deCarlo (episode 14), Brandon De Wilde (episode 29), Bobby Driscoll (episode 2), James Dunn (episode 18), Leo Durocher (episode 17), Buddy Ebsen (episode 28), Marilyn Erskine (episode 21), Frank Fay (episode 9), Errol Flynn (episode 22), Scott Forbes (episode 30), Wallace Ford (episode 20), Sally Forrest (episode 5), Rita Gam (episode 19), Nancy Gates (episode 9), Leo Genn (episode 13), Greta Granstedt (episode 19), Barbara Hale (episode 1), Don Hanmer (episode 3), Dick Haymes (episode 18), Dennis Hopper (episode 35), Kim Hunter (episode 3), Buster Keaton (episode 12), Angela Lansbury (episode 24), Peter Lawford (episode 9), Cloris Leachman (episode 6), Sheldon Leonard (episode 15), Peter Lorre (episode 16), James Lydon (episode 5), Jeanette MacDonald (episode 17), Jimmy McHugh (episode 21), Fred MacMurray (episode 21), Lotfi Mansouri (episode 34), Vera Miles (episode 10), Ray Milland (episode 23), Sal Mineo (episode 26), Thomas Mitchell (episode 7), George Montgomery (episode 24), Patricia Morison (episode 26), Barry Nelson (episode 28), Edmond O'Brien (episode 25), Dan O'Herlihy (episode 7), Dennis O'Keefe (episode 15), ZaSu Pitts (episode 12), Basil Rathbone (episode 19), Philip Reed (episode 13), Robert Ryan (episode 11), George Sanders (episodes 26 and 33), Herb Shriner (episode 1), Mary Sinclair (episode 28), Rod Steiger (episode 23), William Talman (episode 16), Casey Tibbs (episode 29), June Vincent (episodes 14 [not billed in opening credits] and 18), John Wayne (episode 10), Pat Wayne (episode 10), Michael Wilding (episode 31), Fay Wray (episode 15), Teresa Wright (episode 16), Keenan Wynn (episode 3), May Wynn (episode 13) and Alan Young (episode 6). But there was one difference between the two versions of the program: while the radio program had presented only condensed versions of well-known plays and films, the television version presented mostly original dramas.[3]

The directors of television episodes are: Lewis Allen, Claude Binyon, Frank Borzage (3 episodes), John Brahm (2 episodes), David Butler, Gower Champion, William Dieterle, Allan Dwan (2 episodes), John Ford, Tay Garnett (3 episodes), Hugo Haas, Byron Haskin, Stuart Heisler, Ida Lupino, Leo McCarey (2 episodes), Norman Z. McLeod, George Marshall, Ted Post, H. C. Potter, John Rich, William A. Seiter, George Sherman, Andrew L. Stone, Ted Tetzlaff, Frank Tuttle, George Waggner (2 episodes) and Fred Zinnemann.[4]

Directors, vital dates, years of activity as director, episode titles, writers and broadcast dates

  1. Leo McCarey (1896–1969, 1921–62) "Meet the Governor" (October 5, 1955; also wrote)
  2. Frank Borzage (1894–1962, 1913–61) "Day Is Done" (October 12, 1955; written by William Tunberg)
  3. John Brahm (1893–1982, 1936–67) "A Midsummer Daydream" (October 19, 1955; written by William Saroyan)
  4. George Waggner (1894–1984, 1938–67) "Arroyo" (October 26, 1955; also wrote)
  5. William A. Seiter (1890–1964, 1915–60) "Want Ad Wedding" (November 2, 1955; written by Dane Lussier and Gertrude Walker)
  6. Norman Z. McLeod (1895–1964, 1928–63) "Life of Vernon Hathaway" (November 9, 1955; written by Barbara Merlin; story by Richard Wormser)
  7. Andrew L. Stone (1902–1999, 1927–72) "The Final Tribute" (November 16, 1955; also wrote; story by Octavus Roy Cohen)
  8. Stuart Heisler (1896–1979, 1936–64) "The Brush Roper" (November 23, 1955; written by William Tunberg and Fred Gipson; story by Gipson)
  9. Leo McCarey (see no. 1) "Tom and Jerry" (November 30, 1955; written by Leo McCarey's daughter, Mary McCarey)
  10. John Ford (1894–1973, 1917–66) "Rookie of the Year" (December 7, 1955; written by Frank Nugent; story by W. R. Burnett)
  11. H. C. Potter (1904–1977, 1936–57) "Lincoln's Doctor's Dog" (December 14, 1955; written by William R. Cox; story by Christopher Morley)
  12. George Marshall (1891–1975, 1916–72) "The Silent Partner" (December 21, 1955; also wrote; story by Barbara Hammer)
  13. Ted Tetzlaff (1903–1995, 1941–59) "The Titanic Incident" (December 28, 1955; written by William R. Cox)
  14. Tay Garnett (1894–1977, 1924–75) "Hot Cargo" (January 4, 1956; also story; written by David Dortort)
  15. Allan Dwan (1885–1981, 1911–61) "It's Always Sunday" (January 11, 1956; written by D. D. Beauchamp; story by Jesse Goldstein and Frank Fox)
  16. Ida Lupino (1918–1995, 1949–68) "No. 5 Checked Out" (January 18, 1956; also story; written by Willard Wiener)
  17. David Butler (1894–1979, 1927–67) "Prima Donna" (February 1, 1956; written by Peter Milne and Gene Raymond; story by Raymond)
  18. George Sherman (1908–1991, 1937–78) "Cry Justice" (February 15, 1956; written by Donald Hyde)
  19. Byron Haskin (1899–1984, 1927–68) "Affair in Sumatra" (February 22, 1956; written by Michael Fessier; story by Hobart Donavan)
  20. William Dieterle (1893–1972, 1923–68) "One Against Many" (March 7, 1956; written by Donald S. Sanford; story by John Jacobs and Malvin Ward)
  21. Claude Binyon (1905–1978, 1948–56) "It's a Most Unusual Day" (March 14, 1956; also wrote; story by William R. Cox)
  22. George Waggner (see no. 4) "The Sword of Villon" (April 4, 1956; written by Wilbur S. Peacock)
  23. Fred Zinnemann (1907–1997, 1930–82) "Markheim" (April 11, 1956; written by John McGreevey and Paul Osborn [another source indicates Alfred Harris]; story by Robert Louis Stevenson)
  24. Frank Tuttle (1892–1963, 1922–59) "Claire" (April 25, 1956; written by Philip MacDonald and George Sinclair; story by Ruth Capps)
  25. Frank Borzage (see no. 2) "A Ticket for Thaddeus" (May 9, 1956; written by A. I. Bezzerides; story by Rose C. Feld)
  26. Hugo Haas (1901–1968, 1933–62) "The Dream" (May 16, 1956; written by John McGreevey [another source indicates Richard Karlan and Patricia Karlan]; story by Ivan Turgenev)
  27. Gower Champion (1921–1980, 1956–74) "What Day Is It?" (June 6, 1956; written by Jean Holloway)
  28. Lewis Allen (1905–2000, 1943–77) "Every Man Has Two Wives" (June 13, 1956; written by DeWitt Bodeen and Frank Gill, Jr.; story by Thames Williamson)
  29. Tay Garnett (see no. 14) "Partners" (July 4, 1956; also story; written by Winston Miller)
  30. Ted Post (1918–2013, 1950–99) "White Corridors" (July 11, 1956; written by Irving Cooper and Helen Cooper)
  31. Tay Garnett (see no. 14 and no. 29) "The Carroll Formula" (July 18, 1956; written by John L. Greene)
  32. John Rich (1925–2012, 1951–99) "Apples on the Lilac Tree" (July 25, 1956; written by Lee Loeb and Phil Shuken)
  33. John Brahm (see no. 3) "The Bitter Waters" (August 1, 1956; written by Zoe Akins; story "Louisa Pallant" by Henry James)
  34. Frank Borzage (see no. 2 and no. 25) "The Day I Met Caruso" (September 5, 1956; written by Zoe Akins; story by Elizabeth Bacon Rodewald)
  35. Allan Dwan (see no. 15) "High Air" (September 12, 1956; written by A. I. Bezzerides; story by Borden Chase)

Directors listed by number of "Best Director" Academy Award nominations

  1. Fred Zinnemann (seven): The Search (1948), High Noon (1952), From Here to Eternity (1953: winner), The Nun's Story (1959), The Sundowners (1960), A Man for All Seasons (1966: winner) and Julia (1977) [also received three nominations as producer (1952: winner, 1960 and 1966: winner)]
  2. John Ford (five): The Informer (1935: winner), Stagecoach (1939), The Grapes of Wrath (1940: winner), How Green Was My Valley (1941: winner) and The Quiet Man (1952: winner) [also received one nomination as producer (1952)]
  3. Leo McCarey (three): The Awful Truth (1937: winner), Going My Way (1944: winner) and The Bells of St. Mary's (1945) [also received four nominations for writing (1939, 1940, 1944: winner and 1952) and one nomination for original song (1958)]
  4. Frank Borzage (two): 7th Heaven (1927: winner) and Bad Girl (1931: winner)
  5. William Dieterle (one): The Life of Emile Zola (1937)

Television episodes

Opening announcement: "SCREEN DIRECTORS PLAYHOUSE. Bringing you each week an outstanding original screenplay chosen and directed by one of the country's foremost motion picture directors."

First aired # Title Stars Writer(s) Director Synopsis
Cast
Oct
5
1955		 01 "Meet the Governor" Herb Shriner

and
Barbara Hale		 Leo McCarey Leo McCarey Announcer: "Tonight our director is Leo McCarey, three-time Academy Award winner and creator of such famous pictures as Ruggles of Red Gap, The Awful Truth and Going My Way. The story Mr. McCarey has selected for us this evening is called 'Meet The Governor' and it stars Herb Shriner, in his first dramatic role on television, and co-stars Barbara Hale."


Styled in the manner of an episode from a filmed sitcom, replete with a laugh track.

Oct
12
1955		 02 "Day Is Done" Rory Calhoun

and
Bobby Driscoll		 William Tunberg Frank Borzage Announcer: "Tonight, our director is Academy Award winner Frank Borzage, creator of such celebrated pictures as Seventh Heaven and A Farewell to Arms. The story Mr. Borzage has selected for us this evening is entitled 'Day Is Done' and it stars Rory Calhoun and Bobby Driscoll."
KOREA        Early 1951 [on-screen caption]

Announcer: "Next week, Gower Champion will make his first appearance as a director when he brings us a sparkling dance comedy entitled, 'What Day Is It?' Teamed with Gower will be his lovely wife and partner, Marge Champion. One of the show's highlights will be their famous clown dance. A happy half hour will be yours to enjoy next week when Screen Directors Playhouse brings you 'What Day Is It?' Be sure to join us."

Oct
19
1955		 03 "A Midsummer Daydream" Kim Hunter

Keenan Wynn

Don Hanmer		 William Saroyan John Brahm Announcer: "Tonight we are pleased to present the noted director John Brahm. Mr. Brahm has chosen for this evening a bright and amusing story by the Pulitzer Prize-winning dramatist William Saroyan. The story is entitled 'A Midsummer Daydream' and it stars Kim Hunter, Keenan Wynn and Don Hanmer."

Introduction: "I'm William Saroyan. This play happens on a day made for daydreaming so, of course, it's about marriage. Everyone knows such a day. There are one or two every year. Everything on such a day seems both wide awake and fast asleep. The light on such a day is exceptionally good, too, so that all of a sudden it's easy to see faraway things, like islands, church spires, the towers of tall buildings, snow on mountain tops and so on. The air on such a day is good to breathe, too. Even mistakes of a whole lifetime suddenly seem insignificant and unworthy of regret. In a world in which perfection must always remain only a word, perfection itself seems possible at last, with a little luck. Such days are almost too good to be true for human beings. Perhaps it's just as well that they don't happen too often. When they do happen, though, they seem to change everybody, for the better."

Oct
26
1955		 04 "Arroyo" George Waggner
Nov
2
1955		 05 "Want Ad Wedding" William A. Seiter
Nov
9
1955		 06 "Life of Vernon Hathaway" Alan Young

and
Cloris Leachman		 Barbara Merlin

From a story by Richard Wormser		 Norman Z. McLeod Announcer: "Next week, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes the versatile Hollywood director, Andrew Stone, whose many fine pictures include The Night Holds Terror, The Steel Trap and The Great Victor Herbert. For next week's production, Mr. Stone has written a dramatic story of the medical profession entitled 'Final Tribute'. The stars will be Laraine Day, Dan O'Herlihy and Thomas Mitchell. Be sure to join us."
Nov
16
1955		 07 "The Final Tribute" Laraine Day

Dan O'Herlihy

Thomas Mitchell		 Teleplay by
Andrew L. Stone

From a story by Octavus Roy Cohen		 Andrew L. Stone Announcer: "Next week, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Mr. David Butler, director of such hits as Calamity Jane with star Doris Day, Glory and April in Paris. Mr. Butler will bring us a hilarious musical about a famous singing star, her protege and two famous celebrities. 'Prima Donna' will star Jeanette MacDonald, with special guest stars Laraine Day and Leo Durocher. Be sure to join us."
Nov
23
1955		 08 "The Brush Roper" Walter Brennan

Lee Aaker

and
Edgar Buchanan		 William Tunberg
and
Fred Gipson

From a story by
Fred Gipson		 Stuart Heisler Announcer: "Tonight, we are pleased to welcome Mr. Stuart Heisler who has directed such outstanding pictures as Biscuit Eater, Smash-Up and Blue Skies. For this evening, Mr. Heisler has chosen a humorous western story entitled 'The Brush Roper', which stars Walter Brennan in the leading role."
Nov
30
1955		 09 "Tom and Jerry" Leo McCarey
Dec
7
1955		 10 "Rookie of the Year" John Wayne

Vera Miles

Ward Bond

and introducing Pat Wayne		 Written by Frank Nugent

From a story by
W. R. Burnett		 John Ford Announcer: "Tonight, our director is John Ford, the only man ever to win four Academy Awards for direction. Mr. Ford has selected a fascinating story about the baseball world entitled 'Rookie of the Year'. The starring role is played by one of Hollywood's best known stars, John Wayne, in his first dramatic role on television, and introduces his son, Pat Wayne." Screen Directors Playhouse is brought to you on film by the men and women of Eastman Kodak and Kodak dealers everywhere."
Dec
14
1955		 11 "Lincoln's Doctor's Dog" Robert Ryan

and Charles Bickford		 Written by
William R. Cox

from a story by
Christopher Morley		 H. C. Potter Announcer: "Tonight, our director is Mr. H. C. Potter, whose Hollywood and Broadway successes include Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House and Point of No Return. For this evening, Mr. Potter directs a new television drama entitled 'Lincoln's Doctor's Dog'. The stars are Robert Ryan, Charles Bickford and Richard Long."

Introduction by H. C. Potter: "For a long time, it had been an axiom, among book publishers, that stories with a medical background, stories about pets, and incidents in the life of Abraham Lincoln were invariably popular. And the publishers nodded wistfully to each other that a title like 'Lincoln's Doctor's Dog', the triple threat, would be practically irresistible. But nobody ever did anything about it. Until, one day, recently, my friend Christopher Morley, one of the most prolific and best loved American authors, began to dream. Did Lincoln, perhaps, have a doctor, who had a dog, who had a story?"

February 11, 1863 [on-screen caption]
Dec
21
1955		 12 "The Silent Partner" Buster Keaton

ZaSu Pitts

Joe E. Brown		 Written by
Barbara Hammer

from a story by Barbara Hammer
and George Marshall		 George Marshall
Dec
28
1955		 13 "The Titanic Incident" Leo Genn

May Wynn

and
Philip Reed		 Written by
William R. Cox		 Ted Tetzlaff Announcer: "Tonight, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Mr. Ted Tetzlaff, whose many directorial credits include The Window and The White Tower. Tonight, Mr. Tetzlaff directs a story of a gamble at sea aboard the most glamourous ship of its day, entitled 'The Titanic Incident', starring Leo Genn in his first dramatic role on television. Screen Directors Playhouse is brought to you on film by the men and women of Eastman Kodak and Kodak dealers everywhere."

Announcer: "Next week, Screen Directors Playhouse proudly presents Miss Ida Lupino, Hollywood's most famous woman director. Miss Lupino will bring us a suspenseful story involving a deaf girl and a gangster, entitled 'No. 5 Checked Out'. Our stars will be Teresa Wright, Peter Lorre and William Talman. Be sure to join us."

  • Paul…..Leo Genn
  • Susan…..May Wynn
  • Sir Hubert…..Philip Reed
  • Deck Officer…..Mike McHale
  • Mrs. Van Owen…..Barbara Morrison
  • Mr. Fothergill…..Pat Whyte
  • Cabin Steward…..Michael Hadlow
  • Mr. Van Owen…..Paul Fielding
  • Mr. Ogden…..Ramsay Hill
  • Dining Steward…..George Leigh
Jan
4
1956		 14 "Hot Cargo" Rory Calhoun

Yvonne deCarlo		 Written by
David Dortort

From a story by
Tay Garnett		 Tay Garnett Announcer: "Tonight, we are pleased to present the distinguished Hollywood director Tay Garnett, whose well known motion pictures include A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, with Bing Crosby, The Postman Always Rings Twice and The Black Knight. For this evening, Mr. Garnett has selected the dramatic story entitled 'Hot Cargo'. The stars are Rory Calhoun and Yvonne deCarlo."
Jan
11
1956		 15 "It's Always Sunday" Dennis O'Keefe

Sheldon Leonard

with
Fay Wray		 Written by
D. D. Beauchamp

from a story by Jesse Goldstein
and
Frank Fox		 Allan Dwan Announcer: "Tonight, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Mr. Allan Dwan, director of Sands of Iwo Jima, starring John Wayne. For this evening, Mr. Dwan brings us a warmly human story about a minister and a tramp, entitled 'It's Always Sunday'. Our stars are Dennis O'Keefe, Sheldon Leonard and Fay Wray."
Jan
18
1956		 16 "No. 5 Checked Out" Teresa Wright

Peter Lorre

and William Talman		 Written by
Willard Wiener

from a story by
Ida Lupino		 Ida Lupino Announcer: "Tonight, Screen Directors Playhouse proudly presents Miss Ida Lupino, renowned for her direction of The Hitch-Hiker and The Bigamist. For this evening, Miss Lupino brings us the searching story of a deaf girl and the man she is afraid to love, entitled 'No. 5 Checked Out'. In tonight's cast are Teresa Wright, Peter Lorre and William Talman."
Feb
1
1956		 17 "Prima Donna" Jeanette MacDonald

and Special Guest Stars
Laraine Day

Leo Durocher		 Written by Gene Raymond
and
Peter Milne

from a story by
Gene Raymond		 David Butler Announcer: "Tonight, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Mr. David Butler, director of the musical Calamity Jane, which starred Doris Day, and the recently released Glory. For this evening, Mr. Butler will bring us a happy musical treat entitled 'Prima Donna'. Our star is Jeanette MacDonald with special guest stars Laraine Day and Leo Durocher."

Note: Gene Raymond, who wrote the story and co-wrote the teleplay, was married to Jeanette MacDonald from 1937 until her death in 1965.

Feb
15
1956		 18 "Cry Justice" MacDonald Carey

Dick Haymes

James Dunn

with
June Vincent		 Written by Donald Hyde George Sherman Announcer: "Tonight, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Mr. George Sherman, noted for his direction of many fine western films. His pictures include The Treasure of Pancho Villa and Chief Crazy Horse. For this evening, Mr. Sherman brings us an exciting story of the old west entitled 'Cry Justice'. Our stars are MacDonald Carey, Dick Haymes and James Dunn. Screen Directors Playhouse is brought to you on film by the men and women of Eastman Kodak and Kodak dealers everywhere."

Opening narration [voice of George Sherman]: "This is Westfield, Missouri". The year is 1871. Some men are planning the future, others are trying to steal it. Justice is swift, the punishment grim and sometimes mistakes are made."
Announcer: "Next week, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Mr. Byron Haskin, noted for his direction of such exciting films as The Naked Jungle and His Majesty O'Keefe. Mr. Haskin will bring us an intriguing story of romance set against the tropical background, entitled 'Affair in Sumatra', with Ralph Bellamy, Rita Gam and Basil Rathbone. Be sure to join us."

Announcer: "Each week at this time, the Eastman Kodak company invites you to see an outstanding screenplay, produced on Eastman Kodak film with all the scope and realism that only modern motion picture techniques make possible, and brought to you on Screen Directors Playhouse."

Feb
22
1956		 19 "Affair in Sumatra" Byron Haskin
Mar
7
1956		 20 "One Against Many" William Dieterle
Mar
14
1956		 21 "It's a Most Unusual Day" Claude Binyon
Apr
4
1956		 22 "The Sword of Villon" George Waggner
Apr
11
1956		 23 "Markheim" Fred Zinnemann
Apr
25
1956		 24 "Claire" Frank Tuttle
May
9
1956		 25 "A Ticket for Thaddeus" Frank Borzage
May
16
1956		 26 "The Dream" George Sanders

Sal Mineo

Patricia Morison		 Teleplay by
Richard
and Patricia Karlan

Based on a short story by Ivan Turgenev		 Hugo Haas Announcer: "Tonight, our director is Mr. Hugo Haas, one of Hollywood's newest and most talented director-actors.

Hugo Haas: "Good evening. All of us live in two worlds — the world of dreams and the world of reality — but who of us can say when one begins and the other ends… or if life itself is not just "The Dream?"
Announcer: "Our stars are George Sanders, Sal Mineo and Patricia Morison."

Note: Ivan Turgenev's short story "The Dream" [original title "Сон" ("Sohn")], was initially published in 1877.[5]

Jun
6
1956		 27 "What Day Is It?" Gower Champion
Jun
13
1956		 28 "Every Man Has Two Wives" Barry Nelson

Janet Blair

Buddy Ebsen

Mary Sinclair		 Frank Gill, Jr.
and DeWitt Bodeen

From a story by Thames Williamson		 Lewis Allen Announcer: "Tonight, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Mr. Lewis Allen, director of such famous films as Our Hearts Were Young and Gay and The Uninvited. For this evening, Mr. Allen brings us a delightful comedy entitled 'Every Man Has Two Wives'. Our stars are Barry Nelson, Janet Blair, Buddy Ebsen and Mary Sinclair."

Styled in the manner of an episode from a filmed sitcom, replete with a laugh track.
Jul
4
1956		 29 "Partners" Tay Garnett
Jul
11
1956		 30 "White Corridors" Ted Post
Jul
18
1956		 31 "The Carroll Formula" Michael Wilding Story and teleplay by
John L. Greene		 Tay Garnett Announcer: "Tonight, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Mr. Tay Garnett, famous for his direction of such comedy hits as A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. For this evening, Mr. Garnett brings us the hilarious story of a young English professor who stumbles unto a fantastic secret written between the lines of Alice in Wonderland. Our story 'The Carroll Formula'. Our star Michael Wilding."

Announcer: "Next week, one of Hollywood's most talented young directors, John Rich, takes over our directors' chair. Mr. Rich will bring us the delightful and humorous story of a young businesswoman who tries to become a housewife after ten years of marriage to her housekeeping husband. Be sure to join us when Screen Directors Playhouse presents Joan Caulfield and MacDonald Carey in 'Apples on the Lilac Tree'."

Jul
25
1956		 32 "Apples on the Lilac Tree" John Rich
Aug
1
1956		 33 "The Bitter Waters" George Sanders

and Constance Cummings		 Teleplay by
Zoe Akins

from a story by
Henry James		 John Brahm Announcer: "Tonight's Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes the distinguished Hollywood director Mr. John Brahm. For this evening, Mr. Brahm has chosen the story of a beautiful woman's struggle to combat the specter of an ambitious pact. Based on a famous short story by Henry James, our play is called 'The Bitter Waters'. Our stars are George Sanders and Constance Cummings."

Note: Henry James' "Louisa Pallant", variously described as a short story or a novella, was initially published in the February 1888 issue of Harper's New Monthly Magazine.[6]

Sep
5
1956		 34 "The Day I Met Caruso" The voice of Enrico Caruso
as recorded by R.C.A. VICTOR Album LM 6127

Introducing
Lotfi Mansouri		 Teleplay by
Zoe Akins

from a story by
Elizabeth Bacon Rodewald		 Frank Borzage Announcer: "Tonight, Screen Directors Playhouse is proud to again welcome the distinguished Academy Award-winning director Frank Borzage. Mr. Borzage brings us an unusual musical treat based on a true story from the life of Enrico Caruso and featuring the actual voice of the immortal singer. Our story is entitled 'The Day I Met Caruso'... and introduces Lotfi Mansouri in the title role."

Female narrator: "I had been visiting my father's cousin Hannah in Boston. It was years ago, soon after my tenth birthday. There was a dreadful thing called war... and a wonderful thing called the opera... and the greatest singer in the world was a man named Enrico Caruso whom we listed to on the fine Victrola my father had bought, though anything not necessary was regarded as an extravagance in our Quaker household and a sin for which one might be read out of the Society of Friends. Now, Cousin Hannah was putting me on the train for the trip home — my first trip alone — back to New York."
Announcer: "Next week, Screen Directors Playhouse presents Mr. Allan Dwan, director of such famous hits as Brewster's Millions and Sands of Iwo Jima. Mr. Dwan has chosen an exciting drama of the men who tunnel through treacherous mud and rock in the high pressure atmosphere under our nation's great rivers. Be sure to join us next week when William Bendix stars in 'High Air'."

Sep
12
1956		 35 "High Air" William Bendix

Dennis Hopper

and
John Alderson		 Teleplay by
A. I. Bezzerides

From a story by
Borden Chase		 Allan Dwan Announcer: "Tonight, Screen Directors Playhouse presents Mr. Allan Dwan, director of such famous hits as Brewster's Millions and Sands of Iwo Jima. Mr. Dwan brings us an exciting drama that pits father against son in the treacherous high pressure atmosphere of a tunnel construction job. Our story is entitled 'High Air'. Our star William Bendix."

Narrator: "New York is an island city. Every year it becomes more crowded… and the torrents of people that come and go require more bridges… more subways… more tunnels. Here, below the Hudson River, sandhogs are building a tube of steel, pushing it through a mile and a half of muck and sand and rock… and what holds the muck and water back?… air. Nothing but air. High air that is rammed into the tunnel by powerful compressors that pump it up to thirty, forty, fifty pounds per square inch. Under such terrific pressure, men can work only a short stretch at a time — an hour below, five hours above. The sandhogs pass the hours between shifts in the sweat shack — sweating it out with all windows closed and heat dancing in waves from the steam pipes to keep them warm."
Announcer: "Next week, Screen Directors Playhouse welcomes Academy Award winner Frank Borzage, whose hits include 7th Heaven and A Farewell to Arms. Mr. Borzage has chosen a heartwarming story of a new citizen's awakening to American freedom... entitled 'A Ticket for Thaddeus'. Edmond O'Brien will star in the title role. Be sure to join us."

See also

Sources

References

  1. ↑ Screen Directors Playhouse radio episodes listed at RUSC
  2. ↑ "Screen Directors Playhouse" (PDF). Broadcasting. July 11, 1955. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  3. ↑ Screen Directors Playhouse at TV.com
  4. ↑ Screen Directors Playhouse at Classic TV Archive
  5. ↑ Text of Ivan Turgenev's 1877 short story "The Dream"
  6. ↑ Study guide for Henry James' 1888 novella "Louisa Pallant"

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