The Front Page is a CBS Television series, broadcast beginning September 29, 1949, and starring John Daly and Mark Roberts,[1] with Richard Boone, Curt Conway and Janet Shaw. The live 30-minute show, based on the 1928 play The Front Page by Charles MacArthur and Ben Hecht, aired Thursdays at 8pm ET.[1]
| The Front Page | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Franklin Heller |
| Written by | Charles MacArthur (play) Ben Hecht (play) Alvin Saplinsley |
| Starring | John Daly Mark Roberts Richard Boone Curt Conway Janet Shaw |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 18 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS Television |
| Release | September 29, 1949 – January 26, 1950 |
Premise edit
The series revolved around editor Walter Burns and his star reporter Hildy Johnson.
In the series premiere an assassination attempt has been made on the city's corrupt mayor. Hildy is on his honeymoon, so Burns compels him to come back and cover the story by kidnapping Hildy's mother-in-law. After a follow-up assassination plot is discovered and foiled, Burns keeps Hildy in town by getting the mayor to arrest Hildy.[2]
Cast edit
- John Daly as editor Walter Burns
- Mark Roberts as reporter Hildy Johnson
- Cliff Hall as Mayor Barber
- Leona Powers as Mrs. Grant
- Janet Shaw as Peggy Grant
Production edit
Donald Davis was the producer, Frank Heller was the director, and Alvin Sapinsley was the writer. The show originated from WCBS-TV.[3]
Preservation status edit
Three episodes are in the collection of the Paley Center for Media.[4]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (24 June 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows - 1946-Present (9 ed.). Random House Publishing. p. 508. ISBN 978-0-345-49773-4. Retrieved 2018-11-14.
- ^ June Bundy (1949-10-08). "The Front Page (review)". The Billboard. p. 11. Retrieved 2018-11-14.
- ^ "Dramatic Shows". Ross Reports on Television including The Television Index. November 27, 1949. p. 5. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
- ^ Internet Archive entry
Bibliography edit
- Alex McNeil, Total Television, Fourth edition (New York: Penguin Books, 1980) ISBN 0-14-024916-8
- Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows, Third edition (New York: Ballantine Books, 1985) ISBN 0-345-31864-1