The Robert Herridge Theater (1959-60)

Episode Guide compiled by The Classic TV Archive

https://ctva.biz/index.htm

with contributions by:

 J. Fred MacDonald (www.macfilms.com), Rina Fox

Actor, Ray Gardner ("The Lottery" episode)

references:

Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)

Internet Movie Database (https://us.imdb.com)

UCLA Film and Television Archive
 

THE ROBERT HERRIDGE THEATER

CBS Films Inc.

for

First-Run Syndication

Produced by Robert Herridge

US Anthology series 1959-60       26 episodes x 30 min bw 

Hosted by Robert Herridge

Premise:

 Anthology of dramas by noted authors.

Background:

  Robert Herridge was a producer/writer on CBS "Studio One" & "Kraft Theater" series.

Also produced/directed/wrote for "The Bell Telephone Hour".

Variety called Robert Herridge, "The Literary conscience of the medium".

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             Syndicated Program  

 [01] Robert Herridge Theater: A TRIP TO CZARDIS
07Jul60 (copyright date 17Jun59)
[11Oct60 Long Beach Independent]
Produced by Robert Herridge
Based on Edward Granbury's novel.
starring
Mildred Dunnock
Kevin Coughlin
Luke Halpin
Synopsis:
The story of two small boys in the Florida pine woods who go with their mother and uncle to see their father,
sick in a nearby town. As it turns out, he is not really sick; he is in prison, and a crowd is already
collecting to watch him hang. He says goodbye to the boys, giving one a watch, the other its chain.
The older boy understands, his brother does not. [RF]

[02] Robert Herridge Theater: THE SOUND OF MILES DAVIS
02Apr59 (copyright date 17Sep59)
[18Oct60 Long Beach Independent]
Produced by Robert Herridge
Directed by Jack Smight
music director and arranger, Gil Evans
starring
Miles Davis
John Coltrane
*Music, "So What" and "Kind of Blue".
Synopsis:
The story of Miles Davis. Features music written by Miles Davis and includes performances by Dave Brubeck,
Gil Evans, Ahmad Jamal, and the Miles David Sextet. [RF]

[03] Robert Herridge Theater: THE TELL-TALE HEART
copyright date 27Oct59
[20Feb61 Long Beach Independent]
Producer and writer, Robert Herridge
Based on Edgar Allen Poe’s short story
Director, Karl Genus
music, Tom Scott
Narrator: Michael Kane
Synopsis:
From his cell, a madman relates how he committed murder, revealing an obsessed and guilt-ridden mind. [RF]

[04] Robert Herridge Theater: THE EASTER STORY
copyright date 29Oct59
[27Mar61 Long Beach Independent]
Synopsis:
"The Easter Story" brings famous paintings by nine master artists as narrator tells the story of trial,
death and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The artists El Greco, Rembrandt, Titian, Tintoretto, Ingres, Mantegna, Giotto, Brunewald and Vaneck.
Narration provided by Michael Kane will be the words of the four Apostles, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. [RF]

[05] Robert Herridge Theater: A SONG WITH ORANGE IN IT
copyright date 14Jan60
[20Mar61 Long Beach Independent]
starring
Jack Lord
Dolores Dorn
Synopsis:
A composer's girlfriend asks him to write a song rhyming with the word orange. [RF]

[06] Robert Herridge Theater: AN EARLY MORNING OF A BARTENDER'S WALTZ
copyright date 14Jan60
[13Mar61 Long Beach Independent]
starring
Robert Duvall
John Napier
Synopsis:
A bartender who is subject to bullying bullies is in return forced to face further challenges.[RF]

[07] Robert Herridge Theater: JAZZ FROM 61
(copyright date 22Jan60)
[15Sep1960]
[26Dec60 Long Beach Independent]
Produced by Robert Herridge
Narrator: Michael Kane
starring
Robert Herridge
Ahmad Jamal Trio
The Ben Webster Sextet
Summary:
"Jazz From 61" features pianist Ahmad Jamal and his trio, and the Ben Webster sextet. The sextet plays
"Mop Mop," "Chelsea Bridge" and "C-Jam Blues." The trio offers "Darn That Dream" and two Jamal originals,
"Excerpts From the Blues" and "Jim Loves Sue." [RF]

[08] Robert Herridge Theater: THE ANTIC WORLD OF IRVING HARMON
copyright date 16Feb60
[04Dec59 CBS]
[25Oct60 Long Beach Independent]
Produced by Robert Herridge
Narrator: Michael Kane
Starring
Irving Harmon
Sondra Lee
Joe Silver
Summary:
Theater performances from Studio 61 are short pantomime skits sometimes comical, artistic, and eccentric,
titles include Two Close Friends, The Banana People, The Ladder, The Tycoon, The Gateway, Home Sweet Home,
The Elegant Man, The Cafeteria, Two Close Friends and the Atom . [JFM]

[09] Robert Herridge Theater: FRANKIE AND JOHNNY
copyright date 16Feb60
Produced by Robert Herridge
Based on the folk story Frankie and Johnny
Director, Karl Genus
Choreographer, Lee Sherman
Music, Charles Mingus
Narrator: Michael Kane
starring
Melissa Hayden
John Brascia
Tybee Brascia
Jimmy Rushing
Irving Harmon
Synopsis:
A television adaptation of the folk story about the lovers, Frankie and Johnny.
*Note: Burlesque Pantomimist Irving Hoffman in some splendidly kookie blackouts, stages a Frankie and
Johnnie Ballet with Ballerina Melissa Hayden. [RF]

[10] Robert Herridge Theater: THE STONE BOY
copyright date 25Feb60
[06Dec60 Long Beach Independent]
Produced by Robert Herridge
Adapted by James Ambandos
Written by Gina Berriault
Directed by Karl Genus
Music, Tom Scott
Narrator: Michael Kane
starring
Arthur Hill ....... Father
Luke Halpin ....... Boy
Teresa Hughes ..... Mother
Karl Weber ........ Uncle Andy
Edmund Gaynes ..... Clint
Edward S. Hanlon .. Orion
Alfred Hinckley ... Sullivan
Arlene Ross ....... Nora
Victor Kilian ..... Sheriff
Noel Leslie ....... Old Matthews
Synopsis:
A boy is shattered with guilt after accidentaly killing his older brother. He turns to his family for
support and forgiveness but finds anger and rejection instead. [RF]

[11] Robert Herridge Theater: WITH GLORY AND HONOR
copyright date 13Apr60
[09Jan61 Long Beach Independent]
Produced by Robert Herridge
Narrator: Michael Kane
starring
Martin Balsam
Eileen Ryan
Synopsis:
A man plans a party while his father awaits electrocution.

[12] Robert Herridge Theater: GIRL ON THE ROAD
copyright date 13Apr60
Produced by Robert Herridge
Story by Louis Adamic
Narrator: Michael Kane
starring
Salome Jens
Fred J. Scollay
Synopsis:
A girl hitchhiker is picked up by a writer and reveals her life story to him, reflecting the depression of the 30's.[RF]

[13] Robert Herridge Theater: THE BALLAD OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN [Part 1]
copyright date 13Apr60
[15Nov60 Long Beach Independent]
Producer, Robert Herridge
Adapted by Robert Herridge
Based on the novel "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", by Mark Twain
Directed by Michael Dreyfuss
Music, Tom Scott
Narrator: Michael Kane
starring
Kevin Couglin
Kurt Kasznar
Lincoln Kilpatrick
Richard Shepard
Jared Reed
A dramatization about the adventures of Huckleberry Finn and his friend Jim, interspersed with musical ballads
and commentary by a narrator posing as Mark Twain. In the opener Huck is just becoming accustomed to civilized
living with the Widow Douglas when his father arrives and insists that he quit school. [RF]

[14] Robert Herridge Theater: THE BALLAD OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN [Part 2]
copyright date 13Apr60
[22Nov60 Long Beach Independent]

[15] Robert Herridge Theater: THE BALLAD OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN [Part 3]
copyright date 13Apr60
[29Nov60 Long Beach Independent]

[16] Robert Herridge Theater: THE LOTTERY
copyright date 13Apr60
[03Apr61 Long Beach Independent]
Produced by Robert Herridge
Written by Shirley Jackson
Narrator: Michael Kane
starring
Edward Andrews ..... Mr. Summers
Eda Reiss Merin .... Mrs. Summers
Woodrow Parfrey .... Graves
Peggy Fuery ........ Mrs. Hutchinson
Jan Jarrett ........ Lil Janie
Randy Gaynes ....... Davis
Barbara Myers ...... Pat
Gail Wiggington .... Mrs. Anderson
Herb Voland ........ Adams
Ray Gardner ........ Watson
Synopsis:
A small town gathers for their annual lottery, each person receives a piece of paper and whoever gets the
black spot is then stoned to death. [RG]
*Special thanks to Ray Gardner for his contribution to this classic episode.

[17] Robert Herridge Theater: A CUP OF KINDNESS
copyright date 5May60
[06Mar61 Long Beach Independent]
Produced by Robert Herridge
Written by Vance Bourjaily
Narrator: Michael Kane
starring
Sam Jaffe
Synopsis:
The story of a man who believes his daughter-in-law is trying to poison him. [RF]

[18] Robert Herridge Theater: A STORY OF A GUNFIGHTER
copyright date 5May60
[01Nov60 Long Beach Independent]
Produced by Robert Herridge
Narrator Michael Kane
starring
William Shatner
Philip Coolidge
Dennis Kohler
Synopsis:
A unique western in which not a single shot is fired. TIME magazine review stated: "Sends the average
western up in gun smoke as it concentrates with the tension of "High Noon" on the 30 minutes that precede
a professional killing." [RF]

[19] Robert Herridge Theater: THE CHRYSANTHEMUMS
copyright date 5May60
[13Feb61 Long Beach Independent]
Adaptation of John Steinbeck's story.
starring
Marian Seldes
Sydney Pollack
Synopsis:
A woman's only interest in life is her flowers until she meets a peddler. [RF]

[20] Robert Herridge Theater: RING AROUND ROSY
copyright date 5May60
[02Jan61 Long Beach Independent]
starring
Marian Seldes
Joseph Warren
Synopsis:
A bride discovers her husband married her for her cooking. [RF]

[21] Robert Herridge Theater: ALL THE PETALS OF ALL THE ROSES IN THE WORLD
copyright date 5May60
[13Dec60 Long Beach Independent]
starring
Philip Bourneuf
Sally Chamberlain
Jim McKay
Synopsis:
A successful novelist recalls his 15th year, his love for his teacher and their admiration of an
Emily Dickenson poem. [RF]

[22] Robert Herridge Theater: THE SUMMER OF THE INSISTENT VOICES
copyright date 5May60
[27Feb61 Long Beach Independent]
starring
Philip Bourneuf
Clay Hall
Ann Harris
Conrad Janis
Synopsis:
The story of a writer who remembers his first love when he was 17 years old. [RF]

[23] Robert Herridge Theater: HOPE IS THE THING WITH FEATHERS
copyright date 5May60
[16Jan61 Long Beach Independent]
Produced by Robert Herridge
Narrator Michael Kane
starring
Eli Wallach
Bert Wheeler
Milt Kamen
Synopsis:
The story of seven bums living in Central Park and how they try to catch a duck. [RF]

[24] Robert Herridge Theater: THE END OF THE BEGINNING
copyright date 12May60
[04Feb61 Long Beach Independent]
Produced by Robert Herridge
Based on the story by Sean O'Casey
Narrator Michael Kane
starring
E.G. Marshall
Jean Stapleton
Dan Morgan
Synopsis:
The story of a stubborn Irish farmer and his wife who exchange tasks to settle a quarrel. [RF]

[25] Robert Herridge Theater: RIDERS TO THE SEA
copyright date 7Jul60
[23Jan61 Long Beach Independent]
Based on the play of the same title by John Millington Synge.
Producer, Robert Herridge
Director, Karl Genus
Music, Tom Scott
Narrator: Michael Kane
starring
Maureen Stapleton
Helena Carroll
Liam Gannon
Katherine Willard
Synopsis:
A tragedy set on one of the Aran Isles off the coast of Ireland concerning an old woman who becomes resigned
to death after losing her husband and all her sons to sea. [RF]

[26] Robert Herridge Theater: THE TRIAL AND DEATH OF SOCRATES
copyright date 16Aug60
[30Jan61 Long Beach Independent]
Produced by Robert Herridge
Written by Robert L. Joseph
Directed by Karl Genus
Music, Tom Scott
Narrator: Bramwell Fletcher
starring
Donald Davis
Louis Zorich
Mark Lenard
Roberts Blossom
Chris Gampel
Synopsis:
A drama. Before dying, Socrates defends his decision to live his philosophy and place the state above the
individual. Depicts his trial at which he expostulates that the unexamined life is not worth living. [RF]

*NOTE: Based on the dialogs of Plato.

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Robert Herridge - Writer - filmography

"Studio One" (1948) TV Series (writer)

... aka "Studio One Summer Theatre" (1948) (summer title)

... aka "Studio One in Hollywood" (1958) (new title)

... aka "Summer Theatre" (1948) (summer title)

... aka "Westinghouse Studio One" (1948)

... aka "Westinghouse Summer Theatre" (1948) (summer title)

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