Ford Theater, The

Ford Theater was an American radio and television anthology drama series that aired in the late 1940s and 1950s. The series was sponsored by the Ford Motor Company.

Featuring adaptations of classic plays, novels, and short stories, as well as original dramas. The show was known for its high production values and the involvement of many prominent Hollywood actors and directors.

The Stars

For NBC top New York radio performers such as ed Begley, Everett Sloane, Shirley Booth and Les Damon. Host: Howard Lindsay Music: Lyn Murray Producer/Director: George Zachary For CBS top Hollywood stars including Marlene Dietrich, Ronald Colman, Jack Benny, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. Announcer: Nelson Case Music: Cy Feuer Producer/Director: Fletcher Markle

Key Dates

• The radio version of Ford Theater aired on NBC from October 5, 1947, to June 27, 1948.
• It then moved to CBS, where it ran from October 8, 1948, to July 1, 1949.
• The television version, The Ford Television Theatre, debuted on CBS on October 17, 1948, and ran for eight seasons.
• The final TV episode aired on June 26, 1957.
• The series aired on all three major television networks during its run, moving from CBS to NBC in 1952 and then to ABC in 1956.

Other Information

Ford Theater was one of the first television series to be filmed regularly in color, beginning in October 1954. The series was also known for its high production values, with many episodes being adapted from classic works of literature and featuring elaborate sets and costumes. In 1954, Billboard magazine voted Ford Theater the best filmed network television drama series.

The series was sponsored by the Ford Motor Company, which had previously found success with its concert music series, The Ford Sunday Evening Hour, which aired from 1934 to 1942. The Ford Motor Company’s involvement in the series was seen as a way to promote the company’s brand and products to a wide audience.

Despite its success, Ford Theater faced competition from other anthology drama series, such as Lux Video Theater and Philco Television Playhouse, which also featured adaptations of classic works and Hollywood stars.

However, Ford Theater remained a popular and well-regarded series throughout its run, and its legacy continues to be felt in the world of radio and television drama.