Family Theater Productions
Since 1947, Family Theater Productions has produced more than 600 radio and TV programs featuring hundreds of celebrities, with more than 10,000 broadcasts worldwide.
Our Radio Heritage
It began with one priest and one vision, almost 50 years go. Soon after his ordination in 1941, Father Patrick Peyton, CSC, found that the answer to world peace and to the erosion of the family unit was prayer. After prayer led to surviving a life-threatening illness, Father Patrick Peyton promised to dedicate his entire ministry to the family. His motto, "The family that prays together, stays together™," is a theme that has embodied the spirit of the staff and productions through the illustrious fifty-year history.
In 1945, Father Peyton persuaded Mutual Broadcasting Company in New York to give him free time for a half-hour family-oriented program. Father Peyton was convinced that radio was the way to reach the masses.
Eight days after the Allied Victory in Europe, on Mother's Day 1945, one of the country's biggest stars, Bing Crosby, agreed to star in Father Peyton's program.
Two years later, "Family Theater of the Air" debuted with a drama featuring Loretta Young, Jimmy Stewart and Don Ameche. One of the longest-running dramatic radio programs in history, it aired weekly on Mutual until 1969. More than 400 celebrities were featured, such as Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Rosalind Russell, Gregory Peck, Shirley Temple, Jimmy Durante, Natalie Wood, Gene Kelly and Charlton Heston.
Our Television Heritage
More than 58 films and TV specials have featured Frank Sinatra, Loretta Young, William Shatner, Bob Newhart, Bing Crosby, Raymond Burr, and Helen Hayes. James Dean's first film role, George Lucas' first film credit (assistant cameraman) and Princess Grace's (Kelly) last three films were at Family Theater Productions.
Billboards
"God Makes House Calls," "God Listens," "Don't Give Up, Pray. It Works," "Troubled? Try Prayer!" and "Got Faith?" have appeared on more than 60,000 billboards in 134 cities in 37 states. Outdoor advertising associates estimate these messages have been seen more than 400 million times in the last 20 years.
www.familytheater.org