1 9 5 0 – 1 9 5 5 (USA)
239 x 30 minute episodes
This live half-hour CBS dramatic anthology series debuted on 19 September 1950 and remained a Tuesday night staple during its entire run.
Stories emphasized psychological suspense, mostly resulting in murder. Episodes were all narrated by the host, Richard Stark.
The show has become more famous in television history for some of the directors and stars it launched rather than the quality of the episodes it broadcast.
Yul Bryner, for instance, was the first director of the series, to be followed by Sidney Lumet and later John Frankenheimer.
Performers included Charlton Heston, Rod Steiger, Paul Newman, Anthony Quinn, John Forsythe, Jack Lemmon, Jack Warden, Grace Kelly, Walter Matthau, Cloris Leachman, Leslie Nielsen, Nina Foch, Jack Palance, John Cassavetes, Art Carney, Steve Allen, Ben Gazzara, Lorne Greene, Carroll Baker, Barbara Nichols and the young James Dean.
