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Medallion Theatre

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Medallion Theatre
Also known asChrysler Medallion Theatre
GenreAnthology series
No. of episodes30
Production
ProducerWilliam Spier
Running time30 minutes
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseJuly 11, 1953 (1953-07-11) –
April 3, 1954 (1954-04-03)

Medallion Theatre, aka Chrysler Medallion Theatre, is a 30-minute American anthology series that aired on CBS from July 11, 1953, to April 3, 1954.[1] Henry Fonda (in the premiere telecast "The Decision of Arrowsmith"), Claude Rains, and Janet Gaynor made their major television dramatic debuts on this series in various 1953 episodes. Others guest stars included Helen Hayes, Charlton Heston, Ronald Reagan, Jack Lemmon, Rod Steiger, and Roddy McDowell. Among its writers were Rod Serling and Robert Anderson. Directors included Ralph Nelson, Don Medford, Robert Stevens, and Seymour Robbie. The original producer was William Spier.[2]

Premise

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Spier said that older short stories were selected for their quality: "Thirty or forty years ago, writers knew content better, and by using their stories we hope to get what we're aiming at, dramas with fiber and dimension."[3]

Production

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All thirty episodes were aired live from New York.[4] Mort Abrahams was associate producer, Samuel Leve was the set designer, and Robert Tallman the story editor.[5]

Reaction

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Ben Gross of the New York Daily News said it was "a welcome recruit to the ranks of live dramatic shows".[4] Columnist John Crosby was intrigued at the show's extracting a storyline for its premiere episode from a longer work, and praised the cast, writing, and all-around production.[6]

Broadcast history

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By mid-February 1954 columnist Erskine Johnson reported that CBS had decided to replace Medallion Theater with a new sitcom called That's My Boy.[7] About the same time, the producer role was taken over by Mort Abrahams.[8]

Episodes

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List of Episodes of Medallion Theatre (in original broadcast order)
Date Title Cast Notes
Jul 11, 1953 The Decision of Arrowsmith Henry Fonda, Diana Douglas, Juano Hernández[9] An extract from the novel by Sinclair Lewis.[10]
Jul 18, 1953 A Job for Jimmy Valentine Ronald Reagan Adaption from O. Henry short story.[11]
Jul 25, 1953 Grand Cross of the Crescent Jack Lemmon, Ernest Truex, Freddie Bartholomew [12]
Aug 01, 1953 The Man Who Liked Dickens Claude Rains, Richard Kiley, Russell Collins The Evelyn Waugh short story is given a happy ending.[13]
Aug 08, 1950 Mrs. Union Station June Havoc, Scott McKay, Richard Carlyle Newlywed has to compete with husband's electric train hobby.[14]
Aug 15, 1953 The Consul Charles Ruggles A diplomat deals with a visiting politician, adapted from Richard Harding Davis story.[15]
Aug 22, 1953 The Quiet Village Robert Preston Film director (Preston) plots revenge on actor.[16]
Aug 29, 1953 Columbo Discovers Italy Dane Clark Brooklyn shoemaker inherits decaying island hotel.[17]
Sep 05, 1953 Scent of the Roses Martha Scott, Patricia Smith Southern woman bides her time in pursuing a husband.[18]
Sep 12, 1953 The Padre of San Pablo Zachary Scott Mexican bank-robber assumes identity of deceased priest.[19]
Sep 19, 1953 The Bartlett Desk Edward Everett Horton, Mildred Natwick Antique dealer badgers poor woman for her family heirloom.[20]
Sep 26, 1953 The Big Bow Mystery Cedric Hardwicke Retired Scotland Yard detective solves crime.[21]
Oct 03, 1953 The Archer Case Claude Rains Barrister defends cadet accused of stealing five shillings.[22]
Oct 10, 1953 Trouble Train Jeffrey Lynn, Madge Evans, Iris Mann Son of separated couple tries to reunite them.[23]
Oct 17, 1953 A Time for Heroes Victor Moore Moore plays aged Civil War veteran.[24]
Oct 24, 1953 Return Match Maria Riva, Joseph Anthony, William Prince Tennis player ex- roils woman's second marriage.[25]
Oct 31, 1953 Gran'ma Rebel Jackie Cooper, Betsy von Furstenberg, Beulah Bondi [26]
Nov 07, 1953 Battle Hymn Helen Hayes, Wesley Addy, Stephen Cortleigh Harriet Beecher Stowe ponders her novel's contribution to starting the Civil War.[27]
Nov 14, 1953 The Bishop's Candlesticks Victor Jory and Barry Jones An episode from the first volume of Les Misérables.[28]
Nov 21, 1953 The Canterville Ghost Edward Everett Horton [29]
Nov 28, 1953 Dear Cynthia Janet Gaynor [30]
Dec 05, 1953 Crimson Velvet Blanche Yurka Aging star attempts to revive her career.[31]
Dec 12, 1953 A Day in Town Charlton Heston Poverty-stricken farmer must sell his land to feed his family.[32]
Dec 19, 1953 Twenty-four Men to a Plane Jackie Cooper and Leslie Nielsen Two former flying officers clash over a General's diary.[33]
Dec 26, 1953 They Called Them the Meek Thomas Gomez and Gene Raymond This was a drama by Rod Serling.[34][35]
Jan 02, 1954 A Suitable Marriage Otto Kruger, Roddy McDowell, Ann Shoemaker, Lenka Peterson, Morton Stevens, and Francis Compton. [36]
Jan 09, 1954 The Magic Touch Paul Douglas Ghost writer's integrity is challenged by his son.[37]
Jan 16, 1954 The Gentle Deception Thomas Mitchell A plumber with style is taken for a doctor.[38]
Jan 23, 1954 The Blue Serge Suit Diana Lynn Newlywed comes to terms with the ethics of the legal profession.[39]
Jan 30, 1954 Book Overdue Jan Sterling and Barry Sullivan Mystery writer's attempt to write novel imperils his marriage.[40]
Feb 06, 1954 Teacher Nancy Olson, Don Taylor, Hope Emerson Schoolmarm (Olson) is caught up in rural infighting.[41]
Feb 13, 1954 The 39th Bomb Steve Cochran Former military bomb disposal expert must deal with time-bomb.[42]
Feb 20, 1954 The Voyage Back Richard Kiley, Nancy Kelly, Claudia Morgan Couple encounters lonely third party on sea voyage. Original teleplay by Tad Mosel.[8]
Feb 27, 1954 Homestead Eddie Albert Land agents try to cheat settlers in Oklahoma Territory.[43]
Mar 6, 1954 Sinners Mildred Dunnock, Rhys Williams Woman confronts man she had sent to prison wrongfully.[44]
Mar 13, 1954 Flight to Fame Edith Fellows Young actress must decide between her opportunity for Broadway and a stranger's life.[45]
Mar 20, 1954 Contact with the West Jerome Thor, Joseph Wiseman British officer befriends liberated Russian POW during World War II. Original teleplay by Geoffrey Kean.[46]
Mar 27, 1954 The Alibi Kid Sam Levene, Stephen McNally, Ben Gazzarra Heavyweight contender has trouble with brother's impending marriage.[47][48]
Apr 3, 1954 Safari Brian Donlevy, Marilyn Erskine Hunter is obsessed with capturing rare African animal.[49][50]

References

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  1. ^ Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present (9 ed.). New York: Random House Publishing. p. 877. ISBN 978-0-345-49773-4. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  2. ^ "The Man behind Medallion Theatre" (PDF). Radio-TV Mirror. 40 (6): 16. November 1953. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  3. ^ Coleman, Bill (July 4, 1953). "A Talk with Spier". The Tablet. New York, Brooklyn. p. 15. Retrieved April 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b Gross, Ben (July 13, 1953). "What's On?". Daily News. New York, New York. p. 40 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "On "Medallion Theatre", It's Tops in Talent Plus Only the Best Stories". The Times Recorder. Zanesville, Ohio. July 11, 1953. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Crosby, John (July 17, 1953). "Fonda Excels In Portion Of 'Arrowsmith' On TV". Tampa Bay Times. Tampa, Florida. p. 40 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Johnson, Erskine (February 13, 1954). "In Hollywood". Dixon Evening-Telegraph. Dixon, Illinois. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b "Richard Kiley To Star Tonight On Medallion Theater". The Oshkosh Northwestern. Oshkosh, Wisconsin. February 20, 1954. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Today's Television". Poughkeepsie Journal. Poughkeepsie, New York. July 11, 1953. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Crosby, John (July 17, 1953). "Radio and Television". Lansing State Journal. Lansing, Michigan. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Scheuer, Steven H. (July 18, 1953). "TV Key". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 4. Retrieved April 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "To See - To Hear". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. July 25, 1953. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Scheuer, Steven H. (August 1, 1953). "TV Key". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "A Comedy Starring June Havoc". Cincinnati Post. Cincinnati, Ohio. August 8, 1953. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Week-End Highlights". Los Angeles Mirror. Los Angeles, California. August 15, 1953. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Saturday TV". Daily News. Los Angeles, California. August 22, 1953. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Scheuer, Steven H. (August 29, 1953). "TV Key". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Scheuer, Steven H. (September 5, 1953). "TV Key". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ Scheuer, Steven H. (September 12, 1953). "TV Key". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Saturday's Television Programs". Newsday (Nassau Edition). Hempstead, New York. September 19, 1953. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ Scheuer, Steven H. (September 26, 1953). "TV Key". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ Scheuer, Steven H. (October 3, 1953). "TV Key". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ Inge, Gene (October 10, 1953). "TV and Radio". Evening Vanguard. Venice, California. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ Danson, Tom (October 17, 1953). "TV-Radiologic". The Whittier News. Whittier, California. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ Scheuer, Steven H. (October 24, 1953). "TV Key". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ Scheuer, Steven H. (October 31, 1953). "TV Key". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ Collins, William (November 10, 1953). "Helen Hayes Stars as Mrs. Stowe". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "To See - To Hear". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. November 14, 1953. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ Danson, Tom (November 21, 1953). "TV-Radiologic". The Napa Valley Register. Napa, California. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ Inge, Gene (November 28, 1953). "TV and Radio". News-Pilot. San Pedro, California. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ Danson, Tom (December 5, 1953). "TV-Radiologic". Progress-Bulletin. Pomona, California. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ Price, Paul (December 12, 1953). "Adlai Stevenson in Radio-TV Talk". Daily News. Los Angeles, California. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ Scheuer, Steven H. (December 19, 1953). "TV Key". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ Price, Paul (December 26, 1953). "Plenty of variety on Radio-TV skeds". Daily News. Los Angeles, California. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ "(Photo Caption)". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio. December 26, 1953. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ "Saturday, January 2" (PDF). Ross Reports on Television. January 3, 1954. p. A. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  37. ^ "Today on TV". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. January 9, 1954. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "Today on TV". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. January 16, 1954. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ "Saturday Television Program". Courier-Post. Camden, New Jersey. January 23, 1954. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^ "Saturday Television Program". Courier-Post. Camden, New Jersey. January 30, 1954. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ "Today on TV". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. February 6, 1954. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ^ "Saturday Television Program". Courier-Post. Camden, New Jersey. February 13, 1954. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ "Today on TV". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. February 27, 1954. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^ "Today on TV". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. March 6, 1954. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ^ "Saturday Television Program". Courier-Post. Camden, New Jersey. March 13, 1954. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ^ "War II Incident Is Recounted on Medallion Theater". The Oshkosh Northwestern. Oshkosh, Wisconsin. March 20, 1954. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. ^ "KMJ-TV Channel 24 (column ad)". The Fresno Bee. Fresno, California. March 27, 1954. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  48. ^ "Television Program Schedule". The Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario. March 27, 1954. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. ^ "Television Program Schedule". The Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario. April 3, 1954. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ^ "Television". Daily News. New York, New York. April 3, 1954. p. 233 – via Newspapers.com.
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