Your Jeweler's Showcase is an American television anthology drama series. At least 21 episodes aired on CBS from November 11, 1952, to August 30, 1953. From January 6, 1953, to May 26, 1953, it alternated weekly with Demi-Tasse Tales.

Among its guest stars were Barbara Bates,[1] Bruce Bennett,[2] Julie Bennett,[1] Carl Betz,[3] Mari Blanchard,[4] Fortunio Bonanova,[5] Steve Brodie,[6] Claire Carleton,[1] Marian Carr,[7] Jan Clayton,[8] Phyllis Coates,[9] Whitfield Connor,[10] Chuck Connors,[11] Tim Considine,[12] Lloyd Corrigan,[13] Marcel Dalio,[14] Jim Davis,[12] Ted De Corsia,[4] Thomas Duggan,[14] Richard Erdman,[15] Marilyn Erskine,[13] Edith Evans,[16] Elisabeth Fraser,[17] Richard Gaines,[13] Gladys George,[5][1] Wilton Graff,[1] Paul Harvey,[13] Myron Healey,[7] Celeste Holm,[18] Lisa Howard,[19] John Hudson,[1] Robert Hutton,[9] Martha Hyer,[6] Barry Kelley,[20] DeForest Kelley,[a] Walter Kingsford,[21] Joi Lansing,[13] Sheldon Leonard,[22] Jimmy Lydon,[17] Sean McClory,[23] Una Merkel,[21] George Nader,[18] Gerry Pattison[13] Frances Rafferty,[24] Robert Shayne,[13] Arthur Shields,[23] Robert Sweeney,[25] Ray Teal,[5] June Vincent,[26] Ruth Warrick,[25] Ben Welden,[20] Barbara Whiting,[25] Rhys Williams,[21] and Dave Willock.[27]

Hamilton Watch and International Silver sponsored the series.[28]

Critical response

A review of the premiere episode in the trade publication Variety said that the format had "broad audience appeal", especially to women who would be likely to buy the sponsors' watches and silverware.[29] It said that production was "above par, although somewhat uneven".[29] Reviewing the show's second season opener, "Starbound," a backstage saga penned by Don Mankiewicz, a distinct drop in quality was noted by The Hollywood Reporter, albeit primarily regarding choice of material.

Viewers may like it, feeling they are getting a glimpse behind the scenes. Anyone really behind the scenes will wish they had it so good. [...] Reginald LeBorg directed the sticky story for Sovereign Productions, latter unit being really at fault for choosing the feeble story by Don Mankiewicz as an opener for what last year was a prestige production.[1]

Notes

  1. ^ Although IMDb is the only source directly linking DeForest Kelley to Jeweler's Showcase (specifically, the episode "The Hand of St. Pierre", which aired 10/27/53, starring Bruce Bennett), when this episode was rebroadcast later that decade on two different anthology series (Edward Arnold's Star Showcase and Don Ameche's Play of the Week), the Atlanta native's presence in the cast was duly noted by two local papers.[30][31]

References

  1. ^ J.P. (November 15, 1953). "TV Film Reviews". The Hollywood Reporter. p. 9. Barbara Bates and John Hudson play 'young love' admirably, and Gladys George turns in a crack performance as the older actress. Claire Carlton, Toni Carroll, Barbara Morrison, Julie Bennett and Janet Stewart are all good. But it is Wilton Graff, as the dramatic professor and father of Miss Bates, who takes the telepic away from the rest of the cast. His rendering of Shakespeare, never easy, was fine. Reginald LeBorg directed the sticky story for Sovereign Productions, latter unit being really at fault for choosing the feeble story by Don Mankiewicz as an opener for what last year was a prestige production.
  2. ^ "Today on TV: High Spots". The Boston Globe. October 27, 1953. p. 43. "YOUR JEWELER'S SHOWCASE: Sacred stained glass window plays amazing part romance of American G.L and beautiful French girl in 'Hand of St. Pierre,' with Bruce Bennett, Jacqueline Duval: 6:30 (7)."
  3. ^ "Today's Television Program". Newsday. October 13, 1953. p. 46. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  4. ^ "Television Notes; Tonight on Television: WBEN-TV, Channel 4". The Buffalo News. November 4, 1952. p. 22. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  5. ^ "TV – Looking Ahead: Bing Due on TV?; It's Uncle Miltie". The Minneapolis Star. February 17, 1953. p. 35. Retrieved October 10, 2025. "JEWELER'S SHOWCASE. 'Roman Interlude.' Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your hand caught in a vase so expensive you didn't dare break it? This universal problem is frivolously explored by Gladys George, Fortunio Bonanova and Ray Teal in this slight but enjoyable comedy.--10 p.m. Ch. 4."
  6. ^ "Radio and Television: TV Program Notes". New York Herald Tribune. December 2, 1952. p. 35. Showcase: 'Teacher of the Year' with Steve Brodie, Martha Hyer (2), 10:30
  7. ^ "Pick of the Programs: Television". Bergen Evening Record. February 10, 1953. p. 31. 10:30-(2)—Your Showcase: 'Bridal Suite'. Myron Healey, Marian Carr.
  8. ^ "TWO COMEDIES ON VIDEO THEATERS". The Atlanta Constitution. January 25, 1953. p. 8D. Jan Clayton is the starry-eyed young girl and Dave Willock (right) is her mild-mannered, timid young dentist fiance in the hilarious farce, 'Three and One-Half Musketeers,' on WSB-TV's Showcase, Tuesday.
  9. ^ "Pick of the Programs: The Bean Farm'.". Bergen Evening Record. February 24, 1953. p. 33. 10:30-(2)—Your Showcase: 'The Bean Farm'. Robert Hutton, Phyllis Coates.
  10. ^ "TV-RADIO DIAL: Romantic Comedy Tops TV Viewing". The Atlanta Constitution. December 30, 1952. p. 11. Beautiful Elizabeth Fraser shares starring honors with Whitfield Connor in 'Something for Ginger,' the gripping story of an unscrupulous woman, on Your Jeweler's Showcase at 10:30 p. m. on WSB-TV.
  11. ^ Park, Charlie (January 26, 1953). "Out of the Park: Ultimatum Issued Connors by L.A.". Los Angeles Mirror. p. 46. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  12. ^ "Television and Radio". New York Herald Tribune. September 29, 1953. p. 33. Your Showcase: Tim Considine and Jim Davis in 'The Lone Rider of Brooklyn,' story of a youngster who wins a cow pony in Brooklyn; problems he has (5), 10:30.
  13. ^ "Tuesday, December 22 (Cont'd)". The Ross Reports on Television. December 21–27, 1953. p. 8. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  14. ^ "Tele-Views". The Capital Journal. January 15, 1955. p. 11.
  15. ^ Ames, Walter (October 9, 1952). "Eisenhower's Talk on KTLA; Stevenson's on KTTV Tonight; Radio and TV Tidbits". The Los Angeles Times. p. 28. Retrieved August 18, 2023. "Sheldon Leonard, Lisa Howard, Richard Erdman, David Wolfe, Jim Dodds and Ford Rainey are featured on the new Jeweler's Showcase program at 8:30, KNBH (4). The first program was very good."
  16. ^ "Pick of the Programs: The Bean Farm'.". Bergen Evening Record. April 21, 1953. p. 31. 10:30-(2)—Your Showcase: 'A Very Old Murder'. Edith Evans.
  17. ^ "Skelton Victim Of Panhandler". The Atlanta Constitution. January 13, 1953. p. 11. The story of an embittered young man and a childhood toy that restores his happiness is the theme of 'Rocking Horse' which spotlights Jimmy Lydon and Gladys George on Your Jeweler's Showcase at 10:30 p. m. on WSB-TV.
  18. ^ "Television: Television Highlights". The Daily Home News. May 19, 1953. p. 9. 10:30-11—Your Showcase. 'Heart's Desire,' with Celeste Hom, George Nader—(2).
  19. ^ "Pick of the Programs: Television". Bergen Evening Record. December 23, 1952. p. 25. 10:30-(2)—Your Showcase: 'Tiger Bait'. Sheldon Leonard, Lisa Howard and Others.
  20. ^ "Television Highlights". The Atlanta Constitution. December 16, 1952. p. 35. Ben Welden and Barry Kelley share acting honors in a powerful underworld melodrama, 'Marked X' with smashing action centered around a gambler who informs on a crime syndicate on Your Jeweler's Showcase at 10:30 p.m. on WSB-TV. By turning state's evidence, the gambler becomes a marked man, marked for destruction by ruthless racket chiefs.
  21. ^ Pitts, Michael R. (3 April 2015). RKO Radio Pictures Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Films, 1929-1956. McFarland. pp. 200–201. ISBN 978-0-7864-6047-2. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  22. ^ "Television Highlights". The Daily Home News. December 9, 1952. p. 35. 10:30-11:00—Your Showcase 'Tenampa,' With Sheldon Leonard, others—(2).
  23. ^ "Television Programs for Current Week: Tuesday, February 24". The Philadelphia Inquirer. February 22, 1953. p. 20 SO. SHOWCASE. 'The Woman of Bally Bunion,' with Arthur Shields and Sean McClory.
  24. ^ "Television Programs". Bergen Evening Record. December 8, 1953. p. 32. (5) Showcase, drama, Frances Rafferty, 'Christmas Is Magic'
  25. ^ "Television Highlights". The Daily Home News. November 11, 1952. p. 35. 10:30-11:00—Your Showcase 'Like the Rich People,' Ruth Warrick, Barbara Whiting, Robert Sweeney—(2).
  26. ^ "Pick of the Programs: Television". Bergen Evening Record. June 9, 1953. p. 31. 10:30-(2)—Your Showcase: 'Never Trust a Lady'. June Vinson.
  27. ^ "KRPC-TV: Dave Willock: Timid to Terrible". The Houston Post. January 26, 1953. Sec. II, p. 5.
  28. ^ "Screen Tele Widens Pic Production". Billboard. November 8, 1952. p. 10. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  29. ^ "Your Jeweler's Showcase". Variety. November 19, 1952. p. 22. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  30. ^ "Television and Radio Highlights". The Atlanta Constitution. August 25, 1955. p. 26.
  31. ^ "WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2: 9:30 A.M.". The Macon News Television Magazine. March 29, 1958. p. 3. "Ch. 2: Don Ameche's Play of the Week: 'The Hand of St. Pierre': Bruce Bennett and DeForest Kelly."