Sneak Preview is an American anthology television series that aired on NBC in the summer of 1956. The 30-minute episodes consisted of unsold television pilots.
| Sneak Preview | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Anthology series |
| Presented by | Nelson Case |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 7 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | July 3 – August 14, 1956 |
Background
editBy the mid-1950s, the practice of television executives of ordering dozens of pilots for proposed television series each year – far more than their networks could possibly broadcast as series – had created a sizable body of unsold pilots that had never aired.[1] By 1954, the American television industry had begun to consider the idea of packaging these unsold pilots in anthology series and airing them during the summer, providing television networks with a way of both providing fresh programming during the summer rerun season and recouping at least some of the expense of producing them.[1] NBC was one of the pioneers of the concept, premiering Sneak Preview on the evening of July 3, 1956, at exactly the same time as another anthology series of unsold pilots, G.E. Summer Originals on ABC, thus becoming one of the first two series of unsold pilots to air in the United States.[1] Nelson Case hosted the series.[2]
Broadcast history
editSneak Preview ran for seven episodes over the course of seven weeks in the summer of 1956, airing on NBC from 9:00 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings.[1] It premiered on July 3,[1][2] and its last episode aired on August 14.[1][2]
Episodes
edit| No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Just Plain Folks" | Bob Finkel | Cy Howard | July 3, 1956 | |
|
A satirical comedy about the life of a typical Hollywood married couple. Starring Zsa Zsa Gabor, Cy Howard, Stephen Bekassy, Norma Varden, and George Baxter. | |||||
| 2 | "The Merry-Go-Round" | Ted Post | Mel Dinelli | July 10, 1956 | |
|
A thriller adapted from the story "The Black Ferris" by Ray Bradbury. A magic merry-go-round can make its owner younger or older as it spins backward or forward – and this results in two small boys trying to prevent a robbery. Starring Whit Bissell, Virginia Christine, Leo Gordon, Peter J. Votrian, Gladys Hurlbut, Barry Froner, and Whitey Haupt. | |||||
| 3 | "One Minute from Broadway" | Roy Kellino | Sig Herzig & Frederick Stephani | July 17, 1956 | |
|
A story of romance as a hotel manager tries to help an aspiring actress. Starring Brian Aherne, Claire Carleton, John Carradine, Gloria Talbott, Eddy Waller, Shirley O'Hara, Jimmy Lydon, Frances Brandt, Creighton Hale, and Michael Colgan. | |||||
| 4 | "Real George" | Unknown | Unknown | July 24, 1956 | |
|
A story of a romantic pajama salesman and his nautically minded boss. Starring George O'Hanlon and Ray Collins. | |||||
| 5 | "The Way Back" | Erle C. Kenton | William P. Rousseau & Richard Saunders | July 31, 1956 | |
|
A parole officer interested in helping youngsters works with an ex-convict. Starring Pat O'Brien, Ellen Corby, Douglas Kennedy, Irene Hervey, Darryl Hickman, and Robert Arthur. | |||||
| 6 | "Carolyn" | Unknown | Unknown | August 7, 1956 | |
|
Actress Carolyn Daniels's best friend dies and leaves her as the guardian of three young children. Starring Celeste Holm. | |||||
| 7 | "Calling Terry Conway" | Unknown | Unknown | August 14, 1956 | |
|
Terry Conway, a press agent for a hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, stirs up trouble. Starring Ann Sheridan. | |||||