

Matinee Theater is an American anthology series that aired on NBC during the Golden Age of Television, from 1955 to 1958. The series, which ran daily in the afternoon, was frequently live. It was produced by Albert McCleery, Darrell Ross, George Cahan and Frank Price with executive producer George Lowther. McCleery had previously produced the live series Cameo Theatre which introduced to television the concept of theater-in-the-round, TV plays staged with minimal sets. Jim Buckley of the Pewter Plough Playhouse recalled: When Al McCleery got back to the States, he originated a most ambitious theatrical TV series for NBC called Matinee Theater: to televise five different stage plays per week live, airing around noon in order to promote color TV to the American housewife as she labored over her ironing. Al was the producer. He hired five directors and five art directors. Richard Bennett, one of our first early presidents of the Pewter Plough Corporation, was one of the directors and I was one of the art directors and, as soon as we were through televising one play, we had lunch and then met to plan next week’s show. That was over 50 years ago, and I’m trying to think; I believe the TV art director is his own set decorator —yes, of course! It had to be, since one of McCleery’s chief claims to favor with the producers was his elimination of the setting per se and simply decorating the scene with a minimum of props. It took a bit of ingenuity.
Aug 27, 1956 - 1h 0m
A well-known woman mystery writer believes she has found the way to commit the perfect murder. Unknown to her, a greedy nephew, who stands to inherit her money, plans to make her the victim of her own ingenuity.
Aug 29, 1956 - 1h 0m
Halvard Solness a brilliant architect and builder, becomes moody and afraid of life as he grows old. Hilda a girl who represents the younger generation comes into his life at this point and inspires him to change his attitude.
Aug 30, 1956 - 1h 0m
The governess of two motherless children believes they are possessed by the spirits of two deceased servants.
Aug 31, 1956 - 1h 0m
the story of the romance of Jennie Jerome, an American girl, who fell in love with the son of the Duke of Marlborough, Lord Randolph Churchill. Against the wishes of their parents, the young sweethearts plan to marry. Based on the biography by Anita Leslie of the parents of Sir Winston Churchill.
Sep 3, 1956 - 1h 0m
A 15-year-old boy who suffers from lack of attention tries to get attention from his mother by showing off a watch he has stolen.
Sep 4, 1956 - 1h 0m
A teenage daughter tries to effect a reconciliation between her divorced parents. The father is a famous author who has never had time for his family.
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Sep 12, 1956 - 1h 0m
The child star of a TV show has her father convinced she is capable only of angelic behavior. But when the father falls in love with a script girl and decides to marry her, his daughter attempts to cause trouble. - Tv Guide
Sep 13, 1956 - 1h 0m
In 1874 a former New York city policeman walks all the way to Texas to claim a ranch left to him by a relative. He finds that he is unwelcome.
Sep 14, 1956 - 1h 0m
""A young girl's boy friend is appalled at the way she plays on people's emotions for monetary rewards. She tries to make him understand that her meager salary will not support her aunt, her uncle and herself. When a rich old man comes to their small village, the girl goes immediately to strike up another friendship""--TV guide.
Sep 19, 1956 - 1h 0m
Harry Parker, a man who has spent his entire life traveling with carivals learns that the granddaughter of a woman he had once loved lives in the small town where the carnival has stopped. The girl's finance comes to play the shell game with the money the couple have saved for their wedding. - Tv Guide
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Dec 14, 1956 - 1h 0m
An aspiring violinist and his father disagree over the son's ability as a musician.
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Jun 28, 1957 - 1h 0m
A young man pays a visit to the family mansion in Newport, R.I., now presided over by its sole occupant, his aunt.
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