Hollywood Playhouse | |
Other Names: | Woodbury Hollywood Playhouse |
Format: | Anthology drama |
Runtime: | 30 minutes |
Hollywood Playhouse, also known as Woodbury Hollywood Playhouse, is a radio anthology drama series that featured adaptations of plays and short stories. Created as a showcase for Tyrone Power, the series began October 3, 1937, on the Blue Network, with Darryl F. Zanuck introducing his 20th Century-Fox star. The half-hour program aired Sundays at 9 p.m. ET until September 1939, when it was moved to the NBC Red Network Wednesdays at 8 pm ET. Woodbury Soap and Jergens Lotion sponsored the show.[1]
Charles Boyer starred in the second season. He left in 1939 to make a film in France, and briefly joined the French army when World War II broke out in Europe.[1] [2] Herbert Marshall succeeded Boyer on Hollywood Playhouse for nine weeks, and he was replaced by Gale Page and Jim Ameche until Boyer returned on the January 3, 1940, broadcast.[2] Page and Ameche headed a summer version of the program titled Promoting Priscilla (July–October 1940).[1]
Weekly guest stars included Joan Blondell and Margaret Sullavan. Harry Sosnik provided the music. The series continued until December 25, 1940.[1]
Only one broadcast of Hollywood Playhouse – "The Sub-Lieutenant" (May 29, 1940), starring Charles Boyer and Margaret Lindsay – is known to survive in radio collections.[3] [4]