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"Pepsi Cola
Playhouse"
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Hosted by Anita Colby (09-April-1954 to
26-Sept-1954)
Season
1 (2nd half) (ABC) (1953-54)
Episode Guide
compiled by The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by:
Rina Fox, James Beer, Sal Crisanti,
J. Fred MacDonald (www.macfilms.com)
references:
TV Guide /
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://us.imdb.com)
UCLA Film and Television Archive / Writers Guild of America (wga)
############# Pepsi Cola Playhouse ############
######### season 1 (2nd half)1953-54 ##########
###############################################
ABC Fridays 8:30-9:00 EST
Anita Colby replaces Arlene Dahl as hostess
mid-way through the first season.
1.28 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: BORROW MY CAR
09Apr1954 ABC Fri
Teleplay By Fenton W. Earnshaw / Story By Philip Ketchum
Directed By John English
Director of photography Clark Ramsey
Editor Richard G. Wray
Hosted by Anita Colby (entry)
starring
Bill Phipps .............. Rick Cleary
Robert Patten ........ Jim Miller
Alan Dexter ............ Mike Stabler
Lola Albright ........... Jane
Virginia Brissac ...... Mrs.Adams
Louis Jean Heydt ... Sgt.Brenner
Synopsis:
Two garage mechanics become involved with an attractive woman and a
store robbery. [SC]
Note: The 09Apr54 episode is the first to list Anita Colby as hostess.
1.29 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: HOLLYWOOD, HOME SWEET HOME
16Apr1954 ABC Fri
Written by Lawrence Kimble
Directed by Robert S. Finkel
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Edward A. Biery
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Lloyd Corrigan
Frances Bavier
Francis X. Bushman
Ross Ford
Willis Bouchey
Sharon Dexter
Lalo Rios
Synopsis:
A former matinee idol rents his Hollywood home to a couple from Iowa.
1.30 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: SOUND OF SILENCE
23Apr1954 ABC Fri
Written by Lawrence Kimble
Directed by Richard Irving
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Michael R. McAdam
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Jack Kelly
Sallie Brophy
Carl Benton Reid
John Doucette
Edith Evanson
Synopsis:
An artist is commissioned to paint the portrait of a wealthy citizen of a
town and he finds strange silence.
The beautiful girl doesn't talk and when he tries to solve the riddle he
winds up in jail.
1.31 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: AND THE BEASTS WERE THERE
Revue Prod. no. 57-1037
30Apr1954 ABC Fri (rerun on Armstrong Summer Theatre Sep 3, 1957)
Teleplay by Lawrence Kimble / Story by Wilbur S. Peacock
Directed by Richard Irving
Director of photography Clark Ramsey
Editor Edward A. Biery
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
William Bishop
Jorja Curtright
John Doucette
Paul Cavanagh
Synopsis:
A hunter in the Burmese jungle is clawed to death by a tiger when he is
locked in the cage by a hidden hand.
Investigation into his death reveals his sadism toward animals and that it
stemmed from years past, when a
tiger almost killed him. And the hand which locked him in turns out to be
that of his pet monkey, which he also
mistreated.
1.32 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE GIRL ON THE DRUM
07May1954 ABC Fri
Teleplay by Fenton Earnshaw / Story by Frederick Nebel
Directed by Herschel Daugherty
Director of photography Clark Ramsey
Editor Michael R. McAdam
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Jack Kelly
Lita Baron
Carleton Young
Edward Colmans
Geraldine Hall
Joanne Jordan
Belle Mitchell
Neyle Morrow
Synopsis:
A dancer in Havana causes a New Orleans representative for a New York firm
to desert his business interests.
This brings the investigator from the home office who discovers many things.
1.33 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE BLACK PURSE
14May1954 ABC Fri
Written by Fenton Earnshaw
Directed by Richard Irving
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Patrick O'Neal .... Jeff Miller
Pat Carroll
Ian MacDonald
Claude Akins
Larry J. Blake
Jack Daly
Geraldine Hall
Chubby Johnson
Synopsis:
The honesty of penniless Jeff Miller leads him into intrigue when he finds a
purse and seeks to return it to
its owner but is told by everyone that the owner does not exist.
1.34 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: FIE, FIE, FIFI
21May1954 ABC Fri
Teleplay by Edward Bernds / Story by Arthur Rowe
Directed by Edward Bernds
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Edward A. Biery
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Fifi D'Orsay .......... Fifi
Lloyd Corrigan ...... Jerome
Frances Bavier ..... Thelma
Harry Stewart ....... Ole
Larry J. Blake
Joey Forman
Emory Parnell
Synopsis:
Fifi, the owner of a matrimonial business, involves a poor middle-aged
couple in her schemes. Complications mount
as they try to match the right man to the right woman.
1.35 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: GRENADINE
28May1954 ABC Fri
Written by James Gunn
Directed by Herschel Daugherty
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Michael R. McAdam
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Sally Blane
William Bishop
Jack Daly
Larry J. Blake
Elizabeth Woods
Synopsis:
A con artist's plan for taking advantage of a young woman is fouled up by a
dog named Grenadine.
1.36 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: UNFAIR GAME
04Jun1954 ABC Fri
Teleplay by Fenton Earnshaw / Story by Richard Tregaskis author of
"Guadalcanal Diary"
Directed by Herschel Daughtery
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Edward A. Biery
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Marguerite Chapman ... Barbara Nicholson
Richard Travis ............. Mark Nicholson
Joan Elan .................... Sylvia Rouse
Gavin Muir ................... Mr. Rouse
Doris Lloyd
Barry Bernard
Jack Raine
Synopsis:
A long-married couple travels from sophisticated life in Sydney, Australia,
into the rugged life of the wilds
of that country. There the couple meets a beautiful girl who has designs on
the husband. [RF]
1.37 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: TERROR TRAIN
11Jun1954 ABC Fri
Written by Fenton Earnshaw
Directed by Richard Irving
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Daniel A. Nathan
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Whit Bissell
Frances Rafferty
Lyle Talbot
Jeanne Cooper
Robert Ellenstein
Jonathan Hale
Harlan Wade
Kim Charney
Richard H. Cutting
Jack Jordan
Synopsis:
A scientist and his wife are riding on a train that holds more danger than
they expected.
1.38 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: DOUBLED IN DANGER (verified by SC)
18Jun1954 ABC Fri
Teleplay By Fenton Earnshaw / Story By Bruce Cassiday
Directed By Richard Irving
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Michael R. McAdam
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Bill Phipps ............... Joe Kirby
Carolyn Jones ......... Karen Brook
Lawrence Dobkin ..... Vern Morris / Hampton
Lynne Millan ............. The Waitress
Richard Shackleton .. The Shoeshine Boy
Synopsis:
An ex-convict just released from prison plans to kill the man responsible
for murdering his sister. [SC]
1.39 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVE
25Jun1954 ABC Fri
Written and directed by Axel Gruenberg
Director of photography Jack MacKenzie
Editor Kenneth G. Crane
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Cesar Romero
Hillary Brooke
Synopsis:
A couple try to figure out just how to behave when the police arriver after
elderly Aunt Mildred dies.
*Originally aired on "Gruen Guild Playhouse" 25Jan52.
--------------------------------------
Changes from ABC Friday to ABC Sunday
--------------------------------------
1.40 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: DEAR LITTLE FOOL
04Jul1954 ABC Sun
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Patrick O'Neal
Leslye Banning
Frank Puglia
Synopsis:
The hopes and fears of a mad-cap nurse, a prim but resonable doctor and
three pathetic patients combine to create a humorous yarn.
1.41 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: UNCLE CHARLEY
11Jul1954 ABC Sun
Adapted by Howard J. Green
From an original story by Norman Archer
Directed by Richard Irving
Director of photography Clark Ramsey
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Cliff Arquette
Frances Rafferty
Ross Ford
Geraldine Carr
Frank Scannell
Synopsis:
A non-existent uncle proves to be a real-life problem for a couple, in this
story of romance at the racetrack.
*Originally aired on "Chevron Theatre" 01Feb52.
*Syndication airing on "Mid-Day Matinee" 14Jul61.
1.42 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE WHISTLING ROOM
18Jul1954 ABC Sun
Teleplay by Howard Green / Story by William Hope Hodgson
Directed by Axel Gruenberg
Director of photography Ellsworth Fredericks
Editor Richard C. Currier
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Barbara Bestar
Edmund Purdom
Alan Napier
Charles Evans
Tyler MacDuff
Synopsis:
A haunted castle in Ireland and its owner become mixed up in the plot of a
psychic detective, young lovers and a "whistling room".
*Originally aired on "Chevron Theatre" 22Aug52.
1.43 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: BACHELOR'S WEEKEND
25Jul1954 ABC Sun
Written by Nelson Bond
Directed by Norman Lloyd
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Robert Paige
Ann Doran
Synopsis:
A bachelor is nearly connived out of getting married by his friends during a
weekend party.
*Originally aired on "Gruen Playhouse" 27Mar52.
1.44 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: ANNUAL HONEYMOON
01Aug1954 ABC Sun
Teleplay by Howard J.Green / Story by Norman Archer
Directed by Norman Lloyd
Director of photography Philip Tannura
Editor Kenneth G. Crane
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Bonita Granville
Gar Moore
Mabel Albertson
Alan Mowbray
Synopsis:
The story revolves around a slave-driver boss and how he becomes the
well-liked person he imagines himself to be.
*Originally aired on "Chevron Theatre" 15Feb52.
1.45 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: LONG, LONG AGO
08Aug1954 ABC Sun
Teleplay by Howard J. Green / Story by August Derleth
Directed by Alan Davis
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Andrea King ......... Harriet Grant
Leslie Bradley ...... Tom Grant
Tommy Rettig ....... Johnny
Jack Raine ........... Ed Newcomb
David Bruce ......... The Doctor
Dorothy Adams ..... Miss Fordham
Queenie Leonard .. The Lady
Synopsis:
A London couple purchase a run-down country home and believe it is haunted,
have a visit by a young boy who ran away
from an orphanage and tell's a story about a family that lived in the same
home and were killed during a WW2 bombing. [SC]
*Originally aired on "Chevron Theatre" 26Sep52.
1.46 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: MUNGAHRA
15Aug1954 ABC Sun
Teleplay by Howard J. Green / Story by Arch Oboler
Directed by Norman Lloyd
Director of photography Philip Tannura
Editor Richard C. Currier
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
John Hoyt
Gar Moore
Strother Martin
Colin Campbell
Nick Cravat
Mervin Williams
Frances Zucco
Synopsis:
A greedy treasure hunter is put under a curse by Nick Cravat, in this story
of witchcraft in the Borneo jungle.
*Originally aired on "Chevron Theatre" 28Mar52.
1.47 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE PERFECT GENTLEMAN
22Aug1954 ABC Sun
Hosted by Anita Colby
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".
Synopsis 2:
A self-made man tries to make himself over in order to please his fiancee,
who is a member of the culture set.
*Originally aired on "Gruen Playhouse" 03Mar52.
*Syndication airing on "Three Act Theater" 27May55.
*Syndication airing on "Star Theater" 29Mar56.
1.48 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: PLAYMATES
29Aug1954 ABC Sun
Teleplay by Howard J. Green / Story by A.M. Burrage
Directed by Richard Irving
Director of photography Ellsworth Fredericks
Editor Richard C. Currier
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Alan Napier ......... Stephen Everton
Natalie Wood ...... Monica
Moyna MacGill ..... Miss Gibson
Nelson Welch ....... Vicar
Linda Green .......... Gladys
Synopsis:
Natalie Wood is a lonely child who finds friends in one room of their
sprawling mansion. Her Uncle starts to hear
the voices of the "Playmates," and discovers they are ghosts.
*Originally aired on "Chevron Theatre" 06Jun52.
*Syndication airing on "Schaefer Century Theatre" 20Aug52.
1.49 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: ADOPTED SON
05Sep1954 ABC Sun
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Frances Gifford ... Mother
Gordon Oliver ...... Father
Dee Pollock ......... Boy
Synopsis:
A mother tries to remake the athletic boy she has adopted to the image of
her musically inclined son who passed away.
*Originally aired on "Gruen Playhouse" 28Jan52.
1.50 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: A MANSION FOR JIMMY
12Sep1954 ABC Sun
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Patric Mitchell ...... Jimmy
Robert Paige ....... Father
Paul Collins .......... Red
Gordon Gebert ..... Phil
Synopsis:
Young Jimmy is so ashamed of his modest home that he adopts
an empty mansion and tells his rich friends that he really lives amidst its
splendors. [RF]
*Originally aired on "Chevron Theatre" 23May52.
1.51 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER
19Sep1954 ABC Sun
Teleplay Howard J. Green and Eleanor Bayer
Directed by Norman Lloyd
Director of photography Ellsworth Fredericks
Editor Richard C. Currier
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
Patrick O'Neal
Bridget Barr
Keye Luke
Rolfe Sedan
Ludwig Stossel
Edward Tierney
Rodney Bell
Lester Dorr
Syl Lamont
Sally Payne
Michael Roy
Synopsis:
An impoverished lawyer still persists in offering free advice.
*Originally aired on "Chevron Theatre" 20Jun52.
*Syndication airing on "Three Act Theater" 27May55.
1.52 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: A PORTRAIT FOR TOBY
26Sep1954 ABC Sun
Hosted by Anita Colby
starring
John Qualen
Lynne Roberts
John Dierkes
Synopsis:
Intriguing drama about a man who spent his life savings for his own
likeness.
*Originally aired on "Chevron Theatre" 04Jan52.
############# Pepsi Cola Playhouse
###########
############### end of season 1 ##############
##############################################
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