Boxcars711 Sunday Night Matinee - The Ford Theater "Man Who Played God" (12-21-47)

First Show: 10-05-47 Last Show: 07-01-49 Number Shows: 78 (39 on NBC, 39 on CBS) Audition Show: none known Series Description: The FORD THEATER, sponsored by the Ford Motor Company, presented hour long dramas first on NBC for one only season. The series moved to CBS for its second and last season. There were 39 NBC and 39 CBS hour- long shows (not verified). The show initially received an unfavorable review from the New York Times for poor script adaptation but was still highly rated for the actors' performance and overall production. The show was supposed to feature only original scripts but had to forgo that plan due to lack of quality material. The first season on NBC used radio actors under the direction of George Zachary. Martin Gabel announced the first show but was soon replaced by Kenneth Banghart. The second season, on CBS, used Hollywood screen actors in the lead roles, supported by radio actors. Fletcher Markle, who previously produced CBS's STUDIO ONE series, was the producer for the second season. Although a short series, it still has some of radio's best dramas. THIS EPISODE:The Man Who Played God (47-12-21)Montgomery Royale. He returns to New York with this sister, friend Mildred and fiancÃe Grace. He becomes philanthropic, using binoculars and lip reading to decide what anonymous gifts to bestow on strangers. He sees Grace tell her love Howard that she must stay with him because of his deafness. Moved, he asks her to break their engagement. He then donates a pipe organ to a needy church and is joined at the dedication by Mildred. Written by Ed Stephan {[email protected]}