Obscure Classic TV Shows - Post Your Favorites! (1 Viewer)

[The 1960's]

Your Favorite Story (1953-54)
Stars Adolphe Menjou John Hamilton Dan White

TV comedy anthology series.

S03E02 One Wicked Impulse (1954)
Stars Adolphe Menjou William Hudson Gloria Jean Helen Spring Marshall Thompson Michael Whalen Gayne Whitman​

ZIV Television Programs 1963 reissue print, as United Artists Television merged with ZIV in 1959 (forming ZIV-United Artists), eliminating their name in 1962. Originally syndicated from 1953 through '54 {78 episodes}, Adolphe Menjou was the host for the series- and occasionally appeared in several of the stories.......including this one, "One Wicked Impulse" (1954). The series was also filmed in color, yet mostly distributed in black and white prints during its original run. The show appears to be cut without opening or closing. Transfer by Laser Film Lab. (Barry I. Grauman)

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[The 1960's]

Screen Directors Playhouse
Stars Arthur Q. Bryan Bill Erwin George Sanders
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Presented by Eastman Kodak, this show was a series of original scripts directed by acclaimed directors and featuring well-known performers. The stories ranged from musicals to comedies and dramas.

S01E02 Day is Done (Oct.12.1955)
Stars Rory Calhoun Bobby Driscoll Richard Crane Douglas Dick Michael Emmet Jim Goodwin Robert Arthur Wright King Ron Gans Bill White Jr. Frank Borzage​

During the 1951 rout of the American army in Korea, a battle-hardened sergeant tries to reinvigorate his men with a bugle picked up by the side of the road.

S01E12 The Silent Partner (Dec.21.1955)
Stars Buster Keaton Zasu Pitts Joe E. Brown Evelyn Ankers Jack Kruschen Jack Elam Percy Helton Joe Corey Lyle Latell Charles Horvath George Marshall Steve Carruthers Heinie Conklin Russell Custer Charles Ferguson Rudy Germane Bob Hope Jack Kenny Hank Mann Spec O'Donnell 'Snub' Pollard Jeffrey Sayre Cap Somers​

When a great film director accepts an Academy Award, he reflects on a comedian he worked with in the early film days, owing his success to him, not realizing that man is now destitute, watching the show on TV from a barstool.

S01E15 It's Always Sunday (Jan.11.1956)
Stars Dennis O'Keefe Sheldon Leonard Fay Wray Chick Chandler Grant Withers Eilene Janssen Robert Easton Terry Rangno Diane Jergens Jimmy Hayes Allan Dwan​

A pair of drifters try to hit up a minister as a soft touch for a handout, but they inadvertently end up learning a valuable lesson about trust.

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Screen Directors Playhouse airs periodically on Turner Classic Movies. You can find a colorized playlist of Screen Directors Playhouse episodes on YouTube. The Complete Series is also available on DVD.

 

[The 1960's]

The Mighty Mouse Playhouse (1955-1966)
Stars Carol Lawrence Tom Morrison​

An anthology series featuring animated shorts brings Mighty Mouse, Terrytoons' beloved character, to new heights of popularity through the power of television.

Saturday, April 11, 1964​

Mighty Mouse Playhouse entertained a generation of kids Saturday Mornings from 1955 to 1967. The Terrytoons made for theatrical distribution to an adult audience were reborn on the television screen. Many of the cartoons are not politically correct by today's standards...it was a different time. Mighty Mouse was modestly popular when released in the theaters. Television, however, made Mighty Mouse a cultural icon. The commercials in this show are classic. The Nestle's Quik commercials feature ventriloquist Jimmy Nelson, Farfel the Dog, and Danny O'Day, Beefaroni, Jiffy Pop, Snap, Crackle and Pop for Rice Krispies, Froot Loops, and Kool Aid. All have jingles you will remember. This show has three Mighty Mouse cartoons, and a Gaston Le Crayon cartoon. Airdate: Saturday, April 11, 1964. Transferred from 16mm b-w film. (Moviecraft Inc.)

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[The 1960's]

Global World News
Produced by Roland Reed Productions

To Reach The Dawn (1966)
Whit Bissell Lyle Bettger Olive Sturgess Narrator: Dick Tufeld​

The fascinating story of Richard S. Reynolds, who made aluminum, and the uses of aluminum, a household name. This biographical story follows his life, from his marriage to his beautiful wife, to his innovation using aluminum foil through the ages. From candy wrappers to WW2 containers for munitions, this brilliant entrepreneur even mined and produced aluminum in the United States. Filmed in brilliant Technicolor, this story was produced by Roland Reed Productions, the same company that produced the TV series Waterfront, Rocky Jones Space Ranger, and many other 50's television shows. Impressive productions values, a look at American ingenuity in peacetime and war. A piece of history you won't want to miss. The cast is not listed in the credits. Transferred from 16mm Technicolor film. (Moviecraft Inc.)

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[The 1960's]

Happy New Year 2025!

The Jack Benny Program S04E06 Reminiscing About Last New Year's (Dec.27.1953)
Stars Jack Benny Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson Mel Blanc Benny Rubin Sam Hearn Sandra Gould Tom Duggan Michael Ross Don Wilson Bob Crosby Frank Remley The Sportsmen Quartet Sammy Weiss​

When the show's cast invites Jack to a big New Year's Eve party, he turns them down because he has a date with his new lady friend Gloria. A couple of hours later, however, Jack finds himself at a "party" with his new date--Rochester.

The Jack Benny Program S06E07 New Year's Day Show, 1956 (Jan.01.1956)
Stars Jack Benny Don Wilson Red Sanders Duffy Daugherty The Sportsmen Quartet Lois Corbett Mel Blanc Charles Herbert Gene Twambley Benny Rubin​

Essentially a filmed radio show, a few chairs and a microphone on a stage, Jack and company re-create what was a tradition on his radio show, a skit where "Old Year" packs up and moves out and "New Year" moves in.

The Jack Benny Program S12E11 New Year's Eve (Dec.31.1961)
Stars Jack Benny Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson Charles Bagby Dennis Day Lester Dorr Helen Eby-Rock Jill Jackson Shirley Mitchell Eddie Parks Frank Remley Benny Rubin Jack Shea Wayne Songer Sammy Weiss Don Wilson

Near the end of a New Year's Eve interview with a female reporter, Jack tells her the tale of that same night in 1953, when his plans for the evening did not go as expected. Leaving him with no one to be with at midnight and personal regrets.



New Year's Eve with Guy Lombardo (1957)
Stars Guy Lombardo The Royal Canadians The Three Petticoats Robert Trout​

The annual New Year's Eve celebration live from the Roosevelt Hotel Grill Room and Times Square in New York. Ladies and gentlemen. It doesn’t get much cornier than this! Grab a dry martini and drink every time somebody says Clairol if you want the New Year’s Day hangover without having to work for it!

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[The 1960's]

Telephone Time aka As It Happened (1956-1958)
Stars John Nesbitt Frank Baxter Maurice Marsac Peter Brocco Florenz Ames Norbert Schiller Paul Bryar Gene Roth Hugo Haas Grandon Rhodes Ralph Moody Lowell Gilmore Oliver McGowan ay Montgomery​

Telephone Time depicts true stories of extraordinary people. Anthology series originally featured plays by host, John Nesbitt for season one. Beginning in September 1957, works from other authors were presented as well until series ended in April 1958. Frank Baxter hosted the third and final season. Executive Producer Hal Roach, Jr. / Produced by Jerry Stagg.

S01E02 Man With a Beard (Apr. 15, 1956)
Stars John Nesbitt Walter Coy Madge Meredith William Ching Scott Forbes Morris Ankrum Vivi Janiss Donald MacDonald Fay Roope Florenz Ames Robert Foulk Beverly Washburn Anthony Jochim James Machlin Tyler McVey Helen Spring​

A defiant farmer breaks the law of his New England town and grows a beard. Even after he's put on trial he refuses to shave it off.

S02E09 Rabbi on Wheels (Apr.25.1957)
Stars Hugo Haas Leonid Kinskey Charles Watts Douglass Dumbrille Howard Negley Isabel Randolph Sarah Seegar Jack Mulhall David Morgan​

Bicycle riding Rabbi Henry Cohen pays a daily visit to the jail in Galveston, Texas. There, he hears the plea of Josef Demchuk, who is being held for deportation as an illegal immigrant. Rabbi Cohen has the man released into his custody. The time is 1912. Rabbi Cohen, a new United States citizen, feels he can help. He contacts his US representatives, for after all, they are servants of the people. Follow the extraordinary journey to stop Joseph from being deported, for if he is returned to his country he likely would be killed. Bell Telephone commercials intact. Directed by and stars Hugo Hass. Screenplay by Norman Lessing, who also wrote screenplays for Hawaii Five-O, The Fugitive, Lost in Space, Bonanza, The Nurses, The F.B.I., Baretta, Cannon, Dragnet, Eight is Enough, Shirley Temple's Storybook, The Adventures of Ellery Queen, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Transferred from 16mm b-w film. (Moviecraft Inc.)

S02E20 The Man Who Discovered O. Henry (Feb.03.1957)

Stars Eddie Firestone John Nesbitt Robert Foulk Dave Willock Mimi Doyle James Seay Morris Ankrum Ned Wever Harlan Warde William Challee Nicky Blair Dan Blocker​

The story of William Sydney Porter's incarceration in a federal prison and adoption of the pseudonym, "O. Henry". William Sydney Porter was a man, who under circumstances beyond his control, felt he never would amount to anything. Highly intelligent, falsely accused of embezzling money from a bank, he fled to Central America only to return to the United States when his wife was sick. Arrested, he is sentenced to 5 years in the Penitentiary. How does this man, with no hope, become the famous author, O. Henry? A story of tenacity and courage in the face of hopelessness. Classic television at it's best. Commercials for The Bell Telephone System are quite enjoyable. Your host is John Nesbitt. Transferred from 16mm b-w film. (Moviecraft Inc.)

S02E34 Pit-a-Pit and the Dragon (Jun.18.1957)
Stars John Nesbitt Robert Cabal Lawrence Dobkin Norma Varden Philip Ahn Bob Okazaki Lisa Wong John Wilder David Waldor Bart Braverman George Chang Dick Kay Hong Weaver Levy​

A missionary in 1903 Philippines befriends a young island boy, Pit-a-Pit, teaching him English and the ways of civilization. As he matures, he attends medical school because he wants to become a modern doctor to his superstitious people. He is put to the test by the local leaders who present him with a very ill woman needing prompt surgery; if she dies, they plan to kill him in retribution.

S03E13 Novel Appeal (Dec.03.1957)
Stars Frank Baxter Claudette Colbert John Dierkes John Carradine Paul Langton John Hoyt Dayton Lummis Alan Dexter William Challee Paul Newlan Robert Karnes Molly Roden Molly Roden Gene Roth Gordon Mills Richard Hervey Dean Severence Peter Miller Frank Baxter​

A famous author sets out to prove that a convicted murderer is innocent of his crimes.

S03E16 A Picture of the Magi (Dec.24.1957)
Stars Jan Arran Dehl Berti Walter Coy Lawrence Dobkin Jean Engstrom Azemat Janti Michael Morgan Judy Morris Nestor Paiva Gary Stewart​

The 1957 Christmas Eve episode "A Picture of the Magi" sees the story of a family trying to escape to Austria from communist rule in Hungary. To their aid comes smugglers whom the young daughter believes are the three wise men from the time of the Nativity. In 1956, a Hungarian family whose son is a prominent revolutionary leader must flee their country during their abortive revolt against the Soviet Union before the Russians can capture them and use them as hostages to force the son to surrender. The daughter stumbles across a group of smugglers who she confuses with the Three Magi of the Bible and enlists their help in their race to the Austrian border.

S03E23 Recipe for Success (Feb.11.1958)
Stars Frank Baxter Walter Slezak Sebastian Cabot Theodore Marcuse Alphonse Martell Martha Wentworth Christopher Essay George Milan George Dee Rita Shanker Edith Barrett​

This episode is loosely based on the real-life story of Henri Charpentier. Cast includes Walter Slezak, with Sebastian Cabot in a small role. Renowned chef Henri Charpentier--the man who invented Crepes Suzette--recalls the "good old days" with famed actress Sarah Bernhardt. He recalls for her how he went from being one of the world's most famous--and richest--chefs to his situation now, with his business gone and his once considerable fortune dissipated. Originally aired 11 February 1958 on ABC.

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[The 1960's]

Temptation (1967-1968)
Stars Art James Carl King Shana Forman​

Temptation, an American game show which aired on ABC from December 4, 1967 to March 1, 1968 is presented for your enjoyment. Art James was the host, and Carl King was the announcer. Art James always appeared dressed as a riverboat gambler with tuxedo, ruffled shirt, and cigar. Temptation has three contestants shown three prizes of varying value; each contestant secretly selected a prize. A contestant wins the prize only if neither of his/her opponents pick it.

February 19, 1968​

This episode aired February 19, 1968. All the episodes of Temptation are presumed to be destroyed as per practices at the time. Three ABC episodes are held by the UCLA Film and Television Archive, and one here at Moviecraft Inc. Transferred from 16mm b-w kinescope film. (Moviecraft Inc.)

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[The 1960's]

Hollywood Off Beat aka Steve Randall (1952-1953)
Stars Melvyn Douglas Olive Deering Neil Fitzgerald​

When Melvyn Douglas was having career problems with the blacklist in 1952, he went to New York and shot this t.v. series which ironically takes place in Hollywood. He stars as a lawyer who has been wrongly disbarred and finds work as a private detective in and around the movie business. The show was titled "Hollywood Offbeat" but was then retitled as "Steve Randall." It had also been known in preproduction as "Randall's Briefcase." In one episode, Cara Williams, plays a second-tier star who has had her contract canceled and sets up a plan to steal $50,000 worth of prop jewelry by using her stand-in to create an alibi. When a studio guard is accused of the theft, Randall takes the case and exposes the real culprit. The sets are cheap-looking and the New York production work was heavily inter-cut with stock location shots of Hollywood. Douglas often appears inside his car, augmented by voice-over, driving to and fro, without the help of rear-screen projection. Each show ended with a credit for filming at Parsonnet Studios in New York.

S01E12 Find The Murderer (Sep.04.1952) (see 2.9 & 3.8) WJZ Thur 8pm NYT
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Starring Melvyn Douglas as Steve Randall. Cast: John Moore, Jeanne Sheppard, Michael Lawson, Helen Baron, Maurice Burke, Constance Brigham, and Wilfred Lytell.

In this episode he is hired by a rich man who has an odd request. He wants Steve to find his murderer, AFTER his death. He is sure he will soon die, and his relatives are just itching to get at his fortune.

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[The 1960's]

Red Nightmare (1965) Restored Version​

Red Nightmare is the best-known title of the 1962 Armed Forces Information Film (AFIF) 120, Freedom and You. Made for the Department of Defense, the short film was produced to mold public opinion against communism. The film was later released to American television and as an educational film to American schools under the Red Nightmare title. The film is a Cold War-era drama short subject directed by George Waggner, narrated by Jack Webb and starring Jack Kelly and Jeanne Cooper.

Previously posted here, and now for the first time ever RESTORED by JeffSabu who now calls himself SabuCat on YouTube, which I find quite humorous as I imagine he must be trying to reinvent himself by catering to a younger viewing audience. If you've never experienced his channel, there is no better for classic television.

Stars
Jack Kelly as Jerry Donavan
Jeanne Cooper as Helen Donavan
Peter Brown as Bill Martin
Peter Breck as Russian Officer
Robert Conrad as Pete
William Reynolds as Ralph (Uncredited)
Van Williams as Air Force Sergeant (Uncredited)
Chad Everett as A Customer (Uncredited)
Mike Road as Prosecutor
Jack Webb as Narrator
Pat Woodell as Linda Donavan (as Patricia Woodell)
Fred Aldrich -asJudge (Uncredited)
E.J. André as Malenko (Uncredited)
Philip Carey as Major Barnett (Uncredited)
Ashley Cowan as Counter Ma (Uncredited)
Paul Cristo as Townsman (Uncredited)
Ronnie Dapo as Jimmy Donavan (Uncredited)
Carol Nicholson as Sally Donavan (Uncredited)
Louis Quinn as Machinist (Uncredited)

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[Purple Wig]

Can we expect a rebrand from you as 60scat?

 

[The 1960's]

Orient Express (1952-1954)
Stars Peter Walker Alan Furlan Thomas Gallagher​

Orient Express is a 1953 anthology drama television series filmed in Europe and syndicated in the United States. A story connected to the Orient Express railroad is depicted in each episode.

S01E06 His Boy 1(Dec.21.1953)
Stars Alan Furlan Vittorio Manunta Liana Del Balzo John Appleby Francis Tensi Stella Rho Angelo Vestri Nora Aponte Memmo Carotenuto​

This episode, His Boy, is photographed on location in Rome. A man departs the Orient Express train and finds the grave of a 24 year old woman he had been searching for, who died in 1944, the year of the great bombardment of World War 2. They had a son during the war, and his quest is to find him. The search will bring both heartbreak and joy as he looks among the orphans to find his son. There were 26 half hour episodes of this series produced. Cast includes Alan Furlan, Vittorio Manunta, Liana Del Balzo, John Appleby, Francis Tensi, Stella Vitilleschi, Angelo Vestri, Nora Aponte, and Memmo Carotenuto. Transferred from 16mm b-w film. (Moviecraft Inc.)

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[The 1960's]

Hollywood Off Beat aka Steve Randall (1952-1953)
Stars Melvyn Douglas Olive Deering Neil Fitzgerald​

When Melvyn Douglas was having career problems with the blacklist in 1952, he went to New York and shot this t.v. series which ironically takes place in Hollywood. He stars as a lawyer who has been wrongly disbarred and finds work as a private detective in and around the movie business. The show was titled "Hollywood Offbeat" but was then retitled as "Steve Randall." It had also been known in preproduction as "Randall's Briefcase." In one episode, Cara Williams, plays a second-tier star who has had her contract canceled and sets up a plan to steal $50,000 worth of prop jewelry by using her stand-in to create an alibi. When a studio guard is accused of the theft, Randall takes the case and exposes the real culprit. The sets are cheap-looking and the New York production work was heavily inter-cut with stock location shots of Hollywood. Douglas often appears inside his car, augmented by voice-over, driving to and fro, without the help of rear-screen projection. Each show ended with a credit for filming at Parsonnet Studios in New York. Hollywood Off-beat aired on the Dumont Network for 13 episodes in 1952. The series name was then changed to Steve Randall for the next 13 episodes. The background of the series has Steve Randall as a disbarred attorney who became a private detective in an effort to be reinstated as a lawyer. He handled cases including blackmail and murder before he was reinstated in the series' final episode

S01E12 Find The Murderer (Sep.04.1952) (see 2.9 & 3.8)
WJZ Thur 8pm NYT​

In this episode he is hired by a rich man who has an odd request. He wants Steve to find his murderer, AFTER his death. He is sure he will soon die, and his relatives are just itching to get at his fortune. Starring Melvyn Douglas as Steve Randall. Cast: John Moore, Jeanne Sheppard, Michael Lawson, Helen Baron, Maurice Burke, Constance Brigham, and Wilfred Lytell. (Moviecraft Inc.)

S2E02 The Witness (Nov.14.1952) (See 3.7)
WABD Fri 8pm​

Steve Randall finds the man he is looking for dead, he searches the night club underworld to find the killer. Steve is hired by a sleazy lawyer who needs help buying a nightclub for another nightclub owner. Sort of buying up the competition. The case leads Randal to the nightclub underworld, a pretty witness, and murder. Detective mystery film noir. Starring Melvyn Douglas as Steve Randall. The end credits are missing from this episode. If you know anyone in the cast please post in comments. We will add the cast to the description. Transferred from 16mm b-w film. (Moviecraft Inc.)

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[The 1960's]

What America Thinks (circa 1964) Pilot ​

What American thinks is a proposed TV series hosted by David Wayne circa 1960. An on the Scene actuality report. Questions proposed to Americans 60 years ago. Has anything changed? The series takes you to Houston Texas, Salt Lake City Utah, Sacramento California, St. Louis Missouri, Nashville Tennessee, Indianapolis Indiana, Columbus Ohio, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, and New York City, New York. Spending in the government, teenagers and juvenile delinquency, why go to the moon, and what the difference is between the Democrats and Republicans are discussed. An impressive discussion from Americans all over the United States. 1960's current events. And wow, what intelligent answers! This is a pilot episode. Unfortunately the series was never produced. A real time capsule. Transferred from 16mm b-w film. (Moviecraft Inc.)

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[The 1960's]

Buckskin (1958-1959)
Stars Tom Nolan Sallie Brophy Mike Road​

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Annie O'Connell's boarding house in Buckskin, Montana, in 1880, is the setting for dramas unfolding for travelers and townies alike. Stories are seen through the eyes of 10-year-old Jody.

S01E03 The Outlaw's Boy (July 17.1958)
Stars Tom Nolan Sallie Brophy Michael Lipton Tom Masters Mike Road Cheryl Callaway Flora Drake Morgan Woodward Ivan Bonar David Wayne Deirdre Harrison Kenny Stevens​

A notorious outlaw's son enters the spelling bee at Jody's school. All the other children withdraw from the contest, except Jody.

S01E09 The Gold Watch (Aug.28.1958)
Stars Tom Nolan Sallie Brophy Kathleen Freeman Mike Road Scotty Morrow Ahna Capri Dorothea Lord Don Hix Ferris Taylor Juanita Evers Dennis Moore​

Jody "borrows" a gold watch that had belonged to his father and accidentally breaks it. When his mother discovers it missing, she assumes it was stolen, thinks she knows who did it and accuses them of the "theft".

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S01E13 Tell Me Leonardo (Sep.25.1958)
Stars Tom Nolan Sallie Brophy Mike Road Shirley Knight Kathleen Freeman Chubby Johnson Rickey Kelman Grant Richards

When his good buddy's father is accused of murder Jody seeks help from the town's fortune teller.



S01E20 The Greatest Man in History (Jan.09.1959)
Stars Tom Nolan Sallie Brophy Mike Road Michael Lipton Stephen Chase Amanda Webb Hugh Corcoran Richard Bermudez Don Grady Bob Woodward​

Newspaper editor Ben Newcomb hears a deathbed confession that appears to implicate the mayor in a shooting. Not wanting to make the confession public, Ben goes to the mayor and tries to convince him to clear the air one way or the other.

S01E24 Fry’s Wife (Feb.09.1959)
Stars Tom Nolan Sallie Brophy Mike Road James Johnson Suzanne Lloyd Freeman Lusk Addison Richards​

A young bank robber gets caught on the very night his wife is having their baby. What’s “the law” to do? Unusual for a 1950s TV program; no storks or ‘cabbage patches’ but featuring a birthing mama, mild labor pains, though tastefully presented. Was it TV’s first? Any thoughts?

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[The 1960's]

Alcoa Premiere (1961-1963)
Stars Fred Astaire Keir Dullea Brian Eliot​

Hosted by famous dancer and actor Fred Astaire, this series presented a new drama with each week's episode. Unlike some of the earlier drama series, which tended either toward classics or toward light subject matter, this series often had powerful stories about painful or controversial subjects. Many big names got involved with this series, including actors like Charlton Heston and Lee Marvin, directors like John Ford, and writers like Ray Bradbury.

S02E23 The Best Years (Mar.07.1963)
Stars Fred Astaire Paul Carr Jason Evers Nancy Hadley Burt Brinckerhoff Henry Jones​

Jason Evers is fairly amazing in this show that served as the failed pilot for his college series "Channing", named after the fictional college where his character works as a new instructor. The dramatics hold up quite well. It was broadcast by Alcoa Premiere (and reviewed by various newspapers) with the title "Of This Time, Of This Place" in March 1962, and then reissued on Alcoa reitled as "The Best Years", a year later. For the series, the role of Evers' wife (played by Nancy Hadley (was dropped, whereas she is featured in this pilot version.) The subject matter has to do with mental illness, and I surmise that that very touchy topic may have been too much for a series (especially to be treated in the very first episode launching same), hence the rejection.

The professor and his wife have moved into a rented room (planning to go house-hunting if he's successful first as an instructor at Channing College), and his backstory has him on the rebound after a scandal at his previous Sedgwick College, involving a female student of his who committed suicide, for which he was incorrectly blamed. Burt Brinckerhoff plays as an extremely nerdy, erratic student way too intellectual for his peers. He’s terrific, painting a complex character who is brilliant and also insane, chalked up to a hereditary illness.

The other major subplot has a fine performance as a rotter by Paul Carr, playing literally the Big Man on Campus who needs to take (and pass) Evers' course to graduate on time. The very serious tone to this peek at college life holds up well 60 years later, and Henry Jones is incredibly empathetic as the college dean who introduces the story and in a very odd structural element, introduces snippets of three future stories (flashbacks) at the end of the show, likely unused material or perhaps salvaged for the later "Channing" series. This is an excellent print and a multi-GB file for download. Do not, I repeat, do not waste your time viewing this on your tiny computer screen. Watch it on your large screen monitor. You won’t be sorry!

Channing (1963-1964) was just another superb classic television series which will likely forever remain unseen by the majority. How sad!

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[The 1960's]

Alcoa Premiere (1961-1963)
Stars Fred Astaire Keir Dullea Brian Eliot​

Alcoa Theatre was a half-hour American anthology series telecast on NBC at 9:30 pm on Monday nights from September 30, 1957 to May 23, 1960. For its first four months on the air, the title Turn of Fate was used as an umbrella title for Alcoa Theatre and its alternate-week counterpart, Goodyear Theatre.In 1955, The Alcoa Hour premiered in a one-hour format aired on Sunday nights, but it was reduced to 30 minutes, retitled Alcoa Theatre, and moved to Monday evening in 1957. The show employed an alternating rotating company of actors: David Niven, Robert Ryan, Jane Powell, Jack Lemmon and Charles Boyer during its initial season. They did not return in 1958, "and the program became a true anthology once again"

Hosted by famous dancer and actor Fred Astaire, this series presented a new drama with each week's episode. Unlike some of the earlier drama series, which tended either toward classics or toward light subject matter, this series often had powerful stories about painful or controversial subjects. Many big names got involved with this series, including actors like Charlton Heston and Lee Marvin, directors like John Ford, and writers like Ray Bradbury.

S03E17 333 Montgomery (Jun.13.1960) Unsold Pilot
Director: Paul Wendkos Writer: Gene Roddenberry Producers: Gene Roddenberry Robert Sparks
Stars DeForest Kelley Midge Ware Steve Peck Tom Greenway Richard Shannon Tol Avery Joanne Davis Joanna Barnes Doug DeCosta​

Jake Britin (DeForest Kelley) is a defense attorney who has been asked to defend a man on a murder charge. Jake seems to hate the death penalty and for that reason, it appears he took this case. While the defendant did shoot a man, that's without question, WHY and HOW he shot him is in dispute. The dead man's wife testified that the defendant was chasing her and wouldn't take no for an answer. So, she claimed, he entered her apartment and was harassing her when her husband arrived home. The husband confronted the guy and the defendant shot him. But the defendant says he only did so after firing a warning shot into the floor AND the wife had invited him there! Who is telling the truth and how will Jake determine this?

Though his novel was not acknowledged in the on screen credits, Jacob W. Erhlich's novel "Never Plead Guilty" was the source material for this pilot. The series idea eventually found its way to television as "Sam Benedict," starring Edmond O'Brien.

333 Montgomery (Jun.13.1960) PROMO

The show was based on attorney Jake Ehrlich, who appears in this footage.

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[oldtvshowbuff]

Looks like you confused Alcoa Theater with Alcoa Premiere, which came later, OOPS!

 

[The 1960's]

Fair Exchange (1962-1963)
Stars Eddie Foy Jr. Lynn Loring Victor Maddern
Series Producers:
Desi Arnaz (uncredited) (27 episodes, 1962-1963)
Lucille Ball uncredited) (27 episodes, 1962-1963)​

Former World War II buddies Eddie Walker of New York City and Tommy Finch of London, England decide to swap teenage daughters Patty and Heather for a year. More about Fair Exchange.

S01E13 Honor Thy Foster Father (Dec.14.1962)
Stars Judy Carne Eddie Foy Jr. Lynn Loring Victor Maddern Flip Mark​

How much do the 'exchange girls' miss their fathers?

Unknown, The Playwright ?​

A short-tempered playwright is a guest to each British and American home. How long can the tolerate him? Can he be trusted with the young ladies? We have no information on this episode so comments with more info are welcome!

S02E04 A Woman's Place (Feb.27.1963)
Stars Eddie Foy Jr. Audrey Christie Lynn Loring​

Both ladies upend their home lives when Sybil opens up a secretarial service and Dorothy brings home an unwanted cockatoo.

S02E05 My Fair Scot (Apr.13.1963)
Stars Eddie Foy Jr. Audrey Christie Lynn Loring​

The Finch family pretend to be Scottish in hopes that Patty's boyfriend's father -- a Scotsman to the core -- will allow his son to stay in England. Across the pond, Eddie is ecstatic when he lands a one line part in an off Broadway play.

S02E07 How You Gonna Get 'Em Back from the Farm (Apr.11.1963)
Stars Eddie Foy Jr. Audrey Christie Lynn Loring Flip Mark Victor Maddern Diana Chesney Judy CarneDennis Waterman Maurice Dallimore​

Here's a rare one from the Desilu Studios! Even the premise is unusual. The series centered on two different families. One that lives in New York City, the other in England (each 'family' was actually filmed in their respective nations.) Each family had young daughters that were 'exchanged' and would experience the (comic) lifestyle of their new environment. It was here Desilu introduced to the USA Judy Carne (Laugh-in). The series had 27 total Episodes, the first season (1962) had 15 one-hour episodes. The second season (1963) had 12 half-hour episodes.

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[The 1960's]

I'm The Law (1953)
Stars George Raft J. Anthony Hughes June Vincent​

I'm the Law is the title of a 30-minute syndicated American television police drama series which aired in 1953 starring George Raft as Lt. George Kirby, a New York Police Department detective involved in solving a variety of crimes in New York City. Filming began in March 1952 and the series first aired on February 13, 1953 and ended on July 31, 1953. It was filmed at Hal Roach Studios by a production company owned by Lou Costello. Costello's brother, Pat, was the executive producer. Jean Yarbrough was the director. The series was distributed by MCA-TV. (Wikipedia)

S01E02 The Cowboy And The Blind Man Story (Feb.20.1953)
Stars George Raft Rochelle Hudson Gordon Jones Percy Helton Larry J. Blake James Craven James Seay Jack Ingram Joe Kirk Rex Lease Jack Mulhall​

A friend from the west asks Kirby to investigate a threat to a girl in a nightclub sharpshooting act, which leads to a creepy blind song plugger, blackmail and a few murders.

S01E13 Moon Man (May.08.1953)
Stars George Raft Raymond Hatton Julie Bennett Larry J. Blake Roy Regnier Frank Jenks Jerry Burns​

A beautiful, sultry woman reporter with the Evening Press stops Lt. Kirby and asks for a light. She knows he is investigating the death of a girl, and the reporter is convinced the woman did not commit suicide. The "Moon Man", a colorful elderly man with a telescope offering views of the stars to those passing on the sidewalk, holds the clue that this is not suicide, it is murder. Noir television action, a gritty story of crime in New York City, and the hard-boiled detective played by George Raft. Cast includes Ray Hatton, Julie Bennett, Larry Blake, Roy Regnier, Frank Jenks, and Larry Burnes. Air Date May 8, 1953. Transferred from 16mm b-w film.

S01E14 O Solo Mio (May.15.1953)
Stars George Raft Tim Considine Joseph Sargent Frank Yaconelli Teddy Infuhr Dorothy Kennedy William 'Billy' Benedict Frank Marlowe Russell Custer

When a boy's father is murdered before his eyes in Central Park, Kirby takes a special interest in him. It turns out the victim was an unscrupulous book keeper with clients in an illegal gambling ring.



S01E15 The Trucking Story (May.22.1953)
Stars George Raft Helen Parrish John Doucette John Harmon John Eldredge William Phipps Frank Richards Joan Arnold John Beradino Jack Gordon Brick Sullivan​

Lt. Kirby goes undercover on the waterfront to investigate the death of a dockworker. He discovers that the owner of a trucking company is engaged in some shady business, involving evading customs and shipping illegal cargo to China.

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Series Notes:

1. Lou Costello produced this syndicated series (through his "Cosman Productions" company). 26 episodes were produced. When the IRS came after Lou, he and Raft lost everything. (Barry I. Grauman)

2. Three episodes were strung together and released theatrically as a second feature in the UK in late 1954 under the title "Crime Squad" with a running time of 71 minutes. The film was granted a British Board of Film Censors certificate "A (children admitted if in the company of an adult.)

 

[The 1960's]

The Life of Riley (1953-1958)
Stars William Bendix Marjorie Reynolds Wesley Morgan​

William Bendix stars in the TV series "reboot" of The Life of Riley, which ran for six seasons, from January 2, 1953, to May 23, 1958. Jackie Gleason starred in the first The Life of Riley TV series in 1949- 1950.

S04E32 Waterfront 1(Apr.20.1956)
Stars William Bendix Marjorie Reynolds George O'Hanlon Lugene Sanders Wesley Morgan Florence Sundstrom Henry Kulky Herb Vigran Percy Helton Charlita Sol Gorss Gloria Blondell Tom D'Andrea Gil Perkins​

Riley and Otto are working on a plane at their place of work, Cunningham Aircraft. The wing of the plane is moved on a ship to the waterfront. The story takes a turn when secret plans are found in the wing. Spies and a seductive woman try to steal the plans. Otto has to fight his way out of a waterfront saloon. Lots of action, comedy, and fun in this television episode. Trivia: Otto is played by Henry "Bomber" Kulky, who was actually a professional wrestler. Transferred from 16mm b-w film. (Moviecraft Inc.)

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