stringtranslate.com

Vacation Playhouse

Vacation Playhouse is an American anthology television series that was broadcast on CBS during the summer months from 1963 through 1967.[1]

Background

The practice of television executives of ordering dozens of pilots for proposed television series each year – far more than their networks could possibly broadcast as series – created a sizable body of unsold pilots that had never aired.[2] Packaging these unsold pilots in anthology series and airing them during the summer provided television networks with a way of both providing fresh programming during the summer rerun season and recouping at least some of the expense of producing them.[2] Vacation Playhouse was one such series, aired by CBS each summer from 1963 through 1967.[2]

Production

Vacation Playhouse premiered on July 22, 1963,[1][2] airing as a summer replacement for the situation comedy The Lucy Show; a voiceover introduced each episode with "While Lucy's on vacation . . . it's Vacation Playhouse."[3] In 1963, it consisted of unsold pilots for situation comedies. When it returned in 1964, again replacing The Lucy Show, it mostly aired previously unseen situation comedy pilots,[2] but also included the pilot for a musical-comedy variety show[2] and repeats of comedic episodes of General Electric Theater. In 1965, it replaced Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., and that summer it aired dramatic adventure and mystery episodes[1][3] in addition to situation comedies.[2] It again replaced The Lucy Show in 1966 and 1967 and returned to its earlier format of presenting situation comedy pilots, during each of those summers consisting of previously unaired pilots and repeats of episodes that it had aired in previous years.[1][2]

Among episode directors were Richard Crenna, Jack Donohue,[4] Don Taylor, [citation needed], and Bud Yorkin.[5] Producers included Donohue,[4] Hal Kanter, Arthur Julian,[citation needed] and Norman Lear. Other directors included Bud Yorkin.[5] Studios involved in the production of pilots aired on Vacation Playhouse included Bing Crosby Productions, Desilu Productions, Desilu Studios, Filmways, Four Star Television, Television City, and Universal Television.[citation needed] Stars appearing in episodes of the series included Eve Arden, Orson Bean, Richard Benjamin, Charles Bronson, Edgar Buchanan, Wally Cox, James Franciscus, Ethel Merman, Barry Nelson, Suzanne Pleshette, Ginger Rogers, Soupy Sales, Brenda Vaccaro, Jerry Van Dyke, and Ed Wynn.[2]

Two episodes of Vacation Playhouse aired twice on the series, two others aired three times, and the series also included a few repeats of episodes of other anthology series. Nonetheless, by the time Vacation Playhouse aired for the last time in August 1967, it had broadcast 47 unsold pilots since its 1963 premiere.[2] Its five-season run made it the longest-lived series of unsold television pilots.[2]

Broadcast history

During 1963, Vacation Playhouse aired on Mondays from 8:30 to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, premiering on July 22 and concluding on September 23.[2] It returned in the summer of 1964 in the same time slot, running from June 15 to September 14.[2] During its third season in 1965, the series moved to Friday nights from 9:30 to 10:00 pm. Eastern Time from June 25 to September 10.[2] It returned to its previous time slot on Monday nights in 1966, airing from July 4 and September 5, as well as for a final run in the summer of 1967 which began on July 3.[1][2] Its final episode was broadcast on August 28, 1967.[2]

Episodes

Season 4's nine episodes included two repeats of previously aired episodes.[2] Season 5's nine episodes included four repeats of previously aired episodes.[2]

Season 1 (1963)

Season 2 (1964)

Season 3 (1965)

Season 4 (1966)

Season 5 (1967)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (June 24, 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present. Random House Publishing Group. p. 1463. ISBN 978-0-307-48320-1. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf "UNSOLD PILOTS ON TELEVISION, 1956–1966". tvobscurities.com. Television Obscurities. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b Monush, Barry (2011-06-01). Lucille Ball FAQ: Everything Left to Know About America's Favorite Redhead. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-55783-940-4. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Terrace, Vincent (January 17, 2020). Encyclopedia of Television Pilots: 2,470 Films Broadcast 1937–2019, 2d ed. McFarland. p. 107. ISBN 978-1-4766-3810-2. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c "Franciscus And Pleshette In New Comedy". Portland Press Herald. July 26, 1964. p. 6 C. Retrieved August 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be Robert Jay (18 April 2009). "Status of Vacation Playhouse". tvobscurities.com. Television Obscurities. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Begin Vacation Playhouse". The Times Herald. Michigan, Port Huron. July 20, 1963. p. 14. Retrieved August 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 22, 1963, p. 31.
  9. ^ "Ginger Rogers Show Pilot". archive.org. Internet Archive. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  10. ^ "Vacation Playhouse – Season 1, Episode 1 A Love Affair Just for Three". rottentomatoes.com. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  11. ^ "Magic Lamp And Wishes Prove Jinx". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. July 21, 1963. p. 84. Retrieved August 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 29, 1963, p. 33.
  13. ^ "'Hide And Seek' Offered Aug. 5". The Progress-Index. Virginia, Petersburg. July 25, 1963. p. 25. Retrieved August 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Leszczak, Bob (2012). Single Season Sitcoms, 1948–1979: A Complete Guide. McFarland. p. 58. ISBN 9780786493050. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  15. ^ Harris, Harry (August 13, 1963). "'Mickey and Contessa' Is Surefire Comedy — But a Few Years Late". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 10. Retrieved August 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 12, 1963, p. 35.
  17. ^ "Inventor". The Austin American. August 18, 1963. p. 76. Retrieved August 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 19, 1963, p. 35.
  19. ^ "Swingin' Together (Unsold Pilot)". Television Obscurities. May 20, 2010. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  20. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 2, 1963, p. 37.
  21. ^ "TV Key Previews," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 9, 1963, p. 11.
  22. ^ "TV Key Previews," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 16, 1963, p. 39.
  23. ^ a b c "TV Key Previews," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 23, 1963, p. 33.
  24. ^ a b c "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 10, 1967, p. 33.
  25. ^ a b c "TV Key Previews," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 15, 1964, p. 41.
  26. ^ a b c "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 28, 1967, p. 37.
  27. ^ "TV Key Previews," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 29, 1964, p. 29.
  28. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 6, 1964, p. 33.
  29. ^ "TV Key Previews," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 20, 1964, p. 29.
  30. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 27, 1964, p. 31.
  31. ^ "Television Highlights," Schenectady Gazette, August 3, 1964, p. 10.
  32. ^ "1960 TV AD~G.E. THEATER 'GRADUATION DRESS' by WILLIAM FAULKNER~STELLA STEVENS". October 30, 1960. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  33. ^ "TV Key Previews," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 10, 1964, p. 31.
  34. ^ "Television Highlights," Schenectady Gazette, August 10, 1964, p. 18.
  35. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 17, 1964, p. 31.
  36. ^ "Television Highlights," Schenectady Gazette, August 17, 1964, p. 15.
  37. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 31, 1964, p. 33.
  38. ^ "Television Highlights," Schenectady Gazette, August 31, 1964, p. 23.
  39. ^ "Bean Show: Wild & Wacky". The State. South Carolina, Columbia. September 7, 1964. p. 4 – A. Retrieved August 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^ "TV Key Previews," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 7, 1964, p. 67.
  41. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 7, 1964, p. 43.
  42. ^ "Television Highlights," Schenectady Gazette, September 14, 1964, p. 15.
  43. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Friday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 25, 1965, p. 33.
  44. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Friday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 2, 1965, p. 29.
  45. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Friday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 9, 1965, p. 29.
  46. ^ "Television Highlights," Schenectady Gazette, July 16, 1965, p. 13.
  47. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Friday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 23, 1965, p. 31.
  48. ^ "Television Highlights," Schenectady Gazette, July 23, 1965, p. 11.
  49. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Friday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 30, 1965, p. 29.
  50. ^ "Television Highlights," Schenectady Gazette, July 30, 1965, p. 20.
  51. ^ a b Pitts, Michael R. (2003-06-04). Charles Bronson: The 95 Films and the 156 Television Appearances. McFarland. p. 314. ISBN 978-0-7864-1702-5. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  52. ^ a b "Complete Television Programs for Friday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 13, 1965, p. 33.
  53. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Friday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 27, 1965, p. 33.
  54. ^ "Television Highlights," Schenectady Gazette, September 3, 1965, p. 12.
  55. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 11, 1966, p. 35.
  56. ^ "Television Highlights," Schenectady Gazette, July 11, 1966, p. 20.
  57. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 25, 1966, p. 31.
  58. ^ "Television Highlights," Schenectady Gazette, July 25, 1966, p. 11.
  59. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 1, 1966, p. 35.
  60. ^ "Television Highlights," Schenectady Gazette, August 1, 1966, p. 19.
  61. ^ a b "Television Highlights," Schenectady Gazette, August 8, 1966, p. 19.
  62. ^ "TV Key Previews," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 15, 1966, p. 41.
  63. ^ "Television Highlights," Schenectady Gazette, August 15, 1966, p. 12.
  64. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 22, 1966, p. 41.
  65. ^ a b c "Television Highlights," Schenectady Gazette, August 29, 1966, p. 22.
  66. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 5, 1966, p. M-3.
  67. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 3, 1967, p. 35.
  68. ^ "Television Highlights," Schenectady Gazette, July 3, 1967, p. 20.
  69. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 24, 1967, p. 31.
  70. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 31, 1967, p. 33.
  71. ^ "Television Highlights," Schenectady Gazette, July 31, 1967, p. 11.
  72. ^ "TV Key Previews," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 14, 1967, p. 39.
  73. ^ "Complete Television Programs for Monday," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 21, 1967, p. 37.

External links