DuPont Show of the Month

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DuPont Show of the Month
Title card
GenreAnthology
Directed bySidney Lumet
Ralph Nelson
Alex Segal
Robert Mulligan
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
Production
Running time90 minutes
Production companyTalent Associates
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseSeptember 29, 1957 (1957-09-29) –
March 20, 1961 (1961-03-20)
Crescendo (1957); The premiere episode of DuPont Show of the Month

DuPont Show of the Month is a 90-minute television anthology series that aired monthly on CBS from 1957 to 1961.[1] The DuPont Company also sponsored a weekly half-hour dramatic anthology series hosted by June Allyson, The DuPont Show with June Allyson (1959–61).

During the Golden Age of Television, DuPont Show of the Month was one of numerous anthology series telecast between 1949 and 1962. Superficially, it resembled Playhouse 90 and other anthologies, but DuPont Show of the Month focused less on contemporary dramas and more on adaptations of literary classics, including Oliver Twist, The Prince and the Pauper, Billy Budd, The Prisoner of Zenda, A Tale of Two Cities and The Count of Monte Cristo.

Directors and writers

The directors for the series included Sidney Lumet, Ralph Nelson, Alex Segal and Robert Mulligan.

DuPont Show of the Month was the first anthology series to stage a television dramatization of Thornton Wilder's only novel, The Bridge of San Luis Rey. It also presented original dramas, such as The Lincoln Murder Case. Dale Wasserman wrote for the show, and it was Wasserman's I, Don Quixote on this series (November 9, 1959) that was eventually developed into Man of La Mancha six years later. The plot and much of the dialogue is identical.

Other writers included Sidney Kingsley and Terence Rattigan.

Awards and actors

The show was nominated for a total of 12 Emmy Awards. Julie Andrews,[2] Rex Harrison, Carol Channing,[2] John Gielgud, Gracie Fields, Richard Burton, Lee J. Cobb, Colleen Dewhurst, Eli Wallach, Hurd Hatfield, Judith Anderson, Hume Cronyn, Maureen O'Hara, Michael Rennie, Suzanne Storrs, Farley Granger, Fritz Weaver, and George C. Scott made appearances. Johnny Washbrook of the My Friend Flicka TV series appeared as Tom Canty in The Prince and the Pauper.

With its stage cast, DuPont Show of the Month telecast the 1958 Old Vic production of William Shakespeare's Hamlet immediately following its brief run on Broadway.[3] Sally Benson's Junior Miss, on Broadway from 1941 to 1943 came to television on December 20, 1957, as a production of DuPont Show of the Month. Carol Lynley had the lead role of Judy Graves with Don Ameche and Joan Bennett as her parents and Susanne Sidney as Fuffy Adams. Others in the cast were Diana Lynn, Paul Ford, Jill St. John and David Wayne.

Season 1

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byBased onOriginal release date
11"Crescendo"Bill Colleran[4]Original script by Peter Ustinov and Leslie StevensSeptember 29, 1957 (1957-09-29)[4]
A British man visiting America has been detained by customs. The man doesn't understand America and is taken through a series of musical performances explaining American culture.
22"The Prince And The Pauper"Daniel PetrieThe Prince and the Pauper by Mark TwainOctober 28, 1957 (1957-10-28)[5]
A peasant and a prince who happen to look identical switch places, leading to unforeseen consequences.
33"Beyond This Place[6]"Sidney Lumet[7]Beyond This Place by A. J. CroninNovember 25, 1957 (1957-11-25)[8][9]
A man's father has been convicted of murder, and it’s up to his son to clear his name.
44"The Junior Miss"Ralph Nelson[10]Junior Miss by Sally BensonDecember 20, 1957 (1957-12-20)[10]
A girl named Judy wants to find out about her estranged, alcoholic uncle. Eventually, she starts trying to get him romantically involved with a secretary.
55"The Bridge of San Luis Rey"Robert Mulligan[11]The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton WilderJanuary 21, 1958 (1958-01-21)[11]
A bridge in Peru collapses claiming the lives of multiple victims. A friar is convinced there’s something deeper happening and begins investigating the victims.
66"Aladdin"Raph Nelson[12]AladdinFebruary 21, 1958 (1958-02-21)[12]
A man pretending to be Aladdin’s uncle recruits him to retrieve a magic lamp. After Aladdin uses the lamp to get with the princess, the man tries to get it back from him.
77"A Tale of Two Cities"Robert Mulligan[13]A Tale of Two Cities by Charles DickensMarch 27, 1958 (1958-03-27)[13]
A group of noblemen try to evade government capture during the French Revolution.
88"The Red Mill"Delbert Mann[14]The Red Mill by Victor HerbertApril 19, 1958 (1958-04-19)[14]
Two American boys are broke in the Netherlands, and have to work at an Inn to return to New York. The boys have to help a girl named Gretchen marry a governor.
99"Wuthering Heights"Daniel Petrie[15]Wuthering Heights by Emily BrontëMay 9, 1958 (1958-05-09)[16]
A young servant is mistreated by the family he was raised in until he leaves. When he grows up and becomes wealthy, he returns and terrorizes his old family.
1010"The Member of the Wedding"Robert Mulligan[17]The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullersJune 12, 1958 (1958-06-12)[17]
A 12-year-old girl named Frankie Addams has a brother who’s about to get married. She has dreams of moving with him and his wife to Alaska.

Season 2

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byBased onOriginal release date
111"Harvey"George Schaefer[18]Harvey by Mary ChaseSeptember 22, 1958 (1958-09-22)[18]
Elwood P. Dowd insists he has a 6-foot-tall talking rabbit named Harvey for a friend. When he starts embarrassing his family, they try to have him committed.
122"The Count of Monte Cristo"Sidney Lumet[19]The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre DumasOctober 28, 1958 (1958-10-28)[19]
A man namedEdmond Dantès is arrested for treason and thrown in jail. There, Edmond learns of a treasure. He plots to recover the treasure and take revenge on those who wronged him.
133"The Winslow Boy"Alex Segal[20]The Winslow Boy by Terence RattiganNovember 13, 1958 (1958-11-13)[20]
Ronnie Winslow is expelled from his college after being accused of stealing. The father tries to clear his son and restore honor to the Winslow family name.
144"The Hasty Heart"Tom Donovan[21]The Hasty Heart by John PatrickDecember 18, 1958 (1958-12-18)[21]
A group of soldiers from various ethnic backgrounds are at a military hospital shortly after World War II. A new soldier from Scotland arrives with a terminal illness, and they try to make him at home.
155"What Every Woman Knows"Robert Mulligan[22]What Every Woman Knows by J. M. BarrieJanuary 28, 1959 (1959-01-28)[22]
A family catches a man sneaking into their personal library and agrees to let him use it if he marries their daughter, Maggie. Maggie then works behind the scenes to fulfill her husband's dream of getting into parliament.
166"Hamlet"Ralph Nelson[23]Hamlet by William ShakespeareFebruary 24, 1959 (1959-02-24)[24]
Prince Hamlet’s father dies and his uncle takes the throne and marries his mother. After seeing his fathers ghost, Hamlet suspects his uncle of killing his father for the throne.
177"The Human Comedy"Robert Mulligan[25]The Human Comedy by William SaroyanMarch 28, 1959 (1959-03-28)[25]
During World War II, 14-year-old Homer Macauley is the only man at home while his brother’s at war. He decides to take a job as a telegraph boy.
188"The Browning Version"John Frankenheimer[26]The Browning Version by Terence RattiganApril 23, 1959 (1959-04-23)[27]
Andrew Cocker-Harris is a professor at a school. When he ends his 18 years at the school, no one misses him, causing him to reflect on his time at the school.
199"Billy Budd"Robert Mulligan[28]Billy Budd by Herman MelvilleMay 25, 1959 (1959-05-25)[28]
After being accused of conspiring to cause a mutiny, Billy Budd accidentally strikes the accuser dead. The novella follows the court proceedings after the fact.

Season 3

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byBased onOriginal release date
201"Body and Soul"Daniel Petrie[29]Body and SoulSeptember 28, 1959 (1959-09-28)[30]
Carlo Perez has ambitions to become a boxer and would do anything to win. Carlos ends up getting involved with a corrupt promoter and the mob.
212"The Fallen Idol"Silvio Narizzano[31]The Fallen Idol by Graham GreeneOctober 14, 1959 (1959-10-14)[32]
A boy named Phillipe is watched over by a butler and his wife. When the wife falls off a building and police suspect the butler, Philippe tries to wrap his head around the events.
223"I, Don Quixote"Karl Genus[33]Don Quixote by Miguel de CervantesNovember 9, 1959 (1959-11-09)[33]
A nobleman named Alonso Quijano decides to become a knight to uphold chivalry.
234"Oliver Twist"Daniel Petrie[34]Oliver Twist by Charles DickensDecember 4, 1959 (1959-12-04)[35]
A poor boy named Oliver works at an abusive factory. While trying to escape and find a better life, he gets involved in organized crime.
245"Arrowsmith"Alex Segal[36]Arrowsmith by Harry Sinclair LewisJanuary 17, 1960 (1960-01-17)[36]
A gifted scientist has an ethical dilemma when an outbreak that threatens the world threatens those closest to him.
256"Ethan Frome"Alex Segal[37]Ethan Frome by Edith WhartonFebruary 18, 1960 (1960-02-18)[37][38]
A man is spending his winter in a small town in Massachusetts. During his stay he encounters a man with a limp, the story revolves around the man's backstory.
267"Treasure Island"Daniel Petrie[39]Treasure Island by Robert Louis StevensonMarch 5, 1960 (1960-03-05)[40]
Jim Hawkins and his mother are run out of their Inn by pirates. They discover a map to the long-lost treasure of an old pirate captain. Jim sets off with a crew to find the treasure.
278"Years Ago"Alex Segal[41]Years Ago by Ruth GordonApril 21, 1960 (1960-04-21)[41]
An autobiographical look at the life of silent film actor Ruth Gordon.

Season 4

On August 21st, 1960, it was announced Show of the Month had been renewed for a fourth season.[42] The season was originally meant to start with a show based on the Black Sox Scandal, but due to legal issues it was cancelled.[43][44] A show based on the play Men in White was produced in its place. There was also a show based on Laurel & Hardy in the works, but that too was cancelled.[45] There was no new show in December, a rerun of Harvey was broadcast instead.[42][46] There’s no known episode that aired in October.

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byBased onOriginal release date
281"Men In White"Don RichardsonMen in White by Sidney KingsleySeptember 30, 1960 (1960-09-30)[47]
An up-and-coming surgeon is forced to choose between his career and his girlfriend.
292"Heaven Can Wait"Alex Segal[48]Heaven Can Wait by Harry SegallNovember 15, 1960 (1960-11-15)[49]
A boxer crashes his plane and is brought up to heaven by mistake by an angel. To fix their mistake, they bring him back to Earth in the body of another man.
303"The Prisoner of Zenda"Alex Segal[50]The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony HopeJanuary 18, 1961 (1961-01-18)[51]
When King Rudolf is kidnapped, his servants must keep up public appearances and rescue him.
314"The Lincoln Murder Case"Alex SegalWeb of Conspiracy by Theodore Roscoe[52]February 18, 1961 (1961-02-18)[53]
A pseudo-documentary presenting an alternative explanation that Lincoln’s cabinet orchestrated his murder.
325"The Night of The Storm"Daniel Petrie[54]Original script by Horton Foote[55]March 20, 1961 (1961-03-20)[55]
A family that makes a living off of a boring house is struck hard by economic depression. They move to Houston in hopes of a better life.[56]

References

  1. "The DuPont Show of the Month". Hagley Museum and Library. Wilmington, Delaware. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  2. "Crescendo" - complete premiere episode of series, Sept. 29, 1957 on YouTube
  3. IBDb
  4. "DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH, THE: CRESCENDO {SERIES PREMIERE} (TV)". paleycenter.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2026.
  5. "DuPont Show of the Month". Daytona Beach Morning. October 26, 1957.
  6. "Mystery, Suspense Stories Dominate". The Deseret News. November 25, 1957.
  7. "Television Tonight". Youngstown Vindicator. October 28, 1957.
  8. "TV Previews". The Montreal Gazette. November 25, 1957.
  9. "Television". The Newburgh News. November 25, 1957.
  10. "DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH, THE: JUNIOR MISS (TV)". paleycenter.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2026.
  11. "DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH: THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY (TV)". paleycenter.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2026.
  12. "DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH: ALADDIN (TV)". paleycenter.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2026.
  13. "DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH: A TALE OF TWO CITIES (TV)". paleycenter.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2026.
  14. "DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH: A TALE OF TWO CITIES (TV)". paleycenter.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2026.
  15. "DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH: WUTHERING HEIGHTS (TV)". paleycenter.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2026.
  16. "On Television and Radio". St. Petersburg Independent. May 9, 1958.
  17. "DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH: THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING (TV)". paleycenter.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2026.
  18. "DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH: HARVEY (TV)". paleycenter.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2026.
  19. "'Count of Monte Cristo' Found Resonably Good". The Bulletin. October 29, 1958.
  20. "DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH: THE WINSLOW BOY (TV)". paleycenter.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2026.
  21. "Bel Geddes, Jackie Cooper Join "Hasty Heart" Cast". The Victoria Advocate. December 13, 1958.
  22. "Comedy Of The Sexes To Be 'Show Of The Month' Wednesday". Williamson Daily News. January 24, 1959.
  23. Humphrey, Hal (April 19, 1959). "20 Million Viewers Not A 'Mass'". The Pittsburgh Press.
  24. "New York Doing Its Best To Reclaim TV Industry". The VIctoria Advocate. February 22, 1959.
  25. "DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH: THE HUMAN COMEDY (TV)". paleycenter.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2026.
  26. "MUSEUM OF TELEVISION & RADIO, THE: THE BROWNING VERSION". paleycenter.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2026.
  27. Ewald, William (April 24, 1959). "Gielgud, Leighton Superb For DuPont". Beaver Valley Times.
  28. "DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH: BILLY BUDD (TV)". paleycenter.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2026.
  29. Danzig, Fred (September 29, 1959). "'Body And Soul' shows that boxing still rotten". The Bulletin.
  30. "Bomber on TV 'Show of Month'". The Afro American. September 19, 1957.
  31. Van Horne, Harriet (October 15, 1959). "Video Actors Life Up 'Fallen Idol'". The Pittsburgh Press.
  32. "Jack Hawkins Has Lead In 90-Minute Thriller". The Victoria Advocate. October 14, 1959.
  33. "DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH: I, DON QUIXOTE (TV)". paleycenter.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2026.
  34. King, Paul (December 7, 1959). "The Glass Eye". The Sun.
  35. "Tonight's TV Lineup". The Sun. December 4, 1959.
  36. "DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH: ARROWSMITH (TV)". paleycenter.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2026.
  37. "DUPONT SHOW OF THE MONTH: ETHAN FROME (TV)". paleycenter.org. Archived from the original on October 22, 2026.
  38. Case, Hal (June 18, 1960). "Checking the Channels". Daily Independent Journal. California, San Rafael. p. M 21. Retrieved April 30, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. "'Treasure Island' Will be on CBS-TV Tonight". St. Joseph News-Press. March 5, 1960.
  40. "Signed as Pirate". The News-Dispatch. March 3, 1960.
  41. "Life Of Ruth Gordon Set For 'Show Of The Month'". Williamson Daily News. April 16, 1960.
  42. "DuPont "Show of the Month" Renews on CBS Television Network". Reading Eagle. August 21, 1960.
  43. Lowry, Cynthia (September 8, 1960). "Football Gives Trouble In Scheduling 'Debates'". Ocala Star-Banner.
  44. Humphrey, Hal (August 11, 1960). "'Black Sox' Scandal On TV? Frick Says 'No' To Project". Toledo Blade.
  45. "The Channel Swim". The Bulletin. November 23, 1960.
  46. Lowry, Cynthia (December 13, 1960). "TV Daytime Schedules Work Out In 'Fascinating' Way". Ocala Star-Banner.
  47. "Old-Timer At Twenty-One". Eugene Register-Guard. September 13, 1960.
  48. Danzig, Fred (November 12, 1960). "Some Scenes In 'Heaven Can Wait' Were Heavy, Drawn Out". The Dispatch.
  49. Lowry, Cynthia (November 15, 1960). "Actor Says US is Worse Than a Year Ago". Gettysburg Times.
  50. Danzig, Dan (January 19, 1961). "Prisoner Of Zenda Lacks Usual Appeal, Says Critic". Reading Eagle.
  51. "Coast-to-Coast Digest". The Norwalk Hour. December 17, 1960.
  52. Humphrey, Hal (September 20, 1961). "One Top Writer Loyal To TV". Toledo Blade.
  53. Lowry, Cynthia (February 20, 1961). "'Lincoln Murder Case' Stimulating TV Drama". The Portsmouth Times.
  54. Danig, Fred (March 22, 1961). "Susskind dips toe into pool of original drama". The Bulletin.
  55. Lowry, Cynthia (March 21, 1961). "Final Show". The Nevada Daily Mail.
  56. "Previewers Recommend These Programs Tonight". Meridan Journal. March 21, 1961.