Omnibus's primary photo
  • Omnibus (1952–1961)
  • TV Series | 55 min | Drama, History, Music
Omnibus (1952–1961)
TV Series | 55 min | Drama, History, Music

Omnibus was a television program that sought to provide the best of what television could provide as the highest common denominator of intellectual curiosity and interest. This level of programing excellence has not been achieved again.
Read more: Plot summary
Seasons
8   |   7   |   6   |   5   |   4   |   3   |   2   |   1  | …   See all
Writers
Aeschylus (trilogy: Oresteia) | James Agee (novel) (screenplay) | Fred Allen (play) | Maxwell Anderson (play) (written by) & 163 more
Casting Director
Production Designer
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Nov 9, 1952

Release date (First episode)
Nov 9, 1952 (United States)

Contacts

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Cast

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50 cast members
Name Episodes Known for
Alistair Cooke
Self - Host / Narrator (segment "Requiem") / Self - commentary Self - Host / Narrator (segment "Requiem") / Self - commentary   See fewer
153
Leonard Bernstein
Self / Self (segment "Beethoven's Fifth Symphony") / Self - Conductor (segment "Messiah") / Self - Conductor (segment "The Art of Conducting") / Self - Conductor (segment) / … See more Self / Self (segment "Beethoven's Fifth Symphony") / Self - Conductor (segment "Messiah") / Self - Conductor (segment "The Art of Conducting") / Self - Conductor (segment) / Self - Conductor and Commentator / Self - Conductor and Commentator (segment "Introduction to Modern Music") / Self - Conductor and Commentator (segment "The Music of Johann Sebastian Bach") / Self - Musician (segment "The Jazz World") / Self - Musician (segment)   See fewer
11
Joseph N. Welch
Self - Narrator / Self - Presenter (segment) / Self - Commentator (segment "The Trial of Lizzie Borden") / Self - Lawyer (segment "Boyhoods - Joseph N. Welch") / Self - Presenter (segment "One Nation") / Self - Presenter (segment "With Liberty and Justice for All") Self - Narrator / Self - Presenter (segment) / Self - Commentator (segment "The Trial of Lizzie Borden") / Self - Lawyer (segment "Boyhoods - Joseph N. Welch") / Self - Presenter (segment "One Nation") / Self - Presenter (segment "With Liberty and Justice for All")   See fewer
8
Helen Hayes
(segment "Drug Store, Sunday Noon") / (segment "Irish Linen") / (segment "The Twelve Pound Look") / Bessie Arlington (segment "A Christmas Tie") / Bessie Arlington (segment "The Christmas Tie") / … See more (segment "Drug Store, Sunday Noon") / (segment "Irish Linen") / (segment "The Twelve Pound Look") / Bessie Arlington (segment "A Christmas Tie") / Bessie Arlington (segment "The Christmas Tie") / Mom (segment "Mom and Leo" / Mrs. Dearth (segment) / Mrs. Howard V. Larue III / Mrs. Kirby (segment "The Happy Journey") / Self - Reader (segment "Mary's Baby") / Self - Storyteller (segment "Mother Goose")   See fewer
8
Martin Gabel
Narrator / Narrator (segment "Lincoln Part I: The End and the Beginning") / Narrator (segment "Lincoln Part III: Growing Up") / Narrator (segment "Lincoln Part IV: New Salem") / Narrator (segment "Lincoln Part V: Ann Rutledge") / … See more Narrator / Narrator (segment "Lincoln Part I: The End and the Beginning") / Narrator (segment "Lincoln Part III: Growing Up") / Narrator (segment "Lincoln Part IV: New Salem") / Narrator (segment "Lincoln Part V: Ann Rutledge") / Narrator (segment "Lincoln, Part II: Early Boyhood") / Narrator (segment "Mr. Lincoln")   See fewer
8
James Daly
(segment "Henry Adams") / (segment "My Heart's in the Highlands") / (segment) / Colonel Billy Mitchell (segment "The Court Martial of Billy Mitchell") / General Robert E. Lee (segment) / … See more (segment "Henry Adams") / (segment "My Heart's in the Highlands") / (segment) / Colonel Billy Mitchell (segment "The Court Martial of Billy Mitchell") / General Robert E. Lee (segment) / Narrator (segment "The Fine Art of Murder") / St. Clare (segment "Uncle Tom's Cabin")   See fewer
7
Burgess Meredith
(segment "The Sea of Winslow Homer") / (segment "The Virtuous Island") / Avon Horsley Jr. (segment "A Christmas Tie") / Everyman (segment "Everyman") / Narrator (segment "Excursion House") / Self - Interviewer (segment "The Sea of Winslow Homer") / (segment "The Virtuous Island") / Avon Horsley Jr. (segment "A Christmas Tie") / Everyman (segment "Everyman") / Narrator (segment "Excursion House") / Self - Interviewer   See fewer
6
Royal Dano
Abraham Lincoln (segment "Lincoln Part I: The End and the Beginning") / Abraham Lincoln (segment "Lincoln Part III: Growing Up") / Abraham Lincoln (segment "Lincoln Part IV: New Salem") / Abraham Lincoln (segment "Lincoln Part V: Ann Rutledge") / Abraham Lincoln (segment "Lincoln, Part II: Early Boyhood") / Abraham Lincoln (segment "Mr. Lincoln") Abraham Lincoln (segment "Lincoln Part I: The End and the Beginning") / Abraham Lincoln (segment "Lincoln Part III: Growing Up") / Abraham Lincoln (segment "Lincoln Part IV: New Salem") / Abraham Lincoln (segment "Lincoln Part V: Ann Rutledge") / Abraham Lincoln (segment "Lincoln, Part II: Early Boyhood") / Abraham Lincoln (segment "Mr. Lincoln")   See fewer
6
Joanne Woodward
Ann Rutledge (segment "Lincoln Part I: The End and the Beginning") / Ann Rutledge (segment "Lincoln Part III: Growing Up") / Ann Rutledge (segment "Lincoln Part IV: New Salem") / Ann Rutledge (segment "Lincoln Part V: Ann Rutledge") / Ann Rutledge (segment "Lincoln, Part II: Early Boyhood") / Ann Rutledge (segment "Mr. Lincoln") Ann Rutledge (segment "Lincoln Part I: The End and the Beginning") / Ann Rutledge (segment "Lincoln Part III: Growing Up") / Ann Rutledge (segment "Lincoln Part IV: New Salem") / Ann Rutledge (segment "Lincoln Part V: Ann Rutledge") / Ann Rutledge (segment "Lincoln, Part II: Early Boyhood") / Ann Rutledge (segment "Mr. Lincoln")   See fewer
6
Crahan Denton
Tom Lincoln (segment "Lincoln Part I: The End and the Beginning") / Tom Lincoln (segment "Lincoln Part III: Growing Up") / Tom Lincoln (segment "Lincoln Part IV: New Salem") / Tom Lincoln (segment "Lincoln Part V: Ann Rutledge") / Tom Lincoln (segment "Lincoln, Part II: Early Boyhood") / Tom Lincoln (segment "Mr. Lincoln") Tom Lincoln (segment "Lincoln Part I: The End and the Beginning") / Tom Lincoln (segment "Lincoln Part III: Growing Up") / Tom Lincoln (segment "Lincoln Part IV: New Salem") / Tom Lincoln (segment "Lincoln Part V: Ann Rutledge") / Tom Lincoln (segment "Lincoln, Part II: Early Boyhood") / Tom Lincoln (segment "Mr. Lincoln")   See fewer
6
Bert Lahr
(segment "Moliere's School for Wives") / Androcles / Arnolphe / Chief Ranger / Mr. Collins / … See more (segment "Moliere's School for Wives") / Androcles / Arnolphe / Chief Ranger / Mr. Collins / Narrator / Painter (segment "Vive!") / Self - Performer (segment "The Big Wheel")   See fewer
6
Jessica Tandy
(segment "Minds over Manners") / (segment "The Better Half") / Blanche Du Bois (segment "Courtship") / Jackie (segment "Glory in the Flower") / Louisa Catherine Johnson (segment "John Quincy Adams") / Self - Reader (segment "Children's Books") (segment "Minds over Manners") / (segment "The Better Half") / Blanche Du Bois (segment "Courtship") / Jackie (segment "Glory in the Flower") / Louisa Catherine Johnson (segment "John Quincy Adams") / Self - Reader (segment "Children's Books")   See fewer
6
Hume Cronyn
(segment "Minds over Manners") / (segment "The Better Half") / Bartender (segment "Glory in the Flower") / Harold Mitchell (segment "Courtship") / John Quincy Adams (segment "John Quincy Adams") / Self - Reader (segment "Children's Books") (segment "Minds over Manners") / (segment "The Better Half") / Bartender (segment "Glory in the Flower") / Harold Mitchell (segment "Courtship") / John Quincy Adams (segment "John Quincy Adams") / Self - Reader (segment "Children's Books")   See fewer
6
Bud Palmer
Commentator (segment "The Fastest Game of All") / Narrator (segment "Almost All about Horses") / Narrator (segment "Skull Session") / Self - Introduction (segment "Gymnastics") / Self - Introduction (segment "Sugar Ray Robinson Visits Stillman's Gym") / Self - Introduction (segment "The Harlem Globetrotters") Commentator (segment "The Fastest Game of All") / Narrator (segment "Almost All about Horses") / Narrator (segment "Skull Session") / Self - Introduction (segment "Gymnastics") / Self - Introduction (segment "Sugar Ray Robinson Visits Stillman's Gym") / Self - Introduction (segment "The Harlem Globetrotters")   See fewer
6
Cyril Ritchard
(segment "The Twelve Pound Look") / (segment "The Virtuous Island") / (segment "Three Sketches") / Don Andres / Sir Joseph Porter (segment) (segment "The Twelve Pound Look") / (segment "The Virtuous Island") / (segment "Three Sketches") / Don Andres / Sir Joseph Porter (segment)   See fewer
5
Martyn Green
(segment "H.M.S. Pinafore") / (segment) / Judge (segment "Trial by Jury") / Ko-Ko (segment "The Mikado") / Lob (segment) (segment "H.M.S. Pinafore") / (segment) / Judge (segment "Trial by Jury") / Ko-Ko (segment "The Mikado") / Lob (segment)   See fewer
5
Harry Townes
(segment "One Nation Indivisible") / Edward Noyes (segment "The Great Forgery") / James Madison (segment "One Nation") / Woodrow Wilson / segment "The Gambler, the Nun and the Radio") (segment "One Nation Indivisible") / Edward Noyes (segment "The Great Forgery") / James Madison (segment "One Nation") / Woodrow Wilson / segment "The Gambler, the Nun and the Radio")   See fewer
5
Bramwell Fletcher
(segment "One Nation") / Coll (segment "The Second Shepherds' Play") / Earl of Kent (segment) / Mr. Coade (segment) (segment "One Nation") / Coll (segment "The Second Shepherds' Play") / Earl of Kent (segment) / Mr. Coade (segment)   See fewer
4
Jonathan Harris
(segment "Let There Be Farce") / (segment "The Trial of Anne Boleyn") / Courcelles / Matey (segment) (segment "Let There Be Farce") / (segment "The Trial of Anne Boleyn") / Courcelles / Matey (segment)   See fewer
4
Agnes de Mille
(segment "Three Maidens and the Devil") / Self (segment "Agnes DeMille's 'Rodeo' ") / Self - Dancer (segment "The Art of Choreography") / Self - Presenter (segment "The Art of Ballet") (segment "Three Maidens and the Devil") / Self (segment "Agnes DeMille's 'Rodeo' ") / Self - Dancer (segment "The Art of Choreography") / Self - Presenter (segment "The Art of Ballet")   See fewer
4
Everett Sloane
(segment "My Heart's in the Highlands") / (segment "The Trial of St. Joan") / (segment) / (segments "Nobody's Fool" and "Village Incident - India") (segment "My Heart's in the Highlands") / (segment "The Trial of St. Joan") / (segment) / (segments "Nobody's Fool" and "Village Incident - India")   See fewer
4
Eliot Noyes
Self (segment "Toys") / Self - Architect (segment "Balance II") / Self - Architect (segment "Balance") / Self - Reporter (segment "Grand Central") Self (segment "Toys") / Self - Architect (segment "Balance II") / Self - Architect (segment "Balance") / Self - Reporter (segment "Grand Central")   See fewer
4
Diana Adams
Mother (segment "The Fall River Legend") / Self / Self - Dancer (segment "The Art of Ballet") / Self - Dancer (segment "The Art of Choreography") Mother (segment "The Fall River Legend") / Self / Self - Dancer (segment "The Art of Ballet") / Self - Dancer (segment "The Art of Choreography")   See fewer
4
Christopher Plummer
(segment "The Trial of Lizzie Borden") / (segment) / Oedipus (segment "Oedipus, the King") / Thomas Mendip (segment "The Trial of Lizzie Borden") / (segment) / Oedipus (segment "Oedipus, the King") / Thomas Mendip   See fewer
4
Peter Ustinov
Dr. Samuel Johnson / (segment) / Marshal Dr. Samuel Johnson / (segment) / Marshal   See fewer
4
Laurel Hurley
La Perichole / Musetta in 'La Boheme' / Self La Perichole / Musetta in 'La Boheme' / Self   See fewer
3
David J. Stewart
(segment "My Heart's in the Highlands") / (segment "With Liberty and Justice for All") / Oswald (segment) (segment "My Heart's in the Highlands") / (segment "With Liberty and Justice for All") / Oswald (segment)   See fewer
3
Chris Gampel
(segment "Uncle Tom's Cabin") / First Servant (segment) (segment "Uncle Tom's Cabin") / First Servant (segment)   See fewer
3
LeRoi Operti
(segment "One Nation Indivisible") / Doctor (segment) / Nestor (segment) (segment "One Nation Indivisible") / Doctor (segment) / Nestor (segment)   See fewer
3
William Saroyan
Narrator (segment "Famous America Boyhoods") / Narrator (segment "The Bad Men") / Self - Narrator Narrator (segment "Famous America Boyhoods") / Narrator (segment "The Bad Men") / Self - Narrator   See fewer
3
Mercer McLeod
(segment "The Royal Game") / Mr. Pickwick (segment "The Trial of Mr. Pickwick") (segment "The Royal Game") / Mr. Pickwick (segment "The Trial of Mr. Pickwick")   See fewer
3
Richard Kiley
(segment "The Trial of Anne Boleyn") / Actor (segment "A Clean, Fresh Breeze") / The Prosecuting Attorney(segment "The Trial of Lizzie Borden") (segment "The Trial of Anne Boleyn") / Actor (segment "A Clean, Fresh Breeze") / The Prosecuting Attorney(segment "The Trial of Lizzie Borden")   See fewer
3
John Kriza
Billy the Kid (segment "Billy the Kid") / Champion Roper (segment "Agnes DeMille's 'Rodeo' ") / Pastor (segment "The Fall River Legend") Billy the Kid (segment "Billy the Kid") / Champion Roper (segment "Agnes DeMille's 'Rodeo' ") / Pastor (segment "The Fall River Legend")   See fewer
3
Jenny Workman
Cowgirl (segment "Agnes DeMille's 'Rodeo' ") / Self - Dancer (segment "The Art of Ballet") / Self - Dancer (segment "The Art of Choreography") Cowgirl (segment "Agnes DeMille's 'Rodeo' ") / Self - Dancer (segment "The Art of Ballet") / Self - Dancer (segment "The Art of Choreography")   See fewer
3
Marian Seldes
(segment "Antigone") / (segment "Lincoln, Part II: Early Boyhood") / (segment "Mr. Lincoln") (segment "Antigone") / (segment "Lincoln, Part II: Early Boyhood") / (segment "Mr. Lincoln")   See fewer
3
Michael Redgrave
(segment "My Brother Henry") / Captain Dimitri Smimov (segment "The Bear") / Charles Marlow (segment) (segment "My Brother Henry") / Captain Dimitri Smimov (segment "The Bear") / Charles Marlow (segment)   See fewer
3
Alexander Scourby
Ben Jonson (segment "The Trial of Ben Jonson") / El Indio (segment "Paso Doble") / Odysseus (segment) Ben Jonson (segment "The Trial of Ben Jonson") / El Indio (segment "Paso Doble") / Odysseus (segment)   See fewer
3
Richard Purdy
(segment "Lincoln Part I: The End and the Beginning") / (segment "Mr. Lincoln") (segment "Lincoln Part I: The End and the Beginning") / (segment "Mr. Lincoln")   See fewer
3
Rex Thompson
Miles (segment "The Turn of the Screw") / Tredree (segment) / Valentin (segment "The Sojourner") Miles (segment "The Turn of the Screw") / Tredree (segment) / Valentin (segment "The Sojourner")   See fewer
3
Brenda Lewis
Musetta (segment) / Rosalinde Eisenstein (segment "Die Fledermaus") / Self (Operatic Examples) Musetta (segment) / Rosalinde Eisenstein (segment "Die Fledermaus") / Self (Operatic Examples)   See fewer
3
Margaret Hamilton
(segment "A Different Drummer") / Aunt Wilma (segment "Figgerin' of Aunt Wilma") / Mrs. Gifford (segment "The Trial of Lizzie Borden") (segment "A Different Drummer") / Aunt Wilma (segment "Figgerin' of Aunt Wilma") / Mrs. Gifford (segment "The Trial of Lizzie Borden")   See fewer
3
Berry Kroeger
(segment "A Lodging for the Night") / (segment "Androcles and the Lion") / Solicitor General (segment "A Lodging for the Night") / (segment "Androcles and the Lion") / Solicitor General   See fewer
3
Carol Goodner
Jocasta (segment "Oedipus, the King") / Mrs. Bradley (segment "The Duchess and the Smugs") / Olivia Talbot (segment "The Nature of the Beast") Jocasta (segment "Oedipus, the King") / Mrs. Bradley (segment "The Duchess and the Smugs") / Olivia Talbot (segment "The Nature of the Beast")   See fewer
3
Neva Patterson
Elizabeth (segment "The Sojourner") / Mrs. Coade (segment) / White Ghost (segment "The Last Night of Don Juan") Elizabeth (segment "The Sojourner") / Mrs. Coade (segment) / White Ghost (segment "The Last Night of Don Juan")   See fewer
3
Sal Mineo
Guard's Brother (segment "Salome") / Paco (segment "The Capital of the World" 2) / Senor Cortez (segment "Famous America Boyhoods") Guard's Brother (segment "Salome") / Paco (segment "The Capital of the World" 2) / Senor Cortez (segment "Famous America Boyhoods")   See fewer
3
Jack Warden
(segment "Lincoln Part IV: New Salem") / (segment "Lincoln Part V: Ann Rutledge") / (segment "Mr. Lincoln") (segment "Lincoln Part IV: New Salem") / (segment "Lincoln Part V: Ann Rutledge") / (segment "Mr. Lincoln")   See fewer
3
Darren McGavin
(segment "Jack Be Normal") / (segment "The Man in the Cool, Cool Moon") / (segment "The Virtuous Island") (segment "Jack Be Normal") / (segment "The Man in the Cool, Cool Moon") / (segment "The Virtuous Island")   See fewer
3
Edward Binns
(segment "Jack Be Normal") / (segment "The Oyster and the Pearl") / Bitter ex-beau (segment "Glory in the Flower") (segment "Jack Be Normal") / (segment "The Oyster and the Pearl") / Bitter ex-beau (segment "Glory in the Flower")   See fewer
3
George Irving
(segment "Sleeping Beauty in the Woods") / (segment "The Mighty Casey") / The Fox (segment "Chicken Little") (segment "Sleeping Beauty in the Woods") / (segment "The Mighty Casey") / The Fox (segment "Chicken Little")   See fewer
3
James Agee
(segment "Lincoln Part IV: New Salem") / (segment "Mr. Lincoln") / Self - Writer (segment "Lincoln-Rutledge Debate") (segment "Lincoln Part IV: New Salem") / (segment "Mr. Lincoln") / Self - Writer (segment "Lincoln-Rutledge Debate")   See fewer
3
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