Robert Montgomery Presents

This episode of Robert Montgomery Presents, entitled HARVEST, aired in the early fifties. Although Dorothy Gish and Ed Begley star as a farming couple, James Dean provides memorable support as the last of three sons, who will soon be leaving the farm as did his older brothers. The family's small wheat crop fails when a hailstorm appears with no warning. Dean as Paul has a crush on a wealthy girl - a summertime romance - and imagines he wants to marry her. His eyes are soon opened when he visits her on her own turf and he joins the Navy. It takes the death of the 99-year-old grandfather to bring all three sons home for Thanksgiving and the middle son's realization that he wants to stay rounds out the happy ending.

This is a warm production for family viewing and is in no way outstanding. Montgomery's "Christian vallues" can be nauseating at times (he was a bigot and a rather nasty man in real life), but the cast performs well. Dean is fine but not outstanding - he shows promise but is given no material to really shine here.

The dress rehearsal kinescope of this b&w production is available on video with one of the sponsor's (Johnson's wax) commercials left in. It's a little fuzzy but the lighting is primarily fine.

Robert Montgomery Presents stands as a landmark in early American television history. As both host and producer, Robert Montgomery brought cinematic elegance and gravitas to the small screen at a time when television was still finding its voice. Each episode offered viewers a new, self-contained story - often adaptations of novels, stage plays, or classic films - performed live, adding a unique intensity to the experience.

What set the series apart was its commitment to high production values and storytelling sophistication. It wasn't afraid to explore serious themes or to take creative risks. The performances were consistently strong, often featuring established Hollywood actors and introducing new talent who would go on to have significant careers.

Though the show may seem dated to modern audiences accustomed to fast-paced storytelling and high-definition visuals, its historical importance and artistic ambition are undeniable. Robert Montgomery Presents helped shape the anthology drama format and raised expectations for what television could achieve.

A must-watch for fans of classic television and those interested in the roots of American drama on the small screen.