Studio One Anthology

Product Description “A pinnacle of the Golden Age of Television, “Studio One” presented a wide range of memorable dramas and received 18-Emmy nominations and five wins during its prestigious nine-year-run on CBS. Showcasing some of the greatest talents of the era, this groundbreaking series created an enormous impact and still remains a treasured part of America’s broadcasting history. Embracing the work of some of television’s most iconic writers, directors, actors and technical artists, the Studio One Anthology features the complete 1954 original television production of “Twelve Angry Men” and is highlighted by early performances by Charlton Heston, Art Carney, Jack Lemmon and Leslie Nielsen as well as teleplays written by Rod Serling and Gore Vidal. Also included as part of this 6-DVD release are all the original Westinghouse commercials as well as extensive archival interviews and other rare bonus materials. INCLUDES 17 RESTORED “”STUDIO ONE”” DRAMAS: “1984” (original broadcast: September 21, 1953) “An Almanac of Liberty” (original broadcast: November 8, 1954) “The Arena” (original broadcast: April 8, 1956) “Confessions of a Nervous Man” (original broadcast: November 30, 1953) “Dark Possession” (original broadcast: February 15, 1954) “The Death and Life of Larry Benson” (original broadcast: May 31, 1954) “Dino” (original broadcast: January 2, 1956) “Julius Caesar” (original broadcast: August 1, 1955) “June Moon” (original broadcast: June 22, 1949) “The Medium” (original broadcast: December 12, 1948) “Pontius Pilate” (original broadcast: April 7, 1952) “The Remarkable Incident at Carson Corners” (original broadcast: January 11, 1954) “The Storm” (original broadcast: October 17, 1949) “The Strike” (original broadcast: June 7, 1954) “Summer Pavilion” (original broadcast: May 2, 1955) “Twelve Angry Men” (original broadcast: September 26, 1954) “Wuthering Heights” (original broadcast: October 30, 1950) Featuring Rare Performances From: Eddie Albert, Art Carney, Robert Cummings, Norman Fell, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Lorne Greene, Charlton Heston, Marsha Hunt, Jack Lemmon, Sal Mineo, Elizabeth Montgomery, Leslie Nielsen, Barbara O’Neil, Lee Remick, Eva Marie Saint EXCLUSIVE BONUS FEATURES: -The Paley Center for Media’s “Studio One Seminar” -Excerpted interview with director Paul Nickell from The Paley Center for Media’s “Studio One Video History” -Voices from the Archive: Studio One-related footage from the Archive of America Television -Studio One historical overview and rediscovery featurette ALSO INCLUDES: 52-page book featuring written contributions by Gore Vidal, the Archive of American Television and Larry James Gianakos (author of Television Drama Series Programming: A Comprehensive Chronicle)” Amazon.com The programs represented in this essential collection are more than 50 years old. These rare kinescopes may look primitive, but they put much of what is offered today in prime time to shame. Studio One premiered in 1948, and for a decade it was the benchmark of live drama in television’s vaunted Golden Age. Not all the productions were great, but as Jack Klugman, who got his start on Studio One, observes in a bonus series retrospective, the series was a training and proving ground for writers, directors and actors. The now recognized talent that went into these productions is dazzling. Many established actors considered television beneath them, opening the door for a new and hungry generation who got their big breaks and honed their skills under the fire of live performance while millions watched at home. The charming “June Moon,” adapted from Ring Lardner, Jr. and George S. Kaufman’s Broadway play, features Jack Lemmon (in what is thought to be his television debut), and Eva Marie Saint. Charlton Heston portrays Heathcliff in “Wuthering Heights,” Eddie Albert is the disillusioned Winston in “1984,” and Theodore Bikel is “Julius Caesar.” Studio One also premiered original works, none more exemplary than Reginald Rose’s Emmy-winning Twelve Angry Men, the long-lost treasure of this set, with Robert Cummings as Juror #8, the lone holdout in a murder case. Other notable original works include The Seven Year Itch playwright George Axelrod’s “Confessions of a Nervous Man,” a will-success-spoil-George Axelrod “comedy documentary” starring Art Carney as Axelrod, Gore Vidal’s “Summer Pavillion,” featuring Elizabeth Montgomery, and Rod Serling’s all-too-timely political drama, “The Arena.” This set is packaged with a 52-page “Reference Guide” that offers a history and appreciation of Studio One and production information about each play. DVD extras include a 1987 Studio One seminar featuring series veterans, as well as lively interview excerpts with actors and crew members that etch a thrilling portrait of this now bygone era. From the innovative direction in a day of unwieldy equipment to the literate writing and superb performances, Studio One’s legacy of artistic ambition is undimmed, and is a must for anyon

Features

• Factory sealed DVD