Was old, low-budget TV science fiction the road to stardom?

Question

"Tales of Tomorrow" in the '50s featured not only Paul Newman, but also Rod Steiger and James Dean, before any of them became stars.

Answer 1

Well, I'll never forget William Shatner's pre-Star Trek performance on The Twilight Zone. 

Comments

I don't think the troll ever became a star, though.

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No, he could never compete with the Tribbles. 

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Oh I remember THAT one... "The Trouble With Tribbles."

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The troll couldn't reproduce as fast as tribbles.

Answer 2

Yes I would say you are probably spot-on there, Tink. Many future famous names did superb work in those programs. 

However, those old SF's also supported many fine character actors who never really made it to the big time, too. One that comes to mind is Phyllis Thaxter (1919-2012), I always liked her especially. This photo is from 1955.

Learning a bit more about her because of your question, I discovered she had polio in 1952. Also, her close relationship with Montgomery Clift in the early 1940s ... that they "seemed so close that a great many people assumed they would eventually marry".

Nice question, I enjoyed it!

Comments

She looks very familiar... I must have seen her in old movies. I'll look her up.

I'm glad you liked the question.

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Yes! I imagine you will recognize her if you look closely enough...she played in the Alfred Hitchcock Hour, was a regular in those old half-hour B&W science fiction (and other) dramas.

Answer 3

I love those old films! TCM usually has a whole day of them. I can think of many names.

Patricia Neal, Kevin McCarthy, Forrest Tucker, Peter Graves, Hugh Marlowe, John Agar, Russel Johnson and many more! I watched all those old movies and loved them.

Comments

Science fiction from my childhood

Answer 4

Science fiction from my childhood