Long Lost O. Henry TV Series Now Fully Restored!
The third and final collection of episodes from 1957's The O. Henry Playhouse is up to the same high standards as the previous two. Character actor Thomas Mitchell (Gone with the Wind, High Noon) as the short story writer O. Henry and Russell Thorsen as his publisher, Colonel Derbin, appear in each installment to introduce the story and to wrap things up. They also appear in brief sequences throughout the episodes to debate what might happen next and why.
Though most stories take place in New York City, each set offers at least one western episode. In the first, "The Hiding of Black Bill," Star Trek's Deforest Kelley plays Percival, a mysterious character looking for work as a sheep hand (Kelley previously appeared in Vol. 1's "Fog in Santone"). Ranch owner Clem (Larry Dobkin) suspects he may be "Black Bill," a notorious train robber. The twist comes with the revelation of Percival's true vocation--and his connection to the ranch.
The second western, "The Lonely Man," stars Charles Bronson as Sam, a broad-chested man who offers to help out widowed rancher Mrs. Wilson (Marianne Stewart). Her 15-year-old son, Tommy (Jack Dimond), looks to him as a father figure, but when Sam encourages him not to play with guns, Tommy ignores his advice, convinced that a man without a gun isn't really a man. When Sam proves that violence begets violence, Tommy learns an unforgettable lesson about the virtues of pacifism.
In addition to a moral, each story has a twist as characters lie or make assumptions. In "A Service of Love," a married couple (Bob Nichols and Finton Meyler) dedicated to the arts lies to each other about their non-artistic income sources, and in "Hypotheses of Failure," the author of a popular marriage guide (Raw Deal's Marsha Hunt) is suspected of cheating. By the end of each story, the truth comes out after the lie or assumption has caused--or was just about to cause--serious damage.
Other notable actors to appear in Vol. 3 of The O. Henry Playhouse include The Dick Van Dyke Show's Morey Amsterdam, who stars in two episodes ("Wit's End" and "Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen"), and The Grapes of Wrath's John Carradine--the father of actors David and Keith Carradine--who stars in one episode here ("A Madison Square Arabian Knight") and in a previous one in Vol. 1 ("Two Renegades" with fellow recurring player Bronson).
Though anthology series, by their very nature, can be hit or miss, The O. Henry Playhouse distinguished itself by drawing from the work of one author and by providing insights into his methodology. Writing instructors and students may find his words about structure and characterization helpful in terms of their own projects and assignments. Literature has changed a lot since O. Henry's day, just as television has changed a lot since this syndicated series premiered in 1957, but a good story is timeless.
What type of library programming could use this title?
Library programming on classic television shows, literary adaptations, and author biographies could make productive use of any, or all, of the three volumes in ClassicFlix's The O. Henry Playhouse series.
What public library shelves would this title be on?
The O. Henry Playhouse belongs on public library shelves with television collections, particularly drama and anthology.
What type of college/university professors would find this title valuable?
English literature and creative writing instructors could find value in The O. Henry Playhouse, especially for courses on early 20th-century literature or the short story, since O. Henry was a master of the form.
Meet author O. Henry...
All 39 Episodes of the Long Lost 1957 TV Series THE O. HENRY PLAYHOUSE Are Now Fully Restored
Not seen in over 60 years, CLASSIC FLIX has gloriously restored and released the complete series on DVD.
Author O. Henry (William Sydney Porter, 1862-1910) is considered one of America's greatest writers of short stories. "The O. Henry Playhouse" is a 1957 single-season half-hour TV anthology series starring veteran character actor Thomas Mitchell as O. Henry. In each episode, O. Henry relates his stories to his publisher, his barber, a bartender, or the cop on his beat. In some episodes, O. Henry meets his characters as he discovers firsthand the story he will later write. Laced with humor and irony his stories often end with a sly twist ending. Seeing O. Henry's short stories come alive on film is a fun way to learn about American history and popular culture. This golden opportunity to watch, enjoy and appreciate screen adaptations of famous O. Henry short stories is certain to appeal to film aficionados and literary enthusiasts worldwide.
Series guest stars include Charles Bronson, John Carradine, Chuck Connors, Peggy Castle, Morey Amsterdam, DeForest Kelley, Ernest Borgnine, Beverly Garland, Alan Hale Jr., Hans Conreid, Jackie Coogan, Johnny Crawford, Tommy Kirk, and many more.
Read film descriptions and watch scenes from all 39 episodes of "The O. Henry Playhouse" HERE
Read O. Henry historian Michael Wenzel's essay The O. Henry Experience: Lost Film Adaptations Invite O. Henry Resurgence HERE
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Thomas Mitchell is O. Henry
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Beverly Garland, Ernest Borgnine in "The Reformation of Calliope"
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Thomas Mitchell, Alan Hale, Jr. in "Man About Town"
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Charles Bronson, John Carradine in "Two Renegades"
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Anne Whitfield, Thomas Mitchell in "Girl"
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Kenneth Tobey, Morey Amsterdam in "Wit's End"
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Tommy Kirk, John Doucette in "Christmas by Injunction"
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DeForest Kelly, Jean Cooper in "Fog in Santone"
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Bill Henry, John Hoyt in "The Sphinx Apple"
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Chuck Connors, Joe Desantis in "Only the Horse Would Know"
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Louis Hayward, Maureen Stephenson, Johnny Crawford, Thomas Mitchell in "Hearts and Hands"
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Don Barry, Florence Conant in "The World and the Door"
The complete series is now available from Classic Flix HERE
