Barrymore's films were not particularly successful. He moved into television, guest-starring on shows like "Schlitz Playhouse" and "The 20th Century-Fox Hour ". He did some TV movies, including "The Reluctant Redeemer" (1954) and "The Adventures of Lt. Contee" (1955), and appeared in several episodes of "Matinee Theatre". In 1957 he directed an episode of "Matinee Theatre", "One for All". "Television gives me the chance to do what movies didn't", he said. In 1955, Barrymore was sued by Lanny Budd Productions for not making a series of movies in Europe. Barrymore counter-sued.