The Hostess with the Mostes' (Playhouse 90)
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.
| "The Hostess with the Mostes'" | |
|---|---|
| Playhouse 90 episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 25 |
| Directed by | Paul Nickell |
| Written by | Speed Lamkin, Hagar Wilde |
| Original air date | March 21, 1957 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
| |
Plot
The play tells the story of socialite Perle Mesta, who was known for her lavish society 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]
- Shirley Booth as Perle Mesta
- Hedda Hopper as Maizie Weldon
- Perle Mesta as Herself
- Shepperd Strudwick as Charley Potter
- Robert Lowery as George Mesta
- Frank Milan as Philip Caldwell
- Joan Wetmore as Emily Caldwell
- Louise Beavers as Mattie Mae
- Peter Votrian as Mac
- Evelyn Rudie as Young Perle
- Fred Essler as Professor Froelich
- Emily Lawrence as Reverend Mother
- Caren Lenay as Countess Bellefonte
- Carol Veazie as Mrs. Kreeger
- Howard Wendell as Senator Kreeger
- Edgar Barrier as Count Bellefonte
- Lewis Martin as Mr. MacBride
- Peter Brocco as French Chef
- Paul Millard as Mr. Forbes
- James Gavin as Mr. Skirvin
- Werner Klemperer as Mr. Kolosoff
- Helen Hatch as Sister Euprasia
- Mavis Neal as Nurse
- Tony Romano as The Guitarist
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
- "Hostess With The Mostes". The Orlando Sentinel. March 17, 1957 – via Newspapers.com.
- Howard Pearson (March 21, 1957). "Shirley Booth As Perle Mesta In Playhouse 90 Tops Viewing". Deseret News and Telegram. p. 10B.
- Kinescope of "The Hostess with the Mostes'", aired March 21, 1957.
- 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.
- Jack O'Brian (March 22, 1957). "Perle Mesta: Mostes' Hostess Friendly...Slow..." The Des Moines Tribune – via Newspapers.com.