Prudential Family Playhouse

Prudential Family Playhouse is an American anthology drama series that aired on live CBS from October 1950 to March 1951.[1][2] Sponsored by Prudential Insurance,[3] the series features actors in adaptations of Broadway plays or best selling novels.

Prudential Family Playhouse
GenreAnthology drama
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13
Production
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time48 mins.
Release
Original networkCBS
Picture formatBlack-and-white
Audio formatMonaural
Original releaseOctober 10, 1950 (1950-10-10) –
March 27, 1951 (1951-03-27)

Among its stars were Eva Marie Saint, Grace Kelly, Jessica Tandy, Helen Hayes, Kay Francis, Kevin McCarthy (actor), Dorothy Gish, Gertrude Lawrence, and Bert Lahr. Its writers included playwrights George Abbott, Robert Anderson, Ruth Gordon, and Sidney Howard.

Production notes

The series was broadcast live from New York City. It broadcast in only twelve cities across the United States because the writers of the properties used in the series refused to allow the show to be broadcast using kinescope.[4]

Prudential Family Playhouse aired on alternate Tuesdays opposite the highly rated Texaco Star Theater, hosted by Milton Berle. As a result, the series struggled in the ratings. In February 1951, CBS announced that they were canceling the series. The final episode aired on March 27, 1951.[2]

References
  1. Kear, Lynn; Rossman, John. The Complete Kay Francis Career Record: All Film, Stage, Radio and Television Appearances. McFarland. p. 15. ISBN 0-786-43198-9.
  2. "CBS-TV Drama Folds, Licked By M. Berle". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.: 4 February 24, 1951. ISSN 0006-2510.
  3. History Factory (2001). The Power of a Story: Voices of Prudential and Its People. Harcourt, Inc. p. 177. ISBN 0-159-00526-4.
  4. "Video's Top Spotters More Kine Than Live". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.: 4 November 4, 1950. ISSN 0006-2510.


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