The Eleventh Hour (1962)

Given the overnight runaway success of medical dramas such as Dr. Kildare on NBC and Ben Casey on ABC, which both debuted on the Fall 1961 schedule, it was inevitable that more medical dramas would follow. CBS tried to play catch-up by introducing The Nurses on its Fall 1962 schedule, while NBC decided to double its medical offerings by launching a psychiatric-based drama, The Eleventh Hour, on Wednesday evenings following Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall. The Eleventh Hour revolves around the psychiatric practice of Dr. Theodore Bassett, played by veteran Hollywood character actor Wendell Corey, and his younger protégé, psychologist Dr. Paul Graham, played by Jack Ging. The Bassett character had a prior career as an attorney before entering psychiatry, and this past experience with the criminal justice system makes him a go-to for legal cases in which a defendant must be evaluated to determine whether they should be considered legally sane or insane, such as in the series pilot episode "Ann Costigan: A Duel on a Field of White" (October 3, 1962). Bassett's legal background also provides the series with the necessary cover to slide into the crime-solving formula that serves as the foundation for other police and legal dramas. It's worth noting that the Paul Graham character does not appear in this first episode, suggesting that perhaps he was a late addition after the series had been approved for production. Instead, Bassett consults in this case with psychologist Lucy Anderson and intern Dr. Edward Alden, neither of whom appear in any future episodes. However, it is also clear that Ging's Paul Graham character is a play for the younger demographic using the same formula seen in legal dramas such as Sam Benedict with Richard Rust and Carl Held's short tenure as David Gideon during the 5th season of Perry Mason in 1960-61. Graham's role on The Eleventh Hour consists largely of administering tests to patients and occasionally second-guessing Bassett's assessments, though he gets to take the lead on a couple of cases when Bassett has other obligations--"Angie, You Made My Heart Stop" (November 14, 1962) and "Eat, Little Fishie, Eat" (December 5, 1962). But in those episodes, Graham comes off as a mini-Bassett, employing the same techniques and resisting the same pressures as his older mentor.

Bassett, on the other hand, is introduced to us as a kind of mental whisperer. The pilot episode opens with a melodramatic scene in which a patient in the mental ward of the county hospital goes berserk, assaulting the medical staff in an attempt to escape and running down the hallway until he reaches the elevator. Just then, the elevator doors open and there stands Bassett, calm and unflinching, meeting the patient's gaze without a trace of fear before exerting a calming influence that persuades the patient to desist and return to his room. The scene establishes Bassett as someone who cannot be pressured into deviating from what he believes to be the best course of action for each patient. When he is called in to evaluate a suspect's sanity, such as the title character Ann Costigan in this first episode, he refuses to make snap judgments despite a legal calendar requiring a decision by a certain date. In this case, Ann Costigan has killed her husband, but Bassett must determine whether she was legally sane when she did so. Costigan certainly gives off the appearance of someone who is insane with her petulant outbursts in court hurling insults at the judge and making other odd remarks as well as claiming that she killed her husband because he was planning to kill her and had tried to do so multiple times before. The judge and prosecuting attorney are concerned that her madness could be just an act and that she knows full well that being declared insane and committed to a mental institution could lead to being declared sane as soon as a year or so later, allowing her to be freed without ever serving any jail time. There is also concern about what she may do to her late husband's young daughter if given custody of her, so Bassett's job is to dig beneath her exterior behavior to see what she is really thinking and feeling.

Which brings us to a discussion of the methods used by Bassett, and in later episodes Graham, to explore the buried feelings and events of their patients. First they administer Rorschach tests, followed by a series of crude paintings that invite the patient to create a story based on what they see in the paintings. The Rorschach ink blot tests, developed by Swiss psychologist Hermann Rorschach in 1921, were intended to identify thought disorders in schizophrenics, which remains their most effective use. Over the years many have questioned the tests' validity and the objectivity of test administrators, but they remain in use for certain types of cases, and their popularity varies by country--they are very popular in Japan but mostly distrusted in the U.K. Not satisfied with the results of these tests on Ann Costigan, Bassett then has her reunited with her late husband's daughter at his office to see not only her reaction to the child but more importantly the child's reaction to her. This meeting does reveal any problems, so Bassett then arranges to have sodium pentothal administered to Costigan on the terrace of her home where she pushed her husband to his death, hoping that the location and effect of the "truth serum" will uncover what she was really feeling when she killed him. Sodium pentothal's use is also controversial. While it is generally recognized as able to reduce inhibition and the higher cortical brain function believed to be used when someone is lying, it is also a dangerous barbiturate and some have questioned the reliability of confessions obtained under its influence. Until recently it was used in this country in lethal injections until the overseas companies that made it refused to supply it for that use. In our story, the application of sodium pentothal on Costigan only makes her attempt to throw herself over the ledge where her husband died, or at least she appears to make an attempt. So Bassett then proceeds to playing his last card--putting Costigan under hypnosis and making a post-hypnotic suggestion that will force her to cut her hair short, after she had earlier claimed that her husband forbade her to do so, when she hears the triggering sound of the door clicking shut in her room. Bassett's intern Dr. Alden is at first skeptical of the technique's validity until Bassett puts him under and tells him that when he awakens he will have a powerful thirst that can only be quenched by water from the pitcher on Bassett's desk. Even though he recognizes where his thirst is coming from after awakening, Alden cannot quench it with anything other than the water from Bassett's pitcher. And so when Bassett puts Costigan under, she complies and cuts her hair, though it takes all night for her to finally succumb to the suggestion. Afterwards she finally confesses to killing her husband because he was old and ugly, to killing his first wife because she was fat, and to hating the daughter because she had to change her dirty diapers when she was a baby. Today testimony obtained through hypnosis is banned in almost every state, except Texas.

Regardless of the mostly outdated methods used in the pilot episode, it establishes Bassett as a medical professional who insists on exploring each case thoroughly until he finds an explanation that appears irrefutable. He is also depicted as a man who listens carefully to what his patients tell him and offers a recommendation that he feels is in their best interests, which may not align with those in power. In the second episode, "There Are Dragons in This Forest" (October 10, 1962), Bassett and Graham are called to examine a World War II veteran accused of desertion in the last days of the War and who is extradited from Germany to face a court martial. The accused, Mark Tyner, does not dispute that he left his unit and stayed in Germany, marrying a German woman with whom he has had two sons, but he does not seem to remember the events surrounding his alleged desertion. Rather than using the methods employed in the previous episode, Bassett and Graham have Tyner and his German wife Carla reenact in a kind of mini-drama their first meeting just before the armistice with Germany was declared. When Tyner becomes mentally blocked in recalling his encounter with Carla's fiance Werner at the time, Bassett and Graham step in to portray the two, forcing Tyner to interrupt when they get the details wrong, which leads to Tyner having to admit that he killed Werner because he assumed he was a Nazi when he was actually working undercover for the Allies. So while this reenactment absolves Tyner from the charge of desertion because he was still acting as a U.S. soldier when he thought he was killing a Nazi, it also exposes to his German wife that he killed her fiance but never told her, making for a very difficult reconciliation after 17 years of marriage and the raising of their two sons. The usually snarky TV Guide reviewer Gilbert Seldes was apparently moved by this episode in his review in the November 17, 1962 issue such that he offered no criticisms of the series but instead praised the series for its adherence to reality.

At the end of the episode, Tyner's wife forgives his killing perpetrated under the fog of war because the bonds of her current family are stronger than anything else, a resolution very similar to that in the Cold War-themed episode "I Don't Belong in a White-Painted House" (October 24, 1962) in which George C. Scott plays a Soviet defector who has created a new life with an American wife and son until he begins feeling the pull of the fatherland and feels compelled to return to Russia. After all his tests and interviews, Bassett is forced to tell FBI agent Sterne that he cannot deprogram Anton Novak in such a short time and with no legal justification to detain him, there is nothing they can do to stop him from returning to Russia, that is, until Bassett is able to make Novak see that Russia will expect him to bring his wife and son with him, meaning that his son will undergo the same sort of state programming that he did. Finally recognizing that he does not want his son to be stripped of his free will and self-determination, Novak abandons his return at the last minute because again the bond of family is stronger than that of nationality.

One of the boldest episodes of those that aired in 1962 is "Of Roses and Nightingales and Other Lovely Things" (November 7, 1962), which deals with the issues of teenage pregnancy and abortion. In this story 15-year-old high school student Laura Hunter's increasingly hysterical behavior is revealed to be prompted by the fact that she is pregnant. When the school doctor recommends to her parents that they have her talk to Bassett, the parents at first tell him that at age 15 having a baby would be life-destroying, but he has to remind them that abortion is not legal and that getting an illegal one could be dangerous (a particularly poignant point from 60 years ago). However, Bassett does not object to abortion merely on legal or moral grounds, in talking with Laura he learns that she has an aversion to the idea of it because of an experience she had as a child with a mother cat who abandoned one of her kittens, allowing it to die. So Laura is determined to have the baby, but she also feels determined to keep it, which does not seem like the best choice for anyone involved. A gossipy neighbor of Laura's mother insists that the parents must pressure the parents of the boy who fathered the child to make the teenagers get married. But Laura admits that she is not in love with the boy and does not want to marry him, and once the parents drive by his house to get a look at him, they realize that he, too, is still a child and not ready for parenthood or marriage. All if which brings Bassett to the conclusion that the only real solution is for Laura to have the child and give it up for adoption. Laura is vehemently opposed to this option and even considers jumping out of the family treehouse to cause a miscarriage rather than surrender her baby, but her younger brother is able to talk her out of it, and finally the whole family comes to accept Bassett's proposed solution as the best for both Laura and the baby's future. While it might seem at first glance that the episode is a win for the so-called pro-life agenda, Bassett's approach is to let Laura make her own choice once she has carefully considered all the ramifications of that choice. The key to Bassett's character in the series, as he says in another episode, is that his job is not to tell people what they should do but to listen.

The series also undertakes a sensitive treatment of post-partum depression in "The Blues My Babe Gave to Me" (December 12, 1962), which dramatizes overwhelmed new mother Christine Warren unable to cope with her new, more restrictive role as mother to her infant while also battling a repressed false memory of having killed her younger sister whom she was forced to take care of at a young age. While at first glance many viewers might be quick to judge a mother who wants to kill her own baby, the episode provides a foundation of childhood trauma to explain such a compulsion. Childhood trauma also plays a prominent role in the aforementioned "Angie, You Made My Heart Stop" in which a young woman thinks she caused her father's heart attack by startling him during a game of hide-and-seek, resulting in a twisted sense of self as a bringer of death and a string of lies that only leads to further tragedy to confirm that narrative. Though the series occasionally resorts to melodrama for sensationalist effect, such as the rampaging mental patient from the first episode mentioned above, or a tortured run through the city by co-dependent sister Ruth Radwin in "Eat, Little Fishie, Eat" in seeking out her brother whom she feels bonded to, it also should be praised for tackling difficult subjects and attempting to educate the viewer about many misunderstood mental disorders. Seeing these mental patients through the eyes of Dr. Bassett, we are encouraged to suspend initial snap judgments and to just listen to gain a better understanding of the misery that other people are going through.

The theme song and single episode scores for The Eleventh Hour were composed by Harry Sukman. Sukman was born in Chicago on December 2, 1912 and made his concert debut on piano at age 12. In 1941 he was hired by the Mutual Broadcast System in Chicago as pianist and conductor and remained in that position until he moved to Paramount Studios in Hollywood in 1946. In 1954 he began getting assignments to compose scores for feature films for Ivan Tors Productions, including the science fiction dramas Riders to the Stars and Gog. He continued working on B-grade feature films throughout the 1950s such as The Phenix City Story, Sabu and the Magic Ring, and Verboten! His career in television began in 1957 when he was hired to score an individual episode for Tales of Wells Fargo. Three years later he began getting more assignments on Death Valley Days, Laramie, and Alcoa Theatre. Working with Morris Stoloff, he shared the Oscar for Best Score at the 1961 Academy Awards for Song Without End. The two were nominated again the following year for the score to Fanny but did not win. Sukman would garner one more Oscar nomination for the score to The Singing Nun at the 1967 Academy Awards. After scoring 4 episodes of Dr. Kildare for its first season, Sukman was tabbed to compose the music for The Eleventh Hour. He would score 56 more episodes for Dr. Kildare and began getting occasional assignment on other series such as The Virginian, The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters, and Peyton Place. After scoring most of the episodes for the short-lived 1966-67 western The Monroes, Sukman was hired to write the score for The High Chaparral in 1967, for which he received his first Emmy nomination. He worked on several other series during the late 1960s including Gentle Ben, Cowboy in Africa, and Bonanza as well as composing for occasional feature films and TV movies. He received his second Emmy nomination for his work on the 1979 TV mini-series version of Salem's Lot. He released a few albums of his piano instrumentals, beginning with Liberty Records in 1956, as well as a few more albums tied to his work on film scores. He died of a heart attack on his birthday in 1984 at the age of 72.

The first season has been released on DVD by Warner Archives.

The Actors

For the biography of Jack Ging, see the 1961 post on Tales of Wells Fargo.

Wendell Corey

Wendell Reid Corey was born on March 20, 1914 in Dracut, Massachusetts. His father was a Congregationalist minister who had a single feature film appearance in the 1951 western Rawhide and who traced his roots back to U.S. Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams. The younger Corey attended high school in Springfield, Massachusetts and initially considered a career in professional tennis but instead wound up selling appliances in a department store. His entry into the theater was by chance: a friend was acting in a local production of Street Scene in 1934 and when another member of the cast had to bow out, Corey was invited to fill in. After spending a year with the same theater group, he made his professional debut with a Holyoke company in a 1935 production of The Night of January 16. In 1938 he was employed by the Federal Theatre Project, part of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal, which is where he met his wife Alice Wiley. He made his Broadway debut in a 1942 production of Comes the Revelation. Corey served in the military during World War II and received the Legion of Honor award from Czechoslovakia. He resumed his theatrical career after returning to civilian life and in 1945 was spotted by film producer Hal Wallis while acting in Dream Girl. Wallis had Corey signed to a contract with Paramount Studios for whom he made his feature film debut in the 1947 noir thriller Desert Fury along with another Wallis discovery, Burt Lancaster. Corey worked steadily in feature films thereafter, mostly in supporting roles, most notably in Sorry, Wrong Number with Barbara Stanwyck, Any Number Can Play with Clark Gable, The File on Thelma Jordon again with Stanwyck, Holiday Affair with Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh, Harriet Craig with Joan Crawford, and Hitchcock's Rear Window with James Stewart and Grace Kelly. Beginning in the late 1940s, Corey also doubled up by appearing in radio dramas such as Cavalcade of America, Lux Radio Theatre, and Inner Sanctum. In 1951 he began appearing on television, at first on drama anthologies such as Schlitz Playhouse, Lux Video Theatre, and Robert Montgomery Presents. He played Lou Gehrig in a 1955 episode of Climax! while continuing to make a few feature films each year. He appeared in Elvis Presley's second feature Loving You in 1957 and began his first TV recurring role as Captain Ralph Baxter on Harbor Command. His next regular TV role came in the 1959 summer replacement series Peck's Bad Girl, which lasted 14 episodes. In 1961 he co-starred with Nanette Fabray on Westinghouse Playhouse, also known as The Nanette Fabray Show, in which he played her husband with two rude children from a previous marriage. During this period Corey also began getting involved in Republican politics. He was the Master of Ceremonies at both the 1956 and 1960 Republican National Conventions. He was elected President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1961, serving two years in that role, and was a board member of the Screen Actors Guild.

However, Corey's career also began to be affected by his alcoholism. Despite being cast in the lead role as Dr. Theodore Bassett on The Eleventh Hour in 1962, he left the series after its first season and was replaced by Ralph Bellamy. After supporting Republican candidate Barry Goldwater in the 1964 Presidential Election, Corey was elected to the Santa Monica City Council in 1965, on which he served until his death. However, his feature film roles began declining into exploitation fare such as Women of the Prehistoric Planet, Cyborg 2087, and Picture Mommy Dead all in 1966. That year he also ran for an open Congressional seat but was defeated in the Republican primary. After appearing in feature films The Astro-Zombies and Buckskin in 1968, Corey played a washed-up movie director in The Star Maker later that year.  After returning from filming in Berlin, Corey became ill and died from cirrhosis of the liver at the Motion Picture & Television Hospital on November 8, 1968 at the age of 54.

Notable Guest Stars

Season 1, Episode 1, "Ann Costigan: A Duel on a Field of White": Vera Miles (shown on the left, starred in Wichita, The Searchers, The Wrong Man, The FBI Story, and Psycho) plays murderer Ann Costigan. Murray Hamilton (appeared in No Time for Sergeants, Anatomy of a Murder, The Hustler, and Jaws and played Steve Baker on Love and Marriage  and Capt. Rutherford T. Grant on B.J. and the Bear) plays her defense attorney Walter Enley. Roger Perry (James Harrigan, Jr. on Harrigan and Son, Det. Sgt. Dan Kirby on Arrest and Trial, Charles Parker on The Facts of Life, and John Costello on Falcon Crest) plays psychiatric intern Dr. Edward Alden. Anne Seymour (appeared in All the King's Men, The Gift of Love, The Subterraneans, and Fitzwilly and played Lucia Garrett on Empire and Beatrice Hewitt on General Hospital) plays psychologist Lucy Anderson . Carl Benton Reid (starred in The Little Foxes, In a Lonely Place, Lorna Doone, and The Left Hand of God and played The Man on Burke's Law) plays the murder trial judge. Harold Gould (Bowman Chamberlain on The Long Hot Summer, Harry Danton on The Feather and Father Gang, Martin Morgenstern on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rhoda, Jonah Foot on Foot in the Door, Ben Sprague on Spencer, and Miles Webber on The Golden Girls) plays schizophrenic patient Paul Brauner. Nelson Olmsted (Captain Masters, MD on The Phil Silvers Show) plays psychiatrist Dr. Kendall.

Season 1, Episode 2, "There Are Dragons in This Forest": Steven Hill (shown on the right, appeared in The Slender Thread, Yentl, Legal Eagles, Brighton Beach Memoirs, and The Firm and played Daniel Briggs on Mission: Impossible and D.A. Adam Schiff on Law & Order) plays World War II deserter Mark Tyner. Mai Zetterling (starred in Torment, Music in Darkness, Frieda, The Devil Inside, and The Man Who Finally Died and played Phylis Finley on My Wife and I) plays his German wife Carla Riehle. Dianne Foster (starred in Night Passage, The Last Hurrah, and The Deep Six) plays his American wife Fay Tyner. Lloyd Bochner (Chief Inspector Neil Campbell on Hong Kong and Cecil Colby on Dynasty) plays his defense attorney Capt. Norman Hobler. H.M. Wynant (Lt. Bauer on The Young Marrieds, Frosty on Batman, and Ed Chapman on Dallas) plays prosecuting attorney Lt. Jed Pruitt. Robert Karnes (see the biography section for the 1961 post on The Lawless Years) plays the court martial Law Officer.

Season 1, Episode 3, "Make Me a Place": Barbara Rush (starred in When Worlds Collide, It Came From Outer Space, Magnificent Obsession, and Robin and the 7 Hoods and played Lizzie Hogan on Saints and Sinners, Marsha Russell on Peyton Place, Eudora Weldon on Flamingo Road, Nola Orsini on All My Children, and Ruth Camden on 7th Heaven) plays fashion designer Linda Kincaid. David Janssen (shown on the left, starred in To Hell and Back, Hell to Eternity, King of the Roaring '20's, The Green Berets, and The Shoes of the Fisherman and played Richard Diamond on Richard Diamond, Private Detective, Dr. Richard Kimble on The Fugitive, Jim O'Hara on O'Hara, U.S. Treasury, and Harry Orwell on Harry O) plays her ex-husband Hal Kincaid. Frank Overton (starred in Desire Under the Elms, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Fail-Safe and played Major Harvey Stovall on 12 O'Clock High) plays her fiance Pete Harvey. Grace Lee Whitney (Janice Rand on Star Trek, the Star Trek feature films, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek New Voyages) plays fashion model Dawn. Joan Patrick (see the biography section for the 1961 post on Dr. Kildare) plays fashion model Sue. Mimi Dillard (Molly on Valentine's Day) plays Linda's maid Hilda.

Season 1, Episode 4, "I Don't Belong in a White-Painted House": George C. Scott (shown on the right, Oscar winner, starred in Anatomy of a Murder, The Hustler, Dr. Strangelove, and Patton and played Neil Brock on East Side/West Side, President Samuel Arthur Tresch on Mr. President, and Joe Trapchek on Traps) plays Soviet defector Anton Novak. Colleen Dewhurst (multiple Emmy winner and wife of George C. Scott, starred in A Fine Madness, The Cowboys, Annie Hall, Ice Castles, and The Dead Zone and played Avery Brown, Sr. on Murphy Brown) plays his American wife Joanne. Rory O'Brien (Danny Morley on The Farmer's Daughter) plays his son John. John Anderson (see the biography section for the 1960 post on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp) plays FBI agent Sterne. Michael Strong (appeared in Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round, Point Blank, and Patton and played Oliver Barbour and Dick Appleman on The Edge of Night and Sgt. Clark on Our Private World) plays Soviet agent Sergei Berinkin. Pamela Baird (see the biography section of the 1961 post on Leave It to Beaver) plays the Novaks' babysitter Milly. William Swan (Walter Hines on All My Children) plays an airline desk clerk. John Newton (Bill Paley on Search for Tomorrow and Judge Eric Caffey on Law & Order) plays a soccer coach.

Season 1, Episode 5, "The Seventh Day of Creation": Katy Jurado (shown on the left, appeared in High Noon, Arrowhead, Trapeze, and One-Eyed Jacks and played Rosa Maria Rivera on a.k.a. Pablo, La Jurada on Mas alla del puente, and  Justina on Te sigo amando) plays widowed mother Rose Ramirez. Emily McLaughlin (Dr. Eileen Seaton on Young Dr. Malone and nurse Jessie Brewer on General Hospital) plays her next-door neighbor Myra Williams. Noah Keen (Det. Lt. Carl Bone on Arrest and Trial) plays Myra's husband Fred. Charles Herbert (appeared in The Colossus of New York, The Fly, Houseboat, and Please Don't Eat the Daisies and played David Barker on The Donna Reed Show, Peter McCauley on Men Into Space, and Rickey Selby on The Clear Horizon) plays their son Stevie. John McGiver (appeared in Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Manchurian Candidate, The Glass Bottom Boat, Midnight Cowboy, The Apple Dumpling Gang and played J.R. Castle on The Patty Duke Show, Walter Burnley on Many Happy Returns, Barton J. Reed on Mr. Terrific, and Dr. Luther Quince on The Jimmy Stewart Show) plays neighborhood alcoholic Mr. Mathewson. Amy Fields (Jean on The F.B.I.) plays young mother Lucille Girard. Paul Newlan (Police Capt. Grey on M Squad and Lt. Gen. Pritchard on 12 O'Clock High) plays Rose's son's custody case judge. Muriel Landers (appeared in Pillow Talk and Doctor Doolittle and played Rosa on Life With Luigi and Mildred Cosgrove on The Joey Bishop Show) plays prospective babysitter Mrs. Cooley. Barry Cahill (Capt. Curt Douglas on 12 O'Clock High and Buck Vernon on The Waltons) plays a policeman. Alfred Shelly (Ed Carney on The D.A.'s Man) plays the court bailiff.

Season 1, Episode 6, "Of Roses and Nightingales and Other Lovely Things": Davey Davison (Virginia Lewis on Days of Our Lives and Nurse Esther on General Hospital) plays pregnant high school student Laura Hunter. Pat Hingle (appeared in On the Waterfront, Splendor in the Grass, Hang 'Em High, Norma Rae, Sudden Impact, Batman (1989), Batman Returns, Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, and Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and played Dr. Chapman on Gunsmoke and Chief Paulton on Stone) plays her father Bob. Kim Hunter (shown on the right, Oscar winner, starred in Stairway to Heaven, A Streetcar Named Desire, Deadline - U.S.A., and Planet of the Apes and played Nola Madison on The Edge of Night) plays her mother Virginia. Alexander Lockwood (Judge Owen Baker on Sam Benedict) plays her high school physician Dr. Jim Wilson. Judee Morton (appeared in Zotz! and The Slime People and played Dr. Smithson on General Hospital) plays Laura's high school classmate Nancy Sanders. Maxine Stuart (see the biography section for the 1962 post on Dr. Kildare) plays Nancy's mother Eunice. Tom Lowell (see the biography section for the 1962 post on Combat!) plays the unborn baby's father Stan Jordan.

Season 1, Episode 7, "Angie, You Made My Heart Stop": Collin Wilcox Paxton (shown on the left, starred in To Kill a Mockingbird, Catch-22, and Jaws 2 and played Swannie O'Teale on Christy) plays young wife Angela Crain. Dabbs Greer (see the biography section for the 1960 post on Gunsmoke) plays her husband Ed. Norma Connolly (Lena Karr Gilroy on The Young Marrieds, Mrs. Yost on The Edge of Night, and Ruby Anderson on General Hospital) plays her sister Ruth Sanders. Albert Salmi (Yadkin on Daniel Boone and Pete Ritter on Petrocelli) plays museum guard Ken Bradley. David Sheiner (Norman Brodnik on Diana) plays defense attorney Dave Torbin. Paul Langton (Leslie Harrington on Peyton Place) plays Assistant D.A. Walter Maylie. Ted Knight (Phil Buckley on The Young Marrieds, Ted Baxter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Roger Dennis on The Ted Knight Show, and Henry Rush on Too Close for Comfort) plays crime scene investigator Det. Jansen. Helen Wallace (Nurse Lucy Webber on Dr. Kildare) plays a jailhouse matron. Jack Bernardi (Herschel Bernardi's brother) plays a sign painter.

Season 1, Episode 8, "Hooray, Hooray, the Circus Is Coming to Town": Burgess Meredith (shown on the right, starred in Of Mice and Men, Mine Own Executioner, Advise & Consent, and The Cardinal and played Martin Woodridge on Mr. Novak, The Penguin on Batman, V.C.R. Cameron on Search, the narrator on Korg: 70,000 B.C., and Dr. Willard Adams on Gloria) plays shipping tycoon Christopher Norbert II and his profligate son Christopher Norbert III. Edward Andrews (appeared in The Harder They Fall, Elmer Gantry, The Absent-Minded Professor, Son of Flubber, Advise and Consent, and The Glass Bottom Boat and played Cmdr. Rogers Adrian on Broadside and Col. Fairburn on The Doris Day Show) plays Norbert's other son Richardson. Richard Evans (Paul Hanley on Peyton Place) plays Richardson's son Bennett. Vaughn Taylor (starred in Jailhouse Rock, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Psycho, and In Cold Blood and played Ernest P. Duckweather on Johnny Jupiter) plays the elder Norbert's lawyer Tobias. Henry Beckman (Commander Paul Richards on Flash Gordon, Mulligan on I'm Dickens, He's Fenster, George Anderson on Peyton Place, Colonel Harrigan on McHale's Navy, Capt. Roland Frances Clancey on Here Come the Brides, Pat Harwell on Funny Face, Harry Mark on Bronk, and Alf Scully on Check It Out) plays Richardson's lawyer Mills. Vic Perrin (the narrator on Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, was the control voice on The Outer Limits, and did voicework on Jonny Quest, Star Trek, Scooby Doo, Where Are You?, and Mission: Impossible!) plays struggling writer Anthony Coll. Henry Corden (Carlo on The Count of Monte Cristo, and Babbitt on The Monkees and did voicework on The Flintstones, Jonny Quest, The Atom Ant Show, The Banana Splits Adventure Hour and Return to the Planet of the Apes) plays former sailor Ex-Captain Blythe. Steven Terrell (Tom on The Pride of the Family) plays sculptor Bill Ives. Alberta Nelson (appeared in Beach Party, Muscle Beach Party, Bikini Beach, Pajama Party, Beach Blanket Bingo, How to Stuff a Wild Bikini, and The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini and played Lori the waitress on Peyton Place) plays his wife Madelyn. Eve McVeagh (starred in High Noon, The Glass Web, and Tight Spot and played Frances Moseby on The Clear Horizon and Miss Hammond on Petticoat Junction) plays Christopher III's girlfriend Regina. Henry Jones (Dean Fred Baker on Channing, Owen Metcalf on The Girl With Something Extra, Judge Jonathan Dexter on Phyllis, Josh Alden on Mrs. Columbo, Homer McCoy on Gun Shy, B. Riley Wicker on Falcon Crest, and Hughes Whitney Lennox on I Married Dora) plays Christopher III's mental competency hearing judge. Jon Locke (Officer Garvey on Highway Patrol and Sleestack Leader on Land of the Lost) plays the court bailiff.

Season 1, Episode 9, "Cry a Little for Mary, Too": Keir Dullea (shown on the left, starred in David and Lisa, The Thin Red Line, Bunny Lake Is Missing, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and De Sade and played Dr. Mark Jarrett on Guiding Light, Devon on The Starlost, and Dr. Steven Meye on The Path) plays accused killer Jerry Bullock. Judith Evelyn (appeared in Rear Window, Hilda Crane, Giant, The Brothers Karamazov, and The Tingler and played The Woman on Wind) plays his mother Mrs. Bullock. S. John Launer (Marshall Houts on The Court of Last Resort and the judge 33 times on Perry Mason) plays his defense attorney Joe Kinderman. Edith Atwater (appeared in The Body Snatcher, Sweet Smell of Success, It Happened at the World's Fair, and True Grit and played Grace Morton on Peyton Place, Phyllis Hammond on Love on a Rooftop, Gertrude Hardy on The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, and Illsa Fogel on Kaz) plays prosecuting attorney Ann Tabor. Bert Remsen (Detective Lawrence on Peyton Place, Mr. Pell on Gibbsville, Mario on It's a Living, and Jack Crager on Dynasty) plays the murder trial judge. Harold Gould (see "Ann Costigan: A Duel on a Field of White" above) plays the victim's father Eric Stanger. Shirley O'Hara (Debbie Flett on The Bob Newhart Show) plays his wife. Mary Mitchel (appeared in Twist Around the Clock, Panic in Year Zero, A Swingin' Summer, and Dementia 13) plays Jerry's classmate Linda. Robert Biheller (Corky on Here Come the Brides) plays her friend Dan. Christopher Connelly (Norman Harrington on Peyton Place and Moses Pray on Paper Moon) plays another friend of theirs.

Season 1, Episode 10, "Eat, Little Fishie, Eat": Bradford Dillman (shown on the right, starred in A Crack in the Mirror, Francis of Assissi, Escape From the Planet of the Apes, The Way We Were, The Iceman Cometh, and The Swarm and played Rev. Andrew Webb on Dr. Kildare, Capt. David Young on Court Martial, Paul Hollister on King's Crossing, and Darryl Clayton on Falcon Crest) plays playwright Arnold Radwin. Nancy Wickwire (Lila Taylor Kelly on Guiding Light, Claire Cassen on As the World Turns, Liz Matthews on Another World, and Phyllis Anderson on Days of Our Lives) plays his older sister Ruth. Joe De Santis (appeared in Deadline - U.S.A., I Want to Live!, Al Capone, and Madame X) plays their father. Ruth Storey (see the biography section for the 1961 post on 87th Precinct) plays their mother. Barbara Stuart (Bessie on The Great Gildersleeve, Alice on Pete and Gladys, Bunny on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Peggy Ferguson on The McLean Stevenson Show, Marianne Danzig on Our Family Honor, and Alice on Huff) plays actress Maxine Waters. Robert Fuca (men's costumer on Mork & Mindy, Webster, and Hangin' With Mr. Cooper) plays prop man Eddie. Pat Renella (Roxy on The New Phil Silvers Show) plays a dark-haired man on the street.

Season 1, Episode 11, "The Blues My Babe Gave to Me": Inger Stevens (shown on the left, starred in The Buccaneer, A Guide for the Married Man, Madigan, and Hang 'Em High and played Katy Holstrum on The Farmer's Daughter) plays new mother Christine Warren. Robert Vaughn (starred in Teenage Cave Man, The Magnificent Seven, The Towering Inferno, and Bullitt and played Capt. Ray Rambridge on The Lieutenant, Napoleon Solo on The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Harry Rule on The Protectors, Harlan Adams on Emerald Point N.A.S., Gen. Hunt Stockwell on The A-Team, Judge Oren Travis on The Magnificent Seven, Albert Stroller on Hustle, and Milton Farnshaw on Coronation Street) plays her husband Peter. John Zaremba (Special Agent Jerry Dressler on I Led 3 Lives, Dr. Harold Jensen on Ben Casey, Admiral Hardesy on McHale's Navy, Dr. Raymond Swain on The Time Tunnel, and Dr, Harlem Danvers on Dallas) plays his father Mr. Warren. Clark Howat (Dr. John Petrie on The Adventures of Dr. Fu Manchu and the police dispatcher on Harbor Command) plays their friend John Elwood.

Season 1, Episode 12, "Along About Late in the Afternoon": Franchot Tone (starred in Moulin Rouge (1934), Mutiny on the Bounty, Fast and Furious, Dark Waters, and I Love Trouble and played Dr. Daniel Niles Freeland on Ben Casey) plays newspaper editor Leo Haynes. Dean Harens (Noel Clinton on General Hospital and SAC Bryan Durant on The F.B.I.) plays his son Charles. Nan Leslie (Martha McGivern on The Californians) plays Charles' wife Yvonne. Chester Morris (see the biography section for the 1960 post on Diagnosis: Unknown) plays gangster Frankie Morrison. Edith Atwater (see "Cry a Little for Mary, Too" above) returns as Assistant D.A. Ann Tabor. Peter Adams (Capt. Arturo Toledano on Zorro) plays newspaper publisher Horace Clarke. Charles Seel (Otis the Bartender on Tombstone Territory, Mr. Krinkie on Dennis the Menace, and Tom Pride on The Road West) plays night watchman Joe. Jon Lormer (Harry Tate on Lawman, Sam Watkins on The Real McCoys, the autopsy surgeon on Perry Mason, Simon Benjamin on The Young Marrieds, and Judge Irwin A. Chester on Peyton Place) plays mental patient Krasner. George Takei (shown on the right, played Sulu on Star Trek and Kaito Nakamura on Heroes) plays Morrison case consultant Dr. Itsumoto.

 

 

Route 66 (1962)

 

Route 66 co-creator and chief screenwriter Sterling Silliphant could have described 1962 as the best of times and worst of times, given his fondness for literary allusion (see, for example, "Where Is Chick Lorimer, Where Has She Gone?"). Co-star George Maharis received an Emmy nomination that year for best actor in a dramatic series, and the series enjoyed its greatest ratings success, placing 27th in the Nielsen ratings for 1962-63, but ironically this was exactly the same time the series was falling apart due to the illness and eventual departure of Maharis early in Season 3. While Maharis has contended consistently in interviews up to today that his reason for leaving the show was for health reasons, producer Herbert B. Leonard and Silliphant have maintained that the illness was used as a way to get out of his contract to pursue feature film and music opportunities. No one disputes that Maharis contracted hepatitis as result of working on the program. Karen Funk Blocher interviewed Maharis in 1986 for a planned book about Route 66 that she never wound up finishing but has published excerpts from that interview on her web site outmavarin.blogspot.com. Maharis traced his infection to the 1962 episode "Even Stones Have Eyes" (March 30, 1962) filmed in Austin and Kerrville, Texas in which Maharis' Buz Murdock rescues his blind instructor played by Barbara Barrie when she runs off and slips into a river. Filmed in the winter at night, Maharis had to dive into 17-degree water to pull Barrie's character to safety. He wound up getting a cold and the company sent a doctor to give him a shot of vitamin B12, only Maharis wound up contracting hepatitis from the needle. The hepatitis along with the grueling Route 66 filming schedule, which Maharis said included working 16- and 17-hour days, landed Maharis in the hospital by late March 1962. What happened next is where the stories diverge.

Leonard was under pressure to finish out the filming of Season 2 as well as get the first couple of episodes filmed for the beginning of Season 3, so, according to documents published years later by Rick Dailey on his ohio66.com web site, he tried to combine Maharis' post-hospital recovery time with his contract-mandated vacation, a play objected to by Maharis and his agent Mimi Weber's attorney Gene Yusem. Eventually Maharis was released from the hospital on May 2, 1962, and Leonard planned to have him back working by June 4. Given his recent hospitalization and his doctor's recommendation for rest, Maharis told Leonard and company that he needed a less grueling schedule to avoid a relapse. However, at the same time he was in the midst of releasing his first vocal LP George Maharis Sings! for Epic Records, was making plans for recording a second album and entertaining feature film opportunities, and even scheduled an appearance on The Tonight Show while he was supposed to be recuperating in New York. Leonard and company took this contradiction as a sign that Maharis was trying to enhance his extra-Route 66 career at the series' expense and using his recent illness as an excuse to do so. Blocher adds that Leonard also probably distrusted Maharis after learning that he was homosexual after he had been hired to play a very hunky heterosexual character, and while Maharis has disavowed reports of any friction between him and co-star Martin Milner, he has also made numerous comments in interviews indicating that he was hurt when he never heard from or saw Milner while he was sick and that Milner was given top billing in the series as a virtual unknown, while Maharis had been the one who appeared in the Naked City episode that spawned Route 66.

While it may be fair to question Maharis' choices post-hospitalization, one also wonders, given his very recent physical ailments, why Leonard and Silliphant continued to have his character plunging into water for extended periods of time, such as the early Season 3 episode "Journey to Nineveh" (September 28, 1962) in which it is Buz rather than Tod who gets into a fishing boat with Buster Keaton's character Jonah Butler, only to have the boat sink in the lake. And in "Ever Ride the Waves in Oklahoma?" (October 12, 1962), it is Buz rather than Tod who decides to challenge Santa Monica surf king Hob Harrell, which requires him take surfing lessons for a week before attempting to shoot the pier (though, granted, the surfing scenes with Buz actually on a board are fake). Both characters are required to get wet in "Poor Little Kangaroo Rat" (November 23, 1962) when they go to work for a scientific researcher who captures sharks for tests on the cause of arterial thrombosis, though Buz is limited to diving into a waist-high holding tank while Tod is the one who jumps overboard to save the researcher's son. But Maharis recounts that by the time they filmed "Hey, Moth, Come Eat the Flame" (November 30, 1962) in St. Louis, he had suffered a relapse due to the heavy workload, which had not abated after his return, and he was advised by a doctor to go home, which is what he did. Given that episodes were not shown in the exact order in which they were filmed, he shows up again in the next episode, "Only by Cunning Glimpses" (December 7, 1962), which ironically revolves around a spiritual medium predicting that Buz would be killed by Tod and was the last episode in which Maharis appeared except for another out-of-sequence early 1963 episode, "A Gift for a Warrior" (January 18, 1963). His name would appear in the opening credits for another 3 episodes, suggesting that there may have been some attempt to keep him on the series even after his last performance. During both of Maharis' absences, the production team also tried keeping his character in the minds of viewers by having Tod periodically call in to the hospital where Buz was supposedly recovering from a virus while being attended to by attractive nurses. In the Season 3 episodes in which this ploy is used, Buz is suffering from an "echo virus," which Tod describes as a ringing in the ears, though today echovirus is a gastrointestinal malady while a ringing in the ears is known as tinnitus and does not require hospitalization. In any case, Maharis' replacement Glenn Corbett as Vietnam War veteran Linc Case made his first appearance in the March 22, 1963 episode "Fifty Miles From Home," but the series never again achieved the popularity it enjoyed when Maharis was aboard.

Aside from the off-screen drama, the 1962 episodes themselves are a mixed bag of timely or even prescient themes offset by overwrought melodrama and Silliphant's penchant for giving characters unrealistic dialogue that admirers of his style have called poetic but this author finds pompous. In the prescient category is the first episode of the year, "To Walk With the Serpent" (January 5, 1962) centered around anti-immigrant, Nazi-esque demagogue John Westerbrook who rails about how today's citizens lack the moral fiber of the original American patriots. Sound familiar? While the theme is certainly a timely one, the episode is hampered by ham-fisted dialogue and acting. Also of note: though such political positions may win the allegiance of tens of millions of Americans today, Westerbrook's retinue in this episode consists of less than 10 people. On the other side of the ledger, the aforementioned episode "Even the Stones Have Eyes" is noteworthy for its sensitive treatment of the sight-impaired after Buz suffers a workplace injury that leaves him blind and he is sent to a retreat for teaching the sight-impaired how to cope in a sighted world. The sight-impaired characters in this episode, particularly Buz's instructor Celia Monteros, demonstrate that they are not the subject of pity but have alternate ways of experiencing the world. Had the story played out merely with this theme, it would have been satisfying and entertaining, but instead we are given a melodramatic unrequited love story in which Celia falls in love with Buz but he does not return her feeling, leading to the ill-fated rescue from the freezing river that led to Maharis' bout of hepatitis. "Only by Cunning Glimpses" is another episode ahead of its time, playing out like a 1962 version of The X-Files with its tale of a fortune-telling medium who seems to be the real deal, leaving just enough uncertainty between her uncanny predictions and the impossibility of seeing the future to keep us in suspense while also examining the self-fulfilling prophecy syndrome, wherein the receiver of the prophecy is influenced to make choices that help it come true. But while The X-Files would probably leave us wondering whether Brycie Koseloff had true extra-sensory powers, Route 66 makes Brycie a phony who only pretends to be psychic in order to punish her father, whom she blames for her mother's death.

Undoubtedly the best character study amongst the 1962 episodes is "Welcome to the Wedding" (November 8, 1962) in which we meet psychopathic murderer Justin Lezama, played brilliantly by Rod Steiger (it's worth noting that Steiger would star in Silliphant's Oscar-winning screenplay In the Heat of the Night years later). Steiger is chilling in depicting how Lezama says he never felt anything, neither remorse nor joy, after killing his victim, but he is even better in showing how a psychopath can manipulate others for his own benefit when he makes Tod feel guilty about refusing to go fetch his brother so they can have a face-to-face talk before Lezama is transferred to prison. At first Tod sees no reason to help Lezama out, until Lezama starts playing on his emotions by describing his life in prison since the age of 17, how he has had no privacy 24 hours a day, and then mocks Tod by saying he must feel good about himself for refusing to help someone else. Lezama's tactics work, and Tod gives in, setting off the chain of events that lead to him being taken hostage by Lezama when the supposed brother turns out to be a fellow criminal with a gun. Unfortunately, the hostage angle is not new, even for Route 66, because the Season 2 episode "Aren't You Surprised to See Me?" (February 16, 1962) has Buz being taken hostage by a Biblically inspired serial killer Caine, who makes the ridiculous demand that the entire population of Dallas refrain from anything he considers immoral for 24 hours or he will blow Buz up with a bomb. Given how absurd the Caine character is in the earlier episode, we can at least give the series credit for presenting a more realistic, believable psychopath in Steiger's Lezama.

Less sympathetic are the fragile male egos depicted in episodes such as "From an Enchantress Fleeing" (June 1, 1962) in which inventor Dr. Lawrence Martin feels compelled to run away from his more successful wife Dr. Anna Martin because he accuses her of wanting to be self-sufficient and tells a group of like-minded belly-achers at a men-only retreat that he knew he was defeated after she insisted on putting a framed print he had bought in the bathroom after he had initially hung it in his study. Anna Martin's pediatric dental clinic is also depicted as shielding children from the unpleasant realities of the pain they are going to experience undergoing her treatments, which makes Tod, who works there, jump on the bandwagon of males complaining that women try to over-manage their lives. Another fragile male ego is millionaire cotton trader Franck Bridenbaugh in "Give the Old Cat a Tender Mouse" (December 21, 1962) whose bank has tried to match him with free-spirited millionaire heiress Vicki Russell, one of the few repeating guest characters in the series. While the two hit it off splendidly and seem headed for the altar, Bridenbaugh comes to realize that Vicki is a better dancer and equestrian than he is, and he says he doesn't like that. He just wants a woman he can come home to and relax with, perhaps like a drink of scotch, rather than a real, multi-dimensional human being with her own interests and aspirations. Tod, however, is head over heels about Vicki, spending the entire episode chasing after her and repeatedly getting ticketed or thrown in jail, which we are supposed to find humorous. Tod and Vicki first met in the Season 2 episode "How Much a Pound Is Albatross?" (February 9, 1962) when she buzzed past them into Tucson on her motorbike. Vicki is an independently wealthy young woman in search of herself who speaks like an obtuse beatnik, which is why Tod is so enamored of her--she is a female version of himself, except he actually has to work for money once in a while. And yet after she is ordered to leave Tucson at the end of their first episode together, he lets her leave, only asking how he can find her in the future, while she seems more interested in the Bridenbaugh type and is heartbroken when he breaks off their engagement, telling the private investigator sent by her bank to follow her around that even she, wild and impulsive as she is, wants someone to love. But you also have to wonder how serious Tod really is about her when the previous week he was pining over former big band singer and exotic dancer Ellen Barnes in "Where Is Chick Lorimer, Where Has She Gone?" (December 14, 1962). She also leaves him behind, abandoning her old home town that she had hoped to settle down in until her sordid past is exposed. With all the various characters running amok and never seeming to find happiness, also exposed is the myth that the place where we belong is somewhere down the open road, as if reaching a physical location or meeting one particular person will answer all the questions about who we are and should be. The characters who do seem to find resolution and contentment, such as the father-and-son duo Muddy and Arnie Mullins in "Hey, Moth, Come Eat the Flame," don't have to travel anywhere--they just look at what they already have in each other. That's an answer Tod and Buz don't seem likely to find anytime soon.

The Actors

For the biographies of Martin Milner and George Maharis, see the 1961 post on Route 66.

Notable Guest Stars

Season 2, Episode 14, "To Walk With the Serpent": Dan O'Herlihy (shown on the left, played "Doc" Sardius McPheeters on The Travels of Jamie McPheeters, "Boss" Will Varner #2 on The Long, Hot Summer, Lt. Col. Max Dodd on Colditz, The Director on A Man Called Sloane, and Andrew Packard on Twin Peaks) plays anti-immigrant demagogue John Westerbrook. Frank Sutton (appeared in Marty, Town Without Pity, and The Satan Bug and played Eric Raddison on Tom Corbett, Space Cadet and Sgt. Vince Carter on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.) plays his bodyguard Jack Davis. DeAnn Mears (Emily Bullock on Beacon Hill and Judge Maria Gance on Law & Order) plays his girlfriend Amelia Van Ness. Logan Ramsey (Warden Wilbur Poindexter on On the Rocks and Joseph Anthony on The Young and the Restless) plays Westerbrook follower Emery Williams. Judson Laire (Lars Hanson on Mama and Thomas Henry on The Doctors and the Nurses) plays Westerbrook's father Henry. Simon Oakland (starred in Psycho, West Side Story, and Follow That Dream and played Inspector Spooner on Toma, Tony Vincenzo on Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Brig. Gen. Thomas Moore on Black Sheep Squadron, and Sgt. Abrams on David Cassidy - Man Undercover) plays FBI Special Agent Ben Newcombe. Joseph Campanella (Dr. Ted Steffen on The Doctors and the Nurses, Brian Darrell on The Bold Ones: The Lawyers, Lew Wickersham on Mannix, Ed Cooper on One Day at a Time, Hutch Corrigan on The Colbys, Harper Deveraux on Days of Our Lives, Joe on That's Life, Judge Joseph Camp on The Practice, and Jonathan Young on The Bold and the Beautiful) plays FBI agent Perry Hall.

Season 2, Episode 15, "A Long Piece of Mischief": Albert Salmi (Yadkin on Daniel Boone and Pete Ritter on Petrocelli) plays rodeo clown Ollie Crump. Audrey Totter (shown on the right, starred in The Postman Always Rings Twice, Lady in the Lake, The Set-up, and Any Number Can Play and played Beth Purcell on Cimarron City, Alice MacRoberts on Our Man Higgins, and Nurse Wilcox on Medical Center) plays trick rider Babe Hunter. Ben Johnson (starred in Shane, The Wild Bunch, Chisum, and The Getaway and played Sleeve on The Monroes) plays rodeo rider Del McNab. Slim Pickens (starred in The Story of Will Rogers, Dr. Strangelove, Blazing Saddles, The Apple Dumpling Gang, Beyond the Poseidon Adventure, and The Howling and played Slim on Outlaws, Slim Walker on The Wide Country, California Joe Milner on Custer, and Sgt. Beauregard Wiley on B.J. & the Bear) plays McNab's pal Jud. Denver Pyle (Ben Thompson on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Grandpa Tarleton on Tammy, Briscoe Darling on The Andy Griffith Show, Buck Webb on The Doris Day Show, Mad Jack on The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, and Uncle Jesse on The Dukes of Hazzard) plays rodeo owner Joe Wylie. Neal Gay (Rodeo Hall of Fame stock contractor and producer) plays a rodeo official.

Season 2, Episodes 16, "1800 Days to Justice": John Ericson (starred in Bad Day at Black Rock, Pretty Boy Floyd, The Bamboo Saucer, and Bedknobs and Broomsticks and played Sam Bolt on Burke's Law and Honey West) plays falsely accused bank robber David Job. Roger Torrey (Nils Torvald on Iron Horse and Mark Templeton on The Beverly Hillbillies) plays his henchman Candy. Marion Ross (shown on the left, played Nora on Life With Father, Susan Green on The Gertrude Berg Show, Marion Cunningham on Happy Days and Joanie Loves Chachi, Emily Heywod/Hayward on The Love Boat, Sophie Berger on Brooklyn Bridge, Beulah Carey on The Drew Carey Show, and the voice of Mrs. Lopart on Handy Manny) plays David's former girlfriend Annie O'Neil. Noah Beery, Jr. (see the biography section for the 1960 post on Riverboat) plays David's brother Emlyn. DeForest Kelley (Dr. McCoy on Star Trek) plays David's accuser Bob Harcourt, Jr. Patrick Cranshaw (Andy on Alice, Jake Loomis on Mork & Mindy, and Bob Scannell on AfterMASH) plays Harcourt, TX resident Luke. Oliver McGowan (Harvey Welk on Empire) plays Harcourt Sheriff Hank Drake.

Season 2, Episodes 17, "City of Wheels": Steven Hill (shown on the right, appeared in The Slender Thread, Yentl, Legal Eagles, Brighton Beach Memoirs, and The Firm and played Daniel Briggs on Mission: Impossible and D.A. Adam Schiff on Law & Order) plays paraplegic Korean War veteran Frank Madera. James T. Callahan (see the biography section for the 1962 post on Dr. Kildare) plays his friend Matt "Smudge" Hicks. Bethel Leslie (appeared in 15 episodes of The Richard Boone Show and played Dr. Maggie Powers on The Doctors, Claudia Conner on All My Children, and Ethel Crawford on One Life to Live) plays sympathetic nurse Lori Barton. Jacqueline Scott (starred in House of Women, Empire of the Ants, and Telefon and played Donna Kimble Taft on The Fugitive) plays her colleague Midge Duran. John Lasell (Dr. Peter Guthrie on Dark Shadows) plays VA hospital pool supervisor Dan. Henry Beckman (Commander Paul Richards on Flash Gordon, Mulligan on I'm Dickens, He's Fenster, George Anderson on Peyton Place, Colonel Harrigan on McHale's Navy, Capt. Roland Frances Clancey on Here Come the Brides, Pat Harwell on Funny Face, Harry Mark on Bronk, and Alf Scully on Check It Out) plays a nightclub masher.

Season 2, Episode 18, "How Much a Pound Is Albatross?": Julie Newmar (shown on the left, appeared in The Rookie, Li'l Abner, Mackenna's Gold, and The Maltese Bippy and played Rhoda Miller on My Living Doll and The Catwoman on Batman) plays free-spirited millionaire heiress Vicki Russell. Ray Teal (see the biography section for the 1961 post on Bonanza) plays Tucson Sheriff Ames. Med Flory (played clarinet in the Ray Anthony orchestra and founded and played alto sax in the group Super Sax, appeared in Gun Street, The Nutty Professor (1963), and The Gumball Rally, and played Sheriff Mike McBride on High Mountain Rangers) plays police patrolman Jim. Frank McHugh (appeared in The Front Page, The Crowd Roars, One Way Passage, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Going My Way, and State Fair and played Willis Walter on The Bing Crosby Show) plays barfly Landers. Thann Wyenn (Licenciado Piña on Zorro) plays a judge. Phil Arnold (vaudeville actor, appeared in Little Miss Broadway, Deadline, G.I. Jane, The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell, and Robin and the 7 Hoods and played Dr. Zerbo on Cowboy G-Men) plays bail bondsman Larry. Ted Thorpe (casting director for Hawaii Five-O) plays a store owner.

Season 2, Episode 19, "Aren't You Surprised to See Me?": David Wayne (shown on the right, starred in Adam's Rib, M, How to Marry a Millionaire, The Three Faces of Eve, and The Andromeda Strain and played Preston Norby on Norby, The Mad Hatter on Batman, Charles Dutton on The Good Life, Inspector Richard Queen on Ellery Queen, and Doctor Amos Weatherby on House Calls) plays religious serial killer Caine. James Brown (appeared in Going My Way, Sands of Iwo Jima, The Sea Hornet, and A Star Is Born (1954) and played Lt. Rip Masters on The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin and Det. Harry McSween on Dallas) plays Dallas police Capt. Strode. K Callan (appeared in Joe, A Touch of Class, American Gigolo, and Knives Out and played Katie Wabash on Joe's World, Connie Buford on Cutter to Houston, Marion Williamson on Coach, Martha Kent on Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Eleanor McGill on Carnivale, Miss Daisy on Meet the Browns, and Judy Sherman on Veep) plays a Western Union agent. Stockton Briggle (producer of Capitol) plays stockroom worker Harry.

Season 2, Episode 20, "You Never Had It So Good": Peter Graves (shown on the left, see the biography section for the 1961 post on Whiplash) plays real estate developer Lee Fisk. Patricia Barry (Kate Harris on Harris Against the World, Lydia McGuire on Dr. Kildare, Adelaide Horton Williams on Days of Our Lives, Peg English on All My Children, and Sally Gleason on Guiding Light) plays his comptroller Terry Prentiss. Lynda Day George (wife of actor Christopher George, starred in The Gentle Rain, Chisum, and Beyond Evil and played Amelia Cole on The Silent Force and Lisa Casey on Mission: Impossible) plays Buz's date Bibi.

Season 2, Episode 21, "Shoulder the Sky, My Son": Ed Asner (shown on the right, appeared in The Satan Bug, The Slender Thread, The Venetian Affair, El Dorado, Change of Habit, They Call Me Mr. Tibbs!, JFK, and Up! and played Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda, and Lou Grant, Sam Waltman on Off the Rack, Principal Joe Danzig on The Bronx Zoo, Walter Kovacs on The Trials of Rosie O'Neill, George Lahti on Hearts Afire, Gil Jones on Thunder Alley, Carl Dobson on The Closer, Art Barnett on Center of the Universe, Wilson White on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Patrick on The Line, Hank Greziak on Working Class, and Dr. Wasserman on Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays) plays machine shop supervisor Carl Selman. Michael McGreevey (see the biography section for the 1960 post on Riverboat) plays his 13-year-old son Davey. Susan Gordon (appeared in Attack of the Puppet People, Tormented, The Five Pennies, and Picture Mommy Dead) plays Davey's friend Rosie Corbello. H.M. Wynant (Lt. Bauer on The Young Marrieds, Frosty on Batman, and Ed Chapman on Dallas) plays the Selmans' Rabbi Harris.

Season 2, Episode 22, "Blues for the Left Foot": Elizabeth Seal (shown on the left, Tony-winning actress, appeared in Town on Trial, Trouble in the Sky, and Vampire Circus) plays former dancer Rosemarie Brown. Akim Tamiroff (starred in The Lives of a Bengal Lancer, The Way of All Flesh, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Touch of Evil, and Ocean's 11) plays CBS producer Sam Benjamin. Zack Matalon (first husband of Elizabeth Seal) plays TV star Peter Martin. Harvey Lembeck (appeared in You're in the Navy Now, Stalag 17, and The Unsinkable Molly Brown, played Eric Von Zipper in 5 beach movies--Beach Party, Bikini Beach, Pajama Party, Beach Blanket Bingo, and How to Stuff a Wild Bikini, and played Chips Collins on Make Room for Daddy, Cpl. Rocco Barbella on The Phil Silvers Show, and Seaman Gabby di Julio on Ensign O'Toole) plays Martin's comic sidekick Zip. Elaine Joyce (appeared in West Side Story, How to Frame a Figg, and Motel Hell and played Marsha on City of Angels and Alexandra on Mr. Merlin) plays chorus girl Maxine. Larri Thomas (the Billboard Girl on The Hollywood Palace and a regular performer on The Dean Martin Show) plays chorus girl Joy. Zeme North (appeared in Zotz!, Palm Springs Weekend, and That Funny Feeling and played Judy Kimball on The Secret Life of Henry Phyfe) plays chorus girl Rhoda. Joseph Mell (Bill Pence on Gunsmoke) plays Rosemarie's late husband's manager Marty Epstein.

Season 2, Episode 23, "Go Read the River": John Larch (starred in The Wrecking Crew, Play Misty for Me, and Dirty Harry and played Deputy District Attorney Jerry Miller on Arrest and Trial, Gerald Wilson on Dynasty, and Arlen & Atticus Ward on Dallas) plays speed-boat designer Sandy Mason. Lois Smith (shown on the right, appeared in East of Eden, Five Easy Pieces, Fatal Attraction, Fried Green Tomatoes, Twister, and Minority Report and played Mrs. Bendarik on Love of Life, Eleanor Conrad on The Doctors, Mrs. Oates on The Edge of Night, Aunt Betsy Cramer on One Life to Live, Ruth on Ruth & Erica, Adele Stackhouse on True Blood, and Jeanne Anne McCullough on The Son) plays his daughter Dana. Russell Johnson (starred in It Came From Outer Space, This Island Earth, and Johnny Dark and played Marshal Gib Scott on Black Saddle, Professor Roy Hinkley on Gilligan's Island, and Assistant D.A. Brenton Grant on Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law) plays metallurgist Bob Keel. Frank Maxwell (Duncan MacRoberts on Our Man Higgins, Henry Coleman on The Young Marrieds, Col. Garraway on The Second Hundred Years, Capt. Nye on Felony Squad, and Dan Rooney on General Hospital) plays Mason employee George Mills. Elizabeth MacRae (Lou-Ann Poovie on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Meg Bentley on General Hospital, Phyllis Anderson and Barbara Randolph on Days of Our Lives, and Jozie on Search for Tomorrow) plays rival engineer Jean Cory. John Astin (appeared in That Touch of Mink, The Wheeler Dealers, Move Over, Darling, Viva Max, and Freaky Friday and played Harry Dickens on I'm Dickens, He's Fenster, Gomez Addams on The Addams Family, Rudy Pruitt on The Phyllis Diller Show, Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Sherman on Operation Petticoat, Ed LaSalle on Mary, Buddy Ryan on Night Court, Radford on Eerie, Indiana, and Prof. Albert Wickwire on The Adventures of Briscoe County, Jr.) plays security guard Benson. Harold Gould (Bowman Chamberlain on The Long Hot Summer, Harry Danton on The Feather and Father Gang, Martin Morgenstern on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rhoda, Jonah Foot on Foot in the Door, Ben Sprague on Spencer, and Miles Webber on The Golden Girls) plays company president Edward Crane.

Season 2, Episode 24, "Even Stones Have Eyes": Barbara Barrie (shown on the left, played Ginny Crandall on Love of Life, Norma Brodnik on Diana, Elizabeth Miller on Barney Miller, Evelyn Stoller on Breaking Away, Ellen Hobbes on Tucker's Witch, Elizabeth Potter on Reggie, Aunt Margo on Double Trouble, and Helen Keane on Suddenly Susan) plays blind instructor Celia Monteros. Paul Tripp (host of children's shows Mr. I. Magination and On the Carousel and co-creator of Tubby the Tuba) plays Lions Club camp manager Frank Robinson. Booth Colman (Zaius on Planet of the Apes, Prof. Hector Jerrold on General Hospital, and Dr. Felix Burke on The Young and the Restless) plays Austin physician Dr. Snyder. Dallas Mitchell (Det. Fisher on The Asphalt Jungle) plays Buz's roommate Chet Hollis.

Season 2, Episode 25, "Love Is a Skinny Kid": Tuesday Weld (shown on the right, see the biography section for the 1960 post on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis) plays former mental patient Miriam Moore. Cloris Leachman (starred in The Last Picture Show, Charley and the Angel, Dillinger, and Young Frankenstein and played Effie Perrine on Charlie Wild, Private Detective, Ruth Martin on Lassie, Rhoda Kirsh on Dr. Kildare, Phyllis Lindstrom on Mary Tyler Moore, Rhoda, and Phyllis, Beverly Ann Stickle on The Facts of Life, Mrs. Frick on The Nutt House, Emily Collins on Walter & Emily, Grammy Winthrop on Thanks, Dot Richmond on The Ellen Show, Ida on Malcolm in the Middle, Maw Maw on Raising Hope, and Mrs. Mandelbaum on Mad About You) plays her mother Lydia Manning. Burt Reynolds (see the biography section for the 1960 post on Riverboat) plays local bully Tommy. Veronica Cartwright (starred in The Birds, The Children's Hour, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), Alien, The Right Stuff, and The Witches of Eastwick and played Jemima Boone on Daniel Boone, Molly Hark on Tanner '88, A.D.A. Margaret Flanagan on L.A. Law, Cassandra Spender on The X-Files, Valerie Shenkman on Invasion, and Bun Waverly on Eastwick) plays Miriam at age 9. Harry Townes (starred in The Brothers Karamazov, Screaming Mimi, and Sanctuary) plays newspaper publisher Jason Palmer.  Malcolm Atterbury (starred in I Was a Teenage Werewolf, The Birds, and The Learning Tree and played John Bixby on Wagon Train and Grandfather Aldon on Apple's Way) plays Kilkenny, TX Sheriff Jim Bruner. Patrick Cranshaw (see "1800 Days to Justice" above) plays boarding house proprietor Alfred.

Season 2, Episode 26, "Kiss the Maiden All Forlorn": Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. (shown on the left, son of silent film star Douglas Fairbanks and first husband of Joan Crawford, starred in Little Caesar, The Prisoner of Zenda, Gunga Din, Angles Over Broadway, and Sinbad, the Sailor) plays fugitive Charles Clayton. Zina Bethune (Robin Lang on Guiding Light, Lisha Steele on Young Doctor Malone, Gail Lucas on The Doctors and the Nurses, and Barbara Sterling on Love of Life) plays his daughter Bonnie. James Brown (see "Aren't You Surprised to See Me?" above) plays the Dallas sheriff. Elena Verdugo (appeared in House of Frankenstein, Gene Autry and the Mounties, The Pathfinder, and Angel in My Pocket and played Millie Bronson on Meet Millie, Gerry on Redigo, Audrey on The New Phil Silvers Show, Lynn Hall on Many Happy Returns, Alice on Mona McCluskey, and Consuelo Lopez on Marcus Welby, M.D.) plays Clayton's mistress Elena Madragarra. Michael Tolan (Dr. Alan Tazinski on The Doctors and the Nurses, Jordan Boyle on The Bold Ones: The Senator, and Dan Whitfield on The Mary Tyler Moore Show) plays her brother Antonio. Arthur Hill (starred in The Deep Blue Sea, Harper, The Andromeda Strain, and A Bridge Too Far and played Owen Marshall on Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law and Charles Hardwick on Glitter) plays newspaper reporter Howard Davis. Duke Farley (Sgt. Reilly on Car 54, Where Are You?) plays his editor. Beatrice Straight (starred in Patterns, Network, Endless Love, and Poltergeist and played Vinnie Phillips on Love of Life, Mrs. Hacker on Beacon Hill, and Louisa Beauchamp on King's Crossing) plays convent leader Mother Teresa. Bobby Hargis (motorcycle police officer riding alongside John F. Kennedy's limousine during assassination in Dallas) plays a police officer.

Season 2, Episode 27, "Two on the House": Ralph Meeker (shown on the right, starred in The Naked Spur, Kiss Me Deadly, Paths of Glory, and The Dirty Dozen and played Sgt. Steve Dekker on Not for Hire) plays construction mogul Willard McIntyre. Katherine Meskill (Marian Winters on Guiding Light, Agnes Metcalf on Search for Tomorrow, Mattie Lane Grimsley on The Edge of Night, and Mavis Fleming on Love of Life) plays his secretary Miss Clevinger. Henry Jones (Dean Fred Baker on Channing, Owen Metcalf on The Girl With Something Extra, Judge Jonathan Dexter on Phyllis, Josh Alden on Mrs. Columbo, Homer McCoy on Gun Shy, B. Riley Wicker on Falcon Crest, and Hughes Whitney Lennox on I Married Dora) plays tour boat captain Asa Turnbull. Patricia Smith (Charlotte Landers on The Debbie Reynolds Show and Margaret Hoover on The Bob Newhart Show) plays school teacher Evelyn Aubrey. Herb Voland (appeared in The Shakiest Gun in the West, The Love God?, and Airplane! and played Fred Hammond on Love on a Rooftop, Henry Masterson on Mister Deeds Goes to Town, Neil Oglivie on Arnie, J.J. McNish on The Paul Lynde Show, and Gen. Crandell Clayton on M*A*S*H) plays Cleveland police Lt. Bill Garrison. Barnard Hughes (appeared in Hamlet, Midnight Cowboy, TRON, and The Lost Boys and played Dr. Bruce Banning on Guiding Light, Wilfred Hollister on The Secret Storm, Mr. Barton on As the World Turns, Dr. Joe Bogert on Doc, Max Merlin on Mr. Merlin, Francis Cavanaugh on The Cavanaughs, and Buzz Richman on Blossom) plays transient Al Forrester. Fred Stromsoe (Officer Jerry Woods on Adam-12, stunt coordinator on Petrocelli and Logan's Run, and first assistant director on Dallas) plays a grocery delivery van driver.

Season 2, Episode 28, "There I Am -- There I Always Am": Joanna Moore (shown on the left, see the biography section for the 1962 post on The Andy Griffith Show) plays bored socialite Lola. Emile Genest (Napoleon Plouffe on La famille Plouffe and Charles Gougier on Monsieur le ministre) plays her boyfriend Emil Barraux. Larry Tucker (Paul Mazursky's writing partner, co-wrote I Love You, Alice B. Toklas!, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, and Alice in Wonderland (1970), co-created The Monkees, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, Mr. Merlin, and Stir Crazy) plays a pool-playing bartender.

Season 2, Episode 29, "Between Hello and Goodbye": Susan Oliver (shown on the right, played Ann Howard on Peyton Place and Laura Horton on Days of Our Lives) plays split personality Chris Sinclair/Claire Richard. Herschel Bernardi (see the biography section for the 1960 post on Peter Gunn) plays her therapist Dr. Arthur Reisman. Joan Tompkins (Trudy Wagner on Sam Benedict, Mrs. Brahms on Occasional Wife, and Lorraine Miller on My Three Sons) plays realtor Mrs. Thomas. Ruth Enders (Ruth on Birthday House) plays real estate client Mrs. Martin.

Season 2, Episode 30, "A Feat of Strength": Jack Warden (shown on the left, starred in From Here to Eternity, 12 Angry Men, and Run Silent, Run Deep and played Matt Gower on The Asphalt Jungle, Major Simon Butcher on The Wackiest Ship in the Army, Lt. Mike Haines on N.Y.P.D., Morris Buttermaker on The Bad News Bears, and Harry Fox, Sr. on Crazy Like a Fox) plays Hungarian wrestler and freedom fighter Sandor Biro. Signe Hasso (appeared in Heaven Can Wait (1943), The House on 92nd Street, and To the Ends of the Earth) plays his wife Eva. Joe De Santis (appeared in Deadline - U.S.A., I Want to Live!, Al Capone, and Madame X) plays wrestling promoter Rudy Steiner. Norman Grabowski (appeared in Girls Town, College Confidential, Sex Kittens Go to College, Roustabout, The Monkey's Uncle, and The Towering Inferno and played Padowski on Hank) plays wrestler Georgie. Harriet E. MacGibbon (see the biography section for the 1962 post on The Beverly Hillbillies) plays a hospital nurse. Jesslyn Fax (appeared in Rear Window, The Music Man, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, and The Love God? and played Angela Devon on Our Miss Brooks, Emma the fan club VP on The Jack Benny Program, and Wilma Fritter on Many Happy Returns) plays wrestling fan Birdie.

Season 2, Episode 31, "Hell Is Empty, All the Devils Are Here": Peter Graves (see "You Never Had It So Good" above) plays zoo owner Peter Hale. Michael Pate (shown on the right, starred in Face to Face, Julius Caesar, Hondo, and Tower of London and played Chief Vittoro on Hondo and Det. Sgt. Vic Maddern on Matlock) plays agent Philip Tager. Henry Beckman (see "City of Wheels" above) plays contractor Wasson.

Season 2, Episode 32, "From an Enchantress Fleeing": June Vincent (starred in Honeymoon Lodge, Black Angel, Shed No Tears, and The Creeper and played Dr. Amanda Winninger on Bright Promise) plays prominent dentist Dr. Anna Martin. Arthur O'Connell (shown on the left, appeared in Picnic, Bus Stop, Gidget, Anatomy of a Murder, The Reluctant Astronaut, and The Poseidon Adventure and played Edwin Carpenter on The Second Hundred Years) plays her husband, inventor Dr. Lawrence Martin. Anne Helm (starred in Follow That Dream, The Interns, and Honeymoon Hotel and played Molly Pierce on Run for Your Life and Mary Briggs on General Hospital) plays their daughter Lorre. Bobby Horan (Paul Garret on The Hero) plays dental patient Mark Bradley. Biff Elliot (starred in I, the Jury, House of Bamboo, and Pork Chop Hill) plays former boxer Ames. Milton Selzer (Parker on Get Smart, Jake Winkelman on The Harvey Korman Show, Abe Werkfinder on The Famous Teddy Z, and Manny Henry on Valley of the Dolls) plays movie producer Gunther. Thayer Roberts (Thomas on The Living Bible) plays business executive Mr. Anderson. Josie Lloyd (Nurse Roth on Dr. Kildare) plays test subject Janie Sanders. Robert Biheller (Corky on Here Come the Brides) plays her boyfriend.

Season 3, Episode 1, "One Tiger to a Hill": David Janssen (shown on the right, starred in To Hell and Back, Hell to Eternity, King of the Roaring '20's, The Green Berets, and The Shoes of the Fisherman and played Richard Diamond on Richard Diamond, Private Detective, Dr. Richard Kimble on The Fugitive, Jim O'Hara on O'Hara, U.S. Treasury, and Harry Orwell on Harry O) plays World War II veteran Karno Starling. Signe Hasso (see "A Feat of Strength" above) plays seafood company owner Anna Gustafson. Laura Devon (wife of film composer Maurice Jarre, appeared in Goodbye Charlie, Chamber of Horrors, and Gunn, played Sister Benjamin on Dr. Kildare, and made 25 appearances on The Richard Boone Show) plays her daughter Toika.

Season 3, Episode 2, "Journey to Ninevah": Buster Keaton (shown on the left, iconic silent-film comedian, starred in Sherlock Jr., Go West, The General, Steamboat Bill, Jr., Sunset Boulevard, and Beach Blanket Bingo and hosted The Buster Keaton Show) plays alleged jinx Jonah Butler. Joe E. Brown (starred in Elmer, the Great, Alibi Ike, Show Boat, and Some Like It Hot) plays his brother Sam. Edgar Buchanan (Uncle Joe Carson on The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, and Petticoat Junction, Red Connors on Hopalong Cassidy, Judge Roy Bean on Judge Roy Bean, Doc Burrage on The Rifleman, and J.J. Jackson on Cade's County) plays Gladstone, MO magistrate Abe Chumley. Guy Raymond (Martin Perkins on Ichabod and Me, Cliff Murdock on Harris Against the World and Karen, and Mr. Peevey on The Ghost and Mrs. Muir) plays Gladstone constable Lauderbeck. John Davis Chandler (appeared in Mad Dog Coll, The Young Savages, Ride the High Country, and The Good Guys and the Bad Guys) plays his son Frank. Russell Horton (Junior Hocker on Petticoat Junction and voiced Kat's Father on Kenny the Shark and the Trix rabbit in Trix cereal commercials) plays Frank's friend Jake. John Astin (see "Go Read the River" above) plays a gas station attendant.

Season 3, Episode 3, "Man Out of Time": Luther Adler (shown on the right, appeared in House of Strangers, M (1951), D.O.A., and Absence of Malice) plays Prohibition-era beer distributor Harry Wender. Glenda Farrell (starred in Little Caesar, I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang, Johnny Eager, The Talk of the Town, and Kissin' Cousins and played Torchy Blane in 7 feature films) plays his ex-wife Laverne. Bruce Gordon (see the biography section for the 1961 post on The Untouchables) plays former associate Jake the Hook. Frank McHugh (see "How Much a Pound Is Albatross?" above) plays former newspaper columnist Sandy Leeds. Jack Hollander (Snell on The Edge of Night) plays a train station baggage handler.

Season 3, Episode 4, "Ever Ride the Waves in Oklahoma?": Jeremy Slate (shown on the left, starred in The Sons of Katie Elder, The Devil's Brigade, and True Grit and played Larry Lahr on The Aquanauts and Chuck Wilson on One Life to Live) plays surf champion Hob Harrell. Bruce Watson (voiced Phineas Fogg, Jr. on Cattanooga Cats and played D'Artagnan on The Banana Splits Adventure Hour) plays hitchhiker Jimmy Mills. Dolores Michaels (appeared in The Wayward Bus, April Love, and Warlock) plays surfer nightspot owner Medrith. James Westmoreland (Ruel Jaxon on The Monroes and Teddy Holmes on General Hospital) plays a surfer.

Season 3, Episode 5, "Voice at the End of the Line": Sorrell Booke (shown on the right, played D.A. Ira Newton on The Guiding Light and Boss Hogg on The Dukes of Hazzard) plays timid warehouse clerk Sam Frazier. Frank Campanella (appeared in The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight, Heaven Can Wait (1978), The Flamingo Kid, and Dick Tracy and played Mook the Moon Man on Captain Video and His Video Rangers and Paczka on Skag) plays his workplace antagonist Jack. Martha Greenhouse (Rose Henderson on Car 54, Where Are You?) plays answering service worker Ruthie.

Season 3, Episode 6, "Lizard's Leg and Owlet's Wing": Boris Karloff (shown on the near left, see the biography section for the 1960 post on Thriller) plays himself. Lon Chaney, Jr. (shown on the middle left, starred in The Wolfman, Of Mice and Men, High Noon, The Ghost of Frankenstein, The Curse of Dracula, Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman, and many others, and played Chief Eagle Shadow on Pistols 'n' Petticoats and Chingachgook on Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans) plays himself. Peter Lorre (shown on the far left, starred in M, Crime and Punishment, eight Mr. Moto movies, The Maltese Falcon, Casablanca, Arsenic and Old Lace, and The Beast With Five Fingers) plays himself. Martita Hunt (appeared in The Mill on the Floss, Great Expectations, Anastasia, The Brides of Dracula, Becket, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, and Bunny Lake Is Missing) plays their business advisor Mrs. Baxter. Conrad Nagel (starred in Little Women (1918), What Every Woman Knows, Lawful Larceny, and Tess of the D'urbervilles) plays motel manager Mr. Pavis. Jeannine Riley (appeared in Strike Me Deadly, The Big Mouth, and Electra Glide in Blue and played Billie Jo Bradley on Petticoat Junction, Lulu McQueen on Dusty's Trail, and was a regular on Hee Haw) plays former executive secretary Molly Cross. Betsy Jones-Moreland (Judge Elinor Harrelson in 7 Perry Mason TV movies) plays secretaries group president Lila Bain. Sally Gracie (Pat Steel on The Nurses, Martha Allen on The Doctors, and Ina Hopkins on One Life to Live) plays her colleague Beth Traymore. William Berger (starred in Ringo's Big Night, Cisco, The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff, and Tough Guys and played Capt. Farrell on The Clear Horizon) plays Molly's former boss Charles Stevenson.

Season 3, Episode 7, "Across Walnuts and Wine": Nina Foch (shown on the near right, starred in The Return of the Vampire, The Cry of the Werewolf, An American in Paris, The Ten Commandments, and Spartacus and played Madeline on Bull) plays former Milwaukee school teacher Autumn Ely. Betty Field (shown on the far right, starred in Kings Row, Of Mice and Men, Victory, The Great Gatsby (1949), Picnic, Bus Stop, Birdman of Alcatraz, and Coogan's Bluff) plays her sister Maggie Carter. James Dunn (Earl Morgan on It's a Great Life) plays Maggie's husband Van. Sindee Ann Richards (Jennie on The Doctors) plays their daughter Corinne. Robert Walker, Jr. (starred in The Ceremony, Ensign Pulver, Easy Rider, and Young Billy Young) plays their nephew Michael Ely.

Season 3, Episode 8, "Welcome to the Wedding": Rod Steiger (shown on the left, Oscar winner, starred in On the Waterfront, Oklahoma!, The Pawnbroker, The Brothers Karamazov, Doctor Zhivago, and In the Heat of the Night) plays convicted murderer Justin Lezama. Ed Asner (see "Shoulder the Sky, My Son" above) plays his custody officer Lincoln Peers. David Clarke (Abel Bingley on The Waltons and Tiso Novotny on Ryan's Hope) plays Lezama's supposed brother Stanley. Penny Fuller (Fran Delaney on The Doctors, Gerry McGrath Pollock on The Edge of Night, Marilyn Carter on Melrose Place, and Theresa Stemple on Mad About You) plays a bride about to be married. Brandon Maggart (Buddy on Sesame Street, George Elliot on Jennifer Slept Here, Lou Waters on Brothers, and Mike Donovan on Chicken Soup) plays her groom.

Season 3, Episode 9, "Every Father's Daughter": Jack Kruschen (appeared in The War of the Worlds, The Apartment, Lover Come Back, and Freebie and the Bean and played Tully on Hong Kong, Sam Markowitz on Busting Loose, Papa Papadapolis on Webster, and Fred Avery on Material World) plays construction tycoon John Rados. Madlyn Rhue (shown on the right, played Marjorie Grant on Bracken's World, Angela Schwartz on Fame, Daphne DiMera on Days of Our Lives, Hilary Mason/Madison on Executive Suite, and Annie Hartung on Houston Knights) plays his daughter Ara. Robert Drivas (Brad Robinson on Our Private World) plays her brother Nick.

Season 3, Episode 10, "Poor Little Kangaroo Rat": Leslie Nielsen (shown on the left, starred in Forbidden Planet, The Opposite Sex, The Poseidon Adventure, Airplane!, and the Naked Gun trilogy and played Lt. Price Adams on The New Breed, Victor & Kenneth Markham on Peyton Place, Harry Kleber on Dr. Kildare, Sam Danforth on The Bold Ones: The Protectors, John Bracken on Bracken's World, and Det. Frank Drebin on Police Squad!) plays research scientist Walter "Doc" Duncan. Joanne Linville (Amy Sinclair on The Guiding Light) plays his wife Helen. Ron Howard (see the biography section for the 1961 post on The Andy Griffith Show) plays his son Chet. Maggie Pierce (Barbara Crabtree on My Mother the Car) plays his research assistant Liz Penfold.

Season 3, Episode 11, "Hey, Moth, Come Eat the Flame": Harry Guardino (shown on the right, starred in Houseboat, Pork Chop Hill, The Five Pennies, Hell Is for Heroes, Madigan, Dirty Harry, and The Enforcer and played Danny Taylor on The Reporter, Monty Nash on Monty Nash, and Hamilton Burger on The New Perry Mason plays alcoholic pianist Muddy Mullins. Mickey Sholdar (Steve Morley on The Farmer's Daughter) plays his 13-year-old son Arnie. Mike Kellin (appeared in At War With the Army, The Wackiest Ship in the Army, The Boston Strangler, and Midnight Express and played C.P.O. Willie Miller on The Wackiest Ship in the Army) plays heist leader Art Hannibal. Percy James (percussionist with Quartette Trés Bien) plays himself. Marilyn Rogers (cast member of the original Broadway productions of The Sound of Music and Fiddler on the Roof) plays a girl at a children of alcoholics support group. Jennifer Billingsley (starred in Lady in a Cage, C.C. and Company, and White Lightning and played Polly Prentiss on General Hospital) plays Tod's date Janie.

Season 3, Episode 12, "Only by Cunning Glimpses": Lois Smith (see "Go Read the River" above) plays mentalist Brycie Koseloff. Theodore Bikel (shown on the left, starred in Moulin Rouge, The Defiant Ones, A Dog of Flanders, My Fair Lady, and The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! and played Marin Dimitrov on Falcon Crest) plays her father Dr. Anton Koseloff. Dan Frazer (Capt. Frank McNeil on Kojak and Lt. McCloskey on As the World Turns) plays a drunk audience member. George L. Smith (Det. Ernie Cadman on The Doctors) plays fraud investigator Lt. Cory. Lu Leonard (Gertrude Reilly on Jake and the Fatman) plays phony medium Madame Thornton. Lee Aaker (appeared in The Atomic City, Hondo, and Destry and played Cpl. Rusty on The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin) plays her son Tony. Del Thorne (nightclub singer and organist who recorded one single for Excello Records in 1953) appears as herself.

Season 3, Episode 13, "Where Is Chick Lorimer, Where Has She Gone?": Vera Miles (shown on the right, starred in Wichita, The Searchers, The Wrong Man, The FBI Story, and Psycho) plays former singer Ellen Barnes. Martha Scott (starred in Our Town, Stage Door Canteen, The Ten Commandments, Sayonara, Ben-Hur, and The Turning Point and played Jennifer Talbot on General Hospital, Helen Elgin on The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman, Mrs. Martha Hartley on The Bob Newhart Show, Margaret Millington on Secrets of Midland Heights, and Patricia Shepard on Dallas) plays her sister Ruth O'Brien. Brenda Scott (married and divorced actor Andrew Prine three times, now married to producer Dean Hargrove, played Midge Pride on The Road West and Dr. Gina Dante Lansing on General Hospital) plays Ruth's daughter Jeannie. Stephen Brooks (Special Agent Jim Rhodes on The F.B.I., Dr. Greg Pettit on The Interns, and Joshua Fallon on Days of Our Lives) plays Jeannie's new husband Ralph. Frank Overton (starred in Desire Under the Elms, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Fail-Safe and played Major Harvey Stovall on 12 O'Clock High) plays Ellen's former boyfriend Peter Graham. Robert Emhardt (Sgt. Vinton on The Kids From C.A.P.E.R. and Willard Masefield on The Edge of Night) plays bail bondsman Jackson Harris. John Marriott (appeared in The Little Foxes, The Joe Louis Story, Black Like Me, and Dog Day Afternoon) plays a fisherman. Fred Stromsoe (see "Two on the House" above) plays a garage mechanic.

Season 3, Episode 14, "Give the Old Cat a Tender Mouse": Julie Newmar (see "How Much a Pound Is Albatross?" above) returns as free-spirited millionaire heiress Vicki Russell. Lou Criscuolo (Danny Micelli on The Edge of Night, Maggio on Popi, and Milt D'Angelo on Stockard Channing and Friends) plays private investigator Pogo Popkin. Robert Webber (shown on the left, appeared in The Sandpiper, The Silencers, The Dirty Dozen, 10, Private Benjamin, and S.O.B. and played Alexander Hayes on Moonlighting) plays millionaire cotton trader Franck Bridenbaugh. Murray Matheson (Felix Mulholland on Banacek) plays his father John. Natalie Schafer (appeared in The Snake Pit, Callaway Went Thataway, and Anastasia and played Lovey Howell on Gilligan's Island) plays his mother Emily.