Playhouse of Stars (DVD)

Herald Playhouse was a staple of CBS's prime-time schedule in the 1950s. Sponsored by a major brewing company, the long-running anthology series offered tales of both comedy and drama. Each show put the spotlight on a different Hollywood star, who also introduced the program. Lasting an impressive eight seasons, two episodes were popular enough to spin off into their own series, The Restless Gun (1957-1959) and Tales of Wells Fargo (1957-1962). Directed by Roy Kellino, Harold D. Schuster, Gerald Mayer.

THE GENERAL'S BOOTS: After his plane goes down in the Atlantic Ocean, a methodical general is trapped on a life raft with a disgruntled former officer. Starring Basil Rathbone.

LITTLE WAR AT SAN DEDE: As a revolution is about to begin, three Americans try to escape a Third World country. Starring Willard Parker and John Agar.

MIDNIGHT HAUL: An FBI agent goes undercover at a trucking company run by the mob. Starring Kevin McCarthy.

THE BAKER OF BARNBURY: A baker unexpectedly falls in love when he spends Christmas with a lonely widow. Starring Robert Newton and Elsa Lanchester.

• television