The Philco Television Playhouse

Season 5

The Philco Television Playhouse is an American anthology series that was broadcast live on NBC from 1948 to 1955. Produced by Fred Coe, the series was sponsored by Philco. It was one of the most respected dramatic shows of the Golden Age of Television, winning a 1954 Peabody Award and receiving eight Emmy nominations between 1951 and 1956.

Where to Watch Season 5

33 Episodes

  • The Thin Air
    E1
    The Thin AirA young girl's disappearance on the night of her engagement party leads investigators and her fiancee on a long perplexing case that ends in a London pub 24 years later.
  • The Black Sheep
    E2
    The Black SheepA reformed playboy has quite a time explaining his escapades to the mother of the girl he decides to marry.
  • Uncertain Heritage
    E3
    Uncertain HeritageThe story of a young man struggling against his father's domination after his father has been dead for several years.
  • The Winter of the Dog
    E4
    The Winter of the DogThis plot revolves around American troops stationed in China after WWII.
  • Parole Chief
    E5
    Parole ChiefThe case histories of several parolees and events that shaped the career of the parole director is told.
  • The Gift
    E6
    The GiftA child has been given an exceptional gift by her fairy godmother, the gift of finding lost articles
  • Tempest of Tick Creek
    E7
    Tempest of Tick CreekThe story of two brothers and a missing uncle who returns suddenly bringing with him a chest which the brothers assume contains gold. The brothers want their share but so does the uncle's jilted bride and son.
  • Magic Morning
    E8
    Magic MorningA woman seeks success in her marriage as she had gained in her career.
  • Double Jeopardy
    E9
    Double JeopardyA jury finds a woman not guilty of the murder of her husband, but some still believe her to be guilty of the crime.
  • Pride's Way
    E10
    Pride's WayThe story from incidents in the life of Benedict Arnold and how Arnold's family suffers by his traitorous acts against his country.
  • Two for One
    E11
    Two for One
  • Elegy
    E12
    ElegyA young writer hears that his friend has died so he writes an "Elegy - A Tribute to Larry" that brings him fame and fortune. A year later his friend turns up very much alive and with plans for blackmail.
  • The Reluctant Citizen
    E13
    The Reluctant CitizenA 67-year-old refugee deals with his fears and conflicted feelings as he's about to become an American citizen.
  • Mr. Pettengill Here
    E14
    Mr. Pettengill HereA dancer becomes so eager for success that her ambition nearly ruins her career.
  • Wings on My Feet
    E15
    Wings on My FeetDANCE- DANCE- DANCE- The struggle is real for this young dancer.
  • The Trip to Bountiful
    E16
    The Trip to BountifulCarrie Watts is living the twilight of her life trapped in an apartment in 1940's Houston, Texas with a controlling daughter-in-law and a hen-pecked son. Her fondest wish -- just once before she dies -- is to revisit Bountiful, the small Texas town of her youth which she still refers to as "home." The trouble is her son, Ludie, is too concerned for her health to allow her to travel alone and her petty daughter-in-law, Jessie Mae, insists they don't have money to squander on bus tickets. This prompts "escape" attempts each month which coincide with the arrival of Mrs. Watts' Social Security check. Then, Mrs. Watts makes a successful escape and last trip home.
  • The Gesture
    E17
    The GestureMisaligned plot twists for this lost episode.
  • The Velvet Mitten
    E18
    The Velvet MittenA man becomes entangled with a flighty woman during a convention.
  • A Young Lady of Property
    E19
    A Young Lady of PropertyWilma a 15-year-old girl has dreams of becoming a movie star but after her mother's death she is sent to live with her aunt, her father is too weak and unreliable. She wishes to be back at her home with her father.
  • The Recluse
    E20
    The RecluseClassic definition of a recluse when an older man withdraws from the world to live in seclusion and often in solitude. Withdrawn from the world; due to heavy trauma in his life.
  • Printer's Measure
    E21
    Printer's MeasureAn old typesetter in a printing works fears the new machinery which will make him redundant - and perhaps render his whole working life pointless.
  • A Little Something in Reserve
    E22
    A Little Something in Reserve
  • Marty
    E23
    MartyMarty Pilletti is a 36 year-old butcher who lives with his mother. His brothers and sisters are all married and his dear mother - along with several other of her friends - is always asking him why he doesn't find a nice girl and get married. The truth is Marty is lonely and would like nothing better. He has very low self-esteem however and admits to his mother that he's ugly and no one wants him. He's tired of going to the Saturday night dance with his buddies and then going home more depressed than he was when the evening started. At one of those dances he meets Clara. They have a great deal in common but Marty will have to overcome peer pressure if he and Clara are to have a relationship.
  • The Way of an Eagle
    E24
    The Way of an EagleThe story of John J. Audobon and his wife Lucy.
  • Baby and Me
    E25
    Baby and MeIn a family of eccentrics the five year old daughter stands out for her diva like behavior. Her mother, a retired actress, and her happy go lucky father accept her behavior while her older brother cares only about scouting.
  • Expectant Relations
    E26
    Expectant RelationsThe struggle of a middle-aged woman who tries to win an inheritance from a rich uncle.
  • The House in Athens
    E27
    The House in AthensThree people are thrown together by the death of a man.
  • The Big Deal
    E28
    The Big Deal
  • The Cipher
    E29
    The Cipher
  • Ernie Barger is 50
    E30
    Ernie Barger is 50Ernie Barger has a startling revelation when he turns 50. The discovery that he is no longer needed by anyone sends him over the edge.
  • The Rainmaker
    E31
    The RainmakerLizzie Curry is on the verge of becoming a hopeless old maid. Her wit and intelligence and skills as a homemaker can't make up for the fact that she's just plain plain! Even the town sheriff, File, for whom she harbors a secret yen, won't take a chance --- until the town suffers a drought and into the lives of Lizzie and her brothers and father comes one Bill Starbuck ... profession: Rainmaker!
  • Othello
    E32
    OthelloOthello, the Moor of Venice, is manipulated into believing his loving wife an adulteress.
  • Holiday Song
    E33
    Holiday SongA cantor's faith is renewed.

Cast of Season 5

  • Bert LytellSelf - Host

 

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