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Series · 1952 – 1956 · Drama

Four Star Playhouse

★6.8 1952 – 1956 4 Seasons TV-MA

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.

Seasons & episodes

4 seasons · 129 episodes

My Wife Geraldine

Episode 01

My Wife Geraldine

Sep 25, 1952 · 30 min

Man invents a wife, then accused of murdering her.

Dante's Inferno

Episode 02

Dante's Inferno

Oct 2, 1952 · 30 min

Willie 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.

The Lost Silk Hat

Episode 03

The Lost Silk Hat

Oct 23, 1952 · 30 min

Englishman must retrieve his hat after visiting his love.

Backstage

Episode 04

Backstage

Nov 6, 1952 · 30 min

An 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.

Welcome Home

Episode 05

Welcome Home

Nov 20, 1952 · 30 min

A 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.

The Island

Episode 06

The Island

Dec 4, 1952 · 30 min

Rebellious physician on an island in the South Pacific.

The Officer and the Lady

Episode 07

The Officer and the Lady

Dec 18, 1952 · 30 min

A 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.

Knockout

Episode 08

Knockout

Jan 1, 1953 · 30 min

Middleweight boxer finds his big bout has been fixed.

Man on a Train

Episode 09

Man on a Train

Jan 15, 1953 · 30 min

William 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.

Trail's End

Episode 10

Trail's End

Jan 29, 1953 · 30 min

A famous marshal of Dodge City sets out in search of the murderous Sonoma Kid and runs into a tragedy of the desert.

Sound Off, My Love

Episode 11

Sound Off, My Love

Feb 12, 1953 · 30 min

Woman buys hearing aid and hears husband plot her murder.

The Man in the Box

Episode 12

The Man in the Box

Feb 26, 1953 · 30 min

Boyer plays four roles in story of a director and his woes.

No Identity

Episode 13

No Identity

Mar 12, 1953 · 30 min

Young boy fights to win his foster mother's love.

The Man Who Walked Out On Himself

Episode 14

The Man Who Walked Out On Himself

Mar 26, 1953 · 30 min

After 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.

The Last Voyage

Episode 15

The Last Voyage

Apr 23, 1953 · 30 min

Sea captain discovers a time bomb is planted on his ship.

Night Ride

Episode 16

Night Ride

May 7, 1953 · 30 min

Five people, one a murderer, are trapped on subway.

The Ladies On His Mind

Episode 17

The Ladies On His Mind

May 21, 1953 · 30 min

A psychiatrist listens to his female patients go on about their troubles. As they talk, he imagines himself within each of their stories.

To Whom It May Concern

Episode 18

To Whom It May Concern

Jun 4, 1953 · 30 min

A 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.

Shadowed

Episode 19

Shadowed

Jun 18, 1953 · 30 min

Past haunts politician running for Senator.

About the series

Four Star Playhouse poster
Audience score
★ 6.8 /10

based on 11 votes

Synopsis

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.

DramaComedy

Where to watch Four Star Playhouse

Four Star Playhouse is available to stream on Flicksy via 6 verified sources, aggregated from publicly available embed providers. The drama has 4 seasons and 129 total episodes, rated 6.8/10 by 11 viewers.

Frequently asked

How many seasons does Four Star Playhouse have?

Four Star Playhouse has 4 seasons with 129 episodes in total.

Is Four Star Playhouse still on the air?

Four Star Playhouse has ended and is no longer in production.

What network airs Four Star Playhouse?

Four Star Playhouse airs on CBS.

When did Four Star Playhouse first air?

Four Star Playhouse first aired on September 25, 1952.

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