General Electric Theater
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| General Electric Theater | |
|---|---|
| Format | anthology |
| Starring | Ronald Reagan (host) |
| Country of origin | Image:Flag of the United States.svg United States |
| No. of episodes | 200 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | CBS |
| Original run | February 1, 1953 – May 27, 1962 |
General Electric Theater was a half-hour CBS radio and television anthology series. The television program was broadcast every Sunday evening beginning February 1, 1953 and ending May 27, 1962. Each of the 200 television episodes was an adaptation of a short story, novel, play, film, or other work of fiction. The program was sponsored by General Electric's Department of Public Relations Services.
Ronald Reagan became the show's only host on September 26, 1954. GE added a host to provide continuity, which was absent due to its anthology format. After four months, the show reached the Top Ten in the Nielsen Ratings. It also regularly outrated I Love Lucy in the 9-9:30pm time slot.
The show made Reagan wealthy and famous: wealthy, due to his part ownership of the show, and famous, due not only to its ratings, but to his constant touring to promote the show. After eight years as host, Reagan estimated he had visited 135 GE research and manufacturing facilities, and met over a quarter-million people. During that time he would also speak at other forums such as Rotary clubs and Moose lodges, presenting views on economic progress that in form and content were often similar to what he said in introductions, segues and closing comments on the show as a spokesman for GE.
The show was produced by Revue Studios, whose successor-in-interest, NBC Universal Television, is now owned by GE.
Occasionally, episodes from this series are screened at the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention in Aberdeen, Maryland, held annually in September. In 2007, the General Electric Theater broadcast of "I'm a Fool" starring James Dean and Natalie Wood (originally broadcast November 14, 1954) is scheduled.
