Studio City Walk of Fame Highlights: 'The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse'

The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse
Tile #121 on the Studio City Walk of Fame

Revue Productions Television
1953 - 1955 broadcast on the ABC Network

Hosted by:  Arlene Dahl, Anita Colby and Polly Bergen

The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse is a half-hour dramatic series that premiered on ABC on October 2nd in 1953. The anthology series was sponsored by Pepsi-Cola and lasted for 2 seasons with 92 episodes, the last episode aired on July 3rd in 1955. The series was hosted by Arlene Dahl and Anita Colby in the first season and hosted by Polly Bergen in the 2nd season.

Notable guest stars include Claude Akins, Frances Bavier, Charles Bronson, Beverly Garland, Nancy Gates, Frances Gifford, Peter Graves, Carolyn Jones, Brian Keith, Andrea King, Lee Marvin, Vera Miles and Craig Stevens.

Singer/Actress/Author Polly Bergen earned the nickname "The Pepsi-Cola Girl" when she appeared as the host of the series. Lyrics for one of the Pepsi-Cola melodies sang by Miss Bergen: "Pepsi Cola's up-to-date with modern folks who watch their weight. Who made it light, just right for you. Refreshes without filling you. Have a Pepsi. Have a Pepsi Party."

Miss Bergen has a long and varied career in television, film and on stage. She portrayed 'Stella Wingfield' on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and stars in the upcoming feature film STRUCK BY LIGHTNING written by GLEE's Chris Colfer.

A successful recording artist, Miss Bergen has recorded over a dozen albums for Columbia Records. She has authored 3 books "The Polly Bergen Book of Beauty, Fashion and Charm" (1962), "Polly's Principles" (1974), and "I'd Love to, but What'll I Wear?" (1977).

The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse was filmed at Republic Studios now home to CBS Studio Center, 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, CA 91604

About Republic Pictures

Founded in 1935 by Herbert J. Yates, Republic Pictures was an independent film production-distribution corporation with studio facilities. Republic exploded into national prominence with its focus in westerns, movie serials and B-films emphasizing mystery and action, the staples of Saturday afternoon matinees. The studio launched the careers of John Wayne, Gene Autry, Rex Allen, Roy Rogers, and rocketed serials like The Adventures of Captain Marvel and Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe into the public imagination. Notable Republic Pictures include Under Western Stars (1938), Flying Tigers (1942), (1948), Sands of Iwo Jima (1949), (1949), The Quiet Man (1952) and Johnny Guitar (1954).

For more information, please visit the SCIA website Walk of Fame pages.