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"Pepsi Cola
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Hosted by Polly Bergen
Season
2 (ABC) (1954-55)
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 2 1954-55 ##############
##############################################
ABC Sundays 7:30-8:00pm Eastern
Polly Bergen begins her duties as hostess on this first show of the
new season.
2.01 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: SAL
03Oct1954 ABC Sun
Teleplay by James Gunn
Directed by John English
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Edward A. Biery
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Jean Bryson .......... Ellen Harley
Gladys George ........ Sal
Charles Coburn
Lyle Talbot
George Chandler
Virginia Carroll
Sandy Descher
John Eldredge
Synopsis:
A woman is about to have her sordid past revealed by an unexpected visit
from a carny.
2.02 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: GENTLEMEN'S AFFAIR
10Oct1954 ABC Sun
Teleplay by Elliot West
Directed by Herschel Daugherty
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Edward A. Biery
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Jay Novello
Eugene Borden
Donald Randolph
Helen Ford
Leo Britt
Nelson Welch
Norman Rainey
Synopsis:
The story of a sinister criminal whose career is unintentionally ended by
one of his own species.
2.03 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: DEATH, THE HARD WAY
17Oct1954 ABC Sun
Writer Fenton Earnshaw
Directed by Blake Edwards
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Edward A. Biery
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Eve Miller
William Gargan
Patrick O'Neal
Dan Tobin
Tol Avery
Joe Gilbert
Matty Fain
Dale Van Sickel
Synopsis:
The young wife of a prominent politican takes up gambling as a hobby and
brings mysterious violence to her closest associates.
2.04 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: I WENT TO HAVANA
24Oct1954 ABC Sun
Teleplay by Lawrence Kimble & Howard J. Green / Story by Don Yerrill
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Richard G. Wray
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Elliott Reid .... Henry Benson
Dorothy Green ... Francesca Torres
Kem Dibbs ..... Paul Torres
Jan Arvan ......... Lt. Alameda
John Beradino ... Croupier
Synopsis:
Police trail a confidence team to the Caribbean.
*Syndication airing on "Undercurrent" 29Jul55.
2.05 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: SUCH A NICE LITTLE GIRL
31Oct1954 ABC Sun
Written by Lawrence Kimble
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Marguerite Chapman ...... Ann Scotland
Synopsis:
An attractive lady who is called upon to free a husband and wife of murder
charges.
Note: One of a number of pilots for an unsold series "The Affairs of Ann"
about lady lawyer Ann Scotland.
See Studio 57 #4 "The Traveling Room", #15 "Sauce for the Gander".
*Syndication airing on "Undercurrent" 15Jul55.
2.06 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: DEATH RIDES A WILDCAT
07Nov1954 ABC Sun
Writer Lee E. Wells
Directed by Paul Landres
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Edward A. Biery
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
William Phipps ..... Jim Thorne
Dorothy Green .... Carmen Fuller
Frank Gerstle .... George Harper
Alan Dexter .... Arthur Beauman
Whit Bissell .... Bud
Synopsis:
A group of people leave New York for Los Angeles in a 'wildcat' bus.
*Syndication airing on "Undercurrent" 26Aug55.
2.07 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THIS MAN FOR HIRE
14Nov1954 ABC Sun
Written by Robert Leslie Bellem
Directed by Paul Landres
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Edward Haire
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Frank Wilcox
Jean Willis
Jack Kelly
Donald Curtis
Synopsis:
After writing some incriminating letters to a man, a woman tries to get them
back in order to commit murder.
2.08 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE COLONEL AND HIS SON
21Nov1954 ABC Sun
Teleplay by Fenton Earnshaw / Story by Frank Davis
Directed by Philip Ford
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Edward W. Williams
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Walter Coy ....... Colonel
Kim Charney ...... Son
Lisa Golm
Sam Gilman
Harlan Warde
Harvey Stephens
Charles Lind
Synopsis:
A colonel returning to his home in an East-West bordertown discovers his son
is missing.
2.09 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: DESERT RECKONING
28Nov1954 ABC Sun
Teleplay by Fenton Earnshaw
Story by Duane Yarnell & Sid Swirsky
Directed by Paul Landres
Director of photography Joe Novak
Editor Edward Haire
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Whitfield Connor .... Larry
Jaclynne Greene ... Ella
Ross Ford.... Johnny
Synopsis:
Story of what happens to three passengers of a small plane when it crashes
in a dry section of Mexico.
*Syndication airing on "Undercurrent" 22Jul55.
2.10 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: GIRL IN DISTRESS
05Dec1954 ABC Sun
Directed By Herschel Daugherty
Story and Teleplay By Fenton W. Earnshaw.
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Edward A. Biery
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Bill Phipps............. Donald Blackburn
Joanne Davis........ Ellen Eaton
Ward Wood........... Barney
Onslow Stevens ... Detective Meers
Paul Dubov............ Al Drummond
Edith Evanson....... Mrs. Meers
Russ Conway........ Vince Fetter
Nelson Leigh ........ Norman Kane
Synopsis:
An ex-soldier released from a mental institution inherits a large sum of
money and is framed for a murder that his girlfriend was involved in. [SC]
2.11 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE WOMAN ON THE BUS
12Dec1954 ABC Sun
Teleplay by Lawrence Kimble / Story by R. Van Taylor
Directed by Charles S. Gould
Director of photography Joe Novak
Editor Michael R. McAdam
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Dorothy Green ..... Virginia
Ross Elliott .......... Mark Blayne
Linda Stirling ........ Helen Blayne
Onslow Stevens .. Thompson
Chick Chandler .... Motley
Richard Eyer ....... Pete
Synopsis:
Fleeing from two gunmen, a desperate woman seeks refuge with a family in a
remote desert area.
Too late she realizes that she has endangered the lives of her protectors.
(film)
*Syndication airing on "Undercurrent" 05Aug55.
*Syndication airing on "Action Tonight" 22Jul57.
2.12 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: SANTA'S OLD SUIT
19Dec1954 ABC Sun (rerun on Studio 57 19Dec55)
Script by Hunt Stromberg Jr.
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Andy Clyde ....... Tom/Santa
Jane Darwell
Synopsis:
A story about a downhearted Santa Claus who can't afford a new suit, but
finds his reward in the happiness of a youngster at Christmas.
2.13 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: LOST LULLABY
26Dec1954 ABC Sun
Teleplay by Lawrence Kimble
Directed by John English
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Daniel A. Nathan
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
William Gargan
Mary Field
Paul Fix
Arthur Space
Gavin Muir
Donald MacDonald
Synopsis:
A detective's assignment is to uncover the real identity of a lost boy who
is suspected of being an heir to a fortune.
2.14 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: MIDNIGHT CHIMES
02Jan1955 ABC Sun
Teleplay by Lawrence Kimble
Directed by Herschel Daughtery
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Edward W. Williams
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Emlen Davies
Herbert Rudley
Betty Lou Gerson
Steven Geray
Michael Emmet
2.15 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE GOLDEN FLOWER
09Jan1955 ABC Sun
Teleplay by Richard Collins / Story by A.T. Jowitt
Directed by John English
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Edward W. Williams
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Vera Miles
Hayden Rorke
Eve McVeagh
Jeanne Bates
Janet Stewart
2.16 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE UNBLUSHING BRIDE
16Jan1955 ABC Sun
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Barbara Eiler
Robert Clarke
Ross Elliott
Kip Davidson
Synopsis:
A woman dumps her boyfriend for a rich man.
2.17 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE HOUSE ON JUDAS STREET
23Jan1955 ABC Sun
Teleplay by Lawrence Kimble / Story by Clayre Lipman
Directed by Richard Irving
Director of photography Joe Novak
Editor Edward A. Biery
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Jean Byron
Constance Ford
Peter Votrian
James McCallion
Nora Marlowe
Parley Baer
Synopsis:
A young schoolteacher is terrified by the mysterious goings-on in the house
where she boards.
*Syndication airing on Film Drama KLZ-7 Denver, CO Tuesday 14Jun 60 10:30
p.m. MDT [JBeer]
2.18 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: OTTO AND THE COAT
30Jan1955 ABC Sun
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Hans Conried ..... Otto
Gloria Talbott
Liam Sullivan
Synopsis:
A struggling theatrical producer buys a coat in a thrift shop and a miracle
occurs as his luck turns around.
2.19 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: AND NEVER COME BACK
06Feb1955 ABC Sun
Directed by John English
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Laura Elliott ... Sue Gardner
Eve Miller ...... Ann Temple
Christopher Dark ... Ned Miller
Mimi Gibson ... Kathy Gardner
Lyle Talbot .... Train Conductor
Joel Fluellen ... Train Porter
Synopsis:
An estranged wife attempts reconciliation with her husband.
*Syndication airing on Film Drama, KLZ-7 Denver, CO Thurs. 16Jun 60 10:30
p.m. MDT
*Note: (Laura Elliott changed her name to Kasey Rogers, better known as
Louise Tate from "Bewitched")
2.20 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: PALS TO THE END
13Feb1955 ABC Sun
Teleplay by Lawrence Kimble / Story by H.S.M. Kemp
Directed by John English
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Michael R. McAdam
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Brian Keith ... Joe Kelly
Robert Armstrong .... Gus Brennan
Norman Keats ... Muller
Evelyn Scott .... Nellie
Tom London
Synopsis:
A group of vicious fortune-hunters tries to get a grizzled old prospector to
reveal the location of the rich mineral deposit he has just discovered.
Synopsis 2:
Two men seek a rich mine in the Western desert country. But the prospect of
wealth has its effect on both. [JBeers]
*Syndicated airing on "Famous Playhouse" 26Sep68 WTCN-11 Mpls-St.Paul, MN
10:30 a.m.
2.21 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE VANISHING SUITOR
20Feb1955 ABC Sun
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Karen Sharpe
Dick Simmons
Irene Hervey
Synopsis:
A wealthy woman's trip to the altar is mysteriously sidetracked.
*Syndication airing on "Undercurrent" 02Sep55.
2.22 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE QUIET WIFE
27Feb1955 ABC Sun
Teleplay by Lawrence Kimble
Story by Sarah Elizabeth Rodger
Directed by Herschel Daugherty
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor, Edward A. Biery
starring
John Howard
Tina Carver
Eleanore Tanin
Howard Wendell
Archie Robbins
Pierre Watkin
Synopsis:
A husband cannot understand the reason behind his wife's fear of making
friends. She is, unknown to him, leading a double life.
2.23 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: MR. DONALD TAKES A RISK
06Mar1955 ABC Sun
Teleplay by Richard Collins
Directed by Richard Irving
Director of photography Joe Novak
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Mary Field
William Forrest
Robert Hyatt
Arthur Space
Milton Frome
2.24 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: WAIT FOR GEORGE
13Mar1955 ABC Sun
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Josephine Hutchinson ... Lyddie Hampton
Frank Ferguson ........ Dr. Bryce
Walter Baldwin ......... George
Norman Leavitt ........ Burt
Synopsis:
A woman is terrorized by one of the farmhands who says he must "wait for
George" to return.
Synopsis 2:
A farm woman finds herself in great danger when a brutish hired hand demands
his wages during her husband's absence.
2.25 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: A HUSBAND DISAPPEARS
20Mar1955 ABC Sun
Written by Joseph Ruscoll
Directed by Paul Landres
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Edward Haire
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Sally Brophy .... Ellen Tate
Alan Dexter .... Arthur Dolman
Dorothy Adams ... Hester
Herbert Rudley ... Man
Phil Tead ... Dr. Jennings
Synopsis:
Story of a woman whose husband leaves home for a short hunting trip, who
fails to recognize him upon his return.
2.26 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE LONER
27Mar1955 ABC Sun
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Peter J. Votrian
Anna Lee
Hayden Rorke
Synopsis:
A boy neglected by his parents goes into his own fantasy world.
2.27 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: PASSAGE HOME
03Apr1955 ABC Sun
Teleplay by John McGreevey & George Bruce / Story by Allan Vaughan Elston
Directed by Herschel Daugherty
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Brian Keith ........ Passenger
John Doucette ...... Captain
Jean Howell ........ Native Girl
Lester Mathews
James McCallion
Jonathan Hale
Synopsis:
A steamship passenger is forced into drastic action when the captain robs
him and his fellow passengers and leaves
them stranded on an island. [RF]
2.28 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: PETERSEN'S EYE
10Apr1955 ABC Sun
Written by Nelson Bond
Directed by John English
Director of photography Joe Novak
Editor Michael R. McAdam
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Robert Ellenstein .. Pete
Herbert Patterson .. Rutherford
Arthur Space
Jody Drew
Paul Birch
Sid Tomack
Synopsis:
A man who happened to be too close to an atomic blast discovers that it has
left him with the power to see the future.
A bum urges him to use his gift for personal gain. (film)
2.29 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE HOUSE WHERE TIME STOPPED
17Apr1955 ABC Sun
written by John McGreevey
directed by Herschel Daugherty
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Vera Miles ........... Daughter
Josephine Hutchinson.. Sister
Ian Keith ............ Brother
Synopsis:
If the man's long-lost daughter hadn't arrived on the scene, time would have
remained at a standstill for the brother
and sister, alone in an old house. (film)
*Note:
Cool and blonde, Vera Miles first caught Alfred Hitchcock's eye playing a
woman of mystery in "The House Where Time Stopped."
Within days the director had signed the former beauty pageant queen to an
exclusive five-year contract and set about remaking
her as "the girl who is going to replace Grace Kelly" (who, to his
disappointment, had given up Hollywood for Monaco).
"I think the reason I was so impressed with her to begin with was that I saw
her in black and white on television," he later told
costume designer Edith Head, whom he instructed--with an obsessiveness fully
documented in Vertigo --on all the minute details of
Miles's makeover, including a complete wardrobe in shades of gray to emulate
his initial vision of her on television. [RF]
2.30 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE LADY CHALLENGES
24Apr1955 ABC Sun
Written by John McGreevey
Directed by Herschel Daugherty
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Daniel A. Nathan
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Eve Miller ........ the Woman
Eleanor Tanin ..... the Friend
Craig Stevens ..... the Man
Olan Soule
Robert Patten
Synopsis:
There is a reason behind an ambitious woman's scorn for all those who cannot
keep pace with her drive toward success.
2.31 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE LONGEST LEGS IN TOWN (aka The Longest
Legs in the Show)
01May1955 ABC Sun
Teleplay by James Gunn / Story by Louise Lee Outlaw
Directed by John English
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Edward A. Biery
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Frances Farwell
Don McGowan
Alan Dexter
Barbara Perry
Mitzi McCall (voice)
Synopsis:
A tall chorus girl has a hard time finding a man her own size.
2.32 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: STAKE MY LIFE
08May1955 ABC Sun
Directed By John English
Story & Teleplay By James Gunn
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Lynn Bari ......... Linda Rainey
Hugh Beaumont ..... Jeff Rainey
Claude Akins ...... Carl
Steven Geray ...... Martin
Nana Bryant ....... Adele
Simon Scott ....... Capt. Mathews
Arthur Millan ..... The Detective
Synopsis:
A wife is too ambitious for her husband's career. Before she is through she
is even mixed up with murder. [SC]
*Special thanks to Sal Crisanti for the episode details.
2.33 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE MAN NOBODY WANTED
15May1955 ABC Sun
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Bruce Bennett ..... Peter Triton
Barton MacLane .... Captain Hansen
Tom Drake ......... John Black
Claude Akins ...... Saracki
Bill Haade ........ Hennessey
George Givot ...... Pruneda
Edward Colmans .... Fillipo
Synopsis:
A seaman aboard a ship gets into trouble because of his notorious past and
is not allowed by any country to land. (film)
2.34 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: AUSTRALIAN SEARCH
22May1955 ABC Sun
Synopsis:
An American adventurer, on a strange mission for a Hollywood producer, seeks
an escaped fugitive, hiding out
somewhere along the Australian coast. (film)
2.35 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE BOY WITH THE BEAUTIFUL MOTHER
29May1955 ABC Sun
02Jun1955 Syracuse Herald
Teleplay by Richard Collins / Story by John Yezbak
Directed by Sidney Salkow
Editor Michael R. McAdam
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Peter Votrian .......... Paul
Jean Byron ............. Teacher
Ross Bagdasarian .. Father
Natalie Norwick ....... Mother
Ronald Keith
Marta Mitrovich
Harry Shearer
Synopsis:
A brilliant student dreads the day when the teachers and classmates must
meet his parents. He's ashamed of them because
they're immigrants. (film)
Synopsis 2:
A brilliant schoolboy is afraid to bring his parents who are humble people
to his scholarship ceremonies.
Synopsis 3:
An immigrant boy's shame of his parents turns to pride with the help of an
understanding teacher.
2.36 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE BOY AND THE COACH
05Jun1955 ABC Sun
09Jun1955 Syracuse Herald
Written & Directed by Hall Bartlett
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Edward Haire
starring
Marian Carr
James Millican
Sandra White
Sammy Ogg
Eric Anderson
Elroy Hirsch
Norm Van Brocklin
Paul 'Tank' Younger
Stan West
Norm Van Brocklin
Tom Taylor
B.G. Norman
Bucko Stafford
Don Kent
Bruce Frichtl
Peter Roman
-The Los Angeles Rams--also has footage of Chicago Bears in period 1945.
Synopsis:
A high school coach tries to rehabilitate a youngster injured in a fire.
Synopsis 2:
A boy whose hopes for football glory are shattered when his legs are injured
receives inspiration from his coach.
*Syndication airing on "The Turning Point".
2.37 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: WOMAN IN THE MINE
12Jun1955 ABC Sun (rebroadcast 06Dec55)
16Jun1955 Syracuse Herald
Written by John McGreevey
Directed by Stuart Gilmore
Director of photography John MacBurnie
Editor Daniel A. Nathan
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Charles Bronson ... Joe Krossen
Beverly Garland .... Claire Walkowsky
Claude Akins ......... Pete Nemeck
John Alderson
Synopsis:
The story of an ancient superstition among miners that a woman in a mine
brings danger while a rat is the sign of good luck.
2.38 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: I'LL BE WAITING
19Jun1955 ABC Sun
23Jun1955 Syracuse Herald
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Ed Kemmer
Judith Ames
Synopsis:
A man finds it difficult to tell his disabled girlfriend it's over and that
he has found someone new.
Synopsis 2:
Two vacationists fall in love at a summer resort, but they decide to test
that love by waiting a full before seeing each other again.
2.39 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: THE NIGHTINGALE
26Jun1955 ABC Sun
30Jun1955 Syracuse Herald
starring
Alf Kjellin
Bobby Clark
Synopsis:
The story of Bulbul, a nondescipt puppy whose name is the Arabic word for
"Nightingale".
2.40 [--] Pepsi Cola Playhouse: I LOVE YOU, TRUDY
03Jul1955 ABC Sun (rerun 27Feb56 on Famous Playhouse)
Hosted by Polly Bergen
starring
Karen Sharpe ............. Trudy
Todd Karns
Synopsis:
An ex-boyfriend and thieves keep things humming for a newlywed couple.
Synopsis 2:
A bride's former boyfriend and three gangsters hide in the apartment of a
honeymooning couple.
*Originally aired on "Chevron Theatre" 24Mar53.
############# Pepsi Cola Playhouse
###########
################### the end ##################
##############################################
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