Somerset Maugham TV Theatre
Somerset Maugham TV Theatre (originally known as Teller of Tales for the first three episodes) is an American anthology drama program.[1] The series aired on CBS from October 18, 1950–March 28, 1951 and on NBC from April 2, 1951–December 10, 1951 airing 47 episodes.
| Somerset Maugham TV Theatre | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Teller of Tales |
| Written by | Russell Beggs W. Somerset Maugham Mathilde Ferro Theodore Ferro Agnes Nixon |
| Directed by | David Alexander Martin Ritt |
| Presented by | W. Somerset Maugham |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 47 |
| Production | |
| Producers | John Gibbs Ann Marlow Daniel Petrie |
| Production locations | New York City, U.S. |
| Running time | 30 minutes (season 1-2) 60 minutes (season 3) |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS (season 1) NBC (season 2-3) |
| Original release | October 18, 1950 – December 10, 1951 |
Premise
The series made its debut on October 18, 1950 on CBS. The series was a half-hour (later 60 minute) drama whose episodes were based on the works and novels of the show's namesake William Somerset Maugham.[1]
Maugham made special appearances at the beginning and ending of each play always giving the introduction and conclusion to each episode. His segments were filmed, while the dramas themselves were presented live.[1]
Move to NBC
After the series finished its run on CBS after one season on March 28, 1951, the series was moved to NBC on April 2, 1951. The series would remain for the rest of its run. The series also moved from Wednesday nights to Monday nights and expanded to 60 minutes, alternating weekly with Robert Montgomery Presents.[1]
Season two finished its second season on September 3 after airing 16 episodes.
Season 3
The series started its third season on September 17, 1951 continuing to air on Monday nights and for sixty minutes. This season would be the show's final season airing its last episode on December 10, 1951 after airing 7 episodes.
Production notes
The series was directed by directors Martin Ritt and David Alexander and produced by John Gibbs, Ann Marlow, and Daniel Petrie.
Also, the introductions and epilogues given by Maugham were filmed live from his home in the French Riviera and the plays broadcast live from New York City.
During its third season, the show alternated on Monday nights with the successful NBC anthology series Robert Montgomery Presents.
Broadcast history
Cast
Actors appearing in the series included:
- Luther Adler
- Judith Anderson
- Joan Bennett
- Lee J. Cobb
- Dane Clark
- Robert Cummings
- Mildred Dunnock
- Nina Foch
- Bonita Granville
- June Havoc
- Grace Kelly
- Otto Kruger
- Veronica Lake
- Cloris Leachman
- Murray Matheson
- Peggy McCay
- Mildred Natwick
- Anthony Quinn
- Joseph Schildkraut
- Martha Scott
- Beatrice Straight
- Jessica Tandy
Episodes
| Season | Episodes | Season Premiere | Season Finale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24 | October 18, 1950 | March 28, 1951 |
| 2 | 16 | April 2, 1951 | September 3, 1951 |
| 3 | 7 | September 17, 1951 | December 10, 1951 |
Season 1
- The Creative Impulse - October 18, 1950
- McKintosh - October 25, 1950
- Winter Cruise - November 1, 1950
- The Unconquered - November 8, 1950
- Episode - November 15, 1950
- Lord Mountdrago - November 22, 1950
- The String of Beads - November 29, 1950
- Force of Circumstance - December 6, 1950
- The Round Dozen - December 13, 1950
- Footprints in the Jungle - December 20, 1950
- Virtue - December 27, 1950
- The Treasure - January 3, 1951
- The Man from Glasgow - January 10, 1951
- The Vessel of Wrath - January 17, 1951
- Honolulu - January 24, 1951
- Partners - January 31, 1951
- The Romantic Young Lady - February 7, 1951
- The Dream - February 14, 1951
- The People You Meet - February 21, 1951
- The Outstation - February 28, 1951
- The Back of Beyond - March 7, 1951
- Halfway to Broadway - March 14, 1951
- The Luncheon - March 21, 1951
- End of Flight - March 28, 1951
Season 2
- Of Human Bondage - April 2, 1951
- Theatre - April 16, 1951
- The Moon and Sixpence - April 30, 1951
- The Facts of Life - May 14, 1951
- Cakes and Ale - May 28, 1951
- The Narrow Corner - June 11, 1951
- The Letter - June 25, 1951
- The French Governor - July 9, 1951
- The Promise - July 16, 1951
- In Hiding - July 23, 1951
- The Ardent Bigamist - July 30, 1951
- Bewitched - August 6, 1951
- The Great Man - August 13, 1951
- The Yellow Streak - August 20, 1951
- A Woman of Fifty - August 27, 1951
- Appearances in Reality - September 3, 1951
Season 3
- The Mother - September 17, 1951
- Grace - October 1, 1951
- Masquerade - October 15, 1951
- The Fall of Edward Bernard - October 29, 1951
- Before the Party - November 12, 1951
- Home and Beauty - November 26, 1951
- Smith Serves - December 10, 1951
References
- Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing Group. p. 1269. ISBN 978-0-307-48320-1. Retrieved August 27, 2020.