Gruen Guild Playhouse (1951-52)
(aka Gruen Guild Theatre) (aka The Gruen Playhouse) (aka Chevron Theatre) (aka Your Play Time)
also aired on ABC Dramatic Shorts (first season only) Syndication title "Family Theater"
Sponsored by Gruen Jewelers of America.
 

Episode Guide compiled by The Classic TV Archive

https://ctva.biz/index.htm

with contributions by: James Beer (JM58), Rod Bennett (ep 13), Rina Fox
references:
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://us.imdb.com)
UCLA Film and Television Archive
 

GRUEN THEATRE (1951) / GRUEN PLAYHOUSE (1952)

MCA-TV/ Revue Productions  (to be verified)
ABC Thursdays 9:30-10:00pm Eastern (27Sept51-20Dec51)
DuMont Thursdays  (27Mar52 to 23Sep52)(season 2)
Produced by Leon Fromkess

US Dramatic Filmed Anthology series 1951-52

 ############### Gruen Theatre ################
############ season 1 Fall 1951 ##############
##############################################
ABC Thursdays 9:30-10:00pm Eastern (27Sept51-20Dec51)
Some ABC affiliates delayed airdates
WHEN New York Fridays at 11pm

1.1 [--] Gruen Theatre: UNFINISHED BUSINESS
28Sep1951 Fri WHEN New York
17Oct1951 Wed [Independent Long Beach]
starring
Alan Mowbray
Ann Rutherford
Dane Clark
Robert Rockwell
Synopsis:
A dead man returns to this earth to help his widow. [RF]

1.2 [--] Gruen Theatre: THE DRIVEN SNOW
05Oct1951 Fri WHEN New York
starring
Bruce Cabot
Kristine Miller
Synopsis:
After his release from prison, a convict vows revenge but a pretty Yukon doctor won't tell the ex-convict
where to find the man he wants to murder. [RF]

1.3 [--] Gruen Theatre: HIT AND RUN
12Oct1951 Fri WHEN New York
17Oct1951 Wed [San Mateo Times]
Teleplay by Howard Irving Young; Story by George & Gertrude Fass
Directed by Richard Irving
Director of photography Jack MacKenzie
Editor Kenneth Crane
starring
Bonita Granville
Robert Hutton
William Bakewell
Parley Baer
Peter Brocco
Ross Elliott
Peggy Wynne
Franklin Parker
Synopsis:
An innocent man convicted of a hit-and-run killing [RF]

1.4 [--] Gruen Theatre: ANGEL
19Oct1951 Fri WHEN New York
starring
Steve Brodie
Synopsis:
A holdup man takes refuge in a church and through a trusting child finds his way to spiritual redemption and
rehabilitation. [RF]

1.5 [--] Gruen Theatre: RETURN TO VIENNA
26Oct1951 Fri WHEN New York
starring
Ruth Warrick
Cameron Mitchell
Synopsis:
An aging operatic diva returns to her native Vienna in an effort to re-capture her ebbing youth. There she meets
her first love, a prominent surgeon, whom she believes can make her young again via science and surgery. [RF]

1.6 [--] Gruen Theatre: PERIL IN THE HOUSE
02Nov1951 Fri WHEN New York
starring
Marjorie Reynolds
John Baragrey
Bert Freed
Synopsis:
A young widow becomes the terrified target of underworld bullets when another tenant in the house is marked for
gangland extermination. [RF]

1.7 [--] Gruen Theatre: THAT TIME IN BOSTON
09Nov1951 Fri WHEN New York
starring
Jorja Curtright
Hilary Brooks
Synopsis:
What happens when a little girl tells her mother that she saw her daddy kissing the attractive woman friend who
is visiting them? [RF]

1.8 [--] Gruen Theatre: ONE STRANGE DAY
16Nov1951 Fri WHEN New York
Teleplay by Howard J. Green; Story by Norman Archer
Directed by Richard Irving
Director of photography Jack MacKenzie
Editor Kenneth Craine
starring
Bonita Granville
Steve Brodie
Carl Milletaire
Peter Mamakos
Geraldine Carr
Richard Irving (in a bit part)
Synopsis:
A young wife's interest in antique Buddhas plunges her into a dangerous international smuggling plot. Her husband's
desperate efforts to save her in this explosive situation. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
An adventure story of a forced landing in an unexplored land. Bonita Granville
*Syndication airing on Mid-Day Matinee Mon 10Jul 61 KEYC-12 Mankato, MN 4 p.m. CDT [JBeer]

1.9 [--] Gruen Theatre: THE BALLERINA
23Nov1951 Fri WHEN New York
written by Monroe Manning & John Kohn
Directed by Richard Irving
director of photography Clark Ramsey
starring
Ann Dvorak
Kathleen Case
Brett King
Shepard Menken
David Ahdar
Byron Foulger
Synopsis 1:
The daughter of a famous ballerina makes a smash debut, but is then forced to choose between the bright future
of a great career as a prima ballerina or the bright future as wife to the man she loves. She chooses--love! [RF]
Synopsis 2:
A famed ballerina won't allow the marriage of her daughter to a stagehand. [RF]
*Note: Reaired on "Campbell Playhouse" on July 18, 1952.

1.10 [--] Gruen Theatre: THE CASE OF THE CAVORTING STATUE
30Nov1951 Fri WHEN New York
starring
Cesar Romero
Ann Rutherford
Synopsis:
The wife of a lawyer schemes to make her husband a success but ends up making a blunder. [RF]
*Syndicated rerun on "Famous Playhouse" 24Sep68 WTCN-11 Mpls-St.Paul, Mn 10:30 a.m.

1.11 [--] Gruen Theatre: THE LUCKIEST GUY IN THE WORLD
06Dec1951 Thurs [San Mateo Times]
07Dec1951 Fri WHEN New York [Syracuse NY]
Teleplay by Axel Gruenberg; Story by Arthur Strawn
Directed by Axel Gruenberg
starring
Gordon Oliver
Marjorie Reynolds
Nan Boardman
Bill Kennedy
John McGuire
John Milton Kennedy
Erin Selwyn
Synopsis:
The worm turns when a complacent husband, bored with his wife, finds that she's not so unexciting to a very
eligible ex-suitor. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
Oliver learns what it is to be happily married even though he is not successful as a businessman. [RF]
*Syndicated rerun under "Spotlight Playhouse" title Wed. Nov11 53, KSTP-5 Minneapolis-St.Paul, MN. JM58
 
1.12 [--] Gruen Theatre: THE SWAMI
13Dec1951 Fri WHEN New York
Teleplay by Howard J. Green; Story by Norman Archer
Directed by Richard Irving
Director of photography Clark Ramsay
Editor Kenneth Crane
starring
Morris Ankrum
Bernadene Hayes
Whitfield Connor
Joan Creers
Synopsis:
A bride-to-be whose future in-laws are listed in the Social Register, tries to discourage her father from his
first professional love, fortune telling. [RF]

1.13 [--] Gruen Theatre: JOE SANTA CLAUS
21Dec1951 Fri WHEN New York
Teleplay and direction by Alex Gruenberg; Story by Howard J. Green
Director of photography Clark Ramsey
Film Editor, Kenneth Crane A.C.E. / Sound, William Lynch
starring
Ray Montgomery .... Joe Peters
Maria Palmer ........... Maria
Sigrid Gurie ............. Ellen
Houseley Stevens... Uncle Billy the janitor
Peter Brocco .......... Mr. Grimms
Jeri James
Synopsis:
The Morleys department store salesman is reassigned from his post in the hardware department to toys as Santa Claus. [RF]
*Filmed in Hollywood.
*Note: Show is cancelled but revived in the New Year as "Gruen Playhouse".
*You can view the episode here https://www.archive.org/details/Joe_Santa_Clause

############## Gruen Playhouse ###############
############ season 1 Early 1951 #############
##############################################
Syndicated

1.14 [--] Gruen Playhouse: MY OTHER LOVE
22Jan1952 Tues [Long Beach Press-Telegram]
starring
Alan Mowbray
John Litel
Anna Q. Nilsen
Synopsis:
A comedy romance concerning a 16-year-old girl and an older playwright-beau. [RF]
*Note: Recently killed on KECA (7), the Gruen Theatre winds up on KTLA (5) at 10pm and will alternate Tuesdays
with the Olympic boxing matches.
*Note: Long Beach Independent item: "Gruen Theatre" shifts on January 22, 1952 to KTLA from KECA.
*Now alternates with various programs

1.15 [--] Gruen Playhouse: ADOPTED SON
29Jan1952 Tue [Salt Lake Tribune]
05Feb1952 Tue [Long Beach Independent]
starring
Frances Gifford
Gordon Oliver
Dee Pollack
Synopsis 1:
The story of a young boy whose foster parents welcome him to their home but not their hearts. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
The story of the struggle of an adopted boy to find his place in the hearts of his foster parents, rather than
being just another fixture in their home. [RF]

1.16 [--] Gruen Playhouse: I SAW IT HAPPEN
19Feb1952 Tue [Long Beach Independent]
21Feb1952 Thur [San Mateo Times]
starring
Robert Hutton
Bonita Granville
Synopsis:
A young man is witness to a murder and is kidnapped by the murdered and finally released. However, the murderer
returns to threaten the man and his wife. [RF]

1.17 [--] Gruen Playhouse: THE PERFECT GENTLEMAN
04Mar1952 Tue [Long Beach Press-Telegram]
starring
Bruce Cabot
Lynne Roberts
Mona Knox
Synopsis:
The story of a rough and ready gentleman who has fought his way up the hard way to become the owner of a flourishing
trucking line. A relentless business owner whose only thought is competition and trying to break down the competition
with crude weapons. His fiancee breaks off with him because of his unorthodox business methods and attitude and also
leaves behind her the remark that he is "not a gentleman". After some thought on the matter he consults his secretary
into coaching him how to be a "Perfect Gentleman". [RF]

1.18 [--] Gruen Playhouse: THE BIG RIDE
15Mar1952 Sat [Syracuse Herald]
18Mar1952 Tue [Long Beach Press-Telegram]
Written by Norman Jacobs
Directed by Richard Irving
Director of photography Philip Tannura
starring
Steve Brodie ........ Johnny Collins
Ludwig Donath
Adele Longmire
Margie Miller
Synopsis 1:
A young man arouses his family's suspicions by giving beautiful gifts and large sums of money. (film) [RF]
Synopsis 2:
Returning home after being away for a year, a young man arouses the suspicions of his father and sister by flashing
beautiful gifts and large sums of money. [RF]
Synopsis 3:
When Johnny Collins returns home after a year he arouses the suspicions of his father and sister by flashing beautiful
gifts and large sums of money. [JBeer]
*Syndication airing on "Famous Playhouse" KSTP-5 Minneapolis-St.Paul, MN Sat. 27Jun 64 12:30 p.m. CST
 

############ Gruen Guild Playhouse ###########
################ season 2 1952 ###############
##############################################
DuMont Network, Thursdays 9:00pm (East Coast) (27Mar52 to 23Sep52) (every 2nd week?)
DuMont Network, Tuesdays (Delayed Broadcast) (West Coast) [Long Beach Independent] (every 2nd week?)
alternated with Royal Playhouse

2.1 [--] Gruen Playhouse: BACHELOR'S WEEKEND
27Mar1952 DuMont Thur (East Coast)
01Apr1952 DuMont Tue (West Coast) [Long Beach Independent]
starring
Ann Doran
Robert Paige
Synopsis:
A man's efforts to rid his sister of her irresponsible bachelor beau by packing everyone off for a weekend camping
trip wind up in comic disaster with one dog and parrot included. [RF]

[--] Royal Playhouse: (Episode Title not known)
03Apr1952 DuMont Thur (East Coast)

2.2 [--] Gruen Playhouse: DREAM MAN
10Apr1952 DuMont Thur (East Coast)
15Apr1952 DuMont Tue (West Coast) [Long Beach Independent]
starring
Vincent Price .... Rodney Ames
Andrea King ...... Mildred Price
Harry Carey Jr.
Synopsis:
A matinee idol pays attention to a taken-for-granted housewife. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
A gal named Mildred Price wins a contest that includes among a host of prizes, a date with handsome Rodney Ames star
of "Dream Man", a new play. Her husband however is none to impressed and proceeds to intervene on her "date". [RF]

 [--] Royal Playhouse: THE CELEBRATED MRS. ROWLAND
17Apr1952 DuMont Thur (East Coast)
 
2.3 [--] Gruen Guild Playhouse: THE TIGER
24Apr1952 DuMont Thur (East Coast)
29Apr1952 DuMont Tue (West Coast) 10pm KTLA [Long Beach Independent]
starring
Raymond Burr (TV acting debut)
Ludwig Donath
Randy Stuart
Synopsis:
A ruthless tycoon refuses to believe the astrologer's prediction that he will lose his fortune, wife, and eventually his own life. [RF]

 [--] Royal Playhouse: THE UNWRITTEN COLUMN
01May1952 DuMont Thur (East Coast)
 
2.4 [--] Gruen Guild Playhouse: AL HADDON'S LAMP
08May1952 DuMont Thur (East Coast)
13May1952 DuMont Tue (West Coast) 10pm KTLA [Long Beach Independent]
starring
Buddy Ebsen as the Genie
Robert Hutton
Synopsis 1:
A salesman accidentally gains possession of Aladdin's Lamp. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
When an ambitious real estate salesman accidentally gains possession of Aladdin's lamp, he enlists the genie's aid
in winning a bride. [RF]
*Note: Reaired in Syndication "Drama of Life", 09Apr56.

[--] Royal Playhouse: GOING HOME
15May1952 DuMont Thur

2.5 [--] Gruen Guild Playhouse: A BOY WEARS A GUN
22May1952 DuMont Thur (East Coast)
27May1952 DuMont Tue (West Coast) [Long Beach Independent]
starring
Billy Gray
Francis Ford
Synopsis:
A young man and his grandfather a famed Old West gunfighter teaches the lad how to use a gun. The parents disapprove
until a drunken sheriff names the village no-good, Mort as his deputy. [RF]

[--] Royal Playhouse: SHIFTING SANDS
29May1952 DuMont Thur

2.6 [--] Gruen Guild Playhouse: COUNTERPLOT
05Jun1952 DuMont Thur (East Coast)
10Jun1952 DuMont Tue (West Coast) [Long Beach Independent]
starring
Mari Aldon
John Hudson
Norbert Schiller
Synopsis:
An American newspaperman is tortured into signing a "confession". This is challenged by the Voice of America broadcasts
and an international espionage-agent-for-hire volunteers to help save the man. [RF]

 [--] Royal Playhouse: ELEVENTH HOUR
12Jun1952 DuMont Thur

2.7 [--] Gruen Guild Playhouse: BIRD OF PREY
19Jun1952 DuMont Thur (East Coast)
24Jun1952 DuMont Tue (West Coast) [Long Beach Independent]
starring
Patrick O'Neal
Elisabeth Fraser
Bobby Hyatt
Synopsis:
A boy is very ill and a strange omen is the cause of saving his life in this tale of Irish superstition. [RF]

[--] Royal Playhouse: THE TUNNEL
26Jun1952 DuMont Thur  (East Coast)

2.8 [--] Gruen Guild Playhouse: FOR LIFE
03Jul1952 DuMont Thur (East Coast)
08Jul1952 DuMont Tue (West Coast) [Long Beach Independent]
starring
Elisabeth Fraser
Bill Lester
Shirley Jones
Synopsis:
A couple of convicts volunteer as human guinea pigs to assist a woman doctor in developing a serum for use in Korea.
A prison break, a double-crossing cop start the adventure. [RF]

[--] 10Jul52 DuMont Thur (East Coast) - no details

2.9 [--] Gruen Guild Playhouse: ALIAS TROUBLES
17Jul1952 DuMont Thur (East Coast)
22Jul1952 DuMont Tue (West Coast) [Long Beach Independent]
starring
Lynn Roberts
Synopsis:
The pet name for the family dog is "Troubles" and his 9-year-old master has a vivid imagination and believes his pet
is a jewel thief. The newspaper headlines bear this out and so the story begins. [RF]

------------------------------------------------------------
East Coast Airing moves from Thursday to Tuesday around here
------------------------------------------------------------

[--] 22Jul52 DuMont Tue (East Coast) - no details

2.10 [--] Gruen Guild Playhouse: THE CORNER SHOP
29Jul1952 DuMont Tue (East Coast)
05Aug1952 [Long Beach Independent]
starring
Ruth Warrick
Craig Stevens
Synopsis:
An antique shop in foggy London is where a man finds after death the one thing he sought relentlessly in life. [RF]

[--] 05Aug52 DuMont Tue (East Coast) - no details

2.11 [--] Gruen Guild Playhouse: EMERGENCY
12Aug1952 DuMont Tue (East Coast)
19Aug1952 DuMont Tue (West Coast) [Long Beach Independent]
starring
Robert Hutton
Dorothy Patrick
John Hoyt
Synopsis:
A doctor and nurse engage in the scientific pursuit of an insane poisoner of pets. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
An entire community is victimized by a dog-poisioner but nothing much is done until a small boy is taken ill from
the same poison used by the dog killer. A relentless fight between a young doctor, death and the poisoner results
in suspense. [RF]

[--] 19Aug52 DuMont Tue (East Coast) - no details

2.12 [--] Gruen Guild Playhouse: OUT OF THE DARK
26Aug1952 DuMont Tue (East Coast) [rerun 10Jul53]
02Sep1952 DuMont Tue (West Coast) [Long Beach Independent]
Teleplay Axel Gruenberg; Story Max Brand
Director George Jenkins
Director of photography Ellsworth Fredericks
starring
Mari Aldon
Ludwig Donath
Toni Gerry
Henry Brandon
Selena Royal
Synopsis:
Four desperate people from behind the Iron Curtain have a rendezvous with freedom in the dark of night. [RF]

[--] 02Sep52 DuMont Tue (East Coast) - no details

2.13 [--] Gruen Guild Playhouse: THE LEATHER COAT
09Sep1952 DuMont Tue (East Coast)
16Sep1952 DuMont Tue (West Coast) [Long Beach Independent]
starring
Raymond Burr
Randy Stuart
Bill Phipps
Synopsis:
A wife abandons chance for freedom from hated desert to save her husband's life. [JM58]
Synopsis 2:
A poor couple operate a desert filling station and find a small fortune. The man wants to return it, but his wife
says keep it to escape from poverty. [RF]
(Syndicated rerun under "Family Theater" title, Sun 18 Nov 62, 1 p.m. KSTP-5 Minneapolis-St.Paul, MN)

[--] 16Sep52 DuMont Tue (East Coast) - no details

2.14 [--] Gruen Guild Playhouse: FACE VALUE
23Sep1952 DuMont Tue (East Coast)
30Sep1952 DuMont Tue (West Coast) [Long Beach Independent]
starring
Raymond Burr
Suzanne Dalbert
Gabriel Curtiz
Synopsis:
A plastic surgeon is forced into an illegal operation by two desperadoes below the border. The Mexican doctor and
his wife are held at bay by the gangsters. [RF]
Synopsis:
A wanted murderer will avoid being caught at all costs. [RF]
(Syndicated rerun under "Favorite Story" 28May63.)
 

 ############ Gruen Guild Playhouse ###########
################ Unknown Airdates ############
##############################################

[--] Gruen Guild: THE CAVE
Unknown Airdate
written by Howard J. Green
directed by Richard Irving
director of photography Ellsworth Fredericks
starring
Pat Walker
John Dutra
Janet Stewart
William Tannen
Pamela Duncan
John Day
Synopsis 1:
Two young women, trapped in a cave and menaced by gangsters, are rescued by a valiant ranger. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
A guide leads a hectic trip through the Endless Caverns.
(Synd. Rerun on Mid-Day Matinee Thurs 13Jul61 KEYC-12 Mankato, MN 4 p.m. CDT)[JBeer]

[--] Gruen Guild Playhouse: UNCLE CHARLEY
Unknown Airdate
written by Howard J. Green
directed by Richard Irving
director of photography Clark Ramsey
starring
Cliff Arquette
Frances Rafferty
Ross Ford
Geraldine Carr
Frank Scannell
Synopsis:
Story of a young farm woman who is vacationing in New York City with her husband. In order to fool her husband into
believing the trip is a legitimate one (he is nice, but a bit of a tightwad), she invents a rich Uncle Charley and gets
an escort service to supply her with a suitable man. He turns out to be Cliff Arquette playing a nice old financier
(he's really a gambler). At the track, he convinces the husband to bet a large sum of money on a horse that loses.
Feeling terrible, he plays a hunch, wins back the money and gives it to the couple, thus exposing his true identity. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
A non-existent uncle proves to be a real-life problem for a couple.
(Synd. Rerun on Mid-Day Matinee Fri 14Jul61 KEYC-12 Mankato, MN 4 p.m. CDT)[JB]

[--] Gruen Guild Playhouse: MY HEART'S IN THE HIGHLANDS
(originally broadcast on Silver Theater June 26, 1950 - rebroadcast date not known)
written by George Panetta
story by William Saroyan
producer/director Frank Telford
director of photography Meredith Nicholson
starring
Howard da Silva
Art Smith
Jeffrey Silver
Byron Foulger
Harry Lewis
Adeline de walt Reynolds
Linda Hussey
Ann Lovelady
Jay Barney

[--] Gruen Guild Playhouse: INCREDIBLE LUCK
Unknown Airdate
written by Lawrence Kimble
directed by Leslie H. Martinson
director of photography Ellsworth Fredricks
starring
Judith Evelyn
Walter Coy
Francis Bavier
Jack Raine
James Craven
Gil Herman
Synopsis:
Love story concerning a lovesick man, and a woman who suffers from a neurological illness who is cured by a
doctor who has recently escaped from a mental hospital. [RF]

THE SECRET DEFENSE OF 117
1952
written by Gene Roddenberry

VICTIM ANN NORVILLE
1952
starring
Peter Graves

THE GIRL FROM KANSAS
1952
starring
Barry Sullivan

#######################################
CHEVRON THEATRE (Revue Productions)
The Whistling Room
The Green And the Gold String
The Haver Technique

THE GRUEN GUILD THEATRE:
ORIENTAL CLUE
FLESH AND LEATHER
THE MISSING WITNESS
THE STREET IS MY BEAT

GRADY EVERITT FOR THE PEOPLE
written by Rod Serling (first tv script and he was paid $100. for it!)

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

#############Gruen Guild Playhouse#############

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

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

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