''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 Tyrone Edmund Power III (May 5, 1914 – November 15, 1958) was an American actor. From the 1930s to the 1950s, Power appeared in dozens of films, often in swashbuckler roles or romantic leads. His better-known films include ''Jesse James'', ' ...

, the series began October 3, 1937, on the Blue Network, with

Darryl F. Zanuck Darryl Francis Zanuck (September 5, 1902December 22, 1979) was an American film producer and studio executive; he earlier contributed stories for films starting in the silent era. He played a major part in the Hollywood studio system as one of ...

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 The NBC, National Broadcasting Company's NBC Radio Network (known as the NBC Red Network prior to 1942) was an American commercial radio network which was in operation from 1926 through 2004. Along with the Blue Network, NBC Blue Network it was ...

Wednesdays at 8 pm ET. Woodbury Soap and Jergens Lotion sponsored the show.

Charles Boyer Charles Boyer (; 28 August 1899 – 26 August 1978) was a French-American actor who appeared in more than 80 films between 1920 and 1976. After receiving an education in drama, Boyer started on the stage, but he found his success in American fi ...

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.

Herbert Marshall Herbert Brough Falcon Marshall (23 May 1890 – 22 January 1966) was an English stage, screen and radio actor who starred in many popular and well-regarded Hollywood films in the 1930s and 1940s. After a successful theatrical career in the Uni ...

succeeded Boyer on ''Hollywood Playhouse'' for nine weeks, and he was replaced by Gale Page and

Jim Ameche Jim Ameche (August 6, 1915 – February 4, 1983)Cox, Jim (2008). ''This Day in Network Radio: A Daily Calendar of Births, Debuts, Cancellations and Other Events in Broadcasting History''. McFarland & Company, Inc. . Page 29. was an American r ...

until Boyer returned on the January 3, 1940, broadcast. Page and Ameche headed a summer version of the program titled ''Promoting Priscilla'' (July–October 1940). Weekly guest stars included

Joan Blondell Joan Blondell (born Rose Joan Bluestein; August 30, 1906 – December 25, 1979) was an American actress who performed in film and television for 50 years. Blondell began her career in vaudeville. After winning a beauty pageant, she embarked on ...

and Margaret Sullavan. Harry Sosnik provided the music. The series continued until December 25, 1940.

Preservation status

Only one broadcast of ''Hollywood Playhouse'' – "The Sub-Lieutenant" (May 29, 1940), starring Charles Boyer and

Margaret Lindsay Margaret Lindsay (born Margaret Kies; September 19, 1910 – May 9, 1981) was an American film actress. Her time as a Warner Bros. contract player during the 1930s was particularly productive. She was noted for her supporting work in successf ...

– is known to survive in radio collections.Hickerson, Jay, ''The Ultimate History of Network Radio Programming and Guide to All Circulating Shows''. Hamden, Connecticut: Hamden, CT, second edition 1992.

References

1930s American radio programs 1940s American radio programs American radio dramas Anthology radio series NBC radio programs NBC Blue Network radio programs 1937 radio programme debuts 1940 radio programme endings {{US-radio-show-stub

Preservation status

See also

References