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PLAYHOUSE 90: FACE OF A HERO (TV)

Summary

One in this dramatic anthology series. Hosted by Dana Wynter, this drama in three acts concerns the dilemma facing a young perfectionist, a prosecuting attorney named David Poole, who is pressured to seek the death penalty for a murder which he secretly knows was an accidental death. Although the local townspeople have been impressed with the neophyte prosecutor David Poole's strict adherence to the letter of the law, they doubt that he has the moral courage to prosecute any member of the wealthy Rutland family, which has often been allowed undue legal leeway in the past. The prosecutor soon has his opportunity though when young lout Harold Rutland, Jr., is suspected of murdering Millie Bishop, whose lifeless body was found in the river. Poole has a terrible secret, however: unbeknownst to anyone, he was present at the time of the alleged crime and furtively witnessed the suspect arrive at the river's edge after an inebriated Millie had already suffered a fatal accidental fall from the bluff. Stunned by what has transpired, Poole pretends no knowledge of the event and later refuses to prosecute the accused. But when an hysterical Rutland admits to a murder he didn't commit, the reluctant prosecutor must decide whether he will placate townsfolk who believe the confessed criminal will receive preferential treatment, or sacrifice his reputation and career to shield an innocent man. Includes commercials and promos.

Details

  • NETWORK: CBS
  • DATE: January 1, 1959 Thursday 8:30 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:29:55
  • COLOR/B&W: B&W
  • CATALOG ID: T:17080
  • GENRE: Drama; Drama, legal
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Drama
  • SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1956-1960
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV - Commercials -ÊAllstate Insurance Company
    • TV - Commercials -ÊAmerican Gas Association
    • TV - Commercials -ÊArpege perfume by Lanvin
    • TV - Commercials -ÊInstant Maxwell House Coffee
    • TV - Commercials -ÊKimberly Clark Delsey bathroom tissu - Commercials -ÊBallantine Beer
    • TV - Commercials -ÊPiels beer (Bob & Ray)
    • TV - Promos -Ê"Playhouse 90: Wings of the Dove"

CREDITS

  • John Houseman … Producer
  • Charles H. Schultz … Associate Producer
  • Russell Stoneham … Associate Producer
  • John Frankenheimer … Director
  • Robert L. Joseph … Writer
  • Pierre Boulle … Based on the novel by
  • Dana Wynter … Host
  • Jack Lemmon … Cast, David Poole
  • James Gregory … Cast, Leo Fuller
  • Rip Torn … Cast, Harold Rutland
  • William Hansen … Cast, Dr. Milliard
  • Henry Hull … Cast, Victor Bishop
  • Larry Gates … Cast, Senator Knox
  • Anne Meacham … Cast, Catherine Poole
  • Whit Bissell … Cast, Mayor Chandos
  • Malcolm Atterbury … Cast, Simon DeGrange
  • Charles Aidman … Cast, Morrell
  • Stanley Adams … Cast, Perry Cates
  • Byron Foulger … Cast, Dr. Spring
  • Carol Kelly … Cast, Mrs. McDermott
  • Leonard Bell … Cast, the Defense Attorney
  • Burt Reynolds … Cast, Gordon
  • Florida Friebus … Cast, Aunt Louisa
  • Jamie Forster … Cast, The Judge
  • Marilyn Moe … Cast, Milly Bishop
  • Lois Kimbrell … Cast, Miss Grant
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