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.
Matinee Theater (Season 3)
Father Come Home (Episode 1)
Air date: 1957-10-15
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: 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.
Villa of the Angels (Episode 2)
Air date: 1957-10-16
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: 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
A Tone of Time (Episode 3)
Air date: 1957-10-17
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: A successful career woman falls ill and discovers someone has been administering small doses of poison to her every day. - Tv Guide
Almost Any Man Will Do (Episode 4)
Air date: 1957-10-18
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: 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
Sing for Me (Episode 5)
Air date: 1957-10-21
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: 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
Run for the Money (Episode 6)
Air date: 1957-10-22
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: 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.
Lest We Forget (Episode 7)
Air date: 1957-10-23
Runtime: 60 min
The Glass Hill (Episode 8)
Air date: 1957-10-24
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: 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
Out of the Frying Pan (Episode 9)
Air date: 1957-10-25
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Pretty Martha Radway is vigorously campaigning with members of the League of Women Voters for a new school in their town.
The Last Stop (Episode 10)
Air date: 1957-10-28
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: 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
The Weak and the Strong (Episode 11)
Air date: 1957-10-29
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: 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
Nine-Finger Jack (Episode 12)
Air date: 1957-10-30
Runtime: 60 min
Elementals (Episode 13)
Air date: 1957-10-31
Runtime: 60 min
Plummer in Paradise (Episode 14)
Air date: 1957-11-01
Runtime: 60 min
Something About a Dollar (Episode 15)
Air date: 1957-11-04
Runtime: 60 min
Return in Winter (Episode 16)
Air date: 1957-11-07
Runtime: 60 min
Grandmama and Grandfather (Episode 17)
Air date: 1957-11-08
Runtime: 60 min
Aesop and Rhodope (Episode 18)
Air date: 1957-11-11
Runtime: 60 min
All Over the World (Episode 19)
Air date: 1957-11-12
Runtime: 60 min
The Ransom of Sigmund Freud (Episode 20)
Air date: 1957-11-13
Runtime: 60 min
Iris (Episode 21)
Air date: 1957-11-14
Runtime: 60 min
Remember Me Kindly (Episode 22)
Air date: 1957-11-15
Runtime: 60 min
The Embassy House (Episode 23)
Air date: 1957-11-18
Runtime: 60 min
Witness to Murder (Episode 24)
Air date: 1957-11-19
Runtime: 60 min
The Johnson House (Episode 25)
Air date: 1957-11-20
Runtime: 60 min
Cadenza (Episode 26)
Air date: 1957-11-25
Runtime: 60 min
Green Shores (Episode 27)
Air date: 1957-11-26
Runtime: 60 min
A Question of Balance (Episode 28)
Air date: 1957-11-27
Runtime: 60 min
Daniel Webster and the Sea Serpent (Episode 29)
Air date: 1957-11-29
Runtime: 60 min
The Conversation Tables (Episode 30)
Air date: 1957-12-02
Runtime: 60 min
Out of My Darkness (Episode 31)
Air date: 1957-12-03
Runtime: 60 min
The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg (Episode 32)
Air date: 1957-12-04
Runtime: 60 min
The Broom and the Groom (Episode 33)
Air date: 1957-12-05
Runtime: 60 min
A Cloud for Jeni (Episode 34)
Air date: 1957-12-06
Runtime: 60 min
The Consul (Episode 35)
Air date: 1957-12-09
Runtime: 60 min
The Old Friend (Episode 36)
Air date: 1957-12-10
Runtime: 60 min
Give Me a Wand (Episode 37)
Air date: 1957-12-10
Runtime: 60 min
The Sure Thing (Episode 38)
Air date: 1957-12-11
Runtime: 60 min
Dark of the Moon (Episode 39)
Air date: 1957-12-12
Runtime: 60 min
The Giver and the Gift (Episode 40)
Air date: 1957-12-13
Runtime: 60 min
No Time for Comedy (Episode 41)
Air date: 1957-12-16
Runtime: 60 min
Gentleman of Fortune (Episode 42)
Air date: 1957-12-17
Runtime: 60 min
The Gentleman Caller (Episode 43)
Air date: 1957-12-18
Runtime: 60 min
Tender Leaves (Episode 44)
Air date: 1957-12-19
Runtime: 60 min
In 25 Words or Less (Episode 45)
Air date: 1957-12-20
Runtime: 60 min
Sara Crewe (Episode 46)
Air date: 1957-12-23
Runtime: 60 min
Amahl and the Night Visitors (Episode 47)
Air date: 1957-12-24
Runtime: 60 min
The Little Minister (Episode 48)
Air date: 1957-12-25
Runtime: 60 min
Daughter of Kings (Episode 49)
Air date: 1957-12-31
Runtime: 60 min
The Survival Kit (Episode 50)
Air date: 1958-01-02
Runtime: 60 min
The House with the Golden Street (Episode 51)
Air date: 1958-01-03
Runtime: 60 min
The Europeans (Episode 52)
Air date: 1958-01-06
Runtime: 60 min
The Collected Letters of Mr. Sage (Episode 53)
Air date: 1958-01-07
Runtime: 60 min
Two-Picture Deal (Episode 54)
Air date: 1958-01-08
Runtime: 60 min
The Great Obstacle Courtship (Episode 55)
Air date: 1958-01-09
Runtime: 60 min
A Chance to Die (Episode 56)
Air date: 1958-01-10
Runtime: 60 min
Home on the Range (Episode 57)
Air date: 1958-01-13
Runtime: 60 min
The Makropoulos Secret (Episode 58)
Air date: 1958-01-14
Runtime: 60 min
More Than a Man (Episode 59)
Air date: 1958-01-15
Runtime: 60 min
Something Stolen, Something New (Episode 60)
Air date: 1958-01-16
Runtime: 60 min
Thunderbolt (Episode 61)
Air date: 1958-01-17
Runtime: 60 min
Daisy Mayne (Episode 62)
Air date: 1958-01-20
Runtime: 60 min
The Man Who Wanted to Hate (Episode 63)
Air date: 1958-01-21
Runtime: 60 min
The Golden Fleecing (Episode 64)
Air date: 1958-01-22
Runtime: 60 min
Forever and Ever (Episode 65)
Air date: 1958-01-23
Runtime: 60 min
Decision (Episode 66)
Air date: 1958-01-24
Runtime: 60 min
Solider's Boy (Episode 67)
Air date: 1958-01-27
Runtime: 60 min
The Man with Pointed Toes (Episode 68)
Air date: 1958-01-28
Runtime: 60 min
Love Out of Town (Episode 69)
Air date: 1958-01-31
Runtime: 60 min
Cave-In (Episode 70)
Air date: 1958-02-03
Runtime: 60 min
The Iceman (Episode 71)
Air date: 1958-02-04
Runtime: 60 min
The Long, Long Laugh (Episode 72)
Air date: 1958-02-05
Runtime: 60 min
Man Without a Country (Episode 73)
Air date: 1958-02-06
Runtime: 60 min
The Odd Ones (Episode 74)
Air date: 1958-02-07
Runtime: 60 min
Monsieur Beaucaire (Episode 75)
Air date: 1958-02-11
Runtime: 60 min
Life Upon the Wicked Stage (Episode 76)
Air date: 1958-02-12
Runtime: 60 min
Without Fear or Favor (Episode 77)
Air date: 1958-02-13
Runtime: 60 min
The Third Person (Episode 78)
Air date: 1958-02-14
Runtime: 60 min
Eden End (Episode 79)
Air date: 1958-02-17
Runtime: 60 min
The 10th Muse (Episode 80)
Air date: 1958-02-18
Runtime: 60 min
Goodbye on Thursday (Episode 81)
Air date: 1958-02-20
Runtime: 60 min
Heart's Desire (Episode 82)
Writer: Helene Hanff
Air date: 1958-02-21
Runtime: 60 min
Marriage of Convenience (Episode 83)
Air date: 1958-02-24
Runtime: 60 min
The Suicide Club (Episode 84)
Air date: 1958-02-25
Runtime: 60 min
The 65th Floor (Episode 85)
Air date: 1958-02-26
Runtime: 60 min
The Hickory Heart (Episode 86)
Air date: 1958-02-27
Runtime: 60 min
The Devil's Violin (Episode 87)
Air date: 1958-02-28
Runtime: 60 min
Wednesday's Child (Episode 88)
Air date: 1958-03-04
Runtime: 60 min
Vigilante (Episode 89)
Air date: 1958-03-05
Runtime: 60 min
The Prophet Hosea (Episode 90)
Air date: 1958-03-07
Runtime: 60 min
Mrs. Moonlight (Episode 91)
Air date: 1958-03-10
Runtime: 60 min
With Love We Live (Episode 92)
Air date: 1958-03-11
Runtime: 60 min
You and I (Episode 93)
Air date: 1958-03-12
Runtime: 60 min
Career Angel (Episode 94)
Air date: 1958-03-13
Runtime: 60 min
Contingent Fire (Episode 95)
Air date: 1958-03-14
Runtime: 60 min
Anxious Night (Episode 96)
Air date: 1958-03-18
Runtime: 60 min
On Approval (Episode 97)
Air date: 1958-03-19
Runtime: 60 min
Dandy Dick (Episode 98)
Air date: 1958-03-20
Runtime: 60 min
Hush, Mahala, Hush (Episode 99)
Air date: 1958-03-21
Runtime: 60 min
O'Rourke's House (Episode 100)
Air date: 1958-03-25
Runtime: 60 min
The Alleyway (Episode 101)
Air date: 1958-03-26
Runtime: 60 min
The Vagabond (Episode 102)
Air date: 1958-03-27
Runtime: 60 min
The Silver Spider (Episode 103)
Air date: 1958-03-28
Runtime: 60 min
Design for Glory (Episode 104)
Air date: 1958-04-01
Runtime: 60 min
The Inspector General (Episode 105)
Air date: 1958-04-02
Runtime: 60 min
The Two Mrs. Carrolls (Episode 106)
Air date: 1958-04-03
Runtime: 60 min
The Velvet Glove (Episode 107)
Air date: 1958-04-04
Runtime: 60 min
Death Takes a Holiday (Episode 108)
Air date: 1958-04-08
Runtime: 60 min
Man of the House (Episode 109)
Air date: 1958-04-09
Runtime: 60 min
A Case of Fear (Episode 110)
Air date: 1958-04-10
Runtime: 60 min
Walk in the Sky (Episode 111)
Air date: 1958-04-11
Runtime: 60 min
The Canterville Ghost (Episode 112)
Air date: 1958-04-15
Runtime: 60 min
Found Money (Episode 113)
Air date: 1958-04-17
Runtime: 60 min
Washington Whispers Money (Episode 114)
Air date: 1958-04-18
Runtime: 60 min
A Boy Grows Up (Episode 115)
Air date: 1958-04-22
Runtime: 60 min
Phony Venus (Episode 116)
Air date: 1958-04-23
Runtime: 60 min
Some Blessed People (Episode 117)
Air date: 1958-04-24
Runtime: 60 min
The Quiet Street (Episode 118)
Air date: 1958-04-25
Runtime: 60 min
The Quest of Quesnay (Episode 119)
Air date: 1958-05-07
Runtime: 60 min
Angel Street (Episode 120)
Air date: 1958-05-09
Runtime: 60 min
The Cause (Episode 121)
Air date: 1958-05-12
Runtime: 60 min
Much Ado About Nothing, Part 1 (Episode 122)
Air date: 1958-05-20
Runtime: 60 min
Much Ado About Nothing, Part 2 (Episode 123)
Air date: 1958-05-21
Runtime: 60 min
Day of Discoveries (Episode 124)
Air date: 1958-05-22
Runtime: 60 min
The Young and the Fair (Episode 125)
Air date: 1958-05-23
Runtime: 60 min
The Riddle of Mary Murray (Episode 126)
Air date: 1958-05-27
Runtime: 60 min
Button Button (Episode 127)
Air date: 1958-05-29
Runtime: 60 min
The End of the Season (Episode 128)
Air date: 1958-06-03
Runtime: 60 min
Look Out for John Tucker (Episode 129)
Air date: 1958-06-04
Runtime: 60 min
The Road to Recovery (Episode 130)
Air date: 1958-06-05
Runtime: 60 min
The Nightbird's Crying (Episode 131)
Air date: 1958-06-06
Runtime: 60 min
The Story of Marcia Gordon (Episode 132)
Air date: 1958-06-10
Runtime: 60 min
Town in Turmoil (Episode 133)
Air date: 1958-06-11
Runtime: 60 min
Washington Square (Episode 134)
Air date: 1958-06-12
Runtime: 60 min
Course for Collision (Episode 135)
Air date: 1958-06-13
Runtime: 60 min
