Somerset Maugham TV Theatre
Also known asTeller of Tales
Written byRussell Beggs
W. Somerset Maugham
Mathilde Ferro
Theodore Ferro
Agnes Nixon
Directed byDavid Alexander
Martin Ritt
Presented byW. Somerset Maugham
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes47
Production
ProducersJohn Gibbs
Ann Marlow
Daniel Petrie
Production locationsNew York City, U.S.
Running time30 minutes (season 1-2)
60 minutes (season 3)
Original release
NetworkCBS (season 1)
NBC (season 2-3)
ReleaseOctober 18, 1950 (1950-10-18) –
December 10, 1951 (1951-12-10)

Somerset Maugham TV Theatre (originally known as Teller of Tales for the first three episodes) is an American anthology drama program.[1] The series aired on CBS October 18, 1950 – March 28, 1951, and on NBC April 2, 1951 – December 10, 1951, airing 47 episodes.

Premise

The series made its debut on October 18, 1950 on CBS. The series was a half-hour (later 60 minute) drama whose episodes were based on the works and novels of the show's namesake William Somerset Maugham.[1]

Maugham made special appearances at the beginning and ending of each play always giving the introduction and conclusion to each episode. His segments were filmed, while the dramas themselves were presented live.[1]

Season 2 Changes

Move to NBC

After the series finished its run on CBS after one season on March 28, 1951, the series was moved to NBC on April 2, 1951. The series would remain for the rest of its run. The series also moved from Wednesday nights to Monday nights and expanded to 60 minutes, alternating weekly with Robert Montgomery Presents.[1]

Season two finished its second season on September 3 after airing 16 episodes.

Season 3

The series started its third season on September 17, 1951, continuing to air on Monday nights and for sixty minutes. This season would be the show's final season airing its last episode on December 10, 1951, after airing 7 episodes.

Production notes

The series was directed by directors Martin Ritt and David Alexander and produced by John Gibbs, Ann Marlow, and Daniel Petrie.

Also, the introductions and epilogues given by Maugham were filmed live from his home in the French Riviera and the plays broadcast live from New York City.

During its third season, the show alternated on Monday nights with the successful NBC anthology series Robert Montgomery Presents.

Broadcast history

  • Wednesdays 9–9:30 PM, October 18, 1950 – March 28, 1951, on CBS.
  • Mondays 9:30–10:30 PM, April 2, 1951 – June 25, 1951, on NBC.
  • Mondays 9:30–10 PM, July 9, 1951 – August 27, 1951, on NBC.
  • Mondays 9:30–10:30 PM, September 3, 1951 – December 10, 1951, on NBC.

Cast

Actors appearing in the series included:

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesSeason PremiereSeason Finale
1 24 October 18, 1950 March 28, 1951
2 16 April 2, 1951 September 3, 1951
3 7 September 17, 1951 December 10, 1951

Season 1

  • The Creative Impulse – October 18, 1950
  • McKintosh – October 25, 1950
  • Winter Cruise – November 1, 1950
  • Episode – November 15, 1950
  • "The Unconquered" – November 19, 1950, Rex Williams, Olive Deering[2]
  • "Lord Mountdrago" – November 22, 1950, Arnold Moss[3]
  • The String of Beads – November 29, 1950
  • Force of Circumstance – December 6, 1950
  • The Round Dozen – December 13, 1950
  • Footprints in the Jungle – December 20, 1950
  • Virtue – December 27, 1950
  • The Treasure – January 3, 1951
  • The Man from Glasgow – January 10, 1951
  • The Vessel of Wrath – January 17, 1951
  • Honolulu – January 24, 1951
  • Partners – January 31, 1951
  • The Romantic Young Lady – February 7, 1951
  • The Dream – February 14, 1951
  • The People You Meet – February 21, 1951
  • The Outstation – February 28, 1951
  • The Back of Beyond – March 7, 1951
  • Halfway to Broadway – March 14, 1951
  • The Luncheon – March 21, 1951
  • End of Flight – March 28, 1951

Season 2

  • Of Human Bondage – April 2, 1951
  • Theatre – April 16, 1951
  • The Moon and Sixpence – April 30, 1951
  • The Facts of Life – May 14, 1951
  • Cakes and Ale – May 28, 1951
  • The Narrow Corner – June 11, 1951
  • The Letter – June 25, 1951
  • The French Governor – July 9, 1951
  • The Promise – July 16, 1951
  • In Hiding – July 23, 1951
  • The Ardent Bigamist – July 30, 1951
  • Bewitched – August 6, 1951
  • The Great Man – August 13, 1951
  • The Yellow Streak – August 20, 1951
  • A Woman of Fifty – August 27, 1951
  • Appearances in Reality – September 3, 1951

Season 3

  • The Mother – September 17, 1951
  • Grace – October 1, 1951
  • Masquerade – October 15, 1951
  • The Fall of Edward Bernard – October 29, 1951
  • Before the Party – November 12, 1951
  • Home and Beauty – November 26, 1951
  • "Smith Serves" – December 10, 1951, starring Eddie Albert[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing Group. p. 1269. ISBN 978-0-307-48320-1. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Television Highlights of the Week". The Boston Globe. November 19, 1950. p. 20-A. Retrieved May 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Television . . . . . . Highlights of the Week". Detroit Free Press. November 19, 1950. p. 22. Retrieved April 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Road bond appeal tonight, singing stars to be heard". The Birmingham News. December 10, 1951. p. 22. Retrieved April 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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