Playhouse 90 is an American television anthology series that was telecast on CBS from 1956 to 1960 for a total of 133 episodes. It originated from CBS Television City in Los Angeles, California. Since live anthology drama series of the mid-1950s were usually hour-long shows, the title highlighted the network's intention to present something unusual, a weekly series of hour-and-a-half dramas rather than 60-minute plays. Playhouse 90 began as a pitch by Frank Stanton—the formidable, forward-thinking right-hand man to CBS chairman William S. Paley—during a brainstorming session for program ideas. The project was ultimately developed by Hubbell Robinson, a CBS vice president who received no screen credit on Playhouse 90 but is often described as its creator.
Playhouse 90 (Season 2)
The Death of Manolete 0.0
Air date: 1957-09-12
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: The last hours in the life of Spain's most celebrated matador.
The Dark Side of the Earth 0.0
Air date: 1957-09-19
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: A drama set in 1956, during the unsuccessful Hungarian uprising against the Russians
Topaze 0.0
Air date: 1957-09-26
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: A mild-mannered schoolteacher gradually abandons all his principles - and finds the success which has always hitherto eluded him.
A Sound of Different Drummers 0.0
Air date: 1957-10-03
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: In a dystopian society, reading is forbidden.
The Playroom 0.0
Air date: 1957-10-10
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: When a mother wins an award, she finds out a few things about her three grown-up children.
Around the World in 90 Minutes 0.0
Air date: 1957-10-17
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: October 17, 1957, the CBS Television Network diverted from its typical format of live dramatic presentations for "Playhouse 90" to cover Michael Todd's gigantic party commemorating the one-year anniversary of the release of his film "Around The World In 80 Days". Todd invited 18-thousand people to the gala in New York City's Madison Square Garden though the number probably was far greater because of party-crashers. Walter Cronkite hosted the coverage with future ABC Sports ace Jim McKay and news veteran Bill Leonard handling the interviewing of numerous celebrity party guests. During the broadcast, Garry Moore hosted occasional comedy vignettes of how Todd came to create his Academy award-winning movie.
The Mystery of Thirteen 0.0
Air date: 1957-10-24
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: The story of William Palmer, one of the most notorious poisoners in Victorian England - or was he?
The Edge of Innocence 0.0
Air date: 1957-10-31
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: A lawyer's new brother-in-law disapproves of his specialty of defending murderers. But when he finds himself accused of murder, he asks for his help.
The Clouded Image 0.0
Air date: 1957-11-07
Runtime: 90 min
The Jet-Propelled Couch 0.0
Air date: 1957-11-14
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: Based on a case history in psychologist Dr. Robert Linder's book "The 50-Minute Hour." Unbeknownst to his friends and colleagues, the outwardly sane and secure atomic physicist Dr. Kirk Allen has for many years been embarking upon imaginary visits to another planet. At first this mental abnormality harms no one, but when Allen begins acting strangely on the job, the Pentagon begins to suspect that he is a security risk. Under psychological counseling, Allen reveals his "secret life" and provides surprisingly accurate extraterrestrial charts as "proof" that he is truly out of this world.
The Troublemakers 0.0
Air date: 1957-11-21
Runtime: 90 min
Panic Button 0.0
Air date: 1957-11-28
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: A Civil Aeronautics Board investigation determines that the reason a plane crashed, killing all aboard except one of the pilots, is that either the dead pilot or the survivor became panic-stricken and pushed the wrong button, but the investigators aren't sure which one was at fault.
Galvanized Yankee 0.0
Air date: 1957-12-05
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: In a Northern prisoner-of-war camp during the Civil War, a crippled Yankee commander has a rebellious Rebel executed. The dead man's brother, also a prisoner, vows vengeance. He volunteers to accompany the commander on a mission, planning to murder him along the way but changes his mind and escapes instead, deciding the commander is "already dead." The commander, a changed man, covers up for the escapees and himself faces court martial.
The Thundering Wave 0.0
Air date: 1957-12-12
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: Middle-aged actress Victoria Maxwell comes to terms with her destructive lifestyle as she struggles with the lead role in a Broadway-bound play. Matters are complicated by the fact that she is co-starring opposite her estranged husband, Allen Grant, whom she never stopped loving.
For I Have Loved Strangers 0.0
Air date: 1957-12-19
Runtime: 90 min
The Lone Woman 0.0
Air date: 1957-12-26
Runtime: 90 min
Reunion 0.0
Air date: 1958-01-02
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: A reunion party for old army buddies turns inexorably into something darker and more sinister.
The Last Man 0.0
Air date: 1958-01-09
Runtime: 90 min
The 80 Yard Run 0.0
Air date: 1958-01-16
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: Long ago, Christian made a run of 80 yards to make the winning touchdown in a football game. It was the greatest moment of his life. Or was it the beginning of his decline?
Before I Die 0.0
Air date: 1958-01-23
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: An innocent man, doomed to die for the murder of a cop that he didn't commit, is rushed from prison to the county hospital for an emergency operation. The surgeon becomes convinced of the man's innocence when he mumbles a girl's name under anesthesia. The surgeon seeks the help of a psychiatrist to penetrate his patient's subconscious.
The Gentleman from Seventh Avenue 0.0
Air date: 1958-01-30
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: Mr. Golden wonders if he has wasted his life; but the news that he is to become a grandfather cheers him.
The Violent Heart 0.0
Air date: 1958-02-06
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: Photographer Paul is invited to a French estate to take pictures but a romance develops with the lady of the house. A sudden death creates a suspicion of murder.
No Time at All 0.0
Air date: 1958-02-13
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: An airliner flying nonstop at night from Miami to New York fails to check in, then disappears from radar. We see how its disappearance affects people on the ground. The Episode was directed by David Swift, who also collaborated with Charles Einstein with the screenplay. Charles Einstein is also credited with writing the story. Guests include William Lundigan, Betsy Palmer, Jane Greer, Buster Keaton, Chico Marx, Frank Wilcox & Charles Bronson. The Production Company was CBS Television Network and was distributed in the USA by CBS.
Point of No Return 0.0
Air date: 1958-02-20
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: Waiting to find out if he's obtained a valuable promotion, a banker returns to the small town he grew up in.
Portrait of a Murderer 0.0
Air date: 1958-02-27
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: Based on a true story, Donald Bashor robs and bludgeons two women to their deaths. While committing the crimes he maintains a normal existence with his girlfriend Florry.
The Last Clear Chance 0.0
Air date: 1958-03-06
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: A veteran lawyer must defend his own son when the latter is threatened with disbarment.
The Male Animal 0.0
Air date: 1958-03-13
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: The trustees of Midwestern University have forced three teachers out of their jobs for being suspected communists. Trustee Ed Keller has also threatened mild mannered English Professor Tommy Turner, because he plans to read a controversial piece of prose in class.
The Right Hand Man 0.0
Air date: 1958-03-20
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: The story of a struggle for control of a Hollywood talent agency.
Turn Left at Mount Everest 0.0
Air date: 1958-04-03
Runtime: 90 min
The Dungeon 0.0
Air date: 1958-04-17
Runtime: 90 min
Verdict of Three 0.0
Air date: 1958-04-24
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: A murder trial is followed through different jurors and their reactions.
Rumors of Evening 0.0
Air date: 1958-05-01
Runtime: 90 min
Not the Glory 0.0
Air date: 1958-05-08
Runtime: 90 min
Nightmare at Ground Zero 0.0
Air date: 1958-05-15
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: After the first atom bomb test, scientists realize the bomb was more powerful than they expected - which may have terrible results.
Bomber's Moon 0.0
Air date: 1958-05-22
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: A hard-hearted Colonel loses many men in his group's bombing missions over World War II Germany, but keeps on going and won't tolerate a young lieutenant losing his nerve under the strain, who refuses to continue.
Natchez 0.0
Air date: 1958-05-29
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: A Civil War veteran returns home to find his father has become a social pariah.
The Innocent Sleep 0.0
Air date: 1958-06-05
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: When a rich man marries a much younger wife and his ailing health gets rather worse, the housekeeper suspects a murder attempt is looming.
A Town Has Turned to Dust 0.0
Air date: 1958-06-19
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: A weakling sheriff is unable to prevent a lynching. Can he redeem himself by preventing a second one?
The Great Gatsby 0.0
Air date: 1958-06-26
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: A Midwesterner becomes fascinated with his wealthy neighbor, who obsesses over his lost love.
Bitter Heritage 0.0
Air date: 1958-08-07
Runtime: 90 min
Overview: The James boys, being framed for a bank heist, are saved by the banker's daughter.
Seasons
Episodes 39
Episodes 40
Episodes 38
Episodes 17