The Screen Guild Theater

(1939-1952)

Comedy / Drama / Musical Variety

Cast: Nearly every star of the era in Hollywood, including Ethel Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Ingrid Bergman, Humphrey Bogart, Eddie Cantor, Gary Cooper, Bing Crosby, Bette Davis, Jimmy Durante, Nelson Eddy, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Johnny Mercer, Agnes Moorehead, Gregory Peck, Dinah Shore and Frank Sinatra

Known as "the stars' own theater", this long running anthology show was created to generate funds for the Motion Picture Relief Fund.  The stars contributed their fees to the Fund which were used to build and maintain the Motion Picture Country Home for retired actors. The program included variety performances, musical comedies, dramas, and adaptations of current movies.  

Throughout its history it was known by many names as sponsors and formats changed, including:

The Gulf Screen Guild Show (1/8/1939 - 6/4/1939) for 22 30-minute programs

The Gulf Screen Guild Theater (9/24/1939 - 4/19/1942) for 91 30-minute programs

Lady Esther Presents The Screen Guild Players (10/19/1942 - 7/7/1947) for 244 30-minute programs

Camel Cigarettes Screen Guild Players (10/6/1947 - 6/28/1947) for 38 30-minute programs

Camel Cigarettes Screen Guild Players (10/7/1948 - 6/30/1948) for 38 30-minute programs

Camel Cigarettes Screen Guild Theater (10/6/1949 - 6/29/1950) for 39 30-minute programs

ABC Screen Guild Players (9/7/1950 - 5/31/1951) for 39 60-minute programs

Stars In the Air (12/13/1951 - 6/14/1952) for 27 30-minute programs

Hollywood Sound Stage (12/13/1951 to 3/6/1952) for 13 30-minute programs

The Screen Guild Theater (3/13/1952 - 6/29/1952) for 17 30-minute programs