This program presents a look at American humor, from slapstick to satire, from Ben Franklin to Jack Benny and what makes people laugh. It features scenes from movie comedies and television programs, performances by famous comedians, and sketches with George Burns. Shown are: Phil Silvers, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, Eddie Cantor, Burns and Allen, Ben Turpin, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Keystone Kops, Rudy Vallee, Jack Benny, Fred Allen, Laurel and Hardy, W.C. Fields, Marx Brothers, Jack Paar.
In this tribute to Harold Arlen, singers perform many of his popular tunes. Arlen appears in a brief introductory segment. In the second half of the show, Bing Crosby recounts highlights of Arlen's career. At the end, Arlen plays and sings some of his music. Highlights: ""Any Place I Hang My Hat"" ........ Arlen, Strauss ""Get Happy"" ...................... Chorus ""Come Rain or Come Shine"" ........ Lee ""Paper Moon"" ..................... Sommers ""Got the World on a String"" ...... Lee ""Black Magic"" .................... Damone ""Got A Right to Sing the Blues ... Baker ""Two Ladies"" ..................... Lee ""House of Flowers"", ""Jamaica"" .... Dancers ""One For My Baby"" ................ Damone ""Down With Love"" ................. Sommers ""Ill Wind"", ""Stormy Weather"" ..... Baker ""Man That Got Away"" .............. Lee ""Blues in the Night"" ............. Dancers, Chorus ""Happy With The Blues"", ""Happiness is Just a Thing Called Joe"", ""Accentuate the Positive"", ""Over the Rain
This episode presents an exploration of the life of Ernest Hemingway from his boyhood, through his years as a journalist and novelist, until his death. Major literary and artistic personalities of the 20th century are seen. Footage documents the turbulent times in which he lived and took active part including World Wars I and II and the Spanish Civil War.
This episode presents a tribute to the USO on its 20th anniversary and to those of the entertainment world who have given their time and performed for the American armed forces at bases at home and abroad, in peace and war. In 1942 the late Al Jolson led the first USO unit overseas to entertain the troops. Films of that trip and many others that followed are highlights of this hour-long tribute and a number of USO headliners are on hand to talk about their experiences. Dick Powell comments on films taken aboard the carrier Intrepid, where the audience is listening to a crooner named Dick Powell. Marily Monroe narrates clips of her tour of Korea, Jack Benny remarks on his rendition of ""Love in Bloom"", Merle Oberon, Debbie Reynolds, Danny Thomas, Joe E. Brown and Danny Kaye talk about trips during World War II and the Korean War. Frances Langford recalls her stint with the Bob Hope troupe, Bob himself is on hand to view himself in such activities as a duet with Bing Crosby of ""Mairzy Doa
This episode presents an historically authentic drama of secret intelligence in Nazi Germany during World War II. The story is about a Nazi plot to win the war by flooding the free world with counterfeit English and American money. Major Ludwig Gesner conceives the idea and gains the approval of Hitler and Himmler. He selects seven prisoners of war to carry out his plan. They are promised their freedom once they have finished, but they think they will be killed so they delay the project as long as they can. By the time they have finally prepared the counterfeit money, the Americans have liberated their camp.
This episode presents a documentary combining sociology with humor, telling the story and history of the automobile. The program depicts America's love affair with the car. It traces the development of the automobile from its pioneer days through the era of the ""tin Lizzie"" to 1961's traffic and shows how the car has affected the social life, customs, entertainment, and daily labors of the country. Archival footage is included.
This episode is a musical variety show telling the story of Florenz Ziegfeld and his Ziegfeld Follies and includes portrayals of some of the famous stars of that show, such as Anna Held, Mademoiselle Dazie and her Salome Dancers, Nora Bayes, and the Dolly Sisters. Joan Crawford hosts the show and the performers recreate scenes and numbers from the Ziegfeld Follies. **There are film clips of Follies performers, such as Dolores, Paulette Goddard, Justine Johnson, Marion Davies, and Billie Dove.
This episode presents a documentary exploring the golden age of popular music. The program recreates some of the hit musical numbers of the the thirties and includes original recordings and archival footage. The program explores Broadway musicals, the growth of the radio audience, the advent of the film musical, the jukebox craze, and the coming of swing and the big bands and includes the songs of Gershwin, Berlin, Kern, Porter, Arlen, Ellington, Schwartz, Rodgers, and others. Performers: Count Basie, John Bubbles, Blossom Dearie, Bill Hayes, Dorothy Loudon.
In this episode, Harpo Marx acts as silent guide and Carol Burnett acts as narrator through toyland. There are also performances by Edie Adams, Milton Berle, Merv Griffin, Eva Gabor, Elsa Maxwell, Audrey Meadows, as well as the Paterson, New Jersey East Side High School Band. Rube Goldberg interviews several children about scientific toys.
This episode presents a special Christmas program of all-time favorites from the repertoire of Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. In Christmas settings, Waring and his 53-member glee club, orchestra, choir, vocal groups, and soloists perform unforgettable songs, including America the beautiful, Stars and stripes forever and Heritage and concluding with 'Twas the night before Christmas, Silent night and Battle hymn.
The show consists of several segments that feature several artists such as Eddie Condon, Bud Freeman, Pee Wee Russell and Jimmy McPartland who were from Chicago and/or contributed to the Chicago style of jazz. Bill Challis acted as consultant and wrote several of the orchestral arrangements. There are two magnificent tributes, one to Bix and one to Louis Armstrong. The Bix tribute has two parts. In one, the soundtrack plays Frankie Trumbauer's seminal 1927 recording of Singin' the Blues while silent footage of Bix and several of Jean Goldkette's sideman is seen on video. The second part has Johny Guarneri playing In a Mist. The Louis tribute also consists of two parts. In the first, we hear Louis' 1927 landmark recording of West End Blues while still photographs and film footage are displayed on the screen. The second consists of a film of Louis Armstrong and his orchestra playing Dippermouth Blues. The people responsible for making the choices of what to include in the show were quit
This episode presents a drama of espionage during World War II. To catch a Dutch spy and mislead the Nazis, an operation for an invasion through Holland is fed to the Germans to throw them off from the actual invasion on the Normandy coast. DiLuca, an American OSS captain, falls in love with Krys, the Dutch spy. Her perfidy almost costs him his life when he learns she is a spy and tries to stop her from revealing what he thinks is true information to the Nazis. He does not succeed and the erroneous invasion plans confuse and divert the Nazis.
This episode consists of the home movies taken by Ken Murray, entertainer and amateur cameraman, of Hollywood celebrities from 1927 to the present. Approximately 75 of Hollywood's top stars are seen. The show is divided loosely into five parts: Hollywwod in the 20's; Hollywood revisited; Playtime in Hollywood; Hollywood goes to war; and Hollywood today. Footage of Tom Mix, Will Rogers, John Barrymore, Jean Harlow, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford.
This episode explores the appeal of the circus and traces its history from the Roman Circus Maximus through P.T. Barnum to today. There is archival footage of famous circus performers, such as Bird Millman and Alfredo Codona, and circus parades.Circus acts are seen performing. Setting and taking down the circus tents are shown as well as the Clyde Beatty-Cole Brothers Circus and the Florida State University training center. Performers appearing are The Great Wallendas, La Norma.
This episode presents a dramatization of the trial of the Dutch painter and forger Hans Van Moegeren, who confessed to forging a dozen paintings of Jan Vermeer, one of which he sold to Field Marshall Hermann Goering. After the war, he confessed to the forgeries to establish his innocence of collaboration charges. Convicted in 1947, he died in jail but he delighted the Dutch by fooling the art experts.
This episode presents a documentary that follows two emergency patrol car officers, Walter Chadwick and Eugene Corcoran, from the 14th Precinct in New York City as they answer calls throughout lower Manhattan. Incidents that occur include a race to assist a heart attack victim; a steam leak with 60 people trapped behind a wall of steam; an armed robbery of a Western Union office; and a body floating in the East River being retrieved. Also included are conversations between the two officers as they travel around the city. Their backgrounds, interests and families are discussed.
This episode presents the story of George M. Cohan. The program includes performances of songs by Cohan and scenes from the film Yankee Doodle Dandy, starring Jimmy Cagney as Cohan.
This episode presents a documentary about crime in America from pre-Revolutionary days to the present. The program shows a typical city police headquarters, squad cars, officers on the beat, crime lab, as well as how the state and federal governments use mobile forces and long-range strategy in detecting crime. Rare photos of American criminals, such as John Billington, who was the first felon in America and was hanged for murder, are shown. Archival news footage show crime figures such as Al Capone and John Dillinger.
Richard Brooks, Anita Colby, Ruby Dee, Jimmy Durante, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hermoine Gingold, Lillian Gish, Philippe Halsman, Edith Head, Alexander King, Vincente Minnelli, Katherine Anne Porter, and Cyril Ritchard discuss what makes a woman beautiful. Pictures various women from the early days of history to the movie stars of the twentieth century and points out why they have been considered beautiful: examines the use of makeup for creating beauty.
This episode presents the story of Alabama, a con man who romances rich widows and leaves them once he has obtained their money. In New Orleans, he meets an attractive widow, Constance, who is selling her business. She is aware of his motive but, finding him attractive, she gives him the money. He ""loses"" the money in investments and pockets the money. She informs the police but she will not press charges if he will marry her. If he does not like being married to her after two years, he will be free to leave. Alabama and Constance have been recalling these events after fifteen happy years of marriage.
This episode presents a docudrama based on the armed robbery of the Brink's Company in Boston on Jan. 17, 1950. This was the largest cash robbery in history, totaling $2,775,395. This program recounts the aftermath of the robbery. Although the leven robbers had taken a pledge to kill any member who broke the rules of secrecy, the brutality, antagonisms and betrayal within the group turned one of its number to the law. The greatest police search for a criminal did not catch the robbers until 1956 and only $60,000 was recovered. Doonan was cheated out of his share and he revealed everything to the FBI.
This episode presents a musical show exploring a century of fads and foibles including dance crazes, musical vogues, sports, fashion, and automobiles in America. Musical selections, commentary, archival footage, and still photos in action help portray the theme.
This episode presents a World War II drama set in 1944 in Monte Cassino, Italy. A rifle squad of eight GI's pinned down by German gunfire are ordered to withdraw from the frontline position they hold by nightfall. One of them, Small, is trapped and must wait until nightfall to join the unit or get the help of his buddies to get out safely before then. Eventually, the embittered combat soldier, Collucci, disobeys orders and sets out to get Small. On the way, he wipes out the enemy machine gun unit. When Collucci finds Small, he is already dead.
This episode presents a documentary which analyzes Hurricane Carla, which struck the Gulf Coast of Texas in the early fall of 1961. The program traces the earliest beginnings of the storm and tracks it until it builds its full fury and hits Galveston on Sept. 10-11, 1961. The show focuses on Galveston, which sustained the heaviest damage. Preparations before the arrival of the hurricane and the devastation afterwards are shown. Repairs and rebuilding are undertaken and normal activities resume.
This episode presents a documentary that provides an hour-by-hour account of the Allied invasion of France on June 6, 1944, recalling the first 24 hours of the beachhead and the harrowing weeks preceding the largest military landing in history. The program includes footage of D-Day not previously seen in the U.S., such as captured German film and reels of the French underground waging guerrilla warfare. With footage of Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower and Bernard Montgomery, Charles de Gaulle and Omar Bradley, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
This episode presents a drama of the hysteria that arises when an international movie idol dies at the peak of his career. Billy Allen is brought to his small Midwestern hometown of Charity for a hero's burial. When a Hollywood columnist suggests a memorial fund to his memory, the bitter truth about Billy is divulged. Through the eyes of his widow, his business manager and his brother's widow, a less than glamorous and heroic image of Billy takes form. Billy's widowed sister-in-law proclaims to the mourners that he was the father of her son. Billy's widow asks the mourners to remember him as a fine actor and to allow his family to mourn him alone.
This episode presents the science fiction story of Juan de Nuñez, who is searching for precious minerals in the mountains near his home of Bogotá, Colombia. After an avalanche, he awakes in a hidden valley inhabited by eyeless people. They speak his language but do not understand words such as eyes and see. One of the eyeless people, Marina, pities him and tries to protect him from the others, who are revolted by his eyes and think he is evil. He tries to escape the valley, but the Great Elder rules his eyes must be destroyed so he will not leave their paradise. With Marina's help, Nu~ez escapes and learns the meaning of the valley and its inhabitants.
This episode presents the story of William Hallowell Magee, a TV writer, makes a $5,000 bet with a friend, the owner of the deserted Baldpate Inn in New England, that he can write a TV mystery in 24 hours. Magee arrives at the inn in the dead of winter with, supposedly, the only key. However, mysterious intruders, each with their own key, disturb his concentration. He discovers that there are six other people with keys. There is the theft of $200,000 left in the safe and one of the intruders, Myra, is killed. The whole situation turns out to be a hoax.
This episode presents an allegorical drama without a specific time or location. There is a military outpost in a desert wilderness near a hypothetical enemy. A young lieutenant arrives and is shocked to find only four other soldiers, each with a stain against their military record. When he reports enemy troop movements, the others accuse him of having hallucinations. The action builds to a surprise ending and because the exact significance of the story is unclear, viewers are can draw their own conclusions.
This episode presents a drama about Cyprus in 1957 during the height of the three-sided conflict between British colonial rule and Greek and Turkish terrorists. Inspector Fallon, a British police superintendent, brings in a Cypriot prisoner, Christos, one of a gang who blew up a power plant. In order to climb a hill, Fallon releases Christos, who knocks him out and escapes. When Fallon returns, he is accused of murdering Christos. Commissioner Thompson thinks Fallon has comprised himself and orders a replacement. A band of terrorists, including Kiki and Drusilla, is interrogated by Fallon, who uses fierce measures to break down the prisoners. They confess to blowing up the plant. Fallon is freed from the accusation but realizes he has used brutality in the process.
This episode presents a documentary about the Rescue Company One of the New York Fire Dept., a small corps of firefighters whose training and skills have equipped them for the most challenging assignments. The program follows the firefighters as they answer calls to multiple alarm fires, resuscitation calls and other emergencies day and night. Incidents include the death of firefighter John Farragher in a fire in the city's Hell's Hundred Acres section and a nine-alarm fire in a clothing store in Queens. The show focuses on Lt. William McMahon as he leads his men. There are scenes at the company's quarters on West 43rd St.
This episode presents a Western about a game of poker among four millionaires in Laredo. Meredith, traveling with his wife Mary and son Jackie, watches the game and as a compulsive gambler has to join in. He is dealt the best five-card hand but dies of a heart attack. Mary takes over and secures a loan from the bank using the hand as collateral. She wins the huge pot. In fact, they have pulled off a con that cannot be repeated.
This episode presents a drama about contemporary East Berlin. A colonel of the East German People's Police is assassinated by Richard Thaelman, a young underground hero, and son of Professor Gretchen Anna Thaelman, a Nobel Prize winner. Richard flees to the apartment of Carl Richter, a non-political student of the professor. Under threats from Richard, he helps to plan his escape when he is taken into custody. When he tells the inspector about Richard, he does not believe Carl. Richard is caught and the inspector tells his mother that Carl turned him in. But Carl wins his release and he insists they flee the country and he pledges to carry on their work.
This episode presents a drama of a isolated Nobel Prize-winning novelist, Hans Harben, his psychotic wife, Juliette, and a young journalist, Jennifer Graham, who is assigned to interview him. Jennifer idolizes Hans, but she observes the strange relationship between Hans and Juliette, who takes charge of all of his affairs with pathological determination. Jennifer cannot work under her authoritative direction. She discovers she is in love with Hans and he with her. They plan to go to Greece, but Juliette tells her about the strange bond that links her to Hans and why she throws Hans at young women. None of his books would have been finished without these affairs. As Jennifer leaves, Hans and Juliette are at work on his newest book, about their affair, entitled The shadowed affair.
This episode presents a documentary about the experiences of a young doctor confronted with a succession of crises in one of the world's busiest hospitals, Bellevue Hospital in New York City. The program shows the physicians, nurses, patients, and medical students of Bellevue's emergency ward on a typical night. Dr. Martein Mulder, a 26-year-old intern, works a routine of 36 hours on duty and 8 hours off. He works at his utmost capacity on his cases, some of whom include a middle-aged man who dies from a brain injury, a patient who rejects his advice of surgery because it will leave him disabled, and a man with an acute heart attack.
This episode presents a drama suggested by the only recorded mutiny in U.S. naval history. In 1842, the U.S.S. Bowers returns to the Brooklyn Navy Yard from a training cruise. One cadet, 17-year old Philip Cantrell, son of a leading senator, was killed during the voyage and a Naval Court of Inquiry summons the ship's captain, Commander Jason Vanning, to a hearing on charges of murder. Cantrell always broke the rules and talked about seizing the vessel. The crew informed the captain and he put Cantrell in irons. Cantrell told him that he had always felt inferior to his father. The crew became restless and Vanning prepared to hang Cantrell but only if he did not confess. Cantrell tried to incite the crew and then jumped overboard. Vanning is cleared.
This episode presents a drama about Dr. Robert Shannon, a brilliant American resident physician, who abandons a promising career and resigns his hospital post to find the right vaccine against a new and fatal influenza germ. He faces pressures from all sides, from his friends, medical superiors and the woman he loves.
This episode presents the story of Emily and Frank Foster, who find $92,000 in a sink which they bought in a junk shop. Although he could use the money, he turns it over to the police. Some call them fools and the IRS think they are holding out more money. When they find more money, Frank whats to keep it because of the suspicion and ridicule they have already received. Realizing that they have caught the money bug, they burn the money.
A communist spy dies in an accident, but the government does not release this information. The army comes up with Corporal William Yarrow to take his place. He reports to a counter-intelligence unit under James Feveral. He learns everything about the dead spy. He meets two communist agents, Albert and Helen Adams. Albert reveals that there is a leak. Yarrow implicates Adams, whom Albert kills. He tells Yarrow to go fishing. When Yarrow tells Feveral about his concerns about the death of Adams and he responds glibly, he punches him and goes fishing.
This episode presents a behind-the-scenes and candid study of comic Shelley Berman. The program examines the tensions and demands that a performer lives with in the serious business of making people laugh. The show covers a 36-hour period in Berman's life, centering on his performance at a Hollywood, Florida hotel.
This episode presents the drama of a financially pressed jeweller, Arthur Hartwick, who concocts a scheme whereby he would be the victim of the theft of his fabulous diamond. He needs Herbert Vanderling, an embittered diamond cutter, to turn the stone into an article of priceless beauty. His brother Joe plots to steal the diamond. Herbert tells Hartwick, who has insured the diamond for one million dollars. Archie Lefferts, a great jewel thief, plans to steal the diamond. Vanderling successfully cuts the diamond. After making a deal to kill the Vanderlings, Lefferts scuffles with Hartwick and the police catch them both, having been tipped off by Joe.
This episode presents a drama about Harry Graham, a prosperous grocer, who owes his life to Fred Russo. Fred saved Harry from a shark, losing his leg in the rescue. Fred visits the Graham family and is treated like a guardian angel. However, Fred has just killed a prostitute, Emily Quale. He feels compelled to tell Harry but changes his mind just before passing out. When he awakes he is not sure what he has told Harry. He needs to know before he leaves and so takes a walk with Harry, who fearing Fred calls for help. He and his wife Ellen acknowledge their debt to Fred but feel they must inform the police.
This episode presents a documentary about the personal relationship between a parole officer and a paroled convict. Joseph McCormick has worked most of his life in the Massachusetts Dept. of Corrections as a prison social worker and parole officer. John Hackett (this is not the person's real name) first got into trouble when he was nine-years-old and was just paroled after serving seven years for armed robbery. McCormick thinks he is an intelligent and likeable person, for whom there seems hope of rehabilitation. After nearly a year, Hackett commits another crime and is caught. They meet with a sense of emotional crisis.
This episode presents a murder mystery. Howard Holt, a second rate author who is married to his wealthy publisher, Karen, is having an affair with Julie Grant. Karen runs over Julie and Howard tells her not to call the police because they will charge her with manslaughter. Karen calls them anyway and D.A. Davies arrives to question them. Karen listens in on a phone call to Howard from a woman and becomes suspicious. Karen, who has a gun, pleads with Howard to tell the truth to the police, but he demands that she give him the money in the safe. They struggle and Howard is killed. Then Julie arrives, confesses she murdered Howard and demands the money. Davies arrests her.
This episode presents a drama of eerie suspense based on the legend of the dibbuk in which the spirit of a dead person possesses a living body and acts through it. Elsie Brinkmann is an ingenue discovered in Las Vegas by Mickey Mandell and signed by director Louis Zakin and producer Jake Resnick to star in a film biography of legendary movie goddess, Lylah Clare, who has been dead for 25 years. Despite a striking resemblance, Elsie has none of her qualities. Lylah was unregenerate and perverse. As filming progresses, Elsie begins to imagine that she is Lylah and becomes an evil creature. Finally, Elsie is scheduled for the death scene, in which the character falls down the stairs and is killed. As she performs the scene, she in fact falls down and dies.
This episode presents a drama about the last comedian on earth, Gerald Q. Wert. The totalitarian world-super-government deems laughter to be a malignant infection of public morals and a revolutionary activity. All comedians and laughmakers have been executed or surrendered their art to avoid death. In this society, no one laughs or smiles. Wert is the subject of a worldwide search. He finds sanctuary in a small American community and befriends a boy, Peter. At night Wert gives performances in cellars. Wert is captured and led to his death. Peter performs Wert's act for his friends and they roar with laughter.
This episode presents a documentary about police work in San Francisco. The central figure is Inspector George Asdrubale, a veteran of 16 years with the San Francisco Police Dept., 10 of them as homicide specialist. The program follows him to a cheap hotel room in which an 18-year-old woman is found strangled, to skid row to serve a subpoena on a witness, to a shabby rooming house searching for a suspect in an assault case, to the morgue where police seek identification of a murder victim, and on a coffee break. The show also includes scenes of a line-up, the interrogation of witnesses and the work of the crime lab.
This episode presents a spy drama. Lorraine Boswell is acquitted of killing her wealthy husband thanks to the testimony of a total stranger, Martin Pitt. They fall in love and marry. Martin is trying to get his hands on her husband's collection of manuscripts and autographs because his passport is included in its contents and it proves he is a spy. Ben Caulder, who is an Interpol agent, tries to buy the collection, but Martin refuses. Caulder tells Lorraine about Martin, who apparently kills him. Lorraine tells Martin that there are copies of his passport in the bank, so they play Russian roulette with drinks laced with arsenic. He dies and she is tried for his murder, but Caulder appears to clear her.
This episode presents a behind-the-scenes study of the launching of a new play. The program focuses on the aspirations, talents and efforts of a director and cast that culminate in the exciting moment when a new play comes to life. The play is The dragon, a story of tyranny in the guise of a fairy tale, which opened April 9, 1963 at the Phoenix Theatre in New York City. This is the first off-Broadway production of Joseph Anthony, one of Broadway's top directors. The show includes Anthony's working with the actors and fusing the acting with the other elements of the play, such as lighting and costumes. Backstage scenes include Anthony's parting speech to the cast, portions of the play, and the principal players watching a review on TV. The play closed after a three-week run.
This episode presents a courtroom melodrama about an English parliamentarian's fight for his political life. Adam Hilderson is a brilliant politician but is passed over for ministerial posts. His wife Helen thinks there must be an unsavory incident in his past. Their friend, publisher Philip Maybrick, learns from a sailor Lembke that after their ship was torpedoed, Hilderson fought for a space on a lifeboat but a woman, Lembke's wife, was killed. Maybrick proposes an infallible libel scheme, which would result in big money for both. Hilderson learns his wife is colluding with Maybrick and will divorce him to marry Maybrick. At the libel trial, Hilderson exposes the collusion and presents evidence he was not aboard the torpedoed ship, clearing his name.
This episode presents a drama of three aged Irish Republican Army veterans, O'Connell, Meager and Boyle, who had taken an oath to eliminate all of those responsible for the hanging of their compatriots in the rebellion against English rule. They now live in Cleveland and there is only one more person left, the equally aged John Moore, who lives on Long Island, New York. The three make their presence known to Moore, who tells his son, Joe. He does not believe his father. The three take Moore to a deserted house to kill him. John, a soldier to the end, accepts the situation, but Joe arrives to stop them. O'Connell falls ill and the Moores take him.
This episode presents a farcical story of a plot to stage a million-dollar robbery of Historyland. Fate and their inadequacy conspire to snare the plans of Charles Hamilton, an accountant, and Max von Ritter, a safecracker, to rob Historyland, an amusement park. They plan to time the robbery with a Jesse James-type bank holdup which is staged daily in the park and to escape in the confusion between the real and fake robberies. They enlist the help of Rudy Schrieber, a dynamite expert who is virtually deaf, and Harry Fenn, an ice cream vendor who is more interested in picking pockets. They successfully pull off their scheme, but when they open up the bags, they find only passes to the park.
This episode presents a sophisticated comedy set against the New York magazine world. Clay Douglas is the editor of a large-circluation national magazine which is losing money. He determines to put the magazine on a paying basis by securing exclusive rights to the life stories of either Paula Amory, an often-married movie star, or Hunter Harrison, an eccentric millionaire. Clay's next-door neighbor, Tracey Wilde, falls in love with him. She was married to Harrsion and she convinces him to sell his memoirs to the magazine, which saves the magazine and traps Clay into marrying her.
This episode presents a suspense drama of a near-perfect jewel theft. Baron van der Zost, one of the wealthiest men in the world, checks into the Caesar Hotel with his family and jewel collection. A group of thieves is in the suite across the hall. The leader is Harley Downing and his key aid is Charmian Scott, who bears a remarkable resemblance to Zost's daughter, Inga. The thieves execute their scheme. As Downing is checking out of the hotel, Bouchard, Zost's private detective, recalls that Charmian, masquerading as Inga, was wearing dark glasses, but Inga had left hers on the plane. The thieves are caught.
This episode presents a documentary about a social worker's approach to slum problems in Spanish Harlem in New York City. Dan and Hope Murrow lived there for five years and became totally involved with their neighbors, who included gangs of youths, alcoholics, drug addicts, and prostitutes. Violence had been a regular occurrence. Within two years after Murrow's arrival, the street fighting had ended, the gangs had become clubs and the fighting had been replaced with psychodramas, in which the youths worked out their aggression. Since they have completed their five-year project, the Murrows are leaving for Brandeis University. A play is performed which re-enacts what happened when Dan first tried to bring the gangs together for a peace conference.
This episode presents a comedy-drama based on a true story of the Idaho Hills in 1885. A present-day investigator tells the story. A prospector named N.S. Kellogg sets out across the Coeur d'Alene Mountains, meagerly grubstaked by J.T. Cooper and O.O. Peck. Along the way, he loses his burro. When he finds the animal, it is standing atop the biggest vein of silver in the Northwest. Kellogg tries to cut out his partners and this precipitates a legal battle, which is finally resolved for everyone except the burro.
This episode presents a candid study of a young woman's transformation from a college student into a contestant for the Miss America crown. The program covers four weeks in the life of Jeanne Richey Amacker of Beaumont, Texas, from being named Miss Texas through the decision in Atlantic City. Overnight she becomes a celebrity and is taken on a whirlwind tour of her state. She gets a new hairdo, cosmetics and wardrobe courtesy of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. In Atlantic City, she attends a briefing session and rehearsals. She is shown responding to the announcement of the winner.
This episode presents a drama of twelve people held captive by hoodlums on a subway train in New York City. After beating and robbing an elderly man of eight dollars, Connors and Ferrone deceide to take the Lexington Ave. IRT to Times Square. They jam the doors so nobody can board or deboard. They terrorize the people on the train. It becomes apparent that the only thing the captives have in common is their refusal to get involved. Finally, Teflinger, a soldier on leave and with his arm in a cast, fights the hoods alone and knocks them out. In the tussle, he is stabbed. At Times Square, the police take the hoods into custody.
This episode presents the story of Mrs. Turner and her daughters, Carrie Bernice and Ada, who inherited $10,000 from their father. Ada's husband, Howard, is a gambler and turns the money into millions. Carrie and her husband, Hugh, eke out a living running a store. Mrs. Turner, also a gambler, encourages Howard to take risks. He invests in a risky oil deal. At first, the picture looks bad, but the deal turns into a $50,000 return. He tells the family, but Howard argues that Hugh should hold out for more. Hugh disappears and returns with a new car and expensive purchases. The family is worried, but he has accepted the $50,000 and the extravagance was to teach them a lesson. When Mrs. Turner arrives with new wild plans, Carrie and Hugh tell her to mind her own business.
This episode presents a drama about a convicted Nazi war criminal and a man hired to remind him of the crimes he committed. Just before his release from prison after serving a 15-year sentence for his part in the administration of a Nazi extermination camp, Kleinerts receives a postcard on which is written, ""Remember the fifth of September."" In Kleinert's hotel in Paris, Davies tells him that he has been hired to remind him constantly of his crimes by a man whose son died in the camp on the fifth of September. Kleinerts realizes there is no place for him to hide, but Davies sinks into the morass of his hatred.
This episode presents a farce comedy about Jeremy Rabbitt, a meek court stenographer, who decides to dispose of notorious gangsters to impress his landlady, with whom he is in love. His first victim is Cheese Karapolis, who is electrocuted by a short in his toothbrush. Next is Tony Maruzella, whom Jeremy disposes of by filling his golf ball with explosives. Posing as a beauty operator, he smothers Jo Jo. Finally he confesses and is sent to a sanatarium. Althea arrives as a nurse's aid and they poison Big Boss Buddy Foy. They promise to each other they will not hurt anyone else.
This episode presents a story of a middle-aged widower fighting a lonely battle for his life. For Walter Matthews, Friday has been just one more day in a succession of bad days. Trying to ease a splitting headache, he accidently takes poison. He proceeds to review the previous 24 hours. He is a harried business executive. He is interested in his secretary Helen and she in him, but they have done nothing about it. His daughter Dolores invites him to dinner and then cancels. His son Mark refuses to share a summer cottage with him. As all this passes before Walter, he still wants to live and he prays for another day.
This episode presents a documentary about P.S. 16 in New York City and the students and teachers of the school. The focus is on teacher Pegi Gorelick and her nine fifth-graders. They are shown in their classroom and in the All Day Neighborhood after school program, in which regular schoolwork is augmented and enriched. One of the students attacks the teacher, who is not hurt. The rest of the program focuses on the ramifications of the incident for the student and her family, her classmates, the teacher, and the school.
This episode presents a comedy-drama about a married couple of limited means who suddenly strike it rich. Alice and Rex Adams find themselves rich when a small value of stock turns into a half million dollars. With the help of his lawyer and cousin, Calvin Coopersmith, Rex increases his fortune eight-fold. Rex indulges in extreme extravagance. Another woman appears, Maria Pringle, whose hobby is taking money from millionaires. Alice counters with her own huge expenditures, teaching Rex how corrupt he has become. Calvin amalgamates Rex's holdings into a foundation under his own control. Calvin counts the money aboard a yacht with his wife, the former Maria Pringle.
This episode presents a documentary about Lita Levine, who survived an air disaster, and her rehabilitation. On Aug. 15, 1958, her flight to Nantucket, Massachusetts ended in a crash. She had third degree burns over 50 percent of her body. She endured unspeakable pain and 41 operations as she was treated in Massachusetts General Hospital. Her parents sacrificed everything in helping their daughter to recover. Five years and nine months later, Lita was again living a meaningful life. A clasp was made for her hands which enable her to write and paint. She is now an artist. An exhibit of her paintings opens at the Hampshire House in Boston.
This episode presents a comedy about three people scrambling for a large sum of money in an inactive bank account. G.F. Springer has a penchant for marriage, railroads and booze. His ex-wife Louise suspects he held out on her in the divorce settlement. Twenty-five years earlier in a drunken state, he deposited $40,000 in a bank in Hangover, North Dakota under the pseudonym Rupert X. Humperdink. When he tries to withdraw the money, the bank teller, Lionel Baker, who has been stealing from the account, prevents him from doing so because he cannot prove he is Humperdink. They agree to split the money. When Louise arrives, Springer is arrested for the murder of Humperdink. Lionel and Louise skip town. He tells her that he put the money in a safe place but he cannot remember where.
Karl, Herman, Edith, Gunther, Jenny Wallenda. behind-the-scenes look at the family of high-wire circus performers. The program focuses on the aerialist family's struggle to recreate the seven-person pyramid act, which once brought them to the height of their fame and caused the fall in Jan. 1962 in Detroit, Michigan, killing two members of the troupe and permanently crippling one other. At their winter training quarters in Sarasota, Florida, the Wallendas rehearse the act. During one rehearsal, there is an accident and all of the performers are injured. However, they decide to persevere and successfully perform the act on Nov. 20, 1963 in Ft. Worth, Texas. Then they announce they will never repeat the performance.
This episode presents an eerie drama of a 14-year-old girl trapped alone in her home with an unknown terror. Mr. and Mrs. Harper argue about firing a life-long employee of their business, Jason Simmons. Daisy, their daughter, overhears their argument, and here the fantasy begins. She hears a scuffle and thud. Her mother tells her under no circumstances to go upstairs. Daisy must bribe her brother Kip to stay in the kitchen. Simmons arrives and Daisy manages to lock him in the cellar. But he breaks down the door and goes upstairs. He tells Daisy that something terrible has happened. She goes upstairs and appears to see her murdered mother, but then the fantasy ends and all is normal.
A typical day of the flight deck crew of the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt. The ship and its crew of 3,600 men begin thier tour of duty with the 6th fleet by sailing from Jacksonville, Florida to the Mediterranean Sea. A routine day for the flight deck crew begins at 5 am and continues unitl 2 am. They launch aircraft with the steam-powered catapults. Planes land on the rolling and pitching deck. Their duties are fraught with dangers, such as blasts from jet engines and a broken arresting gear wire lashing across the deck. A pilot dies when his plane crashes into the sea. There is a burial service.
A drama about President Tomas Medina-Colon, a bloody tyrant, who rules the imaginary Latin American country of Pais del Sol with an iron fist. Arrayed against him is fiery Danilo Diaz, a rebel leader who mouths sentiments of democracy and freedom. When Diaz seeks political asylum at the U.S. Embassy, Colin Ryan must weigh his potential. Medina-Colon threatens to close the embassy. Elias, Ryan's assistant, learns that if Diaz replaced Medina-Colon, he too would be a tyrant. At the execution of five revolutionaries, Diaz pleads for help from the Americans. Ryan orders that Diaz be gotten out of the country so he will not become a martyr. Later they learn that the security forces killed Diaz.