Four Star Playhouse is an American television anthology series that ran from 1952 to 1956, sponsored in its first bi-weekly season by The Singer Company; Bristol-Myers became an alternate sponsor when it became a weekly series in the fall of 1953. The original premise was that Charles Boyer, Ida Lupino, David Niven, and Dick Powell would take turns starring in episodes. However, several other performers took the lead from time to time, including Ronald Colman and Joan Fontaine. Blake Edwards was among the writers and directors who contributed to the series. Edwards created the recurring character of illegal gambling house operator Willie Dante for Dick Powell to play on this series. The character was later revamped and spun off in his own series starring Howard Duff, then-husband of Lupino. The pilot for Meet McGraw, starring Frank Lovejoy, aired here, as did another episode in which Lovejoy recreated his role of Chicago newspaper reporter Randy Stone, from the radio drama Nightbeat.
19 episodes
- 1. My Wife GeraldineMan invents a wife, then accused of murdering her.TV-GCC30minSep 25, 1952
- 2. Dante's InfernoWillie Dante owns a bar and gambling house called Dante's Inferno. One night, the wife of an acquaintance tells Willie that her husband has threatened her. Willie comforts her and sends her home, but she turns up dead the next day.TV-GCC30minOct 2, 1952
- 3. The Lost Silk HatEnglishman must retrieve his hat after visiting his love.TV-GCC30minOct 23, 1952
- 4. BackstageAn actor named Paul is out on an evening stroll when he sees a young woman attempting to jump off a bridge. After a struggle, he discovers her name is Amy and she is homeless. Paul believes $5 could mean the difference between decency & despair so he pays for Amy to stay in a hotel for the night, agreeing to meet her the next day. Amy is nowhere to be found when Paul returns. He worries and begins the search for this mysterious woman.TV-GCC30minNov 6, 1952
- 5. Welcome HomeA notorious criminal returns to his home town after 15 years away, and a young man wants to join him in notoriety and, probably, death at the hands of police.TV-GCC30minNov 20, 1952
- 6. The IslandRebellious physician on an island in the South Pacific.TV-GCC30minDec 4, 1952
- 7. The Officer and the LadyA reformed pickpocket in Paris obtains the purse of an attractive woman. He reads a letter telling about her dying son, and he decides to grant the boy's wish to meet his father.TV-GCC30minDec 18, 1952
- 8. KnockoutMiddleweight boxer finds his big bout has been fixed.TV-GCC30minJan 1, 1953
- 9. Man on a TrainWilliam encounters an old acquaintance, John Dwerrihouse, on a train with 75,000 pounds. Only later did William learn that Dwerrihouse had disappeared four months earlier after embezzling 75,000 pounds from the train company.TV-GCC30minJan 15, 1953
- 10. Trail's EndA famous marshal of Dodge City sets out in search of the murderous Sonoma Kid and runs into a tragedy of the desert.TV-GCC30minJan 29, 1953
- 11. Sound Off, My LoveWoman buys hearing aid and hears husband plot her murder.TV-GCC30minFeb 12, 1953
- 12. The Man in the BoxBoyer plays four roles in story of a director and his woes.TV-GCC30minFeb 26, 1953
- 13. No IdentityYoung boy fights to win his foster mother's love.TV-GCC30minMar 12, 1953
- 14. The Man Who Walked Out On HimselfAfter separating from his wife, a wealthy clubman is about to marry a much young woman -- whereupon his mirror image walks out on him in disgust.TV-GCC30minMar 26, 1953
- 15. The Last VoyageSea captain discovers a time bomb is planted on his ship.TV-GCC30minApr 23, 1953
- 16. Night RideFive people, one a murderer, are trapped on subway.TV-GCC30minMay 7, 1953
- 17. The Ladies On His MindA psychiatrist listens to his female patients go on about their troubles. As they talk, he imagines himself within each of their stories.TV-GCC30minMay 21, 1953
- 18. To Whom It May ConcernA bank employee mails a letter to his boss confessing to stealing $7000 and includes the stocks he bought with the money. As he puts a gun to his head, he sees in the paper that the stocks' worth have gone through the roof. Now he wants to live and goes on a frantic chase to get the letter back from the post office before it gets delivered.TV-GCC30minJun 4, 1953
- 19. ShadowedPast haunts politician running for Senator.TV-GCC30minJun 18, 1953
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Four Star Playhouse
Four Star Playhouse is an American television anthology series that ran from 1952 to 1956, sponsored in its first bi-weekly season by The Singer Company; Bristol-Myers became an alternate sponsor when it became a weekly series in the fall of 1953. The original premise was that Charles Boyer, Ida Lupino, David Niven, and Dick Powell would take turns starring in episodes. However, several other performers took the lead from time to time, including Ronald Colman and Joan Fontaine. Blake Edwards was among the writers and directors who contributed to the series. Edwards created the recurring character of illegal gambling house operator Willie Dante for Dick Powell to play on this series. The character was later revamped and spun off in his own series starring Howard Duff, then-husband of Lupino. The pilot for Meet McGraw, starring Frank Lovejoy, aired here, as did another episode in which Lovejoy recreated his role of Chicago newspaper reporter Randy Stone, from the radio drama Nightbeat.
