Series synopsis
Actors Studio is an American drama television series that premiered on ABC on September 26, 1948. It ended on June 23, 1950. It stars Marc Connelly, Leslie Nielsen, Jack Klugman and Robert Pastene.
Actors Studio is an American TV show which aired for 65 episodes, from September 26, 1948 to October 26 on the fledgling ABC Television Network; then from November 1, 1949 to June 23, 1950 on CBS Television. It was hosted by Mark Connelly.
The series showcased short pieces of adapted, classic and original drama, performed and produced live each week. Among some of the known authors were William Saroyan, James Thurber, Ring Lardner, Edgar Allan Poe, Irwin Shaw and Budd Schulberg. Featured actors ...
Premise
Actors Studio is an American TV show which aired for 65 episodes, from September 26, 1948 to October 26 on the fledgling ABC Television Network; then from November 1, 1949 to June 23, 1950 on CBS Television. It was hosted by Mark Connelly.
The series showcased short pieces of adapted, classic and original drama, performed and produced live each week. Among some of the known authors were William Saroyan, James Thurber, Ring Lardner, Edgar Allan Poe, Irwin Shaw and Budd Schulberg. Featured actors included Martin Balsam, Richard Boone, Marlon Brando, Hume Cronyn, Julie Harris, Jean Muir and Jessica Tandy. Recurring performers included Jocelyn Brando, Tom Ewell, Steven Hill, Kim Hunter and Cloris Leachman.
In February 1950, the series moved to Friday nights and was expanded to one hour, alternating every other week with broadcasts of Ford Theatre. In March, the name of the show was changed to The Play's the Thing.
The series received a Peabody Award in 1948 for pioneering in the field of televised drama.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Marc Connelly as Self - Host
- Leslie Nielsen
- Jack Klugman
- Robert Pastene as narrator
- John Sylvester as Dismas
- Martin Balsam as soldier
- Anne Hegira as Leah
- Kathleen Maguire as Sarah
Supporting cast
Guest cast
- Leslie Nielsen
- Jack Klugman
- Robert Pastene as narrator
- John Sylvester as Dismas
- Martin Balsam as soldier
- Anne Hegira as Leah
- Kathleen Maguire as Sarah
- Jean Muir as wife
- Anne Jackson
- Conrad Janis
- Julie Harris
- Steven Hill
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 65 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 35 | September 26, 1948 | May 26, 1949 |
| Season 2 | 30 | September 28, 1949 | June 23, 1950 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portrait of a Madonna | September 26, 1948 |
| 2 | Night Club | October 3, 1948 |
| 3 | The Giant's Stair | October 10, 1948 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Canterville Ghost | September 28, 1949 |
| 2 | Terror in the Streets | October 5, 1949 |
| 3 | It's a Free Country | October 12, 1949 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ABC |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 26, 1948 |
| Last aired | June 23, 1950 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Friday |