The ABC Movie of the Week

Big Movies for the Small Screen

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Performing Arts, Television, History & Criticism, Film
Cover of the book The ABC Movie of the Week by Michael McKenna, Scarecrow Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Michael McKenna ISBN: 9780810891579
Publisher: Scarecrow Press Publication: August 22, 2013
Imprint: Scarecrow Press Language: English
Author: Michael McKenna
ISBN: 9780810891579
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
Publication: August 22, 2013
Imprint: Scarecrow Press
Language: English

On September 23, 1969, five years after the first made-for-television movie premiered, the ABC network broadcast Seven in Darkness. This was the first television film for an anthology show called the Tuesday Night Movie of the Week. Dedicating ninety minutes of weekly airtime to a still-emerging genre was a financial risk for the third-place network—a risk that paid off. The films were so successful that in 1972 the network debuted The Wednesday Movie of the Week. Although most of the movies are no longer remembered, a handful are still fondly recalled by viewers today, including Duel, Brian’s Song, and The Night Stalker. The series also showcased pilot films for many eventual series, such as Alias Smith and Jones, The Six Million Dollar Man, and Starsky and Hutch. By the end of both shows’ regular runs in the spring of 1975, the network had broadcast more than 200 made-for-television films.

In The ABC Movie of the Week: Big Movies for the Small Screen, Michael McKenna examines this programming experiment that transformed the television landscape and became a staple of broadcast programming for several years. The author looks at how the revolving films showcased the right mixture of romantic comedy, action, horror, and social relevance to keep viewers interested week after week. McKenna also chronicles how the ratings success led to imitations from the other networks, resulting in a saturation of television movies.

As a cultural touchstone for millions who experienced the first run and syndicated versions of these films, The ABC Movie of the Week is a worthy subject ofstudy. Featuring a complete filmography of all 240 movies with credit information and plot summaries, a chronology, and a list of pilots—both failed and successful—this volume will be valuable to television historians and scholars, as well as to anyone interested in one of the great triumphs of network programming.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

On September 23, 1969, five years after the first made-for-television movie premiered, the ABC network broadcast Seven in Darkness. This was the first television film for an anthology show called the Tuesday Night Movie of the Week. Dedicating ninety minutes of weekly airtime to a still-emerging genre was a financial risk for the third-place network—a risk that paid off. The films were so successful that in 1972 the network debuted The Wednesday Movie of the Week. Although most of the movies are no longer remembered, a handful are still fondly recalled by viewers today, including Duel, Brian’s Song, and The Night Stalker. The series also showcased pilot films for many eventual series, such as Alias Smith and Jones, The Six Million Dollar Man, and Starsky and Hutch. By the end of both shows’ regular runs in the spring of 1975, the network had broadcast more than 200 made-for-television films.

In The ABC Movie of the Week: Big Movies for the Small Screen, Michael McKenna examines this programming experiment that transformed the television landscape and became a staple of broadcast programming for several years. The author looks at how the revolving films showcased the right mixture of romantic comedy, action, horror, and social relevance to keep viewers interested week after week. McKenna also chronicles how the ratings success led to imitations from the other networks, resulting in a saturation of television movies.

As a cultural touchstone for millions who experienced the first run and syndicated versions of these films, The ABC Movie of the Week is a worthy subject ofstudy. Featuring a complete filmography of all 240 movies with credit information and plot summaries, a chronology, and a list of pilots—both failed and successful—this volume will be valuable to television historians and scholars, as well as to anyone interested in one of the great triumphs of network programming.

More books from Scarecrow Press

Cover of the book Historical Dictionary of Bertrand Russell's Philosophy by Michael McKenna
Cover of the book Historical Dictionary of International Intelligence by Michael McKenna
Cover of the book The Editing of American Literature, 1890-1930 by Michael McKenna
Cover of the book The Geography of South America by Michael McKenna
Cover of the book Historical Dictionary of African American Cinema by Michael McKenna
Cover of the book Manuel de Falla by Michael McKenna
Cover of the book Historical Dictionary of Eritrea by Michael McKenna
Cover of the book Masters of the French Art Song by Michael McKenna
Cover of the book Ennio Morricone's The Good, the Bad and the Ugly by Michael McKenna
Cover of the book European Volleyball Championship Results by Michael McKenna
Cover of the book James M. Cain by Michael McKenna
Cover of the book Musical Landscapes in Color by Michael McKenna
Cover of the book Historical Dictionary of the Cooperative Movement by Michael McKenna
Cover of the book The A to Z of the Lesbian Liberation Movement by Michael McKenna
Cover of the book Rudolf Laban by Michael McKenna
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy