Windows (TV series)

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Windows is a live 30-minute American dramatic anthology television series that was broadcast from July 8, 1955, to August 26, 1955. [1] Eight episodes aired from New York City on CBS in 1955 as a summer replacement for Edward R. Murrow's Person to Person series. Notable guest stars included Geraldine Page, Jason Robards, [2] Melvyn Douglas, and Anthony Perkins.

Contents

Each episode of the show began by showing a window, after which the cameral moved through the window to begin the telling of the story, with each story "designed to show real people confronting real problems". [3]

Windows was created by Frank DeFelitta and Mort Abrahams and produced by Abrahams. [4] Its directors were Jack Garfein, Jose Quintero, John Stix, and Leonard Valenta. [1] Its writers included Shirley Peterson, [4] Ray Bradbury and Arnold Schulman.[ citation needed ] The show was broadcast from 10:30 to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Fridays. [3] Amoco and Hamm Brewing Company sponsored the program, which originated from WCBS-TV. [5]

Episodes

Critical response

A review in The New York Times called Windows "One of the more refreshing oases among the dreary wastes of summer television". [2] The review of the August 5, 1955, episode commended Page's use of expression and inflection to create tensions that did not exist in the script. The "relaxed direction" also earned compliments for use of the camera "to bring out as much as it can from what it sees" and for "above all, a willingness to let silence reign when there is nothing to say." [2]

The trade publication Variety described "The Outing" (an episode about children) as "juvenile in more ways that one" with "an implausible script and unbelievable portrayals." [4] It added that the cast apparently found the script unbelievable, also. [4]

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References

  1. 1 2 McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 917. ISBN   0-14-02-4916-8.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Shepard, Richard F. (August 6, 1955). "TV: Making Most of It: C.B.S. 'Windows' Drama,.With Geraldine Page, Rises Above Meager Material". The New York Times. p. 31. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (1999). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present (7th ed.). New York: The Ballentine Publishing Group. p. 1122. ISBN   0-345-42923-0.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Windows". Variety. July 13, 1955. p. 30. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  5. ↑ "This Week (Cont'd)". Ross Reports. July 3, 1955. p. 76. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Friday July 8". Ross Reports. July 3, 1955. p. C. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Friday July 15". Ross Reports. July 10, 1944. p. C. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Friday July 22". Ross Reports. July 17, 1955. p. B. Retrieved August 17, 2023.


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