"The Mystery of Thirteen" | |
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Playhouse 90 episode | |
Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 7 |
Directed by | Robert Mulligan |
Written by | David Shaw (adaptation), Robert Graves (story) |
Original air date | October 24, 1957 |
Guest appearances | |
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"The Mystery of Thirteen" was an American television play broadcast in 1957 as part of the CBS television series Playhouse 90 . Jack Lemmon starred as the notorious English physician, William Palmer, who was suspected of 13 murders and was hanged in 1856 for poisoning a close friend. Margaret O'Brien co-starred, David Shaw wrote the teleplay, and Robert Mulligan directed.
The play is based on the real-life story of an English physician, William Palmer, also known as the "Prince of Poisoners". Palmer was accused of murdering numerous persons, including his own brother and children, and was ultimately hanged for poisoning a close friend. Charles Dickens called Palmer "the greatest villain that ever stood in the Old Bailey". [1]
The following performers received screen credit for their performances:
The production was broadcast live from CBS Television City in Hollywood on October 24, 1957, as part of the second season of the CBS television series Playhouse 90 . David Shaw wrote the teleplay, as an adaptation of Robert Graves' best-selling novel, They Hanged My Saintly Billy. Robert Mulligan directed, and Martin Manulis was the producer. Jack Lemmon, Margaret O'Brien, and Herbert Marshall starred. [2] [3] [4]
Time magazine opined that the sympathetic portrayal of a criminal broke new ground on TV, but proved to be "cold, cold ground." The reviewer concluded that Lemmon's charm and skill could not make the protagonist palatable. Lacking either satire or intrigue, Time found that it "amounted to a catalogue of crime with little more dramatic point or development than the police blotter." [5]
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.
William Palmer, also known as the Rugeley Poisoner or the Prince of Poisoners, was an English doctor found guilty of murder in one of the most notorious cases of the 19th century. Charles Dickens called Palmer "the greatest villain that ever stood in the Old Bailey".
Lux Video Theatre is an American television anthology series that was produced from 1950 until 1957. The series presented both comedy and drama in original teleplays, as well as abridged adaptations of films and plays.
"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.
"Misalliance" was an American television play broadcast live on October 29, 1959, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the third episode of the fourth season of Playhouse 90 and the 120th episode overall.
"The Tunnel" was a pre-recorded American television play first broadcast on December 10, 1959, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the sixth episode of the fourth season of Playhouse 90 and the 123rd episode overall.
"Tomorrow" was an American television play broadcast on March 7, 1960, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the 11th episode of the fourth season of Playhouse 90.
"The Plot to Kill Stalin" was an American television play broadcast on September 25, 1958, on the CBS television network. It was the first episode of the third season of the anthology television series Playhouse 90. Delbert Mann was the director, and the cast included Melvyn Douglas as Joseph Stalin, Eli Wallach as Stalin's personal secretary, and Oskar Homolka as Nikita Khrushchev. It was nominated for two Sylvania Television Awards: as the outstanding telecast of 1958 and for Douglas as outstanding actor in a television program.
"The Big Slide" was an American television play broadcast on November 8, 1956, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the sixth episode of the first season of Playhouse 90. Red Skelton and Shirley Jones starred in the play about a silent movie star. Skelton was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for best performance by an actor. Martin Manulis was the producer, and Ralph Nelson was the director.
"No Time at All" was an American television film broadcast on February 13, 1958, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the 23rd episode of the second season of Playhouse 90.
"Helen Morgan" is an American television play broadcast on May 16, 1957, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the 33rd episode of the first 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.
"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.
"The Second Happiest Day" is an American television play broadcast on June 25, 1959 as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90.
"The Second Man" was an American television play broadcast live on February 12, 1959 as the 100th episode of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. The cast was led by James Mason. The teleplay was written by Leslie Stevens as an adaptation of the novel, The Second Man, by Edward Grierson.
"The Jet Propelled Couch" is an American television play broadcast on November 14, 1957, as part of the second season of the CBS television series Playhouse 90. Burgess Meredith and James Clark directed. Donald O'Connor, David Wayne, and Peter Lorre starred.
"Not the Glory" was an American television play broadcast on May 8, 1958, as part of the second season of the CBS television series Playhouse 90. David Shaw wrote the teleplay based on Pierre Boulle's first novel, William Conrad (1950). Robert Mulligan directed, and James Mason, Ann Todd, and Dennis King starred.
"The Playroom" was an American television play broadcast on October 10, 1957, as part of the second season of the CBS television series Playhouse 90. Tad Mosel wrote the teleplay. Franklin Schaffner directed, Martin Manulis was the producer, Dominick Dunne was the assistant to the producer, and Albert Heschong was the art director. Mike Todd was the host, and Tony Randall, Nina Foch, and Patricia Neal starred.
"The Lone Woman" was an American television film broadcast on December 26, 1957, as part of the second season of the CBS television series Playhouse 90. Al C. Ward wrote the teleplay. Kathryn Grayson, Scott Brady, Vincent Price, and Raymond Burr starred. The production was filmed on location in Tucson, Arizona.
"Reunion" was an American television play broadcast live from CBS Television City in Hollywood on January 2, 1958, as part of the second season of the CBS television series Playhouse 90. Merle Miller wrote the teleplay based on his novel of the same name. Allan Reisner directed. Hugh O'Brian, Martha Hyer, Dane Clark, and Charles Drake starred.
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