Philip Morris Playhouse was a 30-minute old-time radio dramatic anthology series that aired on CBS from June 30, 1939 to February 18, 1944, and then again from November 5, 1948 to July 29, 1949. The program “generally featured straight and crime drama,” according to radio historian John Dunning, and was known for its slick production values under the direction of William Spier, who had previously directed the popular Suspense radio drama series.
The show did not have a regular cast, instead relying on a rotating lineup of guest stars from Hollywood and Broadway. Over its run, Philip Morris Playhouse featured a virtual who’s who of entertainment, including Sylvia Sidney, Claude Rains, Eddie Cantor, Tallulah Bankhead, Burgess Meredith, Maureen O’Sullivan, Lana Turner, Joan Bennett, Franchot Tone, Raymond Massey, Pat O’Brien, and Brian Donlevy, among many others.
The Stars
While Philip Morris Playhouse did not have a regular cast, it featured a rotating lineup of some of the biggest names in Hollywood and on Broadway. Sylvia Sidney, Claude Rains, Eddie Cantor, Tallulah Bankhead, Burgess Meredith, Maureen O’Sullivan, Lana Turner, Joan Bennett, Franchot Tone, Raymond Massey, Pat O’Brien, and Brian Donlevy were just a few of the stars who appeared on the program over the years.
The quality and success of the program was largely attributed to its director, William Spier, who was known for his skill in creating suspenseful radio dramas.
Key Dates
- Philip Morris Playhouse first debuted on CBS on June 30, 1939 and ran until February 18, 1944.
- The program then returned to the air on CBS from November 5, 1948 to July 29, 1949.
- In 1951, the show was revived again as Philip Morris Playhouse On Broadway, emphasizing adaptations of Broadway productions, and aired on CBS and NBC through September 2, 1953.
Other Information
Philip Morris Playhouse was sponsored by the Philip Morris cigarette company, which was a prolific sponsor of radio programming during the Golden Age of Radio. The company’s name being part of the show’s title provided free advertising, as every time the program was mentioned, it promoted the Philip Morris brand.
In the early 1950s, Philip Morris Playhouse On Broadway offered an unusual opportunity for college students through the Philip Morris Intercollegiate Acting Competition. This competition gave winning students a role in one episode and a cash prize, with the overall season winner receiving $2,000 and a chance to perform in a stage production. Notable winners of this competition included Robert Culp and James Garner.
A short-lived television version of Philip Morris Playhouse aired on CBS from October 1953 to March 1954, with Kent Smith as the host. The episodes featured a variety of genres, from comedy to melodrama, and included stars such as Eddie Albert, Nina Foch, Franchot Tone, and Vincent Price.
Overall, Philip Morris Playhouse was a well-regarded and popular old-time radio dramatic anthology series that showcased some of the biggest names in entertainment during its run. Its high production values, skilled direction, and rotating cast of guest stars made it a standout program in the Golden Age of Radio.
