Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse

Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse. This anthology series was a prominent television program broadcast on the CBS network, produced by the powerhouse Desilu Productions and sponsored by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. It showcased a diverse mix of original dramas, comedies, and adaptations, featuring many of Hollywood's top stars and serving as a crucial platform for emerging talent and significant pilot episodes. The program is historically notable for its role in the development of several iconic ABC and CBS series, cementing its place in the evolution of prime time television programming.

Overview

The series was a direct successor to the Westinghouse *Studio One* model, blending corporate sponsorship with high-quality production from one of television's most formidable studios, Desilu Productions. It operated as a true anthology series, with each episode presenting a self-contained story, allowing for tremendous creative range from film noir mysteries to lighthearted sitcom fare. This format attracted major film actors like Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, and Jane Wyman, who were often more willing to commit to a single television episode than a full series. The show was a cornerstone of CBS's Monday night lineup, competing directly with other major network offerings and demonstrating the growing power of independent production companies in Hollywood.

Production history

Development began in 1958 under the leadership of Desi Arnaz, who leveraged the immense success of I Love Lucy to secure the lucrative sponsorship deal with Westinghouse Electric Corporation. The series was filmed at the expansive Desilu studios, utilizing the same soundstages and technical crews as hits like *The Untouchables*. Initially, the program aired as *The Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse*, with Desi Arnaz himself serving as the on-camera host for the first season, delivering playful introductions from his office. For its second season, the title was shortened and the hosting duties were dropped, reflecting a shift toward a more serious dramatic focus. The series concluded its run in 1960 after 48 episodes, as the television industry's economics began to favor continuous series over anthology formats.

Notable episodes

The program is perhaps best remembered for launching several legendary television series through its pilot episodes. The two-part episode "The Untouchables" served as the pilot for the subsequent hit ABC crime drama starring Robert Stack. Similarly, the episode "The Man in the Funny Suit" was a dramatic recounting of the challenges faced during the production of Rod Serling's Requiem for a Heavyweight. Other standout installments included "The Time Element," a science fiction tale by Rod Serling that directly led to the creation of *The Twilight Zone*, and "The Killer Instinct," which served as the pilot for the CBS series *The Detectives* starring Robert Taylor.

Cast and crew

The series boasted an impressive roster of Hollywood talent both in front of and behind the camera. Frequent guest stars included iconic actors like Bette Davis, Jack Benny, Charles Laughton, and Ida Lupino. Behind the scenes, the show was a proving ground for major directors such as Arthur Hiller, Buzz Kulik, and Robert Altman. Writers of the caliber of Rod Serling, Gene Roddenberry, and Sterling Silliphant contributed scripts. The production was overseen by Desilu Productions executives like Bert Granet, and the consistent technical quality was ensured by renowned cinematographers including Lucien Ballard, linking the program's aesthetic to major motion pictures of the era.

Legacy and impact

Its primary legacy lies in its function as an incubator for successful television series, proving the viability of the pilot film as an industry standard. By providing a prestigious platform for shows like *The Untouchables* and indirectly *The Twilight Zone*, it significantly influenced the programming strategies of CBS, ABC, and NBC. The series also exemplified the peak of the anthology series format and the model of single corporate sponsorship, both of which would wane in the following decade. Furthermore, it showcased the creative and financial clout of Desilu Productions at its height, solidifying the studio's reputation beyond sitcoms and contributing to the landscape of prime time drama.

Category:American anthology television series Category:1950s American television series Category:1958 American television series debuts Category:1960 American television series endings Category:CBS network shows