############################################################

#######O. HENRY PLAYHOUSE#######

############################################################

Episode Guide
version 8.0 January 2008

(Guide Updated)
compiled by
The Classic TV Archive
http://ctva.biz/index.htm

with contributions by:

Tom Alger

Des Martin
Rina Fox
references:
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (http://us.imdb.com)
UCLA Film and Television Archive
 

_________________________________

O. HENRY PLAYHOUSE

Doubleday & Company, Inc.

Gross-Krasne production

for

First-Run Syndication

Executive producers Jack J. Gross and Philip N. Krasne

Produced by Donald Hyde

US anthology series 1957 39 episodes x 30 min bw

42 titles listed here - some may be akas

Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

Premise:

Anthology of short stories about old New York written by

William Sidney Parker (1862-1910), who wrote under the pen name of

while in prison.

Background:

Producers Jack J. Gross and Philip N. Krasne also produced

television series "Adventures of a Jungle Boy" (1957),

"Glencannon"(1957-58) starring Thomas Mitchell and

"African Patrol" (1958-59) starring John Bentley

#################################

######### O. Henry Playhouse ########

########### season 1 1957 ##########

#################################

[01] O. Henry Playhouse: THE REFORMATION OF CALLIOPE

23Jan57

written for TV by George Waggner

Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell
guest stars

Ernest Borgnine

Jan Merlin

[02] O. Henry Playhouse: MAN ABOUT TOWN

30Jan57

written for TV by George Waggner

Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell
guest stars

Mona Freeman

[03] O. Henry Playhouse: SAM PLUNKETT'S PROMISE

06Feb57

written for TV by Donald Hyde

based on O. Henry's The Theory and the Hound

Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell
 

[04] O. Henry Playhouse: TWO RENEGADES

13Feb57

written for TV by Irving Cooper

Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell
guest stars

John Carradine

[05] O. Henry Playhouse: THE MARIONETTES

20Feb57

written for TV by George Waggner

Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[06] O. Henry Playhouse: FOG IN SANTONE

27Feb57

written for TV by George Waggner

Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

guest stars

DeForest Kelley

[07] O. Henry Playhouse: HEARTS AND HANDS

06Mar57

written for TV by Irving Cooper

Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell
guest stars
Johnny Crawford ........ Hermitage
 

[--] O. Henry Playhouse: BLACKJACK BARGAINER  (film)

09Mar1957 CBS Sat 10:30PM

written for TV by Irving Cooper

Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell
guest stars

Barry Atwater .......... Yancey
Lorna Thayer
Harry Tyler
Dennis McCarthy
Paul Birch

Synopsis:

Gambling costs a man his law practice, his reputation and his honor. [RF]

Synopsis 2:
Gambling has already cost Yancey his career and his honor.

Now he plans to turn an old feud into profit. [RF]

[08] O. Henry Playhouse: THE WORLD AND THE DOOR

13Mar57

written for TV by Donald Hyde
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[09] O. Henry Playhouse: THE GUILTY PARTY

20Mar57

written for TV by Irving Cooper
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[10] O. Henry Playhouse: A RAMBLE IN APHASIA

27Mar57

written for TV by Irving Cooper
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[--] O. Henry Playhouse: FOURTH IN SALVADOR

30Mar57 CBS Sat (01Mar57 copyright date)

Executive producers Philip N. Krasne & Jack J. Gross
Producer Donald Hyde
Written & Directed by George Waggner
Director of photography Hal McAlpin
Music by Alec Copinsky
Editor Kenneth G. Crane
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

guest stars

Tom Brown

Don Beddoe

Salvador Baguez

A.E. Gould-Porter

Lisa Montell

Miguel Landa

Peter Damon

Synopsis 1:

A Fourth of July celebration in tropical Salvador starts a hot revolution

and melts a very valuable piece of ice. [RF]

Synopsis 2:

A confidence man is tricked into investing in an ice factory. [RF]

[11] O. Henry Playhouse: AFTER TWENTY YEARS

 03Apr57 copyright date
written for TV by Donald Hyde
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell
starring
James Davis
Peggie Castle
Ian McDonald

Synopsis:
A New York boy goes west to make his fortune,
promising a reunion in 20 years with his best friend. [TA]

Synopsis 2:
Ambition overtakes a New Yorker's good judgment when

 he heads West to seek his fortune. [TA]
 

[12] O. Henry Playhouse: A TRICK OF NATURE (film)

10Apr57 (18Feb1958)

written for TV by Donald Hyde

based on O. Henry's The Purple Dress
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

starring

Whitney Blake

William Schallert

Havis Davenport

Synopsis:

A scheming New York blonde decides to do something about her sister's happiness. [RF]

[13] O. Henry Playhouse: SISTERS OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE

17Apr57

written for TV by Donald Hyde
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

Synopsis:
While celebrating their first wedding anniversary, a young couple

meet a pair of honeymooners on the Hudson River boat. [TA]
(09Dec59 Ch18. ?(New Jersey?) Wednesday 11:00 pm)

[14] O. Henry Playhouse: HYGEIA AT THE SOLITO

27Apr57

written for TV by Donald Hyde
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

starring
Jack Mulhall

[15] O. Henry Playhouse: ONLY THE HORSE WOULD KNOW (film)

04May57 CBS Sat

written for TV by Donald Hyde
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

Synopsis:

An honest gambler bets on a fixed race. [RF]

[16] O. Henry Playhouse: THE ATAVISM OF JOHN TOM LITTLE BEAR

11May57

written for TV by Irving Cooper
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[17] O. Henry Playhouse: MILLER'S MILLIONS

18May57

Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

guest star

Otto Kruger

[--] O. Henry Playhouse: BETWEEN ROUNDS

airdate unknown (01Mar57 copyright date)

Executive producers Philip N. Krasne & Jack J. Gross
Producer Donald Hyde
Written & Directed by George Waggner
Director of photography Hal McAlpin
Music by Alec Copinsky
Editor Kenneth G. Crane
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

guest stars

Preston Foster

Paul Engle

Kathleen Freeman

Tom Browne Henry

Elaine Riley

Synopsis:

A street cleaner earns a hero's grave after taking insults from

a world that does not understand him. [RF]

-------------------------------------------

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: ONE DOLLAR'S WORTH

19Feb57 copyright date

written for TV by Irving Cooper
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: THE FOOL KILLER

19Feb57 copyright date

written for TV by George Waggner
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: VANITY AND SOME SABLES

19Feb57 copyright date

written for TV by George Waggner
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: HENRY'S GIRL

21Feb57 copyright date

written for TV by Albert Isaac Bezzerides
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: CHRISTMAS BY INJUNCTION

21Feb57 copyright date

written for TV by Donald Hyde
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

guest stars
John Doucette
Russ Thorson
William Challee
Jeanne Bates
Tommy Kirk
Synopsis:
Neighbors can't understand why a man called Cherokee

dislikes women and children so much. [RF]

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: GEORGIA'S RULING

21Feb57 copyright date

written for TV by Mary McCarthy
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: THE ROADS WE TAKE

21Feb57 copyright date

written for TV by Irving Cooper
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

guest stars

Murvyn Vye

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: THE SPHINX APPLE

21Feb57 copyright date

written for TV by Irving Cooper
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: WIT'S END

21Feb57 copyright date

written for TV by Donald Hyde
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

guest stars
Morey Amsterdam

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: HYPOTHESES OF FAILURE

01Mar57 copyright date

written for TV by Irving Cooper
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: THE HIDING OF BLACK BILL

01Mar57 copyright date

written for TV by Irving Cooper
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

guest stars

DeForest Kelley

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: TWO THANKSGIVING DAY GENTLEMEN

18Mar57 copyright date

written for TV by Irving Cooper
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: A MADISON SQUARE ARABIAN KNIGHT

08Apr57 copyright date

written for TV by Irving Cooper
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[--] O. Henry Playhouse: THE LONELY MAN

08Apr57 copyright date

written for TV by Donald Hyde.

based on O. Henry's The Last of the Troubadours
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

Synopsis:
A famous gunfighter puts away his guns when a young spectator is killed

 in a senseless gun battle. After two years of drifting, he signs on as a hand at

the ranch of a widow who is being persecuted by a ruthless cattle baron. [RF]
*(29Aug58 ABC Fri WTVN Columbus, Oh 7pm)

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: THE BUYER FROM CACTUS CITY (film)

(28Jan1958) (22Apr57 copyright date)

written for TV by Donald Hyde
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

guest stars
Don McGowan
Doris Singleton .... Gloria
Sue England ........ Angela
Thomas Mitchell .... O. Henry
Anthony Mayo ....... Paul
Benny Rubin ........ Zizzbaum

Synopsis:

A handsome, wealthy but girl-shy Texan is in New York on a buying trip

 for a friend who has feigned illness to get him to make the trip. [RF]

Synopsis 2:
A cagey Texan sends his girl-shy young pal to New York, ostensibly on a buying trip.

Real purpose: end the young man's fear of girls and get him married. [RF]

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: TOBIN'S PALM

16May57 copyright date

written for TV by George Waggner
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: A SERVICE OF LOVE

20May57 copyright date

written for TV by Mary McCarthy
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: THE TALE OF THE TAINTED TENNER

20May57 copyright date

written for TV by Irving Cooper
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: THE COUNT AND THE WEDDING GUEST

20May57 copyright date

written for TV by George Waggner
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: THE GENTLE GRAFTER

23May56 copyright date

written for television by Dale Wasserman
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: THE MURDERER

23May57 copyright date

written for TV by Donald Hyde & Irving Cooper

based on O. Henry's The Proof of the Pudding
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: THE EMANCIPATION OF BILLY (film)

(30Jan1958) (23May57 copyright date)

written for TV by Donald Hyde
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

guest stars

Trevor Bardette .... Jeffrey
Tom Coley .......... William
Marjie Miller ...... Carolyn
Russ Thorson ....... Derbin
James Bell ......... Pemberton

Synopsis:

A man with political ambitions finds his career overshadowed by his famous father. [RF]

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: THE LOTTERMAN AFFAIR

28May57 copyright date

written for TV by Donald Hyde & Al C. Ward
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell

Synopsis:
A mother who regards her son as ne'er-do-well suspects him of a $50,000 theft. [RF]

-------------------------------

Unknown Episodes/Airdates

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: Unknown episode
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell
guest stars
Maureen Stephenson
Lester Matthews
Frank Kreig
Synopsis:
O. Henry tells an ironic story about a safecracker

who marries the girl who sent him to prison. [RF]

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: Unknown episode
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell
guest stars
Anne Whitfield
Alice Reinheart
Les Tremayne
Reba Tassell
Synopsis:
A successful businessman has hired private detectives

to find the elusive Vivienne. [RF]

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: Unknown episode
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell
guest stars
Raymond Koslo
Russell Thorson
Tom Greenway
Gail Kobe
Synopsis:
Just as her goal of a singing career comes into view,

a young slum dweller becomes involved with a hoodlum. [RF]

[--]  O. Henry Playhouse: Unknown episode
(28Feb58)
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell
guest stars
Simon Oakland
Alan Aaronson
Synopsis:
A well-educated Cherokee is forced to earn his way traveling with a medicine show.

 Then a runaway boy changes his life. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
A well-educated young Indian is forced to earn

 his way traveling with a medicine show. [RF]
 

################################

####### O. Henry Playhouse ########

############ the end #############

################################

Have you any comments, corrections, episode titles, air dates,
production numbers, directors, writers, story/synopsis,
guest stars, cast lists, etc?

Have you any old videos, or tv guides? Dust them off and let
me know if you have any information on this series or any other
tv series from the 1950's, 60's, 70's, or 80's , which is missing
from any episode guides on the web.

Perhaps a certain episode of a particular series coincided with
a key moment in your life, or in world events - and has left a vivid
memory of when it was shown. Let us know.

Would you like to see any other tv series guides on this site?