General Electric Theater

Radio

After an audition show on January 18, 1953, called The Token, with Dana Andrews, the radio series began on July 9, 1953, on CBS. It was a summer show to replace The Bing Crosby Program. Many famous actors visited the show, like Cary Grant, Irene Dunne, and Van Johnson. Jaime del Valle produced and directed the show. Ken Carpenter was the host and announcer. Wilbur Hatch played the music.

Television

The television version of the program aired every Sunday evening at 9:00 pm EST, from February 1 to June 3. Each episode was based on a novel, short story, play, film, or magazine fiction. One special episode, "Music for Christmas," had choral director Fred Waring and his group The Pennsylvanians performing Christmas music.

Ronald Reagan started hosting the show on September 26, 1954. His role as host helped the show become more popular. While hosting, Reagan visited many GE places and spoke to big crowds, which helped him become a better speaker.

Television guest stars

The General Electric Theater had many famous actors as guest stars. Some well-known people who appeared on the show included June Allyson, Joan Blondell, Shirley Booth, Marsha Hunt, Evelyn Keyes, Ezio Pinza, Zasu Pitt, Jean Peters, Victor Mature, Edmund Gwenn, Fay Bainter, Jane Wyatt, Gig Young, Fess Parker, Wendell Corey, Howard Keel, Shirley MacLaine, Debbie Reynolds, Judy Holliday, Natalie Wood, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bing Crosby. These stars made exciting stories for viewers.

Reagan fired by General Electric

Michael Reagan, who was adopted by Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman, thought that Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy asked General Electric to stop The General Electric Theater or to change its host. But the show ended not because it was unpopular, but because of political reasons, according to Michael Reagan.

In 1962, after the show ended, it was replaced by another GE show called GE True, hosted by Jack Webb. Before that, Don Herbert, famous for hosting Watch Mr. Wizard, had been on the show as the “General Electric Progress Reporter,” adding a science focus. The show was made by Revue Studios, which later became part of NBC Universal Television, a company that General Electric helped to own.

Directors

Some episodes of the General Electric Theater were directed by Jacques Tourneur. These episodes include "The Martyr" in 1956, "Into the Night" in 1955, "Aftermath" in 1960, and "Star Witness: The Lili Parrish Story" in 1961. Each episode was 25 minutes long.