Two genres ruled the primetime roost on broadcast networks as I grew up. One was the Western, the other was anthology series. Both dominated lineups throughout the 1950s and into the late 1960s. Then primetime largely went the way of police, lawyer and medical series, burying Westerns and anthologies with them.
Now that the Western has new life in a new millennium, thanks to the success of AMC’s Hell On Wheels and the number of series pilots under consideration for this fall on broadcast and cable, it’s time to raise our voices for a new generation of anthology programs.
When the first anthology generation was in bloom, it gave sight to a wonderful variety of new writing, producing and directing talents, from Rod Serling and Paddy Chayefsky to John Frankenheimer and, Sidney Lumet, Week after week, Playhouse 90, Studio One, General Electric Theater, Philco/Goodyear TV Playhouse and Kraft Television Theater offered original material and literary classic adaptations with the best actors from Broadway and Hollywood.
Anthologies also gave actresses like Loretta Young, Jane Wyman, Barbara Stanwyck and June Allyson the opportunity to stretch their role-playing prowess on a weekly basis. Ditto for actors like Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Ronald Reagan, Fred Astaire and Lloyd Bridges. Plus audiences could learn a rich supply of history in entertaining fashion on such programs as Death Valley Days, Calvacade of America, Dick Powell’s Zane Grey Theater, Armstrong Circle Theater, The Great Adventure and Profiles In Courage.
And fans of speculative and suspenseful fiction could get a weekly fill from Tales Of Tomorrow, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Science Fiction Theater, The Twlight Zone, Thriller and The Outer Limits.
All the elements are there to mount an anthology comeback–independent writers/producers/directors looking for a steady outlet, less-costly production techniques from computer graphics to hand-held and micro cameras, and acting talent galore. The only thing needed now is broadcast and cable network programming executives willing to give this long-dormant medium life again, willing to raise audience appetites for these showcases.
How about it? Your move.
Until the next time, stay well and stay tuned!