Star Tonight, an American television anthology series, aired on ABC from February 3, 1955, to August 9, 1956. It consisted of 80 total episodes, 30 from 1955 and 50 from 1956. Each episode was a self-contained story, usually adapted from famous plays, short-stories or novels by some of the writers of the day.

Format

Episodes featured "rising young actors and actresses in their first starring roles", and performers with more experience had supporting parts. the pairing of little-know actors with more established professionals was similar to that of Hollywood Screen Test. Playwrights whose works were presented on Star Tonight included Josefina Niggli.

Production

Harry Herrmann produced the program, which replaced So You Want to Lead a Band. It was sponsored by the Brillo Manufacturing Company and originated from WABC-TV in New York City. The program was broadcast from 9 to 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursdays. Chester Hadley wrote for the series.

Episode list, partial

Notable guest stars

Theodore Bikel Leo G. Carroll Buster Crabbe Robert Culp Richard Davalos Susan Harrison Signe Hasso Kim Hunter June Lockhart Nancy Malone Kevin McCarthy Jason Robards Lois Smith Rudy Vallee Jo Van Fleet Elizabeth Wilson Joanne Woodward Efrem Zimbalist Jr

Critical response

A review of the initial episode in the trade publication Variety called the show's concept "one of those laudable ideas" but said that the premiere showed that a good script is needed to make an actor look good. The review said that Holt's "extremely competent performance" was undermined by "a soap-operaish story', so that "the entire effect was wishy-washy".