Frankie Grandetta
Acting
Known For
Four Star Playhouse is an American television anthology series that ran from 1952 to 1956, sponsored in its first bi-weekly season by The Singer Company; Bristol-Myers became an alternate sponsor when it became a weekly series in the fall of 1953. The original premise was that Charles Boyer, Ida Lupino, David Niven, and Dick Powell would take turns starring in episodes. However, several other performers took the lead from time to time, including Ronald Colman and Joan Fontaine. Blake Edwards was among the writers and directors who contributed to the series. Edwards created the recurring character of illegal gambling house operator Willie Dante for Dick Powell to play on this series. The character was later revamped and spun off in his own series starring Howard Duff, then-husband of Lupino. The pilot for Meet McGraw, starring Frank Lovejoy, aired here, as did another episode in which Lovejoy recreated his role of Chicago newspaper reporter Randy Stone, from the radio drama Nightbeat.
Four Star Playhouse

Petty con artists Slicker Smith and Herbie Brown mistakenly join the Army evading the cops. The cop chasing them winds up as their drill instructor. A rich young man and his former working class chauffeur are not only in the same unit, they're vying for a pretty girl who seems attracted to both.
Buck Privates

A young man finds himself attracted to a cold and unfeeling waitress who may ultimately destroy them both.
Of Human Bondage

Spoiled rich boy Johnny Bromley, goaded by the sneering laughter of the cheap Dot and by his father's open contempt, retires to a prizefighters' training camp for rehabilitation. There he meets Jenny Killian, daughter of the camp owner whose encouragement and love help him overcome the unpleasant memories of Dot's accusations of cowardice. When at last he is a success, he wins the hand of Jenny in marriage and his parent's forgiveness; upon meeting his former rival (The Broker) with Dot, he surprises him with a swift punch in the jaw.