Bomber's Moon (Playhouse 90)

Last updated
"Bomber's Moon"
Playhouse 90 episode
Robert Cummings in Bomber's Moon.jpeg
Robert Cummings in "Bomber's Moon"
Episode no.Season 2
Episode 35
Directed by John Frankenheimer
Written by Rod Serling
Original air dateMay 22, 1958 (1958-05-22)
Running time90 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
 Previous
"Nightmare at Ground Zero"
Next 
"Natchez"

"Bomber's Moon" was an American television play broadcast live on May 22, 1958, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90 . It was the 35th episode of the second season of Playhouse 90. [1]

Contents

Rod Serling wrote the teleplay about American fliers stationed in England during World War II. John Frankenheimer directed. Robert Cummings, Rip Torn, Hazel Court, and Martin Balsam starred.

Plot

An American bomber wing is stationed in England during World War II. The commanding officer, Col. Culver, is emotionless. He accuses a young flier of cowardice.

Cast

Production

Martin Manulis was the producer and John Frankenheimer the director. Rod Serling wrote the teleplay.

Frankenheimer said of Cummings: "Bobby's a really fine dramatic actor, but people usually associate him only with comedy. Naturally enough I suppose. Directing an actor like this who feels immediately what the script wants and what the director wants makes you love this business." [2]

Reception

In The New York Times, John P. Shanley praised Serling's dialogue as "fresh and striking", though occasionally "ornate and labored." He also praised the performances of Cummings, Torn, and Balsam. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rod Serling</span> American screenwriter (1924–1975)

Rodman Edward Serling was an American screenwriter and television producer best known for his live television dramas of the 1950s and his anthology television series The Twilight Zone. Serling was active in politics, both on and off the screen, and helped form television industry standards. He was known as the "angry young man" of Hollywood, clashing with television executives and sponsors over a wide range of issues, including censorship, racism, and war.

<i>Playhouse 90</i> American television series

Playhouse 90 is an American television anthology drama series that aired on CBS from 1956 to 1960 for a total of 133 episodes. The show was produced at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, California. Since live anthology drama series of the mid-1950s usually were hour-long shows, the title highlighted the network's intention to present something unusual: a weekly series of hour-and-a-half-long dramas rather than 60-minute plays.

"The Comedian" is a 1957 live television drama written by Rod Serling from a novella by Ernest Lehman, directed by John Frankenheimer, and starring Mickey Rooney, Edmond O'Brien, Kim Hunter, Mel Tormé and Constance Ford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Manulis</span> American film, television and theatre producer

Martin Ellyot Manulis was an American television, film, and theatre producer. Manulis was best known for his work in the 1950s producing the CBS Television programs Suspense, Studio One Summer Theatre, Climax!, The Best of Broadway and Playhouse 90. He was the sole producer of the award-winning drama series, Playhouse 90, during its first two seasons from 1956 to 1958.

Days of Wine and Roses (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 2nd episode of the 3rd season of Playhouse 90

"Days of Wine and Roses" was a 1958 American teleplay by JP Miller which dramatized the problems of alcoholism. John Frankenheimer directed the cast headed by Cliff Robertson, Piper Laurie and Charles Bickford.

<i>Pursuit</i> (TV series) 1958 American TV series or program

Pursuit is a one-hour American television anthology drama series which aired live on CBS from October 22, 1958, to January 14, 1959.

Forbidden Area (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 1st episode of the 1st season of Playhouse 90

"Forbidden Area" was an American television play broadcast live on October 4, 1956, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the premiere episode of the series. The play concerns efforts to thwart a massive, Christmastime nuclear attack from a fleet of Russian submarines located off the coast of the United States. Rod Serling wrote the screenplay, and John Frankenheimer directed. Charlton Heston, Tab Hunter, Diana Lynn, and Charles Bickford starred.

A Town Has Turned to Dust (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 38th episode of the 2nd season of Playhouse 90

"A Town Has Turned to Dust" is an American television play broadcast live on June 19, 1958, as part of the second season of the CBS television series Playhouse 90. Rod Serling wrote the teleplay, and John Frankenheimer directed. Rod Steiger and William Shatner starred.

Heart of Darkness (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 7th episode of the 3rd season of Playhouse 90

"Heart of Darkness" was an American television play broadcast on November 6, 1958, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the seventh episode of the third season of Playhouse 90. The play was adapted from Joseph Conrad's novella, Heart of Darkness.

The Fabulous Irishman (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 39th episode of the 1st season of Playhouse 90

"The Fabulous Irishman" was an American television play broadcast live on June 27, 1957, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the 39th episode of the first season.

The Family Nobody Wanted (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 12th episode of the 1st season of Playhouse 90

"The Family Nobody Wanted" was an American television play broadcast on December 20, 1956, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the 12th episode of the first season of Playhouse 90.

The Dark Side of the Earth (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 2nd episode of the 2nd season of Playhouse 90

"The Dark Side ofarth" was an American television play broadcast live on September 19, 1957, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the second episode of the second season. Rod Serling's teleplay told the story of a band of Hungarian freedom fighters captured by the Soviets in 1956.

A Sound of Different Drummers (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 4th episode of the 2nd season of Playhouse 90

"A Sound of Different Drummers" was an American television play broadcast live on October 3, 1957, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the fourth episode of the second season. John Frankenheimer directed, and Sterling Hayden starred.

Old Man (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 8th episode of the 3rd season of Playhouse 90

"Old Man" is an American television play broadcast on November 20, 1958, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. The production, starring Sterling Hayden and Geraldine Page, was adapted by Horton Foote from the short novel "Old Man" by William Faulkner. It was nominated for three Emmy Awards: for most outstanding program of the year; for best single performance by an actress (Page); and for best writing of a single dramatic program one hour or longer (Foote).

Face of a Hero (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 13th episode of the 3rd season of Playhouse 90

"Face of a Hero" is an American television play broadcast on January 1, 1959 as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. John Frankenheimer was the director and John Houseman the producer. The cast included Jack Lemmon and Rip Torn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Velvet Alley</span> 16th episode of the 3rd season of Playhouse 90

"The Velvet Alley" was an American television play broadcast on January 22, 1959 as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. Rod Serling was the writer and Franklin Schaffner the director. The cast included Art Carney and Leslie Nielsen.

"Nightmare at Ground Zero" is a television play that was broadcast by CBS on May 15, 1958, as part of the television series, Playhouse 90. It was written by Rod Serling and Paul Monash based on the book by John C. Clark and Robert Cahn.

The Great Gatsby (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 39th episode of the 2nd season of Playhouse 90

"The Great Gatsby" is an American television play broadcast live on June 26, 1958, as part of the second season of the CBS television series Playhouse 90. David Shaw wrote the teleplay, adapted from the novel of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Franklin Schaffner directed. Jeanne Crain, Robert Ryan, and Rod Taylor starred, and Rod Serling was the host.

Rumors of Evening (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 32nd episode of the 2nd season of Playhouse 90

"Rumors of Evening" is an American television play broadcast on May 1, 1958, as part of the second season of the CBS television series Playhouse 90. John Frankenheimer directed. Barbara Bel Geddes, John Kerr, and Robert Loggia starred, and The Kingston Trio also appeared as Bob, Dave, and Nick.

Panic Button (<i>Playhouse 90</i>) 12th episode of the 2nd season of Playhouse 90

"Panic Button" was an American television play broadcast on November 28, 1957, as part of the second season of the CBS television series Playhouse 90. Rod Serling wrote the teleplay. Franklin Schaffner directed, Martin Manulis was the producer, and Dominick Dunne was the executive assistant. Robert Stack, Vera Miles, and Lee J. Cobb starred.

References

  1. Vagg, Stephen (29 October 2024). "Movie Star Cold Streaks: Robert Cummings". Filmink. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  2. Smith, C. (1958, May 22). THE TV SCENE. Los Angeles Times
  3. John P. Shanley (May 23, 1958). "Bomber's Moon". The New York Times. p. 47.