1959 Primetime Emmy Awards
The 11th Emmy Awards were held at the Moulin Rouge Nightclub in Hollywood , California on May 6, 1959 . The ceremony was moderated by Raymond Burr .
Nominations and winners
Program prices
| category | Award winners | program | Nominations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Drama Series - One Hour Or Longer (Best Drama Series - 60 minutes or longer) | Playhouse 90 , CBS | The United States Steel Hour , CBS | |
| Best Drama Series - Less Than One Hour (Best Drama Series - Under 60 Minutes) | Alcoa Theater , NBC |
Alfred Hitchcock Presents , CBS General Electric Theater , CBS Merciless City , ABC Letter to Loretta , NBC Peter Gunn , NBC |
|
| Best Western Series (Best Western series) | Maverick , ABC |
Have Gun - Will Travel , CBS Smoking Colts , CBS Wagon Train , NBC West of Santa Fe , ABC |
|
| Best Musical Or Variety Series (best musical or entertainment series) | The Dinah Shore Chevy Show , NBC |
The Perry Como Show , NBC The Steve Allen Show , NBC |
|
| Best Panel, Quiz Or Audience Participation Series (best frame rate, quiz or join-in program) | What's My Line? , CBS |
I've Got a Secret , CBS Keep Talking , CBS The Price Is Right , NBC This Is Your Life , NBC You Bet Your Life , NBC |
|
| Best Public Service Program Or Series (Best Educational Program or Series) | Omnibus , NBC |
The 20th Century , CBS Bold Journey , ABC Meet the Press , NBC New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts , CBS Small World , CBS |
|
| Best Comedy Series (Best Comedy Series) | The Jack Benny Program , CBS |
The Bob Cummings Show , NBC The Danny Thomas Show , CBS The Phil Silvers Show , CBS The Red Skelton Show , CBS Dad Is The Best , CBS, NBC |
|
| Best News Reporting Series (Best newscast) | Huntley-Brinkley Report , NBC |
ABC World News , ABC CBS Evening News , CBS |
|
| Best Special News Program (best news special broadcast) | Face Of Red China , CBS |
Chet Huntley Reporting , NBC Election Night Returns , CBS Outlook (Episode: The Story Of Atlas 10B), NBC Projection '59 , NBC Where We Stand II , CBS Years of Crisis (Episode: Calendar Year 1958), CBS |
|
| Most Outstanding Single Program of the Year (Best Single Program of the Year) | An Evening with Fred Astaire , NBC |
Hallmark Hall of Fame (Little Moon Of Alban), NBC Playhouse 90 (Episode 3.18: Child Of Our Time), CBS Playhouse 90 (Episode 3.8: Old Man), CBS |
|
| Best Special Dramatic Program - One Hour Or Longer ( Best Special Dramatic Program - 60 minutes or longer) | Hallmark Hall of Fame (Little Moon Of Alban), NBC |
DuPont Show of the Month (Episode 2.6: Hamlet), CBS DuPont Show of the Month (Episode 1.5: The Bridge Of San Luis Rey), CBS DuPont Show of the Month (Episode 2.4: The Hasty Heart), CBS Hallmark Hall of Fame (Johnny Belinda), NBC |
|
| Best Special Musical or Variety Program - One Hour Or Longer ( Best Special Musical or Entertainment Program - 60 minutes or longer) | An Evening with Fred Astaire , NBC | Art Carney Meets Peter and the Wolf , ABC |
Director awards
| category | Award winners | program | Nominations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Direction Of A Single Dramatic Program - One Hour Or Longer (60 minutes or longer) | George Schaefer | Hallmark Hall of Fame (Little Moon Of Alban), NBC |
John Frankenheimer for Playhouse 90 (Episode 2.39: A Town Has Turned To Dust), CBS George Roy Hill for Playhouse 90 (Episode 3.18: Child Of Our Time), CBS |
| Best Direction of a Single Program Of A Drama Series (Best Director Drama Series) | Jack Smight | Alcoa Theater (episode 2.4: Eddie), NBC |
Herschel Daugherty for General Electric Theater (episode: 7.2: One Is A Wanderer), CBS Blake Edwards for Peter Gunn (episode 1.1: The Kill), NBC Alfred Hitchcock for Alfred Hitchcock Presents (episode 3.28: Lamb To The Slaughter), CBS James Neilson for General Electric Theater (Episode 6.13: Kid At The Stick), CBS |
| Best Direction of a Single Musical or Variety Program (Best Directional Music or Entertainment Program ) | Bud Yorkin | An Evening with Fred Astaire , NBC |
Joseph Cates , Gower Champion for Pontiac Star Parade , NBC Clark Jones for The Perry Como Show , NBC |
| Best Direction of a Single Program Of A Comedy Series (Best Director Comedy Series) | Peter Tewksbury | Father Is The Best (Episode 4.28: A Medal For Margaret), CBS |
Hy Averback for The Real McCoys (Episode: 1.28: Kate's Career), ABC Seymour Berns for The Jack Benny Program , CBS Richard Kinon for Mr. Adams and Eve (Episode 2.36: The Interview), CBS Sheldon Leonard for The Danny Thomas Show ( Episode 5.20: Pardon My Accent), CBS |
| Best Art Direction In A Live Television Program (best artistic direction in a live TV program) | Edward Stephenson | An Evening with Fred Astaire , NBC |
Warren Clymer for Hallmark Hall of Fame (Little Moon Of Alban), NBC Walter Scott Herndon for Playhouse 90 (Episode 3.8: Old Man), CBS Bob Markel for DuPont Show of the Month (Episode 2.6: Hamlet), CBS Jan Scott for Hallmark Hall of Fame (Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates), NBC Robert Wade for DuPont Show of the Month (Episode 2.2: The Count Of Monte Cristo), CBS |
| Best Art Direction In A Television Film ( Best Art Direction In A Television Film) | Claudio Guzmán | Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (Episode 1.1: Song Of Bernadette), CBS |
Ralph Berger , Charles F. Pyke for Der Texaner (Episode 1.15: The Duchess Of Denver), CBS John T. McCormack for Alcoa Theater (Episode 2.11: Corporal Hardy), NBC Albert M. Pyke for The Californians (Episode 1.20: The Man From Paris), NBC Frank Paul Sylos for Letter to Loretta (Episode 6.12: Most Honorable Day), NBC |
Screenplay Awards
| category | Award winners | program | Nominations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Writing of a Single Dramatic Program One Hour or Longer (60 minutes or longer) | James Costigan | Hallmark Hall of Fame (Little Moon Of Alban), NBC |
Horton Foote for Playhouse 90 (Episode 3.8: Old Man), CBS JP Miller for Playhouse 90 (Episode 3.2: Days Of Wine And Roses), CBS Irving G. Neiman for Playhouse 90 (Episode 3.18: Child Of Our Time), CBS Rod Serling for Playhouse 90 (Episode 2.39: A Town Has Turned To Dust), CBS |
| Best Writing of a Single Musical or Variety Program (best screenplay, music or entertainment series) | Herbert Baker , Bud Yorkin | An Evening with Fred Astaire , NBC |
Goodman Ace , Jay Burton , George Foster , Mort Green for The Perry Como Show , NBC Woody Allen , Larry Gelbart for The Sid Caesar Show , NBC A.J. Russell for Art Carney Meets Peter and the Wolf , ABC Stan Burns , Bill Dana , Hal Goodman , Don Hinkley , Larry Klein , Herbert Sargent , Leonard Stern for The Steve Allen Show , NBC |
| Best Writing of a Single Program of a Comedy Series (Best Screenplay Comedy Series) | George Balzer , Hal Goldman , Al Gordon , Sam Perrin , | The Jack Benny Program , CBS |
Billy Friedberg , Coleman Jacoby , Arnie Rosen for The Phil Silvers Show (Episode 4.2: Bilko's Vampire), CBS Paul Henning , Paul Henning for The Bob Cummings Show (Episode: 5.6: Grandpa Clobbers The Air Force), NBC Bill Manhoff for The Real McCoys (Episode 1.23: Once There Was a Traveling Saleswoman), ABC Roswell Rogers for Father Is The Best (Episode 4.28: A Medal For Margaret), CBS |
| Best Writing of a Single Dramatic Program Less Than One Hour (less than 60 minutes) | Alfred Brenner , Ken Hughes | Alcoa Theater (episode 2.4: Eddie), NBC |
Roald Dahl for Alfred Hitchcock Presents (Episode 3.28: Lamb To The Slaughter), CBS Blake Edwards for Peter Gunn (Episode 1.1: The Kill), NBC Christopher Knopf for Alcoa Theater (Episode 1.13: Loudmouth), NBC Samuel A. Taylor for General Electric Theater (Episode 7.2: One Is A Wanderer), CBS |
Technology awards
| category | Award winners | program | Nominations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Cinematography For Television (Best TV camera) | Ellis W. Carter | Bell Telephone Special (The Alphabet Conspiracy), NBC |
Fred Jackman for Alcoa Theater (episode 2.11: Corporal Hardy), NBC William Margulies for Have Gun - Will Travel (episode 1.17: Ella West), CBS Mack Stengler for Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theater (episode 3.12: Day Of Glory), NBC Harold E. Stine for Maverick (Episode 2.10: Shady Deal At Sunny Acres), ABC Ralph Woolsey for Maverick (Episode 1.18: Diamond In The Rough), ABC |
| Best Live Camera Work (Best TV Camera Live) | An Evening with Fred Astaire , NBC |
DuPont Show of the Month (Episode 1.5: The Bridge Of San Luis Rey), CBS Playhouse 90 (Episode 2.39: A Town Has Turned To Dust), CBS Playhouse 90 (Episode 3.18: Child Of Our Time), CBS Playhouse 90 (Episode 3.8: Old Man), CBS |
|
| Best Editing of A Film For Television (Best TV section) | Silvio D'Alisera | Project XX (episode: Meet Mr. Lincoln), NBC |
Robert Crawford for The Bob Cummings Show (episode: 5.6: Grandpa Clobbers The Air Force), NBC Richard Fantl for Alcoa Theater (episode 2.4: Eddie), NBC Danny B. Landres for Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (episode 7.36: Long Distance), CBS Robert Sparr for Maverick (Episode 1.17: Rope Of Cards), ABC Robert Van Enger for Bat Masterson (Episode 1.2: Two Graves For Swan Valley), NBC Robert Watts for Maverick (Episode 2.21: The Saga Of Waco Williams), ABC |
Music awards
| category | Award winners | program | Nominations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Musical Contribution To A Television Program (Best TV Music Post) | David Rose | An Evening with Fred Astaire , NBC |
Frank De Vol for The Lux Show , NBC Bernard Green for Hallmark Hall of Fame (Johnny Belinda), NBC Henry Mancini for Peter Gunn , NBC Eddy Lawrence Manson for DuPont Show of the Month (Episode 2.1: Harvey), CBS Paul Weston for Art Carney Meets Peter and the Wolf , ABC |
| Best Choreography For Television (Best TV choreography) | Hermes Pan | An Evening with Fred Astaire , NBC | Gene Kelly for Omnibus (episode: Dancing: A Man's Game), NBC |
Actor Awards
| category | Award winners | program | Nominations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Single Performance by an Actor (Best individual performance performer) | Fred Astaire | An Evening with Fred Astaire , NBC |
Robert Crawford junior for Playhouse 90 (Episode 3.18: Child Of Our Time), CBS Paul Muni for Playhouse 90 (Episode 2.26: The Last Clear Chance), CBS Christopher Plummer for Hallmark Hall of Fame (Little Moon Of Alban), NBC Mickey Rooney for Alcoa Theater (episode 2.4: Eddie), NBC Rod Steiger for Playhouse 90 (episode 2.39: A Town Has Turned To Dust), CBS |
| Best Single Performance by an Actress (Best Single Performance Actress) | Julie Harris | Hallmark Hall of Fame (Little Moon Of Alban), NBC |
Judith Anderson for DuPont Show of the Month (episode 1.5: The Bridge Of San Luis Rey), CBS Helen Hayes for The United States Steel Hour (episode 6.8: One Red Rose For Christmas), CBS Piper Laurie for Playhouse 90 (episode 3.2: Days Of Wine And Roses), CBS Geraldine Page for Playhouse 90 (Episode 3.8: Old Man), CBS Maureen Stapleton for Kraft Television Theater (All the King's Men), NBC |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role (Continuing Character) in a Drama Series (Best Actor Drama Series) | Raymond Burr | Perry Mason , CBS |
James Arness for Smoking Colts , CBS Richard Boone for Have Gun - Will Travel , CBS James Garner for Maverick , ABC Craig Stevens for Peter Gunn , NBC Efrem Zimbalist Jr. for 77 Sunset Strip , ABC |
| Best Actress in a Leading Role (Continuing Character) in a Drama Series (Best Actress Drama Series) | Loretta Young | Letter To Loretta , NBC |
Phyllis Kirk for The Thin Man , NBC June Lockhart for Lassie , CBS Jane Wyman for Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theater , NBC |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Continuing Character) in a Dramatic Series (Best Supporting Actor Drama Series) | Dennis Weaver | Smoking Colts , CBS |
Herschel Bernardi for Peter Gunn , NBC Johnny Crawford for West of Santa Fe , ABC William Hopper for Perry Mason , CBS |
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Continuing Character) in a Dramatic Series (Best Supporting Actress Drama Series) | Barbara Hale | Perry Mason , CBS |
Lola Albright for Peter Gunn , NBC Amanda Blake for Smoking Colts , CBS Hope Emerson for Peter Gunn , NBC |
| Best Performance By An Actor (Continuing Character) in a Musical Or Variety Series (best leading actor in a musical or entertainment series) | Perry Como | The Perry Como Show , CBS |
Steve Allen for The Steve Allen Show , NBC Jack Couple for Tonight Starring Jack Couple , NBC |
| Best Performance By An Actress (Continuing Character) in a Musical Or Variety Series (best leading actress in a music or entertainment series) | Dinah Shore | The Dinah Shore Chevy Show , NBC | Patti Page for The Patti Page Oldsmobile Show , ABC |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role (Continuing Character) in a Comedy Series (Best Actor Comedy Series) | Jack Benny | The Jack Benny Program , CBS |
Walter Brennan for The Real McCoys , ABC Robert Cummings for The Bob Cummings Show , NBC Phil Silvers for The Phil Silvers Show , CBS Danny Thomas for The Danny Thomas Show , CBS Robert Young for Father Is The Best , CBS, NBC |
| Best Actress in a Leading Role (Continuing Character) in a Comedy Series (Best Actress Comedy Series) | Jane Wyatt | Dad is the best , CBS, NBC |
Gracie Allen for The Burns and Allen Show , CBS Spring Byington for December Bride , CBS Ida Lupino for Mr. Adams & Eve , CBS Donna Reed for The Donna Reed Show , ABC Ann Sothern for The Ann Sothern Show , CBS |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Continuing Character) in a Comedy Series (Best Supporting Actor Comedy Series) | Tom Poston | The Steve Allen Show , NBC |
Richard Crenna for The Real McCoys , ABC Paul Ford for The Phil Silvers Show , CBS Maurice Gosfield for The Phil Silvers Show , CBS Billy Gray for Father Is The Best , CBS, NBC Harry Morgan for December Bride , CBS |
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Continuing Character) in a Comedy Series (Best Supporting Actress Comedy Series) | Ann B. Davis | The Bob Cummings Show , NBC |
Rosemary DeCamp for The Bob Cummings Show , NBC Elinor Donahue for Father Is The Best , CBS, NBC Verna Felton for December Bride , CBS Kathleen Nolan for The Real McCoys , ABC ZaSu Pitts for The Gale Storm Show , CBS |
Moderator prices
| category | Award winners | program | Nominations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best News Commentator Or Analyst (Best Newscaster) | Edward R. Murrow , CBS |
Chet Huntley , NBC John Charles Daly , ABC |