Classic TV: Alcoa Theatre (1957)

 Alcoa Theatre alternated with another anthology series, Goodyear Theatre, during its three year run (1957-60) for NBC. The two were later syndicated as Award Theatre. Years later, the Arts & Entertainment Network (A&E) acquired the reruns for their Golden Age of Television package.

Alcoa Theatre was originally an offshoot of Four Star Playhouse, with studio co-founders David Niven & Charles Boyer appearing frequently during the first season. However, in season 2, the series was turned over to Screen Gems (which is why the Columbia Pictures Television logo of the 80's was plastered onto the prints for A&E). There was a second Alcoa-sponsored anthology for ABC a year after this series ended, and hosted by Fred Astaire. We'll look at that another day if we can.

Here, from season 2, is "Christobel", starring Arthur O'Connell. Writer Mel Shavelson, using the works of James Thurber as inspiration, crafted this tale, with animated segments produced by UPA. A decade later, Shavelson revisited the concept, selling My World....And Welcome to it to producer Sheldon Leonard, who sold it to NBC. "Christobel" was remade for My World, with William Windom in the role of John Monroe, played here by O'Connell.

O'Connell, as we know, would land his own series, also for Screen Gems, The Second Hundred Years, with Monte Markham & Frank Maxwell, nine years after "Christobel", then was a pitchman for Crest toothpaste in the 70's.

Rating: B.