Star Tonight
American TV anthology series (1955–1956)
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Star Tonight is an American television anthology series, aired on ABC from February 3, 1955,[1] to August 9, 1956.[2] It consisted of 80 total episodes, 30 from 1955 and 50 from 1956. Each episode was a self-contained story, usually adapted from famous plays, short-stories or novels by some of the writers of the day.
| Star Tonight | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Anthology |
| Written by | Ray Bradbury Roald Dahl Abby Mann Rod Serling Oscar Wilde Thornton Wilder |
| Directed by | Edmund Goulding Harry Herrmann |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 80 |
| Production | |
| Camera setup | Single-camera |
| Running time | 25 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | February 3, 1955 – August 9, 1956 |
Format
Episodes featured "rising young actors and actresses in their first starring roles", and performers with more experience had supporting parts.[3] the pairing of little-know actors with more established professionals was similar to that of Hollywood Screen Test.[2]
Playwrights whose works were presented on Star Tonight included Josefina Niggli.[4]
Production
Harry Herrmann produced the program, which replaced So You Want to Lead a Band. It was sponsored by the Brillo Manufacturing Company[1] and originated from WABC-TV in New York City.[3] The program was broadcast from 9 to 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursdays.[5] Chester Hadley wrote for the series.[6]
Episode list, partial
- February 3, 1955, "You Need Me"; with Jacqueline Holt, Kevin McCarthy
- February 10, 1955, "The Week-end"; with Darryl Grimes, John Conte, Peg Hillias
- February 17, 1955, "Concerning Death"
- February 24, 1955 "How Beautiful the Shoes"[7]
- March 3, 1955, "Zone of Quiet"
- March 10, 1955, "Ile"
- ...[8]
Notable guest stars
Critical response
A review of the initial episode in the trade publication Variety called the show's concept "one of those laudable ideas" but said that the premiere showed that a good script is needed to make an actor look good.[6] The review said that Holt's "extremely competent performance" was undermined by "a soap-operaish story', so that "the entire effect was wishy-washy".[6]
