"The Hostess with the Mostes" is an American television play broadcast live on March 21, 1957, as part of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90. It is the twenty-fifth episode of the first season. Shirley Booth played the part of socialite Perle Mesta.
Plot The play tells the story of socialite Perle Mesta, who was known for her lavish social parties. She grew up in Oklahoma, married the president of a steel company, and served as the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg. She was also the inspiration for Irving Berlin's musical, Call Me Madam.
Cast Perle Mesta hosted and narrated the broadcast, which included performances by the following cast.Kinescope of "The Hostess with the Mostes'", aired March 21, 1957.
Production Martin Manulis was the producer. Paul Nickell directed. The teleplay was written by Speed Lamkin and Hagar Wilde. Albert Heschong was the art director.
Reception In The New York Times, Jack Gould called it "a bewildering bouillabaisse of cliche and corn" and proclaimed: "Unreservedly, it was the worstes'."
Jack O'Brian of the International News Service called it "a long, friendly, slow, patient explanation of Perle Mesta, virtually a 90-minute commercial setting the record straight through Mrs. Mesta's rose-colored memory."
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