September 25, 1952(1952-09-25)– September 27, 1956(1956-09-27)
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Four Star Playhouse was owned by Four Star International.[2] Its episodes ranged anywhere from surreal mysteries, such as "The Man on the Train", to light comedies, such as "The Lost Silk Hat".[3][4]
Powell portrayed the recurring character of illegal gambling-house operator Willie Dante. The character was later revamped and spun off in his own series starring Howard Duff.[5]
Many actors appeared in different roles in more than one episode, including
The show was sponsored in its first bi-weekly season by The Singer Company. Bristol-Myers became an alternate sponsor when it became a weekly series in the fall of 1953 (both sponsors' names alternated as part of the show's title in its initial broadcasts).[citation needed] From September 1952 through September 1954 it was broadcast on Thursdays from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. In October 1954, it was moved to 9:30 to 10 p.m. E. T. on Thursdays, remaining in that slot for the rest of its run.[5]
While it never made the Nielsen Top 30, the ratings were sufficient to keep it on the air for four seasons. In 1954, Billboard voted it the second best filmed network television drama series.[6]
Blake Edwards was among the writers and directors who contributed to the series, making his debut as a director on the program in 1952.[7]
The pilot for Meet McGraw, starring Frank Lovejoy, aired here (under that title, February 25, 1954), as did another episode in which Lovejoy recreated his role of Chicago newspaper reporter Randy Stone, from the radio drama Nightbeat (titled "Search in the Night", November 5, 1953).
Official Films syndicated reruns of Four Star Playhouse under the title Star Performance. In 1956 it was named the best syndicated dramatic show in Billboard's Fourth Annual Program and Talent Awards. Powell was named the best dramatic performer in the competition, and Niven took second place in that category.[8]
McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4thed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p.299. ISBN0-14-02-4916-8.
Charnay, John (February 11, 1977). "Spotlight on Syndication". Back Stage. p.55. ProQuest963037768. Four Star was founded in 1952 by Dick Powell and David Niven with the sole aim of producing one top-quality dramatic series: 'Four Star Playhouse.' It was an immediate success and soon launched Four Star into network production on a major scale.
Veilette, Eric (December 2009). "The Ghosts in Johnny's Closet". Rue Morgue. p.35. Retrieved July 23, 2024. "The ghost theme continues in 'The Man on the Train' (1953), from Four Star Playhouse. William Langford (David Niven) is a London businessman who has a rather icy encounter with the titular 'Man' (Alan Napier, Alfred on TV's Batman). Upon his return to London, William mentions the ominous meeting to his business associates, who inform Langford of its impossibility—the man he claims to have seen is dead! Predictable but performed by master actors, it prefigured The Twilight Zone by six years."
Bril. (October 29, 1952). "TV-Films: TELEPIX REVIEWS - FOUR STAR PLAYHOUSE". Variety. p.28. ProQuest1032341645. The Lord Dunsany play, 'The Lost Silk Hat,' was given a delightful, whimsical production on 'Four Star Playhouse' Thursday (23).
Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (1999). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present (7thed.). New York: The Ballentine Publishing Group. p.363. ISBN0-345-42923-0.