The James Mason Show (1953– ) User Reviews

An opportunity to hear good writing well read.

[cheathamg · 9/10 · 28 August 2016]

As I recall this program, it was very simple and straightforward. James Mason, his wife Pamela and Richard Burton were in a library. They moved around between tables piled with books, went to various shelves and pulled books out and generally acted as if they were highly literate individuals enjoying displaying their love of good writing. Once they had selected a book they would read a selection from it and make a few comments. Then, the other two would repeat this process in turn. In this way they would pass an enjoyable half hour sharing the company of friends and allowing the viewers to feel as if they had spent time with their intellectual superiors and had been elevated in the process. This was at a time when people still felt that leisurely, intellectual intercourse was a good, in and of itself. No one was in a hurry to dash off a short, meaningless spurt of characters. One was allowed time to sit and think and take pleasure in the sound of a well turned phase. I'm sure some could level charges of pomposity and elitism, but if they didn't like it, they didn't have to watch it.

The 47 Year Old James Mason

[Single-Black-Male · 31 October 2003]

Mason took a leaf out of Jane Wyman and Bob Hope by hosting his own programme. Most of the major studios were downsizing at the time and shedding long term contracts, which meant that a lot of creative talent went into television. Mason provided a vehicle for them to continue their career on his show.