KRAFT TELEVISION THEATRE: THE DIAMOND AS BIG AS THE RITZ (TV)
Summary
The 500th in this series of live dramas presented by Kraft. Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story, this satiric fantasy, set in 1923, illustrates the author's favorite theme: "The very rich are different from you and me." In this adaptation, wealthy Percy Washington invites his schoolmate, John Unger, to spend the holidays with his family at their isolated Montana chateau. When they finally arrive at the luxurious palace -- which is set on top of a mountain made of one solid diamond-- John is dazzled by the Washington's wealth and immediately falls in love with Percy's beautiful sister, Kismine. However, he is horrified to learn that Mr. Washington is more than just a wealthy, autocratic eccentric: In order to protect his great wealth, he shoots down aviators who accidentally fly overhead, holds them captive, and sometimes executes them. He also kills the guests his children bring home to prevent them from revealing his great, unreported wealth to the outside world. Unger fears he may be the next to be eliminated. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: September 28, 1955 Wednesday 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:59:28
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: T80:0072
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Satire; Wealth
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1947-1958
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Cracker Barrel brand cheddar cheese
- TV - Commercials - Kraft Italian salad dressing
- TV - Commercials - Kraft foods company
- TV - Commercials - Philadelphia brand cream cheese
- TV - Promos - "Kraft Television Theatre: The Beautiful TIme"
CREDITS
- Norman Morgan … Producer, Director
- William Hodapp … Adapted by
- F. Scott Fitzgerald … From the short story by
- Charles Stark … Announcer
- Richard Franchot … Cast, John Unger
- George MacReady … Cast, Braddock Washington
- Signe Hasso … Cast, Georgianna Washington
- Daniels, Bill (See also: Daniels, William) … Cast, Percy Washington
- Lee Remick … Cast, Kismine Washington
- Elizabeth Montgomery … Cast, Jasmine Washington
- Mario Alcade … Cast, Critch
- Garry Walberg … Cast
- Dan Morgan … Cast
- Edward Hastings … Cast
- Robert Wilkins … Cast
- Howard Dayton … Cast
- George Cheatham … Cast
- Joe Faulk … Cast
- James Jackson … Cast