The Hostess with the Mostes' (Playhouse 90)

"The Hostess with the Mostes'"
Playhouse 90 episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 25
Directed byPaul Nickell
Written bySpeed Lamkin, Hagar Wilde
Original air dateMarch 21, 1957 (1957-03-21)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
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"The Hostess with the Mostes'" was an American television play broadcast live on March 21, 1957, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It was the 25th episode of the first season. Shirley Booth played the part of socialite Perle Mesta.

Plot

The play tells the story of socialite Perle Mesta, who was known for her lavish social parties. She grew up in Oklahoma, married the president of a steel company, and served as the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg.[1] She was also the inspiration for Irving Berlin's musical, Call Me Madam.[2]

Cast

The cast included performances by:[3]

Perle Mesta hosted and narrated the broadcast.

Production

Martin Manulis was the producer. Paul Nickell directed. The teleplay was written by Speed Lamkin and Hagar Wilde. Albert Heschong was the art director.[3]

Reception

In The New York Times, Jack Gould called it "a bewildering bouillabaisse of cliche and corn" and proclaimed: "Unreservedly, it was the worstes'."[4]

Jack O'Brian of the International News Service called it "a long, friendly, slow, patient explanation of Perle Mesta, virtually a 90-minute commercial setting the record straight through Mrs. Mesta's rose-colored memory."[5]

References

  1. ^ "Hostess With The Mostes". The Orlando Sentinel. March 17, 1957 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Howard Pearson (March 21, 1957). "Shirley Booth As Perle Mesta In Playhouse 90 Tops Viewing". Deseret News and Telegram. p. 10B.
  3. ^ a b Kinescope of "The Hostess with the Mostes'", aired March 21, 1957.
  4. ^ Jack Gould (March 22, 1957). "TV: Cliche and Corn: 'Hostess With the Mostes' Attempts to Dramatize Life of Perle Mesta". The New York Times. p. 47.
  5. ^ Jack O'Brian (March 22, 1957). "Perle Mesta: Mostes' Hostess Friendly...Slow..." The Des Moines Tribune – via Newspapers.com.