| The Best of Broadway | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Martin Manulis |
| Directed by | David Alexander Sidney Lumet Paul Nickell Franklin J. Schaffner Herbert B. Swope Jr. |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 9 |
| Production | |
| Producers | Martin Manulis Felix Jackson |
| Running time | 60 mins |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | September 15, 1954 (1954-09-15) – May 4, 1955 (1955-05-04) |
The Best of Broadway is a 60-minute live television anthology series that aired on CBS Television on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time from September 15, 1954, to May 4, 1955, for a total of nine episodes. Each show was broadcast live in color from New York City, was an adaptation of a famous Broadway play, and included commercials for Westinghouse featuring Betty Furness. Using a "giant new studio," plays were presented in front of a studio audience, which contributed a Broadway-like element.
Production
This series ran every fourth week, with Pabst Blue Ribbon Bouts being aired the other three weeks.
The series originated from CBS Television Studio 72 at WCBS-TV. Martin Manulis was the initial producer, and Paul Nickell was the director. David Brookman was in charge of the music. In February 1955, Felix Jackson became the producer when Manulis began producing Climax!.
Episodes
Critical response
A review of "The Show-Off" in the trade publication Variety said that the episode was "pretty feeble stuff" but that Gleason's performance kept it from being "a trying experience, indeed."
See also
References
- ^ Hawes, William (2001). Filmed Television Drama, 1952–1958. McFarland. pp. 22–23. ISBN 9780786411320. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ "Wednesday (15)" (PDF). Ross Reports on Television. September 12, 1954. p. 152. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (1999). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present (7th ed.). New York: The Ballentine Publishing Group. p. 89. ISBN 0-345-42923-0.
- "Other Network Changes & Additions" (PDF). Ross Reports on Television. February 6, 1955. p. 17. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- "Television in Review: Color Drama," The New York Times 17 Sept. 1954.
- ^ "The Show Off". Variety. February 9, 1955. p. 37. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
- Shanley, J. P. "Television: 'Stage Door,'" The New York Times 8 Apr. 1955.