Background and early history NBC Saturday Night at the Movies

previously, movies on television low-cost b films or older films major studios or producers no longer found suitable theatrical presentation. in earliest years of television, major studios wouldn t release films television; late 1950s, however, major studios began making movies available new medium, gentleman s agreement between top studios kept movies made after 1948 major studios off of home screen. movie audiences had grown expect films shown in widescreen , in color, older black-and-white academy ratio films had lost of value theatres. late-1950s, exception of of walt disney s films , wizard of oz (1939), these older films had become standard fare independent stations , non-prime time schedules of network affiliates.

up until 1970s, time span between film s theatrical release , appearance on commercial network television longer. whereas today can take brief period 3 years before theatrical film shows on commercial television, between 1954 , 1972 theatrical motion picture (even relatively recent one) had wait many twelve years (as in case of 1959 ben-hur) before turned on home screen.

a short-lived black-and-white abc-tv series entitled famous film festival had premiered in fall of 1955, had shown british films made in 1940s , 1950s. in 1957, abc broadcast hollywood film theater, featured pre-1948 films produced rko radio pictures. rko decided sell of better pre-1948 movies abc while other films syndicated local tv stations. films in both series shown in ninety-minute time slot, meant of films had either severely edited or shown in 2 parts. nbc saturday night @ movies first network movie anthology series run 2 hours (and longer), of films shown in 1 evening, , edited (especially in later years) remove objectionable content.

for 1961 television season, nbc obtained rights broadcast 31 post-1950 movie titles 20th century fox, although 30 telecast season. 1 film, 7 year itch, held off network until start of 1963 season. on september 23, 1961, saturday night @ movies premiered 1953 marilyn monroe - lauren bacall - betty grable film how marry millionaire, presented in living color . of other movies shown day earth stood still (march 3, 1962) , no highway in sky (march 24, 1962). many of these films, having been made in cinemascope, fox specialty 1953 1967, had severely panned-and-scanned fullscreen television viewing (which kind of television aspect ratio in existence then). initial deal fox ended lasting 3 seasons (1961-64) total of around 90 films, including run on monday nights beginning in february 1963. , when studio found greener pastures on @ rival abc, network found releases studios such mgm , paramount eager provide content. because commercial breaks shorter today (running 1 minute maximum of two), films running less 2 hours ended before close of program. remaining time filled theatrical trailers of upcoming films scheduled shown on series in next 2 or 3 weeks. 1968, no longer necessary, films , commercial breaks had become longer.

the 3 major commercial networks did not show worn-out 16 mm prints of films usual practice on local tv stations. films aired on network movie anthology series (as annually-telecast specials such wizard of oz) 35mm prints invariably in excellent condition. advent of cable television, vhs, , dvd, idea of showing films - old ones - in pristine, remastered condition on television has become norm, aside films shown on 3 major networks, not done prior 1980s. until local stations had settle inexpensive 16 mm prints of such relatively recent films heaven knows, mr. allison (1957) or prince valiant (1954), rather theater-quality prints seen on networks. unlike major networks, local stations used 16 mm film chains.

see list of nbc saturday night @ movies titles