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"The Royal Family (film)" redirects here. For the 1969 British television documentary, see Royal Family (film).

The Best of Broadway is a 60-minute live television anthology series that aired on CBS Television on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time from September 15, 1954, to May 4, 1955, for a total of nine episodes. Each show was broadcast live in color from New York City, was an adaptation of a famous Broadway play, and included commercials for Westinghouse featuring Betty Furness.[2] Using a "giant new studio,"[3] plays were presented in front of a studio audience, which contributed a Broadway-like element.[1]

Production

This series ran every fourth week, with Pabst Blue Ribbon Bouts being aired the other three weeks.[3]

The series originated from CBS Television Studio 72 at WCBS-TV. Martin Manulis was the initial producer, and Paul Nickell was the director. David Brookman was in charge of the music.[2] In February 1955, Felix Jackson became the producer when Manulis began producing Climax!.[4]

Episodes

Play Author(s) Broadcast Date Stars
1 The Royal Family George S. Kaufman, Edna Ferber September 15, 1954 Charles Coburn, Claudette Colbert, Helen Hayes, Fredric March, Nancy Olson[5]
2 The Man Who Came to Dinner George S. Kaufman, Moss Hart October 13, 1954 Joan Bennett, Margaret Hamilton, Buster Keaton, Bert Lahr, Merle Oberon, ZaSu Pitts, Monty Woolley
3 Panama Hattie Cole Porter, Herbert Fields, B. G. DeSylva November 10, 1954 Art Carney, Ethel Merman
4 The Philadelphia Story Philip Barry December 8, 1954 Mary Astor, Herbert Marshall, Dorothy McGuire
5 Arsenic and Old Lace Joseph Kesselring January 5, 1955 Billie Burke, Helen Hayes, Edward Everett Horton, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre
6 The Show-Off George Kelly February 2, 1955 Carleton Carpenter, Jackie Gleason, Thelma Ritter, Cathy O'Donnell, Alice Ghostley, Russell Collins[6]
7 The Guardsman Ferenc Molnár March 2, 1955 Claudette Colbert, Margaret Hamilton, Franchot Tone
8 Stage Door George S. Kaufman, Edna Ferber (adapted by Gore Vidal) April 6, 1955 Rhonda Fleming, Elsa Lanchester, Diana Lynn, Victor Moore[7]
9 Broadway George Abbott, Philip Dunning May 4, 1955 Joseph Cotten, Piper Laurie, Gene Nelson, Akim Tamiroff, Keenan Wynn

Critical response

A review of "The Show-Off" in the trade publication Variety said that the episode was "pretty feeble stuff" but that Gleason's performance kept it from being "a trying experience, indeed."[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Hawes, William (2001). Filmed Television Drama, 1952–1958. McFarland. pp. 22–23. ISBN 9780786411320. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Wednesday (15)" (PDF). Ross Reports on Television. September 12, 1954. p. 152. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (1999). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present (7th ed.). New York: The Ballentine Publishing Group. p. 89. ISBN 0-345-42923-0.
  4. ^ "Other Network Changes & Additions" (PDF). Ross Reports on Television. February 6, 1955. p. 17. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  5. ^ "Television in Review: Color Drama," The New York Times 17 Sept. 1954.
  6. ^ a b "The Show Off". Variety. February 9, 1955. p. 37. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  7. ^ Shanley, J. P. "Television: 'Stage Door,'" The New York Times 8 Apr. 1955.

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