The Death of Manolete (Playhouse 90)

The Death of Manolete was a live television drama broadcast on May 9, 1957, as part of the CBS anthology series Playhouse 90. It told the story of Manuel Laureano Rodríguez Sánchez, better known as Manolete, a famous Spanish bullfighter who died in 1947 after being gored in the leg by a bull named Islero.

The Playhouse 90 adaptation starred Jack Palance as Manolete. The supporting cast included Frank Silvera, Barbara Luna, Robert Middleton, and Nehemiah Persoff. The drama focused on Manolete's final days, his relationships with his manager and lovers, and the cultural significance of bullfighting in Spain. The script was written by Alvin Sapinsley and directed by John Frankenheimer.

The broadcast was notable for its attempts to recreate the atmosphere of a Spanish bullfight within the confines of a live television studio. While reviews were mixed regarding Palance's performance, the program was recognized for its ambitious scope and production values within the context of live television drama of the era. The play presented a tragic, romanticized vision of the bullfighter's life and death.