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Summer Playhouse (1964 TV series)

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This article is about the CBS series of 1964 and 1965. For the NBC series of 1954 and 1957, see Summer Playhouse (1954 TV series). For the CBS series of 1987–1989, see CBS Summer Playhouse. 1964 American TV series or program
Summer Playhouse
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerDon Fedderson
Running time30 minutes
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseJuly 4, 1964 (1964-07-04) –
September 6, 1965 (1965-09-06)

Summer Playhouse is a 30-minute anthology television series that aired on CBS during the summers of 1964 and 1965. It consisted of unsold television pilots.

Summer Playhouse is unrelated to an NBC series of the same name that aired during the summers of 1954 and 1957.

Background and production

The practice of television executives of ordering dozens of pilots for proposed television series each year – far more than their networks could possibly broadcast as series – created a sizable body of unsold pilots that had never aired. Packaging these unsold pilots in anthology series and airing them during the summer provided television networks with a way of both providing fresh programming during the summer rerun season and recouping at least some of the expense of producing them. Summer Playhouse was one of these series.

Don Fedderson produced Summer Playhouse, and Steve Allen, Jimmy Durante, and Fred MacMurray were among its notable stars.

Broadcast history

Summer Playhouse ran for 12 episodes over 12 consecutive weeks in the summer of 1964, airing on CBS from 9:30 to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday evenings. It premiered on July 4, and its last episode that year aired on September 19. It returned in the summer of 1965, premiering on June 28 and running on Monday evenings from 8:30 to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time for 11 consecutive weeks. Its final episode was broadcast on September 6, 1965.

Episodes

Season 1 (1964)

SOURCES

No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"The Free Wheelers"Sherman MarksRobert Riley Crutcher & Sherman MarksJuly 4, 1964 (1964-07-04)
The imaginative wife of a man who writes travel books becomes involved in international intrigue — and an international mess. Starring Patricia Barry, Tommy Noonan, Elvia Allman, Jacques Bergerac, Gaylord Cavallaro, Fritz Feld, Kathleen Freeman, Nancy Kulp, Louis Mercier, and Reggie Nalder. A repeat of an episode of General Electric Theater that originally aired on February 18, 1962.
2"The McGonigle"Ralph MurphyDick Chevillat, Dan Gallery, & Ray SingerJuly 11, 1964 (1964-07-11)
Two United States Navy sailors try to help a USO entertainer meet up with her husband so that they can have a honeymoon. Starring Mickey Shaughnessy, Tom D'Andrea, Frank Gerstle, Wally Cassell, Charlie Picerni, Norman Grabowski, Mark Damon, and Diane Jergens. A repeat of an episode of NBC's Westinghouse Preview Theatre that originally aired on July 28, 1961.
3"The Jimmy Durante Show"Hy AverbackMel Diamond, Billy Friedburg & Mel TolkinJuly 18, 1964 (1964-07-18)
A man wants his grandson to become an entertainer just like him, and his grandson wants to follow in his footsteps. Starring Jimmy Durante, Ralph Bell, Audrey Christie, Barry Gordon, Eddie Hodges, Dorothy Konrad, John McIntire, Kevin O'Neal, and Darryl Richard.
4"The Miss and Missiles"Peter TewksburyEverett FreemanJuly 25, 1964 (1964-07-25)
A fashionable career woman who is a magazine writer assigned to write a story on the emerging Jet Age meets a handsome United States Air Force colonel who is a test pilot. The two have instant chemistry, but her younger brother's hero-worship of the pilot gets in the way. Starring Gisele MacKenzie, John Forsythe, Rosemarie Ace, George Baxter, Jocelyn Brando], James Chandler, Karen Noel Dolin, Jack Finch, Kathleen Freeman, Gordon Gebert, John McGiver, Edo Mita, Michael J. Pollard, and William Schallert. A repeat of an episode of Lux Playhouse that originally aired on June 12, 1959.
5"You're Only Young Once"Richard L. BareNorman RileyAugust 1, 1964 (1964-08-01)
A young married couple attending the University of Southern California face problems when their precarious finances force them to live in a college dormitory. Starring Lynn Alden, Phillip O'Hanlon, Patricia Blair, Charlie Briggs, Ann Morgan Gilbert, Gary Hunley, Jim Hutton, Frank Killmond, and Dorothy Provine. A repeat of an episode of The Comedy Spot that originally aired on September 11, 1962.
6"Low Man on a Totem Pole"John NewlandBill Manhoff & H. Allen SmithAugust 8, 1964 (1964-08-08)
A humorous look at the real life of writer H. Allen Smith, who lives in Greenwich Village in New York City and struggles to get his work published. Starring Dan Dailey, Diana Lynn, John McGiver, Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, Cliff Norton, Irene Tedrow, Gloria Pall, and John Haveron.
7"Missile Maisie"Edward LudwigWilson Collison & Mary R. McCallAugust 15, 1964 (1964-08-15)
After she wins the Miss Guided Missile beauty contest, Maisie Ravier, a showgirl born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, must visit a backwater United States Army post to support its recruiting program. Starring Janis Paige, Lin McCarthy, Joe Sawyer, Olive Carey, James Mahoney, Rudy Lee, and Henry Kulky. A repeat of an episode of New Comedy Showcase originally aired on September 12, 1960, with the title "Maisie."
8"An Apartment in Rome"Richard KinonSol SaksAugust 22, 1964 (1964-08-22)
A young American couple living happily in Rome and trying to make ends meet on the husband's income as an artist learns that the wife's aunt is coming to visit them and wonder how they can conceal their Bohemian lifestyle during her visit. Starring Susan Oliver, Allen Case, Howard St. John, Lurene Tuttle, and Marie Windsor.
9"Mimi"Philip RappPhilip RappAugust 29, 1964 (1964-08-29)
When a famous French ballet dancer and a jockey who has outgrown his saddle visit an exclusive health resort to lose weight, a flighty staff member who tries to help becomes a nuisance instead. Starring Mimi Hines, Phil Ford, Thomas Gomez, Dan Tobin, Roger Etienne, Lee Patrick, Lili Garner, Lloyd Kino, and Yoneo Iguchi.
10"The Apartment House"Sidney MillerGeorge TibblesSeptember 5, 1964 (1964-09-05)
The harried manager of an apartment building who tends to get in trouble by trying to be helpful to his tenants agrees to take care of a tenant's monkey. Starring George Gobel, Sue Anne Langdon, Stanley Adams, Jane Withers, Christine Nelson, Woodrow Parfrey, Beverly Powers, and Naomi Stevens, with cameo appearances by Steve Allen, William Frawley, Reginald Gardiner, and Fred MacMurray. Originally titled "Reunion" as an episode for a proposed series, The Apartment House.
11"Satan's Waitin'"Charles F. HaasJoel MaloneSeptember 12, 1964 (1964-09-12)
A greedy opportunist and a lonely spinster develop a mutual attraction — because he is single and she is wealthy. Starring Ray Walston, Jo Van Fleet, Lee Phillips, Sue Randall, Simon Twigg, and Tom Greenway.
12"The Human Comedy"Robert Ellis MillerWilliam SaroyanSeptember 19, 1964 (1964-09-19)
A teenage boy becomes the oldest male in his household after his father's death and decides to make money by starting a delivery service with his younger brother. Starring Phyllis Avery, Timmy Rooney, Jimmy Honer, and Arthur O'Connell. Based on the 1943 novel The Human Comedy by William Saroyan.

Season 2 (1965)

SOURCES

No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"McGhee"Don McGuireDon McGuireJune 28, 1965 (1965-06-28)
An unemployed and impoverished New York City painter (or writer, according to one source) inherits a small California town from his late uncle, then discovers that the town is bankrupt and the townspeople are counting on him to save it. Starring Jeremy Slate, Karen Steele, George Chandler, and Connie Sawyer.
2"Sally and Sam"Vincent ShermanHal KanterJuly 5, 1965 (1965-07-05)
A young man meets a young woman in New York City and gets her to fall in love with him on a bet. When she finds out about the bet, she walks out on him in anger — much to his chagrin, because he has fallen in love with her as well. Starring Cynthia Pepper, Gary Lockwood, Bernie Kopell, Nancy Jeris, John Qualen, Jay Strong, and Phyllis Douglas. Sometimes referred to as "Sam and Sally."
3"Mr. Belevdere"Frederick De CordovaRichard SaleJuly 12, 1965 (1965-07-12)
A suave and fashionable gentleman who is an eccentric genius prone to helping other people with their problems helps a young girl who hopes to see her father perform at Carnegie Hall. Starring Victor Buono, Debbie Paine, Leland Howard, Louise Troy, Harry Bellaver, Pamela Truman, Martin Brill. Based on the Clifton Webb movies Sitting Pretty (1948), Mr. Belvedere Goes to College (1949), and Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell (1951).
4"Acres and Pains"Perry LaffertyHarvey Orkin, S. J. Perelman, David R. SchwartzJuly 19, 1965 (1965-07-19)
After a New York City writer becomes exasperated with life in the city, he and his wife buy a decrepit farmhouse, but have trouble evicting its tenant. A duel of wits ensues — and ends with the writer and his wife living in the back room of a bowling alley. Starring Walter Matthau, Anne Jackson, Edward Andrews, Philip Coolidge, David Doyle, David Hartman, Alice Pearce, and Jerry Stiller. A repeat of an episode of General Electric Theater that originally aired on May 12, 1962.
5"Full Speed Anywhere"Don TaylorJack Elinson & Charles IsaacsJuly 26, 1965 (1965-07-26)
After the bored crew of a United States Coast Guard cutter finally receives orders for some action — participation in fleet maneuvers — a yeoman comes down with the mumps, and the ship's commanding officer and crew conspire to get him ashore unnoticed. Starring Stubby Kaye, Conrad Janis, George Dunn, Glen Turnbull, Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, Edwin Bruce, and Jonathan Hale. A repeat of an episode of The Comedy Spot that originally aired on September 13, 1960.
6"Kibbe Hates Fitch"Stanley PragerNeil SimonAugust 2, 1965 (1965-08-02)
Two sisters and their firefighter husbands decide to move into a duplex together. Soon one of the husbands is promoted, threatening their friendship, and the two men are at each others' throats — much to the consternation of their wives and the fire chief. Starring Lou Jacobi, Don Rickles, Pert Kelton, Nancy Andrews, William Ade, Karleen Wiese, Nathaniel Frey, Ralph Dunn, Herbert Edelman, and Bob Kaliban.
7"Hello D'ere"UnknownUnknownAugust 9, 1965 (1965-08-09)
Faced with losing their jobs, two newsmen insist that they can get the story of the year. Starring Marty Allen and Steve Rossi.
8"The Young at Heart"Fletcher MarkleWhitfield CookAugust 16, 1965 (1965-08-16)
A sorority′s strict house mother who often is at odds with the house's residents angers them when she tells the dean about a football player's late-night visit to the house. Starring Mercedes McCambridge, Barbara Bain, Lin Foster, Carolyn Kearney, Nancy Marshall, Kay Stewart, and Charles Watts.
9"Mimi"Philip RappPhilip RappAugust 23, 1965 (1965-08-23)
When a famous French ballet dancer and a jockey who has outgrown his saddle visit an exclusive health resort to lose weight, a flighty staff member who tries to help becomes a nuisance instead. Starring Mimi Hines, Phil Ford, Thomas Gomez, Dan Tobin, Roger Etienne, Lee Patrick, Lili Garner, Lloyd Kino, and Yoneo Iguchi. A repeat of an episode previously aired on Summer Playhouse on August 29, 1964.
10"Take Him, He's All Yours"Don TaylorSy Gomberg & Al LewisAugust 30, 1965 (1965-08-30)
An American woman who moves to London with her daughter to manage a travel agency for a wealthy tycoon is forced to work with the owner's inept nephew — a crazy Englishman who turns the office into a madhouse with wild promotions he dreams up. Starring Eve Arden, Cindy Carol, Derek Bond, Jeremy Lloyd, Roger Avon, Katy Greenwood, Nicholas Parsons, Ambrosine Phillpotts, Howard Smith, and Pauline Chamberlain. A repeat of an episode that originally aired on Vacation Playhouse with the title "He's All Yours" on July 20, 1964.
11"His Model Wife"Norman TokarBarbara AvedonSeptember 6, 1965 (1965-09-06)
A married couple — a former model and a magazine publisher with two children — does not know how to fire their housekeeper. An unsold pilot starring Jeanne Crain, John Vivyan, Jimmie Lee Gaines, Alice Frost, Jack Mullaney, Jerry Barclay, Frances Robinson, Annelle Hayes, and Larri Thomas. A repeat of an episode of The Comedy Spot that originally aired on September 4, 1962.

References

  1. ^ "UNSOLD PILOTS ON TELEVISION, 1956–1966". tvobscurities.com. Television Obscurities. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  2. Schenectady Gazette, July 4, 1964, p. 8.
  3. Schenectady Gazette, July 11, 1964, p. 18.
  4. Schenectady Gazette, July 18, 1964, p. 18.
  5. "Your Weekly TV Guide," Williamson Daily News, July 22, 1961, p. 3.
  6. "Page 14 of Jul 25 1964 Issue of Altoona Mirror in Altoona, Pennsylvania". newspaperarchive.com. Altoona Mirror. July 25, 1964. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  7. Schenectady Gazette, July 25, 1964, p. 8.
  8. Schenectady Gazette, August 1, 1964, p. 18.
  9. Schenectady Gazette, August 8, 1964, p. 16.
  10. Niagara Falls Gazette, August 15, 1964, p. 10.
  11. Schenectady Gazette, August 22, 1964, p. 10.
  12. Schenectady Gazette, August 29, 1964, p. 10.
  13. Niagara Falls Gazette, August 23, 1965, p. 10.
  14. Schenectady Gazette, June 28, 1965, p. 22.
  15. Schenectady Gazette, July 5, 1965, p. 18.
  16. Schenectady Gazette, July 12, 1965, p. 11.
  17. Niagara Falls Gazette, July 12, 1965, p. 4.
  18. Schenectady Gazette, July 19, 1965, p. 11.
  19. Niagara Falls Gazette, July 19, 1965, p. 7.
  20. Schenectady Gazette, July 26, 1965, p. 16.
  21. Schenectady Gazette, September 13, 1960, p. 7.
  22. Schenectady Gazette, August 9, 1965, p. 8.
  23. Niagara Falls Gazette, August 16, 1965, p. 8.
  24. Robert Jay (18 April 2009). "Status of Vacation Playhouse". tvobscurities.com. Television Obscurities. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  25. "TV Key Previews," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 20, 1964, p. 29.
  26. Page 38 of Sep 6 1965 Issue of East Liverpool Review in East Liverpool, Ohio newspaperarchive.com

External links

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