"The O. Henry Playhouse" is a window on the world that once was. O. Henry (William Sydney Porter, 1862-1910) is considered one of America's greatest writers of short stories. His stories are laced with humor and irony and often end with a sly twist ending. His literature is still taught in schools and his short stories are sold and enjoyed around the world.

Veteran character actor Thomas Mitchell stars in each episode as writer O. Henry himself as he relates his stories to his publisher, his barber, a bartender, or the cop on the beat. In some episodes O. Henry meets his characters as he discovers firsthand the story he will later write. This rather unique story telling method is made possible by the fame of the author himself and the audience's desire to learn where each story came from, plus the professionalism of actor Thomas Mitchell who makes it all credible.