The 20th Century Fox Hour

The 20th Century Fox Hour

Ended First aired 05/Oct/1955 United States English 2 season(s) 37 episode(s)
The 20th Century Fox Hour is an American drama anthology series televised in the United States on CBS from 1955 to 1957. Some of the shows in this series were restored, remastered and shown on the Fox Movie Channel in 2002 under the title Hour of Stars. The season one episode Overnight Haul, starring Richard Conte and Lizabeth Scott, was released in Australia as a feature film.

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TimeScore 33% Skip It
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Seasons & Episodes

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Season 2 · Season 2
19 episode(s) · Air date: 03/Oct/1956
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Season Overview

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S2E19
The Marriage Broker
Air date: 12/Jun/1957 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

A mischievous, well meaning, meddling busy body opens up an agency to bring couples together. After years of being a scorned woman Mae decides to turn the tables on her nemisis after her ex-husbands death. A variation of Hello Dolly!

Summary

A mischievous, well meaning, meddling busy body opens up an agency to bring couples together. After years of being a scorned woman Mae decides to turn the tables on her nemisis after her ex-husbands death. A variation of Hello Dolly!

S2E18
Threat to a Happy Ending
Air date: 29/May/1957 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

Police captain's daughter is threatened when a gangster resolves to make sure that the Captain and his family are held responsible.

Summary

Police captain's daughter is threatened when a gangster resolves to make sure that the Captain and his family are held responsible.

S2E17
The Great American Hoax
Air date: 15/May/1957 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

John Hodges has been a printer devoted to his work. Now, at 65, he is automatically retired by his firm. But Hodges isn't ready for retirement -he feels he has many years of productivve employment ahead. Furthermore,life without a job becomes tedious. He feels unwanted in the house and finally flees to the park where he sits, contemplates the injustice of his retirement, and plots ways to be reinstated. Finally he hits on a daring maneuver. Knowing that the president of the parent company is a mysteriously remote figure, Hodges decides to impersonate him, change some of the rules and get his job back. Excited, he starts to compose an interesting letter!

Summary

John Hodges has been a printer devoted to his work. Now, at 65, he is automatically retired by his firm. But Hodges isn't ready for retirement -he feels he has many years of productivve employment ahead. Furthermore,life without a job becomes tedious. He feels unwanted in the house and finally flees to the park where he sits, contemplates the injustice of his retirement, and plots ways to be reinstated. Finally he hits on a daring maneuver. Knowing that the president of the parent company is a mysteriously remote figure, Hodges decides to impersonate him, change some of the rules and get his job back. Excited, he starts to compose an interesting letter!

S2E16
Deep Water
Air date: 01/May/1957 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

The ruthless head of an underwater demolition team, aka the frogmen, is unpopular with his men when he comes head to head with his chief petty officer just as an enemy torpedo lodges, unexploded, in a section of the ship's sick bay.

Summary

The ruthless head of an underwater demolition team, aka the frogmen, is unpopular with his men when he comes head to head with his chief petty officer just as an enemy torpedo lodges, unexploded, in a section of the ship's sick bay.

S2E15
Men in Her Life
Air date: 17/Apr/1957 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

Retired schoolteacher pays a visit to a former pupil she taught many years ago. He is a candidate running for governor. She tells him about how difficult he was as a boy and her attempts to help him interfered with the man she loved and accusations concerning that man.

Summary

Retired schoolteacher pays a visit to a former pupil she taught many years ago. He is a candidate running for governor. She tells him about how difficult he was as a boy and her attempts to help him interfered with the man she loved and accusations concerning that man.

S2E13
Deadline Decision
Air date: 20/Mar/1957 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

Ben Macready son of John Macready owner and editor of the ""Hollisfield Herald"" has been asked by Police Chief Swanson to keep a lid on a kidnapping of Jimmie Elgin son of the Bank Manager George Elgin under wraps for 18 hours. Ben agrees, however his father doesnt and goes ahead with the story. The townspeople turn on Macready when it is learned that the river was dragged and a body was found. Fearing the worst, Macready embarks on a mission to capture the kidnapper. Offering him money for the story and trapping him only to discover that little Jimmie is alive and is exchanged for the reward. The police are able to arrest the kidnapper.

Summary

Ben Macready son of John Macready owner and editor of the ""Hollisfield Herald"" has been asked by Police Chief Swanson to keep a lid on a kidnapping of Jimmie Elgin son of the Bank Manager George Elgin under wraps for 18 hours. Ben agrees, however his father doesnt and goes ahead with the story. The townspeople turn on Macready when it is learned that the river was dragged and a body was found. Fearing the worst, Macready embarks on a mission to capture the kidnapper. Offering him money for the story and trapping him only to discover that little Jimmie is alive and is exchanged for the reward. The police are able to arrest the kidnapper.

S2E12
City in Flames
Air date: 06/Mar/1957 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

During the time of the great Chicago fire, the two O'Leary brothers become bitter political and romantic rivals for the beautiful stage actress, one brother is a notorious gambler and the other a pious reformer. After Mrs. O'Leary's cow knocks over the fabled lantern, we are treated to generous stock footage from In Old Chicago's climatic conclusion.

Summary

During the time of the great Chicago fire, the two O'Leary brothers become bitter political and romantic rivals for the beautiful stage actress, one brother is a notorious gambler and the other a pious reformer. After Mrs. O'Leary's cow knocks over the fabled lantern, we are treated to generous stock footage from In Old Chicago's climatic conclusion.

S2E11
Man of the Law
Air date: 20/Feb/1957 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

In Vaquero County at the Wells Fargo Office, Anse Trumbull is shot and killed in a bank hold up. This endangers the only witness to the crime, the sheriff's stepson. The sheriff is faced with a difficult decision whether to protect the boy and possibly lose his respect or risk the boys life.

Summary

In Vaquero County at the Wells Fargo Office, Anse Trumbull is shot and killed in a bank hold up. This endangers the only witness to the crime, the sheriff's stepson. The sheriff is faced with a difficult decision whether to protect the boy and possibly lose his respect or risk the boys life.

S2E10
Springfield Incident
Air date: 06/Feb/1957 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

A young Abe takes on a case where the only witness to the crime is the mother of two young men who are wrongfully accused in the stabbing death of the town deputy.

Summary

A young Abe takes on a case where the only witness to the crime is the mother of two young men who are wrongfully accused in the stabbing death of the town deputy.

S2E8
End of a Gun
Air date: 09/Jan/1957 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

Jimmy Ringo an ex-gunfighter tries to settle down to a normal life but is constantly challenged to gun fights. As he tries to reconnect with his wife and son in Cayenne, his life is in danger when several attempts are made on his life. Distraught he tells the sheriff his friend not to pursue the attempts, to let the gunnies find out themselves what kind of life it is to be an outlaw.

Summary

Jimmy Ringo an ex-gunfighter tries to settle down to a normal life but is constantly challenged to gun fights. As he tries to reconnect with his wife and son in Cayenne, his life is in danger when several attempts are made on his life. Distraught he tells the sheriff his friend not to pursue the attempts, to let the gunnies find out themselves what kind of life it is to be an outlaw.

S2E7
Operation Cicero
Air date: 26/Dec/1956 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

Based on the true story of a World War II spy with access to top secret information in the British embassy in Turkey, this episode follows the brief but bright career of an English valet, code-named Cicero, who seized his chance to sell expensive secrets to the Germans, including details about D-Day's Operation Overlord. The Nazi government, the British ambassador, and a Polish countess all dance on strings even as British counteragents close in.

Summary

Based on the true story of a World War II spy with access to top secret information in the British embassy in Turkey, this episode follows the brief but bright career of an English valet, code-named Cicero, who seized his chance to sell expensive secrets to the Germans, including details about D-Day's Operation Overlord. The Nazi government, the British ambassador, and a Polish countess all dance on strings even as British counteragents close in.

S2E6
Men Against Speed
Air date: 12/Dec/1956 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

A family auto-racing team, father and two sons, intent upon proving that their American vehicle is the superior to any foreign job. The trio enters an important Italian road competition. A press agent upsets things, when she can't choose between brothers.

Summary

A family auto-racing team, father and two sons, intent upon proving that their American vehicle is the superior to any foreign job. The trio enters an important Italian road competition. A press agent upsets things, when she can't choose between brothers.

S2E5
The Last Patriarch
Air date: 28/Nov/1956 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

Emil Markheim employs the same ruthless authority in running the bank he founded that he imposes on his own family. His sons hate him enough to want to destroy him. The son who loves him ends up in jail for trying to bride a juror after his father winds up on the bank examiners wrong side. After doing 5 years in Sing Sing upon his release the other brothers try to destroy him.

Summary

Emil Markheim employs the same ruthless authority in running the bank he founded that he imposes on his own family. His sons hate him enough to want to destroy him. The son who loves him ends up in jail for trying to bride a juror after his father winds up on the bank examiners wrong side. After doing 5 years in Sing Sing upon his release the other brothers try to destroy him.

S2E4
Smoke Jumpers
Air date: 14/Nov/1956 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

Only the leader of a firefighter unit survives a forest fire and is accused of saving himself at his men's expense. After his recovery he goes out again this time to prove everyone wrong.

Summary

Only the leader of a firefighter unit survives a forest fire and is accused of saving himself at his men's expense. After his recovery he goes out again this time to prove everyone wrong.

S2E3
The Money Maker
Air date: 31/Oct/1956 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

Mrs. Miller is elderly with no money, she makes a living by counterfeiting one dollar bills. This leads to trouble with the US government who can't believe it.

Summary

Mrs. Miller is elderly with no money, she makes a living by counterfeiting one dollar bills. This leads to trouble with the US government who can't believe it.

S2E2
Stranger in the Night
Air date: 17/Oct/1956 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

A sensitive widow of delicate constitution falls in love with a cottage by the sea previously owned by Captain Robert Wilton who commited suicide. Feeling a ghostly prescence she becomes enchanted with him and he helps her to overcome her fears.

Summary

A sensitive widow of delicate constitution falls in love with a cottage by the sea previously owned by Captain Robert Wilton who commited suicide. Feeling a ghostly prescence she becomes enchanted with him and he helps her to overcome her fears.

S2E1
Child of the Regiment
Air date: 03/Oct/1956 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

After his wife suffers a miscarriage during an earthquake in Japan, he finds that a young Japanese girl is parentless and homeless and decides to take her in. Hoping of course that his wife will overcome her grief over the loss of their own child. He is reassigned to Honolulu and there he encounters problems with his superior who is extremely racist against his daughter and causes trouble for him and his outfit.

Summary

After his wife suffers a miscarriage during an earthquake in Japan, he finds that a young Japanese girl is parentless and homeless and decides to take her in. Hoping of course that his wife will overcome her grief over the loss of their own child. He is reassigned to Honolulu and there he encounters problems with his superior who is extremely racist against his daughter and causes trouble for him and his outfit.

Season 1 · Season 1
18 episode(s) · Air date: 05/Oct/1955
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Season Overview

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S1E18
The Hefferan Family
Air date: 13/Jun/1956 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

A well-meaning do-gooder spends so much time doing favors for others that he falls behind in his personal obligations. Meanwhile his long suffering wife has had enough of his money-making schemes she decides to take in boarders.

Summary

A well-meaning do-gooder spends so much time doing favors for others that he falls behind in his personal obligations. Meanwhile his long suffering wife has had enough of his money-making schemes she decides to take in boarders.

S1E17
The Empty Room
Air date: 30/May/1956 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

A young Englishwoman and her American husband become entangled when Audrey's divorced mother comes to visit, the girl's natural warning system begins buzzing. Audrey endeavors to keep her scheming mother from being reunited with her father, who has been perfectly happy since the split.

Summary

A young Englishwoman and her American husband become entangled when Audrey's divorced mother comes to visit, the girl's natural warning system begins buzzing. Audrey endeavors to keep her scheming mother from being reunited with her father, who has been perfectly happy since the split.

S1E16
Overnight Haul
Air date: 16/May/1956 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

When his young stepson is accidentally pinned under a truck, the driver frantically tries to rouse help in a nearby town. But he is caught taking equipment from a closed service station and is unable to convince anyone the boy is in trouble.

Summary

When his young stepson is accidentally pinned under a truck, the driver frantically tries to rouse help in a nearby town. But he is caught taking equipment from a closed service station and is unable to convince anyone the boy is in trouble.

S1E15
Broken Arrow
Air date: 02/May/1956 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

Jeffords talks to Cochise about letting the mail carriers thru the pass without being attacked. During which time he falls in love with the ""White Painted Lady"". After an attack both sides are unwilling to agree until General Howard arranges for peace talks. Jeffords asks Cochise for Sonseeahrays hand in marriage. A set up from the towns people leads to death for some.

Summary

Jeffords talks to Cochise about letting the mail carriers thru the pass without being attacked. During which time he falls in love with the ""White Painted Lady"". After an attack both sides are unwilling to agree until General Howard arranges for peace talks. Jeffords asks Cochise for Sonseeahrays hand in marriage. A set up from the towns people leads to death for some.

S1E14
Mr. Belvedere
Air date: 18/Apr/1956 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

All is not well on Hummingbird Hill, the King's are at their wits end. Their three children are full of mischief and trouble that desperate measures are needed. When an ad is placed in the paper, Lynn Belvedere responds, thinking that Lynn Belvedere is a woman, the King's are surprised yet pleasantly pleased by the self-proclaimed genius Mr. Lynn Belvedere, who takes on the task of looking after the King children. With a nosy busybody of a neighbor and jealous husband and a Boss who is not happy with the scandalous behavior of his employs family, all is still not well on Hummingbird Hill.

Summary

All is not well on Hummingbird Hill, the King's are at their wits end. Their three children are full of mischief and trouble that desperate measures are needed. When an ad is placed in the paper, Lynn Belvedere responds, thinking that Lynn Belvedere is a woman, the King's are surprised yet pleasantly pleased by the self-proclaimed genius Mr. Lynn Belvedere, who takes on the task of looking after the King children. With a nosy busybody of a neighbor and jealous husband and a Boss who is not happy with the scandalous behavior of his employs family, all is still not well on Hummingbird Hill.

S1E13
Gun in His Hand
Air date: 04/Apr/1956 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

An outlaw's son is torn between affection for his father and his own belief in law and order. While riding with the outlaw band, he is captured and imprisoned, and then learns the gang abandoned his wife to die, leaving his newborn son homeless. Furious, he turns against the gang and joins forces with the law.

Summary

An outlaw's son is torn between affection for his father and his own belief in law and order. While riding with the outlaw band, he is captured and imprisoned, and then learns the gang abandoned his wife to die, leaving his newborn son homeless. Furious, he turns against the gang and joins forces with the law.

S1E9
One Life
Air date: 25/Jan/1956 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

A bored housewife unhappy with her professor husband who is too busy with work to pay attention to her, ends up with her best friends husband, before realizing the consequences and how good her life actually is.

Summary

A bored housewife unhappy with her professor husband who is too busy with work to pay attention to her, ends up with her best friends husband, before realizing the consequences and how good her life actually is.

S1E8
Yacht on the High Sea
Air date: 11/Jan/1956 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

After years of neglect from her abrasive husband, Joan has decided to leave him. He asks that she come to his last business meeting in Nassau, and tells her what she needs is a child. After being repeatedly warned to turn back because of the hurricane, he is biligerent and refuses to let anyone tell him what to do. Coast guard requests his help in aiding a stranded fisherman and his son, but his hard and selfish demeanor denies any help except for himself. A rude awakening to his wife and a strong will not to let him continue to control her.

Summary

After years of neglect from her abrasive husband, Joan has decided to leave him. He asks that she come to his last business meeting in Nassau, and tells her what she needs is a child. After being repeatedly warned to turn back because of the hurricane, he is biligerent and refuses to let anyone tell him what to do. Coast guard requests his help in aiding a stranded fisherman and his son, but his hard and selfish demeanor denies any help except for himself. A rude awakening to his wife and a strong will not to let him continue to control her.

S1E7
Man on the Ledge
Air date: 28/Dec/1955 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

Sure and it's a fine St. Paddy's dawn in New York City, and beat cop Bragan is finishing up his all-night midtown shift and heading back to his family. Mrs. Bragan is making waffles today, and there's no school for young Mike, and they're all looking forward to the big parade. It's Bragan's day. He's got his buttons already polished. But he won't make it home after all. A scream pierces the daybreak, and Bragan looks up and gasps: Way up high, near the top of one of the avenue's fine hotels, there's a guy standing on a ledge, clinging to a cornice, looking down, teetering. Jumper. Bragan breaks into a run, straightaway gets up to the hotel's 15th floor, collides with the manager who's fretting that his suicidal guest is going to bring unwelcome publicity. ""This is the worst possible thing that can happen to a hotel!"" the manager moans. Bragan disgustedly shoos him out, and now he's alone with the man on the ledge, the first cop on the scene, and he leans out the window, high over the d

Summary

Sure and it's a fine St. Paddy's dawn in New York City, and beat cop Bragan is finishing up his all-night midtown shift and heading back to his family. Mrs. Bragan is making waffles today, and there's no school for young Mike, and they're all looking forward to the big parade. It's Bragan's day. He's got his buttons already polished. But he won't make it home after all. A scream pierces the daybreak, and Bragan looks up and gasps: Way up high, near the top of one of the avenue's fine hotels, there's a guy standing on a ledge, clinging to a cornice, looking down, teetering. Jumper. Bragan breaks into a run, straightaway gets up to the hotel's 15th floor, collides with the manager who's fretting that his suicidal guest is going to bring unwelcome publicity. ""This is the worst possible thing that can happen to a hotel!"" the manager moans. Bragan disgustedly shoos him out, and now he's alone with the man on the ledge, the first cop on the scene, and he leans out the window, high over the d

S1E6
The Miracle on 34th Street
Air date: 14/Dec/1955 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

One Kris Kringle, a department-store Santa Claus, causes quite a commotion by suggesting customers go to a rival store for their purchases. But this is nothing to the stir he causes by announcing that he is not merely a make-believe St. Nick, but the real McCoy.

Summary

One Kris Kringle, a department-store Santa Claus, causes quite a commotion by suggesting customers go to a rival store for their purchases. But this is nothing to the stir he causes by announcing that he is not merely a make-believe St. Nick, but the real McCoy.

S1E5
Christopher Bean
Air date: 30/Nov/1955 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

A country doctor learns his housekeeper is in possession of valuable painting given to her from an artist she befriended. Art collectors and swindlers attempt to get hold of these paintings.

Summary

A country doctor learns his housekeeper is in possession of valuable painting given to her from an artist she befriended. Art collectors and swindlers attempt to get hold of these paintings.

S1E4
The Late George Apley
Air date: 16/Nov/1955 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

The daughter of a socially prominent family rebels against her father's snobbery. He opposes the marriage of his daughter to a young man from the wrong side of the tracks.

Summary

The daughter of a socially prominent family rebels against her father's snobbery. He opposes the marriage of his daughter to a young man from the wrong side of the tracks.

S1E3
The Ox-Bow Incident
Air date: 02/Nov/1955 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

A cattle rustling and the murder of the rancher leads the town on a mob lynching. While the sheriff is away the Major takes over and assumes control of the Posse.

Summary

A cattle rustling and the murder of the rancher leads the town on a mob lynching. While the sheriff is away the Major takes over and assumes control of the Posse.

S1E2
Laura
Air date: 19/Oct/1955 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

Detective Mark McPherson is assigned to the case of a murdered fashion model only to find that the murder victim is someone else. During the investigation he finds himself taking a more than professional interest in the intended victim, the mysterious Laura.

Summary

Detective Mark McPherson is assigned to the case of a murdered fashion model only to find that the murder victim is someone else. During the investigation he finds himself taking a more than professional interest in the intended victim, the mysterious Laura.

S1E1
Cavalcade
Air date: 05/Oct/1955 · Time: 22:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

The story opens with the family patriarch marching off to the Boer war at the turn of the century, and ends thirty years later, with the now-aged principal characters coping with the Depression and the bleak days following Queen Victoria's death.

Summary

The story opens with the family patriarch marching off to the Boer war at the turn of the century, and ends thirty years later, with the now-aged principal characters coping with the Depression and the bleak days following Queen Victoria's death.

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