Matinee Theater (1955)
Synopsis
Matinee Theater is an American anthology series that aired on NBC during the Golden Age of Television, from 1955 to 1958. The series, which ran daily in the afternoon, was frequently live. It was produced by Albert McCleery, Darrell Ross, George Cahan and Frank Price with executive producer George Lowther. McCleery had previously produced the live series Cameo Theatre which introduced to television the concept of theater-in-the-round, TV plays staged with minimal sets. Jim Buckley of the Pewter Plough Playhouse recalled: When Al McCleery got back to the States, he originated a most ambitious theatrical TV series for NBC called Matinee Theater: to televise five different stage plays per week live, airing around noon in order to promote color TV to the American housewife as she labored over her ironing. Al was the producer. He hired five directors and five art directors. Richard Bennett, one of our first early presidents of the Pewter Plough Corporation, was one of the directors and I was one of the art directors and, as soon as we were through televising one play, we had lunch and then met to plan next week’s show. That was over 50 years ago, and I’m trying to think; I believe the TV art director is his own set decorator —yes, of course! It had to be, since one of McCleery’s chief claims to favor with the producers was his elimination of the setting per se and simply decorating the scene with a minimum of props. It took a bit of ingenuity.
First Air Date: 1955-10-31
Last Air Date: 1958-06-13
Number of Seasons: 3
Number of Episodes: 574
Networks: NBC
Top Cast
- John Conte as Host
- Johnny Crawford as N/A
- John Hoyt as N/A
- Peter Hansen as N/A
- Patrick Macnee as N/A
- Peggy McCay as N/A
- Zsa Zsa Gabor as N/A
- John Abbott as N/A
- Irene Hervey as N/A
- Tom Tryon as N/A
Seasons
Season 1 (1955)
No overview available for this season.
Episodes:
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Ep. 1: Beginning Now
No overview for this episode.
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Ep. 2: Make Believe Mother
A man who left his wife and infant son turns up years later. He drops in for a visit at the home of his now-married son and grandchildren. His sudden appearance and penchant for gambling wreak havoc in his son's home.
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Ep. 3: The Persistent Image
A once successful writer, who now verges on the alcoholic, makes one last attempt to sell his latest work. When this fails, he must decide which is more important, personal integrity or money.
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Ep. 4: I'm Straight with the World
This is the tragic love story of a man and woman who fall in love as youngsters, but each married another.
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Ep. 5: Progress and Minnie Sweeney
A young intern tries to convince his fiance she shouldn't have the responsibility of supporting her divorced sister and the sister's child.
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Ep. 6: The House on Wildwood Lane
No overview for this episode.
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Ep. 7: Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
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Ep. 8: One for the Road
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Ep. 9: An Apple for Miss Myrtle
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Ep. 10: The Man Without a Country
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Ep. 11: Jigsaw
An elderly father is being pressured by his family to sell his orange groves to a real estate developer. He resists but starts to reconsider when he considers that his tomboy grandaughter could use the money to develope her singing career.
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Ep. 12: She's the One with the Funny Face
No overview for this episode.
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Ep. 13: All the Hoffmeyers in the World
During all the years of their married life, Helen has been bullied by her husband Phil--about the neglected house, her ill health and the care of their son. Lately, Phil has been seeing much of Ruth, their next-door-neighbor, whose husband Matt, according to Phil, is ""an unambitious cop."" A terrible accident reveals Phil as he really is.
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Ep. 14: The Aspern Papers
In a Korean battle five Americans become detached from their company. They take over a hut in which they find and capture two North Korean soldiers, and an orphaned youngster. The boy soon becomes their mascot.
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Ep. 15: Roman Fever
A shy school principal and a rising young attorney are both in love with the same woman. A man who looks a great deal like Abraham Lincoln arrives in town as a summer boarder and becomes involved in the situation.
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Ep. 16: Midsummer
No overview for this episode.
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Ep. 17: The Lady Chooses
The daughter and sister of a pretty widown decide to play Cupid. Both want to marry her off to a likely suitor. - Tv Guide
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Ep. 18: The Courtship of Miles Standish
A Polish merchant learns that his teen-age son and daughter have been won over to communism. He laboriously arranges an escape from the country, with his rebellious son virtually his prisoner. Even in Sweden their trouble continues, as the son informs on a priest who has aided their escape. - Tv Guide
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Ep. 19: Dispossessed
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Ep. 20: One for the Road
A beautiful young socialite is found murdered.
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Ep. 21: The Touchstone
A middle-aged bachelor thus far has avoided matrimony. His friends, knowing he is in need of money, arrange a meeting with a prospective bride who might be willing to support a husband.
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Ep. 22: Wuthering Heights
A mother discovers she is falling in love with the man her daughter has married.
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Ep. 23: The Brass Ring
A meek little file clerk turns into a veritable tiger when his boss hires an efficiency expert. His file system has worked for 30 years. and he's not going to change it for an efficiency expert.
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Ep. 24: Jason
A husband has definite ideas about bringing up his children. He feels his way of life on an isolated island is better than letting his offspring be subjected to education and other ""cruelties"" of civilization.
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Ep. 25: Arrowsmith
Three generations come together to celebrate the grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. During the evening the newly wedded granddaughter insists on modeling her grandmother's wedding gown.
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Ep. 26: Passing Strange
A woman art instructor entering her 30s falls in love with a pupil younger than she. Her overbearing brother tries to convince the woman that the artist is only using her to further his career.
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Ep. 27: For These Services
Following the death of her husband, a widow insists on keeping his tailor shop open even though business is falling off. A long-time friend, who has been in love with her for many years, tries to convince the grief-stricken widow she is making a mistake by treating the shop as a shrine to her husband's memory.
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Ep. 28: Cordially - With Bombs
No overview for this episode.
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Ep. 29: The White Oaks
An elderly man of letters supports his orphaned teen-age granddaughter. When he hires a young male secretary, the girl believes she has fallen in love. -Tv Guide
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Ep. 30: O'Toole from Moscow
No overview for this episode.
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Ep. 31: The Milwaukee Rocket
A young couple moves into the ground floor apartment of a mansion owned by an elderly woman. The husband at first resents the fact that the old lady imposes on his wife to do household chores. Then they learn they have been made sole heirs in her will. -Tv Guide
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Ep. 32: This One is Different
A man is determined to prevent his teen-age daughter from leaving home and entering a convent - Tv Guide
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Ep. 33: Sins of the Fathers
This is the well-known story of Biblical times about Ruth, whose devotion to her mother-in-law tkes her into a new land among strangers.
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Ep. 34: See You on Sunday
When a confirmed bachelor who owns a restaurant tries to sell his special recipe for a salad dressing, he gets involved with a beautiful girl FBI agent.
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Ep. 35: Coming of Age
A young English couple decide that they will live with the groom's aged mother after the wedding. When the bride puts up her house for sale, her five brothers and sisters, whom she has not seen for years, descend upon her from all corners of the British Isles to try to prevent the sale.
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Ep. 36: Technique
A governess, in love with the father of her charge, is dismayed when she learns the widower is unaware of her feelings and plans to marry another woman. In her bitter disappointment, the governess turns the young boy against his prospective stepmother in an effort to prevent the marriage from taking place.
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Ep. 37: Gallin: All-American
The idyllic existence of an American college professor, who has moved with his second wife and two children to Mexico, is menaced by the sudden appearance of his first wife, who is determined to win him back.
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Ep. 38: Santa is No Saint
The fifth wealthiest woman in the world hires detectives to trail her fifth husband and ensure his faithfulness. The husband decides to regain his freedom by arranging his own ""death.""-Tv Guide
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Ep. 39: The Unwelcomed
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Ep. 40: The Red Sanders Story
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Ep. 41: Class of '58
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Ep. 42: Horns of the Dilemma
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Ep. 43: Little Girls Grow Up
A young man is trying to keep up pretenses even though the business he inherited from his father is failing. He is furious when a practical joker at the alumni reunion asks him if he needs a job. -NBC
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Ep. 44: The Shot
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Ep. 45: Mr. Krane
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Ep. 46: Yesterday is Gone
A wealthy industrialist offers to revive the dwindling industry in a small town. In his ruthless business dealings he threatens to ruin the town banker. The other prominent citizens are forced to choose between the banker and the industry the town needs so badly.- TV GUIDE
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Ep. 47: Double Door
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Ep. 48: The Happy Rest
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Ep. 49: The Gate
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Ep. 50: One Left Over
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Ep. 51: All the Trees in the Field
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Ep. 52: The Century Plant
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Ep. 53: Friday the 13th
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Ep. 54: The Old Maid
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Ep. 55: Mother Was a Bachelor
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Ep. 56: The Bottom of the River
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Ep. 57: The Carefree Tree
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Ep. 58: Interlude
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Ep. 59: The Big Box
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Ep. 60: Sincerely Yours, Charlie Fisher
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Ep. 61: Doc
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Ep. 62: The Amateur
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Ep. 63: Light and Shadow
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Ep. 64: Romney
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Ep. 65: O Promise Me
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Ep. 66: Hold My Hand and Run
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Ep. 67: Dark Possession
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Ep. 68: The Diamond
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Ep. 69: Susan and God
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Ep. 70: As Young As You Feel
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Ep. 71: The White Knight
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Ep. 72: The Anxious Years
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Ep. 73: The Heart of Mary Lincoln
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Ep. 74: The Middle Son
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Ep. 75: Valentine's Day
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Ep. 76: Summer Cannot Last
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Ep. 77: The Last Battlefield
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Ep. 78: The Catbird Seat
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Ep. 79: Dream House
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Ep. 80: The Runaways
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Ep. 81: The Ledger
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Ep. 82: When the Bough Breaks
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Ep. 83: I Want to March
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Ep. 84: Skylark
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Ep. 85: Tall, Dark Stranger
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Ep. 86: Anything But Love
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Ep. 87: Robin Daw
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Ep. 88: Letter to a Stranger
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Ep. 89: Dinner at Antoine's
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Ep. 90: The Mating of Watkins Tottle
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Ep. 91: Her Son's Wife
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Ep. 92: The Shining Palace
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Ep. 93: The Odd Ones
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Ep. 94: A Cowboy for Chris
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Ep. 95: The Rocking Chair
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Ep. 96: The Big Guy
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Ep. 97: Statute of Limitations
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Ep. 98: The Baron and the Banshees
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Ep. 99: Notebook Warrior
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Ep. 100: Temptation for a King
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Ep. 101: The White Knight
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Ep. 102: The Anxious Years
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Ep. 103: M is for the Many
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Ep. 104: Silent Partner
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Ep. 105: Winter in April
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Ep. 106: Bread Upon the Waters
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Ep. 107: The Giant Killer
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Ep. 108: The Book of Ruth
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Ep. 109: Singer in the Valley
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Ep. 110: The Heart of a Husband
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Ep. 111: From the Desk of Margaret Tydings
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Ep. 112: But You Look Like Sisters
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Ep. 113: The House of Seven Gables
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Ep. 114: Fiddlin' Man
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Ep. 115: The Hollow Woman
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Ep. 116: People in Glass
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Ep. 117: One of the Family
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Ep. 118: Young Hands, Young Feet
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Ep. 119: The Lark Shall Sing
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Ep. 120: In Dread of Winter
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Ep. 121: The Babylonian Heart
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Ep. 122: Ask Me No Questions
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Ep. 123: Whom Death Has Joined Together
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Ep. 124: The Wedding
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Ep. 125: The Reckoning
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Ep. 126: A Woman Named Ruby
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Ep. 127: The Bright Boy
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Ep. 128: The Carefree Tree
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Ep. 129: Graybeards and Witches
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Ep. 130: The Legend of Jenny Lind
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Ep. 131: Daughter of the Seventh Day
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Ep. 132: Night Must Fall
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Ep. 133: The 25th Hour
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Ep. 134: A Man and His Maid
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Ep. 135: Perspective
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Ep. 136: The Catamaran
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Ep. 137: Johnny Came Marching Home
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Ep. 138: A Family Affair
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Ep. 139: Blind Date
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Ep. 140: To Have and to Hold
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Ep. 141: Edwina Black
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Ep. 142: The Spare Room
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Ep. 143: The Bottle Imp
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Ep. 144: Brief Music
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Ep. 145: The Girl from Boro Park
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Ep. 146: To Whom It May Concern
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Ep. 147: Bachelor Buttons
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Ep. 148: The Children of Papa Juan
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Ep. 149: Herself Alone
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Ep. 150: Three for the Money
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Ep. 151: Taxi to the Moon
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Ep. 152: The Goodtime Boys
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Ep. 153: The American
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Ep. 154: Cause for Suspicion
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Ep. 155: Fight the Whole World
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Ep. 156: Autumn Crocus
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Ep. 157: George Has a Birthday
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Ep. 158: The Serpent's Tooth
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Ep. 159: Crime at Blossom's
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Ep. 160: The Luck of Amos Currie
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Ep. 161: Alison's House
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Ep. 162: Safe Place
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Ep. 163: The Guest Cottage
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Ep. 164: Forsaking All Others
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Ep. 165: Love, Honor and O'Day
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Ep. 166: The Damask Cheek
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Ep. 167: Moon Over
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Ep. 168: But Fear Itself
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Ep. 169: The Birthday Present
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Ep. 170: The Ghost of Greenwich Village
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Ep. 171: The Young and the Damned
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Ep. 172: There's Always Juliet
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Ep. 173: Seasoned Timber
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Ep. 174: The Declaration
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Ep. 175: High Places
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Ep. 176: Black Chiffon
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Ep. 177: Class of '58
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Ep. 178: Marriage by the Millions
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Ep. 179: Backfire
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Ep. 180: The Bishop Misbehaves
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Ep. 181: Remittance
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Ep. 182: Beg, Borrow or Steal
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Ep. 183: Summer Pavilion
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Ep. 184: The Feast
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Ep. 185: A Full, Rich Life
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Ep. 186: The Reverberator
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Ep. 187: Woman at the Window
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Ep. 188: Another Sky
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Ep. 189: Letter of Introduction
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Ep. 190: Home at Seven
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Ep. 191: The Cypress Tree
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Ep. 192: Belong to Me
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Ep. 193: Pygmalion Jones
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Ep. 194: Gretel
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Ep. 195: Some Man Will Want You
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Ep. 196: The Fall of the House of Usher
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Ep. 197: Cupid Rode a Horse
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Ep. 198: The Old Payola
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Ep. 199: The Perfect Alibi
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