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"Schlitz
Playhouse Of Stars"
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Season
5 (CBS) (1955-56)
Episode Guide
compiled by The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by:
Rina Fox, James Beer, Sal Crisanti, Tom Alger, Jim Brent, Heikocleef
references:
TV Guide /
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (http://us.imdb.com)
UCLA Film and Television Archive
######### Schlitz Playhouse Of Stars
#########
############## season 5 1955-56 ##############
##############################################
Meridian Productions, Inc. (filmed episodes)
CBS, Fridays 9:30-10:00pm Eastern (30 min)
5.01 [209] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: THE LAST MAN OUT
Meridian Productions, Inc.
30-Sep-1955
starring
Touch (Mike) Connors ....... Lou Renaldi
Regis Toomey ....... Babe Bricker
Thomas Mitchell ....... Sam Hawkins
Richard Erdman ....... Eddie McGuire
Edward Binns
Synopsis:
A once promising baseball player is now grounds keeper for a minor league
team. His deep knowledge of the game is more than the team's manager can handle. [RF]
5.02 [210] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: BANDIT'S HIDE-OUT
Meridian Productions, Inc.
07-Oct-1955
starring
Anthony Quinn
Gloria Saunders
Eduard Franz
Joseph Waring
Synopsis:
A gentle Spanish shepherd is married to a beautiful girl who is discontented
with
the quiet life they lead. He returns home one night to find both his wife and his
sheep gone. His bandit cousin, who made off with both, learns that the
shepherd's gentleness is deceptive. [RF]
5.03 [211] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: TWO-BIT GANGSTER
Meridian Productions, Inc.
14-Oct-1955
starring
Keenan Wynn .......... Bill Ottman
Addison Richards ..... Jesse Childs
Robert J. Wilke ...... Red Fischer
Barton MacLane ....... Chief Brooks
Richard Tyler ........ Dick Childs
Synopsis:
Newsman Bill Ottman travels to a small town to cover what appears to be a
routine robbery, in which a masked thief has killed an ex-con who interfered with his
getaway. But, the reporter's investigation begins to reveal the ex-con in the role of a hero. [RF]
*Note: Syndication airing on Twilight Theater 13Oct58.
5.04 [212] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: THE GIRL WHO SCARED MEN OFF
Meridian Productions, Inc.
21-Oct-1955
starring
Phyllis Avery
Hans Conried
5.05 [213] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: NOTHING TO DO TILL NEXT FALL
Meridian Productions, Inc.
28-Oct-1955
starring
James Dunn ........... Dan McLain
Willis Bouchey ....... J.B. Duringham
Russ Conway .......... Ed Beasley
Synopsis:
A college football coach is faced with a difficult decision for the big home
coming game. [RF]
5.06 [214] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: A GIFT OF LIFE (film)
Meridian Productions, Inc.
04-Nov-1955
starring
Don Defore ....... Bill Nichol
Barbara Billingsley ......... Clare Gibney
Robert Cornthwaite ....... Dr. Cabot
Dabbs Greer ....... Charlie
Jean Innes ........ Miss Strickland
Synopsis:
Story about a salesman who works so hard he collapses. The enforced idleness
of convalescence irritates him until he begins to wonder about the four anonymous
blood donors who saved his life. [RF]
5.07 [215] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: NO TRIAL BY JURY
Meridian Productions, Inc.
11-Nov-1955
Produced by William Self
Teleplay by Dewitt Bodeen
Based on a Saturday Evening Post Story by Andrew Geer
Directed by Reginald Borg
Hosted by Alex Nicol
Guest Cast:
Alex Nicol ........... Tod Bradley
Touch Connors ........ Mel Dunlap (aka Mike Connors)
Addison Richards ..... Pete Hunter
May Wynn
Dorothy Adams
Lane Chandler
Paul Engle
Synopsis 1:
A HOMESTEADER MUST PAY A RANCHER A LARGE SUM OF MONEY,
ACCORDING TO
WESTERN RANGE LAW, FOR A PRIZE HORSE OF HIS FOUND DEAD ON THE
HOMESTEADER'S PROPERTY.
Synopsis 2:
A valuable horse has drowned in a homesteader's well, and the law of the range
makes him liable because of his negligence in not fencing and covering the well.
He resigns himself to deeding over his water rights as payment. [SC]
5.08 [216] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: NIGHT IN THE BIG SWAMP (film)
Meridian Productions, Inc.
18-Nov-1955
starring
Scott Brady ........... Reno Cromwell
Myron Healey
Joan Vohs
Synopsis:
Reno Cromwell, a hunting guide obliged to aid the law in hunting down his
best friend, a killer. Reno's girlfriend is actually still in love with the killer, but
her pleas to Reno not to help in the pursuit are in vain. [RF]
5.09 [217] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: THE CARELESS CADET (film)
Meridian Productions, Inc.
25-Nov-1955
starring
Don Taylor ....... Sgt. Ben Destry
Regis Toomey ........ Colonel Hawks
Adam Kennedy ....... Charlie King
Tom Brown ......... Captain Barney O'Keefe
Jack Haddock ......... Doctor
Isobel Elsom ....... Mrs. Kennedy
Heidi Mullenger ...... Dorothy
John Bryant ...... Pete
Synopsis:
Sgt. Ben Destry, gets an appointment to West Point as a reward for valor in the Korean War.
But he scoffs at the Academy's traditions and finds the orders of his juniors hard to take. [RF]
*Note: Syndication airing on Saturday Playhouse 16Nov57.
5.10 [218] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: MOMENT OF TRIUMPH (film)
Meridian Productions, Inc.
02-Dec-1955
starring
Kevin McCarthy ....... Prentice Brown
Eduard Franz ....... Professor Randell
Angela Greene ........ Katherine Gould
Charlotte Lawrence ....... Nurse
Synopsis:
Prentice Brown, whose science professor years before was dismissed when he
refused to give a rich man's son a passing grade, he didn't deserve. Twenty years
have passed, and now the tycoon finds himself in a position to right the old wrong. [RF]
5.11 [219] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: ON THE NOSE
Meridian Productions, Inc.
09-Dec-1955
starring
Neville Brand
Richard Deacon
Ben Cooper
5.12 [220] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: THE BAITED HOOK
Meridian Productions, Inc.
16-Dec-1955
starring
Dane Clark ....... Sheriff Ames
Morris Ankrum ........ Link Bradford
Synopsis:
In a Florida swamp, Sheriff Ames is marooned with
killer Link Bradford. [RF]
*Note: Syndication airing on Adventure Theatre 1961.
5.13 [221] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: CHRISTMAS GUEST
Meridian Productions, Inc.
23-Dec-1955
starring
Dan O'Herlihy
Phyllis Avery
Hayden Rorke
5.14 [222] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: WELL OF ANGER
Meridian Productions, Inc.
30-Dec-1955
starring
Bill Williams ...... Ed Sawyer
Nancy Gates ...... Abby
Synopsis:
In the Old West, Ed Sawyer is trying to set up a modest homestead. But a big
rancher,
Luke Gans, uses violence to keep Sawyer away from the water supply. [RF]
5.15 [223] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: FOOLPROOF
Meridian Productions, Inc.
06-Jan-1956
starring
Claire Trevor ......... Mary Hunter
Walter Coy ......... Paul Hunter
Christopher Dark ........ Mark Baxter
Synopsis:
Following an accident, a woman awakens in a hospital bed with her eyes
and head swathed in bandages. Unknown to her, she is in the hands of enterprising
kidnappers - who hope to deceive her long enough to
collect a ransom. [RF]
*Note: Syndication airing on Adventure Theater 04Aug61.
5.16 [224] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: DEALER'S CHOICE
Meridian Productions, Inc.
13-Jan-1956
starring
John Ireland
Philip Ahn
Synopsis:
The owner of the pearling ship Mandalay loses his ship to one Bert Kassen,
in a poker game. Though he suspects Kassen played a crooked game,
he signs on with him for the next voyage, convinced the new owner will
soon be only too happy to sell the ship back to
him. [RF]
5.17 [225] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: THE BIG PAYDAY
Meridian Productions, Inc.
20-Jan-1956
starring
James Whitmore ...... Tommy McDermott
Richard Crane ....... Chuck Carmody
Synopsis:
A former fighter always wanted to be champ, but never made it.
He's a manager now, and hopes his heavyweight
contender will make it. [RF]
5.18 [226] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: THE DAY I DIED
Meridian Productions, Inc.
27-Jan-1956
starring
David Brian .......... Phil Derringer
Ann Doran ............ Amy
Dorothy Patrick Davis ... Ruth Andrews
Synopsis:
Ruthless business tycoon is convinced he owes all his success to himself alone.
But a strange thing happens to him on a hospital operating table. [RF]
5.19 [227] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: THE GENTLE STRANGER
Meridian Productions, Inc.
03-Feb-1956
starring
Joanne Dru
John Hudson
John Miljan
5.20 [228] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: TOP MAN
Meridian Productions, Inc.
10-Feb-1956
starring
Scott Forbes
John Lupton
James Ramsey Ullman
5.21 [229] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: ON A DARK NIGHT
Meridian Productions, Inc.
17-Feb-1956
starring
Will Rogers Jr.
Tina Carver
5.22 [230] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: ORDEAL
Meridian Productions, Inc.
24-Feb-1956
starring
John Ireland .......... Andrew Evans
Maxine Cooper ......... Jean Evans
Kenneth Tobey ......... Lt. Lambert
Jack Haddock .......... Hogue
Synopsis:
No one believes a man when he tries to insist he saw a murder committed. [RF]
5.23 [231] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: SHOWDOWN AT PAINTED ROCK
Meridian Productions, Inc.
02-Mar-1956
starring
Lyle Bettger
5.24 [232] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: WEB OF CIRCUMSTANCE
Meridian Productions, Inc.
09-Mar-1956
starring
Thomas Mitchell ....... Carl Smith
Hugh Beaumont ....... Tom Sutton
Jeanette Nolan ....... Elva Smith
James Seay ....... Detective Bucy
Lyle Talbot ....... Fred Carlson
Synopsis:
A bank teller for years has been stealing pennies and stashing away dollars
taken from his wife's grocery budget. Object: to make a break from his shrewish
spouse and sail for an island paradise in the Pacific. [RF]
5.25 [233] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: THE YOUNG AND THE BRAVE
Meridian Productions, Inc.
16-Mar-1956
starring
John Ericson .......... Eddie Younger
Eleanore Tanin ........ Susan
Gayle Kellogg ......... Barney
Paul Bryar ............ Big Malone
Synopsis:
Aboard a destroyer, gunner's mate Eddie Younger has gone sour on the navy.
But his attitude changes during the course of a battle. [RF]
5.26 [234] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: THE WAITING HOUSE
Meridian Productions, Inc.
23-Mar-1956
written by Betty Ulius
starring
Phyllis Kirk .......... Barbara Hunter
Paul Langton .......... Pete
Dorothy Green ......... Liz
Arthur Gould-Porter ... Andy
Synopsis:
The honeymoon house in Bermuda which a couple has chosen has been
the scene of accidents to a good many tenants
before them. [RF]
5.27 [235] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: THE FINGER OF GOD
Meridian Productions, Inc.
30-Mar-1956
starring
Jeff Morrow
During the Boer War, an escaping Boer prisoner
discovers that the apparently deserted house in
which he seeks refuge is occupied by a starving widow and her son. [JB]
5.28 [236] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: ANGELS IN THE SKY
Meridian Productions, Inc.
06-Apr-1956
starring
Marcia Henderson
Bill Williams
5.29 [237] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: THE BITTER LAND
Meridian Productions, Inc.
13-Apr-1956
starring
John Newland .......... Wesley Hammond
Jack Diamond .......... Tip Case
Roy Roberts ........... Sheriff Tom Judson
Frank Sully ........... Coots Larkin
Terry Frost ........... Joe Case
Paul Fierro ........... Walt Janes
Synopsis:
A dude goes west to find the man who killed his son in a bank holdup. [RF]
5.30 [238] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: THE MYSTERIOUS CARGO
Meridian Productions, Inc.
20-Apr-1956
starring
J. Carrol Naish
5.31 [239] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: STEP RIGHT UP AND DIE
Meridian Productions, Inc.
Filmed at Revue Studios
27-Apr-1956
Producer William Self
Directed by Robert Florey
Story and teleplay by Tony Barrett
Director of photography, George Clemens
Supervising editor George Amy
Assistant director Ken Warrus
Production Manager Ralph W. Nelson
Music by Melvyn Leonard
Hosted by Lyle Bettger
Guest cast:
Lyle Bettger
Dorothy Patrick Davis
John Doucette
Fred Sherman
Paul Smith
Claire Carleton
Tom Noll
Joe Martia
Synopsis:
SUSPENSE AND TERROR STRIKE'S THE MIDWAY AT AN AMUSEMENT PARK WHEN
A CONCESSION BARKER IS UNDER SUSPICION FOR THE MURDER OF THE AMUSEMENT
PARK'S OWNER, AND THE DISAPPEARANCE OF A LARGE SUM OF MONEY. [SC]
5.32 [240] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: FORMOSA PATROL
Meridian Productions, Inc.
04-May-1956
Based on Jacland Marmur's short story
Directed by Harold Schuster
starring
Eddie Bracken .......... Gunner's Mate
Carl Benton Reid ....... Admiral
Synopsis:
The story of the destroyer USS DeHaven and a persistent rain that turned
into the third worst storm in the history of the
coastal Southern California. [RF]
*Note: Filmed aboard the USS DeHaven. There is a great article with pictures of
the
making of this episode in TVGuide March 24-30 Dave Garroway issue.
5.33 [241] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: PLAGUE SHIP
Meridian Productions, Inc.
11-May-1956
starring
Ward Bond ............ Captain Parker
Jon Shepodd .......... Tony Benson
Edward Platt ......... Sparks
Robert Foulk ......... Anderson
Paul Brinegar ........ Brown
Synopsis:
A sea captain finds that his ship is threatened by bubonic plague. [RF]
5.34 [242] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: OFFICER NEEDS HELP
Meridian Productions, Inc.
18-May-1956
starring
Stephen McNally ...... Dan Grabow
John Bryant .......... Lt. Lyle Smith
Walter Sands ......... Al Harper
Synopsis:
Dan Grabow is given a 90-day tryout as chief of police in a
small beach town. His discovers that none of the members of
his force have received adequate police
training. [RF]
*Note: Syndication airing on Twilight Theater 03Sep58.
5.35 [243] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: DATE FOR TOMORROW
Meridian Productions, Inc.
25-May-1956
starring
John Ericson
Susan Kohner
Paul Richards
Synopsis:
Two escaped convicts plan to use a young amusement park ticketseller as
a pawn in a robbery. But the best-laid plans may suffer when a
beautiful young girl is involved. [RF]
5.36 [244] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: Unknown -possibly pre-empt or rerun
01-Jun-1956
5.37 [245] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: THE ROUSTABOUT
Meridian Productions, Inc.
08-Jun-1956
starring
Scott Brady
Jeanne Moody
Harry Antrim
5.38 [246] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: PATTERN FOR PURSUIT
Meridian Productions, Inc.
15-Jun-1956
starring
Arthur Franz
Margaret Field
5.39 [247] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: WITNESS TO CONDEMN
Meridian Productions, Inc.
22-Jun-1956
Producer William Self
Written by Muriel Roy Bolton
Director of photography George T. Clemens
Directed by Robert Florey
starring
Teresa Wright .... Laura Savage
Warren Stevens ... Peter Jordan
Ray Walker ....... Detective
Joe Bailey ....... Killer
Irene Seidner .... Mary
Kay Stewart ...... Janet
John Bryant ...... Tony Savage
Lewis Martin ..... Max
Synopsis:
The only witness to a murder loses her sight as a result
of an attack by the killers. [RF]
5.40 [248] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: WEAPON OF COURAGE
Meridian Productions, Inc.
29-Jun-1956
starring
Kevin McCarthy ..... Mark Quinlin
Victor Jory ........ Ferdie Shiff
Maxine Cooper ...... Molly Quinlin
Michael Winkelman... Jimmy Quinlin
Baynes Barron ...... Tony
Frank Gerstle ...... Joe Garson
John Dennis ........ Ed Warren
Wilfrid Knapp ...... Mr. Masterson
Synopsis:
A disabled war veteran who has taken a job as a bank teller
feels that his disability has made him useless. [RF]
*Note: Syndication airing on Twilight Theater
27Aug58.
5.41 [249] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: THE MECHANICAL COOK
Meridian Productions, Inc.
06-Jul-1956
starring
William Bendix
Audrey Totter
Harry Tyler
Synopsis:
An Air Force crew chief who wants to be a cook gets his big chance. He is
assigned
to the private plane of a general who is reputed to be a gourmet. But he finds
his path to culinary stardom blocked by a WAF dietician. [RF]
5.42 [250] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: THE HAPPY SUN
Meridian Productions, Inc.
13-Jul-1956
starring
Walter Brennan
Kenneth Tobey
Nancy Hadley
George Brent
5.43 [251] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: THE BANKMOUSE
Meridian Productions, Inc.
20-Jul-1956
starring
Joan Caulfield
Betty Caulfield
Jon Shepodd
5.44 [252] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: DARA
Meridian Productions, Inc.
27-Jul-1956
starring
Phyllis Thaxter ...... Dara Meadows
Donald Curtis ........ Steve
Gerald Mohr
Synopsis:
An actress is informed that her husband was killed in a plane crash,
but he suddenly returns. And when he does, he
accuses her of sabotaging the plane. [RF]
5.45 [253] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: FLOWERS FOR JENNY
Meridian Productions, Inc.
03-Aug-1956
starring
Dale Robertson
Claudia Barrett
5.46 [254] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: REPERCUSSION
Meridian Productions, Inc.
10-Aug-1956
starring
Dan Duryea ....... Pete Richards
Marcia Henderson ....... Jeanne Richards
Ross Elliott ....... Ronnie Simpson
Synopsis:
A hard-hitting crime reporter discovers that his wife
once worked for a gambling ring. [RF]
5.47 [255] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: BOILING POINT
Meridian Productions, Inc.
17-Aug-1956
5.48 [256] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: STRANGE DEFENSE
Meridian Productions, Inc.
24-Aug-1956
starring
Constance Ford
David Brian
5.49 [257] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: I'LL WAIT FOR YOU
Meridian Productions, Inc.
31-Aug-1956
starring
Joan Evans
Ben Cooper
5.50 [258] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: THE PRESS AGENT
Meridian Productions, Inc. (copyright date 07Sep56)
07-Sep-1956
starring
Jack Carson .......... Danny Scott
Nancy Gates
John Lupton
Synopsis:
Show biz agent Danny Scott is taking a bigger cut from his client then he
should. [RF]
5.51 [259] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: MIDNIGHT KILL
Meridian Productions, Inc. (copyright date 14Sep56)
14-Sep-1956
starring
James Whitmore ....... Joe Benson
Phyllis Avery ........ Susan Kerney
Carl Benton Reid ......... Arthur Kerney
Synopsis:
Joe Benson, policeman turner lawyer, is running for the city council. When a
policeman is killed, Joe thinks local gangsters planned the murder. [RF]
5.52 [260] Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: TOP SECRET
Meridian Productions, Inc.
21-Sep-1956 (copyright date 21Sep56)
starring
Patricia Hardy
Lee Bowman
Synopsis:
A man comes under close scrutiny after documents of value disappear. [RF]
######### Schlitz Playhouse Of Stars
#########
############### end of season 5 ##############
##############################################
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