"Letter to Loretta" (1953)TV series 1953-1961

Directors:

Tay Garnett
John Newland

Writers:

Paul Crabtree (writer)
Hobart Donavan (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Release Date:

20 September 1953 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A drama anthology series hosted by actress Loretta Young. In addition to hosting the seres, she played the lead in various episodes.

Plot Keywords:

Anthology | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Loretta Young

...

Inga Helborg / ... (165 episodes, 1953-1961)

Also Known As:

The Loretta Young Show (USA) (new title)
The Loretta Young Theatre (USA) (rerun title)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

General Service Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Lewislor Productions

Trivia:

The "letter" in the series' title was a letter read on-camera by hostess Young. There would be a question asked, then answered in each week's episode. The letter gimmick was dropped after roughly 13 episodes, and the show's title was changed simply to "The Loretta Young Show." Midway through season 2, the show had a new opening: the hostess would make a dramatic, sweeping spin through a door into a living room wearing the most fabulous designer dresses and gowns of that era. It became the trademark of its star.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Ernie Kovacs: Television's Original Genius (1982) (TV)

great show in reruns

This show has been running in reruns on a Christian station for some years now (since maybe 2004) and it really is a good show. Ms. Young was able to really show the real depth of her talent for possibly the first time, in all kinds of roles, which is what she loved about the series, that she could do all kinds of parts, in the abbreviated 30 minute anthology format. There are a few episodes that are extra special, in which she plays a nun (same character in at least 2 shows) and you can really tell she wanted to pay tribute to them. They are both set in a hospital and really have not dated. In another, she is a lady who befriends a little Oriental boy and thinks he has cheated her; when she discovers he has not she feels awful. It is one of her best acting scenes ever. Also another episode in which she loses her husband in the war, falls in love again, and then the husband comes back. It was set in a beach setting and her performance (with her regular co star, John Newland I think his name is) is a great one. Also a performance from I think the early 60s, she is a teacher in love with her principal, and is accused of an affair. She has a lot of facial props to make her look unattractive and this half hour is probably the best acting she ever did. You really see the depth of her talent in this show and the shows are upbeat, realistic, but make you typically feel better or make you think of their topic. She did a great job, as she was not only the principal actor, she also was the principal director. It really was Loretta Young's show.