50s/60s anthologies
by nakedcity-80465 | created - 05 May 2020 | updated - 11 months ago | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. The 20th Century-Fox Hour (1955–1957)
60 min | Drama
An anthology of mini-features, new productions largely consisting of hasty retreads of successful 20th Century Fox movies.
Stars: Joseph Cotten, Jesse White, Carl Benton Reid, Grandon Rhodes
Votes: 235
2. Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre (1955–1958)
30 min | Drama
An anthology series hosted by Jane Wyman.
Stars: Jane Wyman, Paul Bryar, Tim Graham, Simon Scott
Votes: 69
3. Warner Brothers Presents (1955–1956)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama
This show featured three rotating series, "Kings Row", "Cheyenne" and "Casablanca". The last 15 minutes was devoted to promoting Warner Brothers movies but this was dropped along with "... See full summary »
Stars: Gig Young, Charles McGraw, Marcel Dalio, Dan Seymour
Votes: 45
4. Star Stage (1955–1956)
30 min | Drama
The show featured two-act plays. Two-thirds were live, and the rest on film.
Stars: Jeffrey Lynn, Joseph Cotten, Paul Douglas, Georgann Johnson
Votes: 24
5. General Electric Summer Originals (1956– )
30 min | Comedy, Drama, Musical
An anthology series broadcast by ABC during the summer of 1956. It featured parts of dramatic films which were previously unavailable for television. The series included performances by ... See full summary »
Stars: Herb Vigran, Ronald Reagan, Joe E. Brown, Hugh Beaumont
Votes: 30
6. Four Star Playhouse (1952–1956)
30 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
This show featured four rotating stars, Charles Boyer, David Niven, Ida Lupino, and Dick Powell in individual episodes consisting of everything from comedy to drama.
Stars: David Niven, Dick Powell, Charles Boyer, Ida Lupino
Votes: 243
7. Studio 57 (1954–1958)
30 min | Drama, Family
This dramatic anthology series went into open syndication when the DuMont Television Network ceased operations.
Stars: Joel Aldrich, Tim Graham, Jean Byron, Marguerite Chapman
Votes: 244
8. Schlitz Playhouse (1951–1959)
30 min | Comedy, Drama
Originally billed as "Playhouse of the Stars" this long running anthology series was originally presented live from New York City. Irene Dunne was briefly the hostess in 1952, and the show frequently used Broadway performers in classic stories.
Stars: James Mason, Irene Dunne, Robert Paige, Walter Coy
Votes: 338
9. Rendezvous (1957– )
30 min | Drama
An anthology series of short stories told to acquaintances by a man named John Burden.
Stars: Charles Drake, Gordon Tanner, Gaylord Cavallaro, Paul Massie
Votes: 33
10. General Electric Theater (1953–1962)
TV-G | 30 min | Drama
An American anthology series, with a new episode and different actors and actresses each week. Hosted by Ronald Reagan, the series was sponsored by General Electric's Department of Public Relations.
Stars: Ronald Reagan, Don Herbert, Nancy Reagan, Lee Marvin
Votes: 431
11. The Best of the Post (1960– )
30 min | Drama
A syndicated anthology series adapted from stories published in the Saturday Evening Post magazine.
Stars: John Conte, Burt Douglas, Karl Swenson, Alan Lee
Votes: 34
12. Alcoa Premiere (1961–1963)
60 min | Drama
Hosted by famous dancer and actor Fred Astaire, this series presented a new drama with each week's episode. Unlike some of the earlier drama series, which tended either toward classics or ... See full summary »
Stars: Fred Astaire, Keir Dullea, Brian Eliot, Paul Comi
Votes: 141
13. Kraft Suspense Theatre (1963–1965)
TV-PG | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Kraft Suspense Theater was an anthology series which featured a new cast and stories each week.
Stars: David Lewis, Francis De Sales, Harry Townes, Jack Kelly
Votes: 287
14. Vacation Playhouse (1963–1967)
30 min | Drama, Comedy, Crime
Summer replacement show featuring pilot programs that had not been sold.
Stars: Darryl Hickman, Dwayne Hickman, Pat Crowley, Soupy Sales
Votes: 63
15. Climax! (1954–1958)
Unrated | 60 min | Drama
This was an anthology series that presented a different story and different set of characters on each episode. It ran from 1954 to 1958 and featured Casino Royale of James Bond fame, which led to two theatrical movies of the same name.
Stars: William Lundigan, Art Gilmore, Mary Costa, Michael Rennie
Votes: 260
16. Goodyear Playhouse (1951–1957)
60 min | Drama
The show featured original plays plus plays adapted from works.
Stars: Walter Matthau, David White, Constance Ford, Kim Stanley
Votes: 111
17. Rheingold Theatre (1953–1957)
23 min | Drama
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. narrated, produced, and frequently starred in this anthology series, which presented everything from drama to mystery to farce.
Stars: Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Christopher Lee, Ron Randell, Barbara Mullen
Votes: 74
18. The United States Steel Hour (1953–1963)
60 min | Comedy, Drama
In this live drama series, over two hundred live plays, covering all aspects of society, were shown.
Stars: Richard Kiley, Betsy Palmer, Edward Andrews, Biff McGuire
Votes: 196
19. Playhouse 90 (1956–1961)
90 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
Of the many anthology series, this is considered the most ambitious with outstanding talent in front of the camera. Attracting top ranked directors and scripts, it was often filmed live including the entire first season.
Stars: Richard Joy, Paul Lambert, Helen Kleeb, Charles Bickford
Votes: 419
20. Studio One (1948–1958)
60 min | Drama
A pinnacle of the Golden Age of Television, "Studio One" presented a wide range of memorable dramas and received eighteen Emmy nominations and five wins during its prestigious nine-year run on CBS.
Stars: Betty Furness, Paul Branson, Charlton Heston, Mary Sinclair
Votes: 328
21. NET Playhouse (1964–1972)
90 min | Biography, Drama, History
American television anthology series of wide range of genres, from history and drama, to fantasy, and science fiction. Fiction novels, stories, stage plays, fairytales, and historic events are dramatized in each episode.
Stars: Irene Dailey, Rene Auberjonois, George Voskovec, Richard Dysart
Votes: 52
22. The Philco Television Playhouse (1948–1956)
60 min | Drama
This live dramatic series featured original stories and adaptations of novels, plays, etc., during its eight-year run. During the first year, the show was sponsored by the Actor's Equity ... See full summary »
Stars: Bert Lytell, Jay Jackson, Bob Stanton, E.G. Marshall
Votes: 137
23. CBS Playhouse (1967–1970)
90 min | Drama
An anthology series of well regarded screenplays. Presenting twelve shows over it's run it showcased many up and coming actors and garnered it's share of Emmy nominations.
Stars: Jason Wingreen, Paulene Myers, Mildred Trares, Melvyn Douglas
Votes: 56
24. Telephone Time (1956–1958)
30 min | Drama
Anthology series originally featured plays by host, John Nesbitt for season one. Beginning in September 1957, works from other authors were presented as well until series ended in April ... See full summary »
Stars: John Nesbitt, Frank Baxter, Maurice Marsac, Florenz Ames
Votes: 249
25. Pulitzer Prize Playhouse (1950–1952)
60 min | Drama
Dramatic anthology series presenting plays adopted from Pulitzer Prize winning stories, plays, novels, et cetera.
Stars: Elmer Davis, Charles Dingle, Richard Bishop, Joan Chandler
Votes: 50
26. Kraft Theatre (1947–1958)
60 min | Drama
A well-received anthology series presenting live television dramas.
Stars: Ed Herlihy, Vaughn Taylor, Valerie Cossart, Dan Morgan
Votes: 222
27. Danger (1950–1955)
30 min | Drama
Live psychological and murder mystery dramas, and one of the first U.S. television dramas to make effective use of background music.
Stars: Dick Stark, Edward Binns, Richard Kiley, Joseph Anthony
Votes: 102
28. Knock on Any Door (1965–1966)
60 min | Drama
An anthology series with the premise that there is a story behind every door.
Stars: Ted Willis, Brenda Bruce, Helen Fraser, Peter Copley
Votes: 12
29. Drama 61-67 (1961–1967)
60 min | Drama
Stars: Brian Haines, Robert Cartland, Alister Williamson, Joe Ritchie
Votes: 30
30. Encounter (1952–1961)
60 min | Drama
An anthology television series aired from Toronto, Canada, and carried by both CBC and ABC. In Canada, the series was known as "General Motors Presents". The one-hour dramas were either ... See full summary »
Stars: Austin Willis, Barry Morse, Katharine Blake, James Doohan
Votes: 46
31. Conflict (1956–1957)
60 min | Drama
This anthology series focused on characters at odds or having struggles in life. Alternating with Warner Brothers westerns, the episodes were set in various centuries and different casts.
Stars: Gig Young, Rex Reason, Will Hutchins, James Garner
Votes: 37
32. Armstrong Circle Theatre (1950–1963)
60 min | Drama
Documentary dramas, plays that were based on true stories, were the forte of Armstrong Circle Theater. Many movie actors and actresses got their start here.
Stars: Douglas Edwards, Sandy Becker, Bob Sherry, John Cameron Swayze
Votes: 123
33. G.E. True (1962–1963)
30 min | Adventure, Drama
Episodes based on stories from "True" magazine.
Stars: Jack Webb, Felix Reinsch, Kurt Kreuger, Charles H. Radilak
Votes: 35
34. Festival (1960–1969)
60 min | Drama
Festival is a Canadian entertainment anthology television series which aired on CBC Television
Stars: Gillie Fenwick, Gerard Parkes, Eric House, Douglas Rain
Votes: 19
35. Broadway Television Theatre (1952–1954)
60 min | Comedy, Drama
This syndicated show presented adaptations of Broadway shows.
Stars: Sylvia Sidney, Edward Everett Horton, Melville Cooper, Ernest Truex
Votes: 37
36. Crossroads (1955–1957)
30 min | Drama
The anthology series dramatized the lives of clergymen of all faiths and the problems they faced in both their professional and personal lives.
Stars: Ray Teal, Robert Carson, Frank J. Scannell, Douglass Dumbrille
Votes: 92
38. Thirty-Minute Theatre (1965–1973)
30 min | Crime, Drama
Anthology drama series of short plays shown on BBC Television.
Stars: Robin Chadwick, Donald Sinden, Helen Lindsay, Paul Moriarty
Votes: 57
39. The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950–1955)
60 min | Comedy, Romance
This was a Colgate-sponsored comedy hour that featured many notable comedians and entertainers of the era as guest stars.
Stars: Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Al Goodman, Eddie Cantor
Votes: 588
40. Kraft Mystery Theater (1961–1963)
60 min | Crime, Mystery
A successor to Kraft Television Theater with a change of focus away from straight drama. The high productions remained along with the ability to attract well known talent.
Stars: Frank Gallop, Keir Dullea, John Ericson, Richard Anderson
Votes: 78
41. Suspicion (1957–1958)
60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The show consisted of forty episodes, half of which were live and half of which were filmed. The shows, which often involved murder, were intended to confuse and mystify the audience.
Stars: Dennis O'Keefe, Mike Ragan, Cris Roberts, David Armstrong
Votes: 520
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