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Overview

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.

Series Cast

  1. David Niven as William Langford, John, Henry, Lee, Wyeth, Ted Parker, Andy, Richard Lilliam, Hal Winters, Royal Thurston, Philip, Mitch, Ted, Jim Kenyon, George, David, Frank, Bingham, Andy Fields, Larkin, Tony Stewart, Uncle Fred, Robert Louis Stevenson, Cookie, Doctor, Deacon, Maxwell, Phil Weston, Adams, Steve Carlyle / Roger Carlyle, Charles, and Doctor Gentry

    David Niven

    William Langford, John, Henry, Lee and 28 more...

    32 Episodes

  2. Dick Powell as Willie Dante, Dan, Dave Robinson, Chris, Steve, Fred, Philip Benton, Grover Doane, Dan Hodges, Dave, Will Sonnett, Fleet Mason, Eddie White, US Marshal Philip Dana, Graham, Eddie, Andrew, Capt. Avery, Mike Donegan, Paul, Burt Stroude, Priest, Dan Matson, and Jeff

    Dick Powell

    Willie Dante, Dan, Dave Robinson, Chris and 20 more...

    32 Episodes

  3. Charles Boyer as Andre, Mr. Graham, Dr. Dumont, Robert, Alan Abbey, Jacques, Frank Hepp, Grisby, Carl, Major Tinnente, George, Roger, Henri, Montaigne, Dr. Giboux, Sampan Joe, Carl Baxter, Alan, Claude Le Beau, John, Martin, Dr. Severson, Captain, Eric, The Man, and Renneck

    Charles Boyer

    Andre, Mr. Graham, Dr. Dumont, Robert and 22 more...

    27 Episodes

  4. Ida Lupino as Ellen, Grace, Ann, Ginny, Kit, Emily Cameron, Sarah, Evelyn, Sheila, Meg, Diana, Emma, Billie, Anna, Valerie, Celia Coberly, Nina Barton, and Flo Watson

    Ida Lupino

    Ellen, Grace, Ann, Ginny and 14 more...

    19 Episodes

  5. Herb Vigran as Monte, Monte - Bartender, Bartender, Monty Leeds, Lt. Richards, Sam Rawlings, Marc, and 3rd Reporter

    Herb Vigran

    Monte, Monte - Bartender, Bartender, Monty Leeds and 4 more...

    14 Episodes

  6. Ray Walker as Policeman, Police Lieutenant, Reporter, Sam, Tom Barry, Director, Steward, and Sgt. Phillips

    Ray Walker

    Policeman, Police Lieutenant, Reporter, Sam and 4 more...

    8 Episodes

  7. Regis Toomey as Lt. Manny Waldo, Police Lt. Manny Waldo, and Colonel

    Regis Toomey

    Lt. Manny Waldo, Police Lt. Manny Waldo, Colonel

    8 Episodes

  8. Ralph Moody as Uncle Lee, Realtor, Doc, Conductor, Stranger, Moreland, and Jarvis Miller

    Ralph Moody

    Uncle Lee, Realtor, Doc, Conductor and 3 more...

    7 Episodes

  9. Richard Hale as Judge, Fotheringham, Pop, Bishop, Capt. Harmon, and Dr. Kessell

    Richard Hale

    Judge, Fotheringham, Pop, Bishop and 2 more...

    7 Episodes

  10. View More

Full Cast & Crew

Last Season

Season 4

1955 • 41 Episodes

Season 4 of Four Star Playhouse premiered on October 6, 1955.

Success Story

(4x41, July 26, 1956) Season Finale

View All Seasons

No videos, backdrops or posters have been added to Four Star Playhouse.

Facts

Status Ended

Network

  • See more TV shows from CBS...

Type Scripted

Original Language English

Keywords

Content Score 

35

There's no 'I' in team...

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  • Created by credit
  • Regular cast members (4 or more)
  • Poster
  • Backdrop
  • Video

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