Crawford Mystery Theatre
Encyclopedia
Crawford Mystery Theatre (also known as Public Prosecutor
) is an early American television program
broadcast on the now defunct DuMont Television Network
and also seen in first-run syndication. The series ran from 1951
to 1952
.
ed series (although not the first filmed series broadcast), paving the way for later filmed TV series such as I Love Lucy
four years later.
Uniquely, after running in syndication earlier that year as Public Prosecutor, the program aired on the DuMont Network from 6 September 1951 to 27 September 1951. Retitled Crawford Mystery Theatre, after sponsor Crawford Clothes, the series was padded out to thirty minutes with the addition of a panel segment. Before the guilty party was revealed, three studio panelists would attempt to guess his or her identity. This version of the show was hosted by Warren Hull
.
Theater was produced by Jerry Fairbanks Productions
. After the network cancellation, the program continued to air locally on DuMont's New York City station, WABD. The final program aired on February 28, 1952.
in Chicago. Public Prosecutor has over 20 surviving episodes.
Public Prosecutor (TV series)
Public Prosecutor was an American television series produced in 1947–1948, and first shown in 1951.-Broadcast history:Public Prosecutor was the first dramatic series to be shot on film , instead of being performed and broadcast live...
) is an early American television program
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
broadcast on the now defunct DuMont Television Network
DuMont Television Network
The DuMont Television Network, also known as the DuMont Network, DuMont, Du Mont, or Dumont was one of the world's pioneer commercial television networks, rivalling NBC for the distinction of being first overall. It began operation in the United States in 1946. It was owned by DuMont...
and also seen in first-run syndication. The series ran from 1951
1951 in television
The year 1951 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1951.-Events:*March 22 - RCA introduces an eight-pound monochrome television camera with a 53-pound backpack transmitter, both operated by batteries...
to 1952
1952 in television
The year 1952 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1952.-Events:*January 14 – NBC's Today show debuts, with host Dave Garroway, newsreader Jim Fleming and announcer Jack Lescoulie....
.
Broadcast history
Originally named Public Prosecutor, the program starred John Howard, Walter Sande, and Anne Gwynne in a typical murder-mystery setting. The series is most notable for being television's first filmFilm
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
ed series (although not the first filmed series broadcast), paving the way for later filmed TV series such as I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy is an American television sitcom starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley. The black-and-white series originally ran from October 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957, on the Columbia Broadcasting System...
four years later.
Uniquely, after running in syndication earlier that year as Public Prosecutor, the program aired on the DuMont Network from 6 September 1951 to 27 September 1951. Retitled Crawford Mystery Theatre, after sponsor Crawford Clothes, the series was padded out to thirty minutes with the addition of a panel segment. Before the guilty party was revealed, three studio panelists would attempt to guess his or her identity. This version of the show was hosted by Warren Hull
Warren Hull
John Warren Hull was an actor and TV personality, active from the 1930s through the 1960s. He was one of the most popular serial actors in the action-adventure field....
.
Theater was produced by Jerry Fairbanks Productions
Jerry Fairbanks
Gerald Bertram "Jerry" Fairbanks was a producer and director in the Hollywood motion picture and television industry....
. After the network cancellation, the program continued to air locally on DuMont's New York City station, WABD. The final program aired on February 28, 1952.
Episode status
An episode of Crawford Mystery Theatre survives at the Museum of Broadcast CommunicationsMuseum of Broadcast Communications
The Museum of Broadcast Communications is an American museum that currently exists exclusively on the Internet and not in any physical capacity. Its stated mission is "to collect, preserve, and present historic and contemporary radio and television content as well as educate, inform and entertain...
in Chicago. Public Prosecutor has over 20 surviving episodes.