Producer Fred Coe's golden-age series was originally called Goodyear TV Playhouse, but shortened its title in 1955. Produced live in New York until 1957, it was also trimmed from one hour to 30 minutes, renamed Goodyear Theater, and switched to filmed performances. Through it all, the productions were often lauded, and included two classic works by Paddy Chayefsky: Marty (1953), starring Rod Steiger and Nancy Marchand, and The Catered Affair (1955), with Thelma Ritter.