The Campbell Playhouse - Definition

The Campbell Playhouse was a sponsored continuation of the Mercury Theater on the Air, a direct result of the instant publicity from the War of the Worlds panic.

The switch occurred on December 9, 1938. In spite of using the same creative staff, the show had a different flavor under sponsorship, partially attributed to a guest star policy in place, which relegated the rest of the Mercury Players to supporting cast for Orson Welles and the Hollywood guest of the week. There was a growing schism between Welles, still reaping the rewards of his Halloween night notoriety, and his collaborator John Houseman, still in the producer's chair but feeling more like an employee than a partner. The writer, as during the unsponsored run, was Howard Koch.

Welles left the series in 1940 to begin his film work, and Houseman stayed as producer for the final season, the focus shifting to more obscure fare, still with Hollywood stars to the fore. The writer for this version was Wyllis Cooper. The series ended on June 13, 1941.