Thriller (1962)

 

As it shambled toward its inevitable death at the hands of that other master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, as documented in our post on the 1961 episodes, Thriller continued its obsession with inheritance-motivated murder and marital infidelity plots with an occasional foray into gothic horror or contemporary true crime. The diversity of themes is not so much the series' biggest problem as it is the recycling of well-known stories that had already been rendered more effectively elsewhere. One of the prime offenders is "Waxworks" (January 8, 1962), which bears too close a resemblance to the 1953 Vincent Price classic feature film House of Wax even if the Thriller episode is based loosely on screenwriter Robert Bloch's earlier 1939 story for the pulp magazine Weird Tales. Besides the by-then shop-worn story, the explanations for the weird happenings provided at the end of the episode simply don't make sense, as wryly discussed by the authors of the blog A Thriller a Day..., which is recommended reading for anyone who wants to dig very deep into the series. Also borrowing heavily from familiar horror and suspense plots is "A Wig for Miss Devore" (January 29, 1962), which mashes up "The Picture of Dorian Gray," Sunset Boulevard, and an 18th-century witch hanging with predictable results. "The Bride Who Died Twice" (March 19, 1962) borrows from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in having Consuelo de la Varra fake her own death on the night of her forced marriage to evil military commander Col. Sangriento in order to escape his clutches and later be reunited with her true love, the dashing young Captain Bartolomeo Antonio Fernandez. But as with Shakespeare's tragedy, all does not end well as the reunited lovers are discovered and captured by Sangriento, who executes Fernandez only to discover that the young captain has slipped a deadly poison to Consuelo before expiring, allowing her to follow him in death and elude Sangriento once again.

The inheritance murder episodes include "An Attractive Family" (January 1, 1962) chronicling the New England Farrington brood whose children marry wealthy marks and then fabricate accidental deaths to inherit their estates and thus continue to fund their own leisurely lifestyle. This is another episode where the explanations at the end don't quite add up--we have Farrington sister-in-law Virginia Wells dreaming that she is being driven to hang herself in a supposedly haunted mansion whose previous owner also did away with himself, then having that nightmare play out in real life, only the voices driving her to kill herself are the Farringtons, since she has inherited half of her late sister's estate, but Virginia, it turns out, has been on to them all along and entraps them after they confess to killing her sister. So the nightmares didn't really happen? It's confusing to say the least. "Cousin Tundifer" (February 19, 1962) pulls off the inheritance murder scheme with a bit more creativity as the excellent Edward Andrews returns to the series to play avaricious nephew Miles Tundifer, who bears a striking resemblance to a distant relative hanged for murder in the 19th century. Miles discovers a time portal in an old house his rich uncle is having restored, and after reading a book on how to get away with murder, decides to knock off his uncle in the 19th century part of the house, stash his body there, and live scot free on the inheritance after leaving the house in the present. And it almost works except for a meddling couple of prior residents in the 19th century part of the house who think he is his notorious ancestor, call the cops on him, and have him taken away in a 19th-century paddy wagon. The first of the two stories in "The Lethal Ladies" (April 16, 1962) features a philandering husband whose wife has all the money, prompting him to plot her demise so that he can be financially independent and allowed to canoodle with his mistress openly, only his wife is also on to him and survives being pushed off a cliff into a body of water weighed down by a harness full of rocks. But this episode has one of those tacked-on reversals when the wife is outraged that her husband dies from fright before she has a chance to push him off the same cliff and then slips off the cliff herself when she loses her balance. The second half of this two-part episode has another tacked on ending with a long-suffering library employee able to successfully trap her mean-spirited new boss in the rare book vault on the last day of the semester, guaranteeing that he will suffocate before anyone can find him three months later, only to have Boris Karloff narrate at the end of the episode that she, too, slipped off a cliff and was killed while on summer vacation. We are supposed to be amused by the irony of two different characters played by the same actress in the same episode meeting the same ending, but the latter demise is forced and disconnected from anything depicted on screen.

Speaking of disconnected, the final episode of the series, "The Specialists" (April 30, 1962), was, according to commentary on imdb.com, a pilot for a new series that was never picked up. It plays more like an episode of The Avengers without the nonchalance and witty interplay of Steed and Mrs. Peel. U.S. Government agent Peter Duncan chases murderous jewel smugglers in Canada and England and almost gets blown up a couple of times, including a final scene reminiscent of a Hitchcock thriller, before finally nabbing the smuggler/bomber in a fight on a staircase. There is very little to get attached to in this one as Duncan is played with Robert Stack-like stoicism by Lin McCarthy, and his one scene with his wife fails to provide him with the warmth we are supposed to feel about him being just a regular family man. After the case is cracked and Duncan is invited to take some time off with a vacation in England, he glibly tells his British counterpart that he needs to get back to Washington for a picnic with his son, whom we have never seen. Duncan's family priorities may be a step above those of Elliot Ness but are less than convincing.

Despite these disappointing episodes, Thriller continued to excel at its specialty--gothic horror. Perhaps the best of the final 16 episodes from Season 2 is "The Incredible Doctor Markesan" (February 26, 1962) which stars Karloff in the title role and allows him to somewhat reprise his most famous film appearance, though this time he is the mad doctor who finds a way to reanimate the dead. The creepy, southern-decay atmospherics are top notch in the depiction of Markesan's dilapidated Oakmoor estate, and Karloff himself is brilliant as the tight-lipped and foreboding former college professor. This episode also benefits by avoiding the urge to provide some sort of happy ending or tacked-on cute plot twist--the denouement is just as grim as the rest of the narrative. "The Hollow Watcher" (February 12, 1962) likewise uses a southern location to create an air of superstition-driven horror, though this time we are sent to Appalachia in rural Black Hollow, North Carolina rather than the deep south. The set-up leads us to believe the legend of the hollow watcher, an otherwordly avenger who sees all and exacts retribution on murderers, is just the creation of local ignorant superstition. This is the view taken by Irishman Sean O'Danagh when he arrives to complete an inheritance murder plot already begun by his "sister" Meg, who has married Hugo Wheeler and killed his father while Hugo was unconscious in order to steal the $5000 the father reportedly had hidden somewhere on his property. While Sean is snooping around for the fortune one night and is attacked by the scarecrow usually guarding the road in town--the same scarecrow in which Meg tells him she hid the father's dead body--he believes Hugo has dressed himself up as a scarecrow to try to frighten him off, and later Sean assumes that some of the village folk intercepted a letter he had sent Meg before his arrival which may have been a little too loose in discussing their plan. But when Sean again thinks that Hugo will try donning the scarecrow outfit to frighten him after excusing himself early from dinner one evening, he follows him into the barn and finds him dead, then turns around to be attacked by the scarecrow, which clearly now is not a living person in disguise. The scarecrow dispatches Sean and then turns to take care of his accomplice Meg, hiding in the house while watching through the window at the terrible happenings in the barn. The scarecrow is able to break into the house and chase her upstairs, and while she is able to stop the demon by setting fire to his body made of hay, she sees the father's skeleton emerge after the hay is burned away, then crumple to the ground, after which she crumples in a heap laughing madly. Again, no winking irony or forced plot twist makes this one of the better episodes in the series. The same accolades can be given to the episode "La Strega" (January 15, 1962) set in the superstitious distant past of small-town Italy and involving accusations of witchcraft. Is the title character really a witch who holds a supernatural hold over her fearful granddaughter, or is her power only a figment of the backward townspeople's imagination? The plot bounces back and forth between logical explanations for unusual happenings and events that seem to defy logical explanation, prompting the viewer to try to decide whether La Strega is really the witch she is accused of being. However, this episode suffers a little because of a silly modern-dance Black Mass scene in the woods orchestrated by La Strega and a somewhat predictable final plot twist when poor Spanish painter Tonio Bellini thinks that he has killed the witch but instead finds out a curse she placed on him has come true.

Still, churning out 30 or more episodes per season of first-rate horror and suspense is no easy task, and we should not be too harsh if Thriller failed to hit the jackpot on every episode. Rather, the series deserves its well-earned respect for hitting the heights on the few occasions that it did. Not many other dramatic series from the era ever did so.

 

The Actors

For the biography of Boris Karloff, see the 1960 post of Thriller.

Notable Guest Stars

Season 2, Episode 15, "An Attractive Family": Richard Long (starred in The Stranger, Criss Cross, All I Desire, and as Tom Kettle in 4 Ma and Pa Kettle features, and played Red Randolph on Bourbon Street Beat and 77 Sunset Strip, Jarrod Barkley on The Big Valley, Professor Everett on Nanny and the Professor, and Ernie Paine on Thicker Than Water) plays New England murderous family member Richard Farrington. Joan Tetzel (appeared in Duel in the Sun, The Paradine Case, The File on Thelma Jordan, The Red Dress, and Joy in the Morning) plays his sister Marian. Otto Kruger (appeared in Treasure Island, Dracula's Daughter, Saboteur, Murder, My Sweet, and High Noon) plays their uncle Bert. Joyce Bulifant (shown on the left, played Mary Gentry on Tom, Dick and Mary, Mrs. Marsha Patterson on The Bill Cosby Show, Peggy Wilson on Love Thy Neighbor, Marjorie Martin on Big John, Little John, Marie Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Miriam Willoughby on Flo, and Emily Wallace on Weird Science) plays Richard's sister-in-law Virginia Wells. Leo G. Carroll (appeared in Clive of India, A Christmas Carol (1938), Wuthering Heights, Rebecca, Spellbound, Father of the Bride, The Bad and the Beautiful, North by Northwest, and The Parent Trap and played Cosmo Topper on Topper, Father Fitzgibbon on Going My Way, and Alexander Waverly on The Man From U.N.C.L.E., The Girl From U.N.C.L.E., and in 4 Man From U.N.C.L.E. feature films) plays bird watcher Major Downey. William Mims (see the biography section for the 1960 post on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp) plays Iowa corn farmer George Drake. Paul Barselou (played various bartenders in 9 episodes of Bewitched) plays canoe renter Mr. Lamb. Will Wright (Ben Weaver on The Andy Griffith Show and Mr. Merrivale on Dennis the Menace) plays constable Tom Walker.

Season 2, Episode 16, "Waxworks": Oscar Homolka (starred in The Dreyfus Case, Anna Lucasta, The Seven Year Itch, War and Peace, and A Farewell to Arms) plays wax museum proprietor Pierre Jacquelin. Antoinette Bower (Fox Devlin on Neon Rider) plays his "niece" Annette. 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 police detective Lt. Bailey. Alan Baxter (appeared in Saboteur, Close-Up, Judgment at Nuremberg, and Paint Your Wagon) plays his partner Sgt. Dane. Ron Ely (shown on the right, starred in The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker, Night of the Grizzly, and Doc Savage: Man of Bronze and played Mike Madison on The Aquanauts and Tarzan on Tarzan) plays young policeman Lt. Mike Hudson. Martin Kosleck (appeared in Confessions of a Nazi Spy, The Mad Doctor, Nazi Agent, The Hitler Gang, The Mummy's Curse, House of Horrors, Hitler, and The Flesh Eaters) plays visiting French gendarme Col. Andre Bertroux. J. Pat O'Malley (see the biography section for the 1961 post on Frontier Circus) plays a morgue attendant. Amy Fields (Jean on The F.B.I.) plays art student Irene Coulter.

Season 2, Episode 17, "La Strega": Alejandro Rey (Carlos Ramirez on The Flying Nun and Capt. Luis Rueda on Dallas)  plays poor Spanish painter Tonio Bellini. Jeannette Nolan (starred in Macbeth (1948), The Big Heat, Tribute to a Bad Man, and The Reluctant Astronaut, did voicework for Psycho, The Rescuers, and The Fox and the Hound, and played Annette Devereaux on Hotel de Paree and Holly Grainger on The Virginian) plays alleged Italian witch La Strega. Ursula Andress (shown on the left, starred in Dr. No, Fun in Acapulco, She, What's New Pussycat, Casino Royale, The Sensuous Nurse, and Clash of the Titans) plays her granddaughter Luana. Ramon Novarro (appeared in The Prisoner of Zenda, Scaramouche, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925), The Road to Romance, Mata Hari, The Big Steal, and Heller in Pink Tights) plays Tonio's teacher Maestro Guiliano. Frank DeKova (Chief Wild Eagle on F Troop and Louis Campagna on The Untouchables) plays policeman Lt. Vincoli.

Season 2, Episode 18, "The Storm": Nancy Kelly (shonw on the right, Oscar nominee, sister of Jack Kelly, and once married to Edmond O'Brien, starred  in Tail Spin, Jesse James, Tarzan's Desert Mystery, Show Business, and The Bad Seed) plays homeowner Janet Willsom. David McLean (see the biography section for the 1960 post on Tate) plays her husband Ben. James Griffith (Deputy Tom Ferguson on U.S. Marshal) plays taxi driver Ed Brandies.

Season 2, Episode 19, "A Wig for Miss Devore": Patricia Barry (shown on the left, played 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 washed-up actress Sheila Devore. John Fiedler (appeared in 12 Angry Men, That Touch of Mink, The World of Henry Orient, Kiss Me, Stupid, Girl Happy, The Odd Couple, True Grit and played Emil Peterson on The Bob Newhart Show and Woody on Buffalo Bill) plays movie studio bookkeeper Herbert Bleake. Herbert Rudley (Sam Brennan on The Californians, Lt. Will Gentry on Michael Shayne, General Crone on Mona McCluskey, and Herb Hubbard on The Mothers-in-Law) plays movie studio head Max Quinke. John Baragrey (appeared in The Creeper, Pardners, and The Fugitive Kind and played Arthur Rysdale on The Secret Storm and James Blair on Dark Shadows) plays director George Machik. Linda Watkins (Robin Crosley on One Life to Live) plays gossip columnist Arabella Foote. Bernard Fein (Pvt. Gomez on The Phil Silvers Show) plays Sheila's bodyguard Lester Clyne. Pamela Searle (Miss England and 3rd runner-up in the 1959 Miss Universe contest) plays 18th-century woman hanged as a witch Meg Payton. Maurice Dallimore (Willie Shorthouse on Fair Exchange) plays one of her hangmen.

Season 2, Episode 20, "The Hollow Watcher": 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 rural North Carolina store owner Ortho Wheeler. Warren Oates (shown on the far right, see the biography section for the 1962 post on Stoney Burke) plays his son Hugo. Audrey Dalton (shown on the near right, appeared in Titanic (1953), Separate Tables, and Kitten With a Whip) plays Hugo's mail-order bride Meg O'Danagh Wheeler. Sean McClory (Jack McGivern on The Californians and Myles Delaney on Bring 'Em Back Alive) plays her "brother" Sean. Sandy Kenyon (Des Smith on Crunch and Des, Shep Baggott on The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters, and Reverend Kathrun on Knots Landing) plays store clerk Mason. Walter Burke (starred in All the King's Men, Jack the Giant Killer, and Support Your Local Sheriff! and played Tim Potter on Black Saddle) plays store customer Croxton. Norman Leavitt (Ralph on Trackdown) plays checker player Hendricks. 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 store customer Mrs. Curtis. Mary Grace Canfield (Amanda Allison on The Hathaways, Harriet Kravitz on Bewitched, and Ralph Monroe on Green Acres) plays store customer Ally Rose.

Season 2, Episode 21, "Cousin Tundifer": Edward Andrews (shown on the left, 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 avaricious nephew Miles Tundifer.  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 his rich old uncle Pontifex. Sue Ane Langdon (Kitty Marsh on Bachelor Father, Lillian Nuvo on Arnie, Rosie on Grandpa Goes to Washington, Darlene on When the Whistle Blows, and Marge Pulaski on General Hospital) plays exotic dancer Queenie De Lyte. Dayton Lummis (appeared in Man in the Dark, The View From Pompey's Head, and Elmer Gantry and played Marshal Andy Morrison on Law of the Plainsman) plays Miles' lawyer Millard Braystone. Howard McNear (see the biography section for the 1961 post on The Andy Griffith Show) plays building contractor Jack Passasstroy. Bart Patton (see the biography section for the 1960 post on Riverboat) plays his assistant Joe. Cyril Delevanti (Lucious Coin on Jefferson Drum) plays a ghost from 1890. Clem Bevans (appeared in Sergeant York, Saboteur, The Yearling, Mourning Becomes Electra, and Harvey) plays a bookseller. Jim Bannon (Red Ryder in 4 feature films and the TV series Red Ryder, Sandy North on The Adventures of Champion, Sheriff Tom Tynes on Casey Jones, and was the announcer on Ethel and Albert) plays a police lieutenant.

Season 2, Episode 22, "The Incredible Doctor Markesan": Boris Karloff (see the biography section for the 1960 post on Thriller) plays former college researcher Dr. Konrad Markesan. Dick York (shown on the right, played Tom Colwell on Going My Way and Darrin Stephens on Bewitched) plays his nephew Fred Bancroft. Carolyn Kearney (appeared in Hot Rod Girl, Young and Wild, and The Thing That Wouldn't Die and played Ellen Holt on Lassie) plays Fred's wife Molly. Richard Hale (starred in Abilene Town, Kim, San Antone, Red Garters, and To Kill a Mockingbird) plays dead college Prof. Everett Latimore. Henry Hunter (Doctor Summerfield on Hazel) plays college dean Prof. Angus Holden. Billy Beck (Lt. Trask on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, the photo editor on Lou Grant, Charles on Falcon Crest, and Nick Pappasmearos on Son of the Beach) plays dead college Prof. Grant.

Season 2, Episode 23, "Flowers of Evil": Luciana Paluzzi (shown on the left, starred in My Seven Little Sins, Sea Fury, Return to Peyton Place, Muscle Beach Party, To Trap a Spy, Thunderball, The Venetian Affair, and The Green Slime and played Simone Genet on Five Fingers) plays lawyer's widow Madalena. Kevin Hagen (John Colton on Yancy Derringer, Inspector Dobbs Kobick on Land of the Giants, Dr. Hiram Baker on Little House on the Prairie, and Toughie Richards on General Hospital) plays medical school secretary Arno Lunt. Jack Weston (appeared in Imitation of Life, The Incredible Mr. Limpet, The Cincinnati Kid, The Thomas Crown Affair, The Four Seasons, and Dirty Dancing and played Wilbur "Wormsey" Wormser on Red Brown of the Rocket Rangers, Chick Adams on My Sister Eileen, Walter Hathaway on The Hathaways, and Danny Zimmer on The Four Seasons) plays medical school director Maurice Reynard. Gregory Gaye (appeared in Dodsworth, Tovarich, Ninotchka, and Creature With the Atom Brain and played The Ruler on Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe and Andre the Maitre D' on The Roaring 20's) plays the medical school president.

Season 2, Episode 24, "Til Death Do Us Part": Henry Jones (shown on the right, played 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 undertaker Carl Somers. Reta Shaw (Flora McCauley on The Ann Sothern Show, Thelma on The Tab Hunter Show, Mrs. Stanfield on Oh, Those Bells, and Martha Grant on The Ghost and Mrs. Muir) plays wealthy family spinster Celia Hooper. Philip Ober (one-time husband of Vivian Vance, appeared in From Here to Eternity, North by Northwest, and Elmer Gantry) plays Celia's brother Elmer.  Jocelyn Brando (Marlon Brando's sister, appeared in The Big Heat, The Ugly American, The Chase, and Mommie Dearest and played Mrs. Reeves on Dallas) plays Elmer's wife Myrtle. Walker Edmiston (Enik on Land of the Lost and voiced Dr. Blinkey and Orson Vulture on H.R. Pufnstuf, Admiral Scuttlebutt, Bela, and Big Chief Sitting Duck on Lidsville, Sebastian on Dumbo's Circus, and Sir Thornberry on Adventures of the Gummi Bears) plays Somers' assistant Jerry Flagg. Jim Davis (Matt Clark on Stories of the Century, Wes Cameron on Rescue 8, Marshal Bill Winter on The Cowboys, and Jock Ewing on Dallas) plays the Prunedale marshal. Eve McVeagh (see "The Hollow Watcher" above) plays saloon hostess Bonnie. 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 Prunedale new physician Doc O'Connor. 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 saloon worker Curly.

Season 2, Episode 25, "The Bride Who Died Twice": Eduardo Ciannelli (see the biography section for the 1960 post on Johnny Staccato) plays South American country figurehead president Gen. de la Varra. Mala Powers (shown on the left, starred in Cyrano de Bergerac, Rose of Cimarron, and Tammy and the Bachelor and played Rebecca Boone on Walt Disney's Daniel Boone and Mona on Hazel) an his daughter Consuelo. Joe De Santis (appeared in Deadline - U.S.A., I Want to Live!, Al Capone, and Madame X) plays military commander Col. Sangriento. Robert Colbert (see the biography section for the 1961 post on Maverick) plays Consuelo's betrothed Capt. Bartolomeo Antonio Fernandez. Roberto Contreras (Pedro on The High Chapparal) plays one of Sangriento's men. Peter Brocco (appeared in The Prisoner of Zenda, Spartacus, Our Man Flint, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and played Peter the waiter on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show and Mr. Spencer on The Young Marrieds) plays local priest Padre Herrera. Alex Montoya (Miguel Morales on The High Chaparral) plays the cemetery custodian. Natividad Vacio (Fronk on Father Knows Best) plays a cantina owner.

Season 2, Episode 26, "Kill My Love": Richard Carlson (shown on the right, starred in No, No Nanette, The Little Foxes, King Solomon's Mines, It Came From Outer Space, Creature From the Black Lagoon, and The Power and played Herbert A. Philbrick on I Led 3 Lives and Col. Ranald S. Mackenzie on Mackenzie's Raiders) plays traveling businessman Guy Guthrie. K.T. Stevens (Vanessa Prentiss on The Young and the Restless) plays his wife Olive. David Kent (Bill Scott on Leave It to Beaver) plays his son Julian. Kasey Rogers (Julie Anderson on Peyton Place and Louise Tate on Bewitched) plays San Diego model Anthea Jason. Patricia Breslin (Amanda Peoples Miller on The People's Choice, Laura Brooks on Peyton Place, and Meg Bentley on General Hospital) plays lounge pianist Dinah Duffay. Larry J. Blake (played the unnamed jailer on Yancy Derringer and Tom Parnell on Saints and Sinners) plays lounge bartender Larry.

Season 2, Episode 27, "Man of Mystery": John Van Dreelen (starred in The Leech Woman, 13 Ghosts, and Topaz) plays reclusive international financier Joel Stone. Walter Burke (see "The Hollow Watcher" above) plays his assistant Lucas. Mary Tyler Moore (shown on the left, see the biography section for the 1961 post on The Dick Van Dyke Show) plays nightclub singer Sherry Smith. William Windom (appeared in To Kill a Mockingbird, The Americanization of Emily, and Escape From the Planet of the Apes and played Congressman Glen Morley on The Farmer's Daughter, John Monroe on My World and Welcome to It, Larry Krandall on Brothers and Sisters, Frank Buckman on Parenthood, and Dr. Seth Hazlitt on Murder, She Wrote) plays stand-up comedian Lou Waters. Ken Lynch (see the biography section for the 1961 post on Checkmate) plays nightclub manager Rudy. Robert Sampson (Sgt. Walsh on Steve Canyon, Father Mike Fitzgerald on Bridget Love Bernie, and Sheriff Turk Tobias on Falcon Crest) plays a newspaper reporter. William Phipps (see the biography section for the 1960 post on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp) plays Stone's former public relations agent Harry Laxer. Willis Bouchey (Mayor Terwilliger on The Great Gildersleeve, Springer on Pete and Gladys, and the judge 23 times on Perry Mason) plays police detective Lt. Farnham. Ralph Clanton (William Collins on Search for Tomorrow) plays psychiatrist Dr. John Grail. Yuki Shomoda (Aki on Johnny Midnight) plays Stone's servant Koto.

Season 2, Episode 28, "The Innocent Bystanders": John Anderson (see the biography section for the 1960 post on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp) plays body-snatcher Jacob Grant. George Kennedy (starred in Charade, The Sons of Katie Elder, The Dirty Dozen, Cool Hand Luke, and The Naked Gun and played MP Sgt. Kennedy on The Phil Silvers Show, Father Samuel Cavanaugh on Sarge, Bumper Morgan on The Blue Knight, and Carter McKay on Dallas) plays his partner John Paterson. Gale Robbins (shown on the right, singer who appeared in The Barkleys of Broadway, Three Little Words, and Calamity Jane) plays his sister-in-law Mary Jerold. Jean Engstrom (mother of actor Jena Engstrom) plays his wife Anne. 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 medical researcher and lecturer Dr. Marcus Graham. Than Wyenn (Licenciado Piña on Zorro) plays his assistant Vane. Steven Terrell (Tom on The Pride of the Family) plays Grant's lodger Bruce Evans. Clegg Hoyt (Mac on Dr. Kildare) plays competing body-snatcher Kyle.

Season 2, Episode 29, "The Lethal Ladies": Howard Morris (shown on the left, appeared in Boys' Night Out, The Nutty Professor, and High Anxiety, played Ernest T. Bass on The Andy Griffith Show, and voiced Beetle Bailey, Gen. Halftrack, Otto, and Rocky on Beetle Bailey, Breezly Bruin on The Peter Potamus Show, Mr. Peebles on The Magilla Gorilla Show, Atom Ant on The Atom Ant Show, Jughead Jones, Big Moose, and Dilton Doiley on The Archie Show and Archie's Funhouse, Frankie, Wolfie, and Dr. Jekyll on Sabrina and the Groovie Goulies, Cousin Ambrose on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, and The Hamburglar on McDonaldland) plays poor investor Myron Sills and head librarian Dr. Wilfred Bliss. Rosemary Murphy (appeared in The Young Doctors, To Kill a Mockingbird, Ben, and Walking Tall and played Nola Hollister on The Secret Storm and Margaret Blumenthal on Lucas Tanner) plays Sills' wife Lavinia and longtime library employee Alice Quimby. Marjorie Bennett (see the biography section for the 1960 post on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis) plays switchboard operator Mercedes. Robert Carson (Mr. Maddis on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show) plays stockbroker Albert White. Hank Brandt (Leonard Waggedorn on Julia, Morgan Hess on Dynasty, and Dr. Aaron Kranzler on Santa Barbara) plays library employee Richard Sutter. Jackie Russell (Peggy Connolly on The Joey Bishop Show) plays library employee Martha Foster. Ralph Moody (see the biography section for the 1961 post on The Rifleman) plays library custodian Mr. Jacobson. Jackie Joseph (wife of Ken Berry, starred in Little Shop of Horrors, Who's Minding the Mint?, The Cheyenne Social Club, and Gremlins, played Jackie Parker on The Doris Day Show, and voiced Melody on Josie and the Pussycats and Josie and the Pussy Cats in Outer Space and Sandy on Dinky Dog) plays Bliss' new hire Miss Martin.

Season 2, Episode 30, "The Specialists": Lin McCarthy (starred in Yellowneck, The D.I., and Face of a Fugitive and played Bill Talbot on Modern Romances) plays government agent Peter Duncan. David Frankham (appeared in Return of the Fly, Master of the World, and King Rat and played Reverend Daniels on The Bold and the Beautiful) plays his partner Joe Carter. Ronald Howard (shown on the far right, played Sherlock Holmes on Sherlock Holmes, Stephen Britten on Mary Britten, M.D., Wing Commander Hayes on Cowboy in Africa, and Dr. John Dartington on The Lotus Eaters) plays jewel smuggler Martin Gresham. Robert Douglas (appeared in The Fountainhead, Kim, Ivanhoe, and The Prisoner of Zenda and directed multiple episodes of 77 Sunset Strip, 12 O'Clock High, The F.B.I., and Baretta amongst many others) plays Gresham's boss Anthony Hugh Swinburne. Ray Montgomery (Prof. Howard Ogden on Ramar of the Jungle) plays smuggling ring member Ray Coleman. Suzanne Lloyd (shown on the near right, played Raquel Toledano on Zorro) plays Coleman's sister Helen. Lauren Gilbert (appeared in X-15, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, and The Fortune Cookie and played John Olcott on Fairmeadows, U.S.A., Tom Craythorne on Love of Life, Harry Lane on The Edge of Night, and Harry Noll on Hazel) plays Duncan's boss Tracy. Sean McClory (see "The Hollow Watcher" above) plays Duncan's British contact Galt. Alan Caillou (Jason Flood on Tarzan and The Head on Quark) plays the London police superintendent. Doris Lloyd (starred in Waterloo Bridge, Tarzan the Ape Man, Oliver Twist, and The Time Machine) plays Helen Coleman's landlady. Paddi Edwards (Doris on The Trouble With Harry and voiced Gorda on Phantom 2040, Atropos on Hercules, and Vera Groober-Schwartz on Pepper Ann) plays a nurse pushing a baby stroller. Richard Peel (Inspector Keith Barker on Bold Venture and Mr. Withers on Family Affair) plays a London policeman.

 

Thriller (1961)

As noted in our post on the 1960 episodes of Thriller, the series has been criticized for its lack of consistent focus and tone, changing from week to week between horror stories that may involve the supernatural, to standard crime dramas, to roaring '20's gangster fare. In Alan Warren's book This Is a Thriller, he lays out some of the problems behind the scenes, which were also documented at the time though in less detail in a May 6, 1961 TV Guide article, that contributed to the series' problems--most notably a clash in ideology between creator and executive producer Hubbell Robinson and his chief producer Fletcher Markle. The series was panned in early reviews and ratings were poor, which caused promoters to grumble. Robinson's strategy to turn things around was to fire Markle and replace him with William Frye, a TV veteran who had helmed such series as Climax! and the esteemed Playhouse 90, and Maxwell Shane of Checkmate. Frye and Shane took over in the fall of 1960 and narrowed the show's focus down to two types of stories--so-called "chiller" fare, overseen by Frye, and crime dramas, overseen by Shane. Warren opines that this still gave viewers a case of thematic whiplash from week to week, but the quality of material was demonstrably better, particularly after Frye hired proven writers such as Robert Bloch (whose many credits include the novel Psycho on which the Hitchcock film is based), made a deal with horror promoter Forrest J. Ackerman to access his recently acquired trove of Weird Tales pulp magazines for story ideas, and hired more compatible directors such as Ida Lupino to film individual episodes. As Warren also relates, the show became perhaps too successful in that it began to outdraw Alfred Hitchcock Presents, prompting that show's namesake to stipulate that his continued involvement with NBC would require that Thriller be taken off the air for a year, which was tantamount to cancellation.

At its best the series lived up to Stephen King's assessment of it being the best horror series ever produced for television. However, some of the episodes cited by Warren as being amongst the series' best have their flaws. In "The Ordeal of Dr. Cordell" (March 7, 1961) research scientist Dr. Frank Cordell is testing the effect of certain gases in work for the military but due to an accidental explosion he turns into a psychotic killer whenever he hears bells, though after his killing sprees he has no recollection of his crimes. First he kills his landlord's parakeet, which has a bell in its cage, and then a lost female student at the university where he works because she just happens to be wearing bell-shaped earrings. Later he chases down another female student who rings a hand bell at a cheesy pep rally. Besides the irrational premise of having the sound of bells switch on a homicidal maniac, the story goes to great lengths to insert extremely unlikely triggers into the plot to set the killer in motion. Another episode favored by Warren is "Pigeons From Hell" (June 6, 1961), which has a few Hitchcockian scenes reminiscent of The Birds­ (which wouldn't be released until 1963) but ultimately revolves around a presumed-dead voodoo practitioner who has remained hidden in an abandoned mansion for decades. When a pair of carefree travelling young brothers ditch their car nearby and spend the night in the mansion, they become prey for the voodoo priestess. The main problem with this episode is the overwrought acting of Brandon de Wilde, playing the brother who manages to escape the voodoo killer. His attempts to portray a terrified witness to unbelievable atrocities are just not convincing.

Other episodes are sometimes plagued by plot inconsistencies, such as in "Portrait Without a Face" (December 25, 1961) in which an arrogant, blackguard painter is killed with a crossbow before starting on his last work, yet the painting slowly takes shape in his inimitable style to depict his assassin. Cataloguer Arthur Henshaw, sent by the painter's New York-based gallery, admits to the painter's widow that he is an excellent copyist and has been filling in the painting himself in order to get the killer to reveal himself. But after the real killer returns to the scene of the crime in an attempt to destroy the painting before his identity can be revealed, then falls to his death, the painting miraculously fills in his face in the unfinished portion left blank by Henshaw. In other words, what at first appeared to be a supernatural wonder turns out to have a rational explanation, which is then subverted in the final scene. Another painting-themed episode "The Grim Reaper" (June 13, 1961) tries a similar plot twist as accountant Paul Graves convinces his rich, mystery-writer aunt that a 19th century French painting she purchased is cursed, driving her to drink to calm her nerves, which precipitates a fatal fall down the stairs. Graves then confesses to his aunt's husband, after tricking him into taking a poison pill, that he faked the blood that appeared to suddenly materialize on the painted grim reaper's scythe, but after the husband dies and Graves inherits his aunt's estate, he is trapped in the room with the painting and later found with his throat slashed, as if by a scythe. Both of these episodes at first suggest a supernatural explanation for a series of unusual events, then undermine the supernatural element with a rational explanation before turning the tables once more and destroying the comfort of the rational. The final twist in these episodes seem a bit tacked on, as if the producers felt an obligation to end on a chilling note for the story to live up to its billing as a Thriller.

However, where these fall short, others are truly exceptional, particularly "The Merriweather File" (February 14, 1961) in which a lawyer comes to the aid of his next-door neighbor, a wife who appears to be the intended victim of a philandering husband who blames her for the death of their only child some years ago. The lawyer also tries to act as defense lawyer for the accused husband, but the evidence is stacked against him and he is sentenced to be executed, while his female alleged accomplice is sentenced to a lengthy jail term. Only a year later after he has married the executed man's wife does the lawyer learn from the police detective after a confession by the jailed accomplice that, while the executed man had planned to have his wife killed, she managed to kill the assassin herself and then framed her husband for the murder, a chilling revelation for a man who thought he had married an innocent, helpless victim. Another particularly pleasing episode is "A Good Imagination" (May 2, 1961) in which Edward Andrews plays a cuckolded husband who exacts revenge on his wife's lovers in imaginative ways drawn from his love of classic literature. However, when he fools a handyman lothario into thinking he had sealed his wife into a basement wall a la Poe's "Cask of Amontillado" and driving the handyman mad, he fails to anticipate, after he later actually seals her in the wall himself, that the sheriff will bring the handyman back to see his wife alive just to convince him that he has not really killed her, thereby forcing him to come up with an uncomfortable explanation. Besides the unexpected ending (unless you consider that a 1961 television show would never allow a killer to get off scott-free), Andrews' portrayal of bookish Frank Logan is a delight, as he taunts his victims for their indiscretions almost like a cat worries its prey before killing it.

Phyllis Thaxter is equally devious, though with less wit, as the greedy cousin many times removed in "The Last of the Sommervilles" (November 6, 1961), convincing her clueless cousin to knock off their rich aunt before making him think they have been found out so that she can lure him into a swampy bog where he will meet his own death. Eliminating her chief rival for her aunt's estate, she in essence bequeaths it to her lover, the aunt's attorney, who is next in line according to the aunt's will. However, this is another episode with a somewhat tacked-on ending when the aunt's physician (played by Karloff) merely narrates that the guilty couple met their own death not much later when they missed a turn in the road and ended up in the bog themselves. Again, killers cannot go unpunished in a 1961 TV series, but it would have gone down better had their final come-uppance been depicted as a natural evolution of the plot rather than as a narrated postscript.

Still, despite any such minor peccadilloes, this episode is a prime example of the series' favorite theme -- inheritance and the greed it can inspire. No fewer than 12 of the 37 episodes of those aired in 1961, or nearly one third, revolve around inheritance. What makes inheritance such a compelling story line is perhaps the difficulty in pulling off the perfect murder and getting away with it. Laws prohibit the passing of property of a murder victim to his or her killer, and life insurance policies likewise have provisions to prevent incentivizing crime. Actual crime statistics show that the most common causes for homicide are those committed in the act of robbery or as the result of some kind of argument, both of which involve a passionate, spur-of-the-moment response to unanticipated events. But pulling off a murder in order to inherit an estate requires cold calculation and clever covering of one's tracks. As viewers we are intrigued by the perpetrators' cunning and may even applaud their audacity while also weighing what we may have done or not done in the same situation. We may even be a little disappointed when they are inevitably caught in the final act, exposing that perhaps we viewers are not quite as righteous as we would like to think. Getting us to recognize this potential darkness within ourselves is Thriller's greatest accomplishment and makes it deserving of the esteem bestowed by those like Stephen King.

The Actors

For the biography of Boris Karloff, see the 1960 post of Thriller.

Notable Guest Stars

Season 1, Episode 16, "The Hungry Glass": William Shatner (shown on the left, starred in The Brothers Karamazov, Judgment at Nuremberg, Kingdom of the Spiders, and The Kidnapping of the President and played David Koster on For the People, Dr. Carl Noyes on Dr. Kildare, Capt. James T. Kirk on Star Trek, Jeff Cable on Barbary Coast, Sgt. T.J. Hooker on T.J. Hooker, Walter H. Bascom on TekWar, Denny Crane on The Practice and Boston Legal, and Dr. Edison Milford Goodson III on $#*! My Dad Says) plays photographer Gil Thrasher. Joanna Heyes (wife of screenwriter, director, and producer Douglas Heyes) plays his wife Marcia. 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 their real estate agent Adam Talmadge. Elizabeth Allen (Laura Deane on Bracken's World, Martha Simms on The Paul Lynde Show, Capt. Quinlan on CPO Sharkey, and Victoria Bellman on Texas) plays his wife Liz. Donna Douglas (Barbara Simmons on Checkmate and Elly Mae Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies) plays vain former resident Laura Belman. Clem Bevans (appeared in Sergeant York, Saboteur, The Yearling, Mourning Becomes Electra, and Harvey) plays checker-player Obed.

Season 1, Episode 17, "The Poisoner": Murray Matheson (Felix Mulholland on Banacek)  plays writer, painter, and critic Thomas Edward Griffith. Sarah Marshall (starred in The Long, Hot Summer, Lord Love a Duck, and Dave and played Evelyn Winslow on Miss Winslow and Son) plays his wife Frances Abercrombie. David Frankham (appeared in Return of the Fly, Master of the World, and King Rat and played Reverend Daniels on The Bold and the Beautiful) plays her attorney Mr. Proctor. Maurice Dallimore (Willie Shorthouse on Fair Exchange) plays Griffith's Uncle George. Sam Edwards (starred in Captain Midnight, Twelve O'Clock High, and The Beatniks and played Hank the hotel clerk on The Virginian and Mr. Bill Anderson on Little House on the Prairie) plays wedding guest Charles Larrimore. Richard Peel (Mr. Withers on Family Affair) plays police detective Justin.

Season 1, Episode 18, "Man in the Cage": Guy Stockwell (Chris Parker on Adventures in Paradise) plays gun smuggler Noel Hudson. Philip Carey (shown on the right, starred in I Was a Communist for the FBI, Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison, Calamity Jane, Mister Roberts, Dead Ringer, and Three For Texas and played Lt. Michael Rhodes on Tales of the 77th Bengal Lancers, Philip Marlowe on Philip Marlowe, Capt. Edward Parmalee on Laredo, and Asa Buchanan on One Life to Live) plays his brother Daryl. Theodore Marcuse (starred in Hitler, The Cincinnati Kid, and Harum Scarum and played Von Bloheim on Batman) plays mobster Arthur Upshaw. Diana Millay (Laura Collins on Dark Shadows) plays his niece Ellen. Barry Gordon (Dennis Whitehead on The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Charlie Harrison on Fish, Gary Rabinowitz on Archie Bunker's Place, Roger Hightower on A Family for Joe, and was the voice of Donatello on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) plays young hustler Slip Slip. Booth Colman (Prof. Hector Jerrold on General Hospital and Dr. Felix Burke on The Young and the Restless) plays a hotel clerk. Robert Stevenson (bartender Big Ed on Richard Drum and Marshal Hugh Strickland on Stagecoach West) plays bartender Phil Barrister. Lilyan Chauvin (Madame Dussolier on Cafe Amercain) plays his wife. Al Ruscio (Paul Locatelli on Shannon, Sal Giordano on Life Goes On, and Frank Ruscio on Joe's Life) plays hustler Allah el Kazim. Pedro Regas (Buffalo Running Schwartz on Pat Paulsen's Half a Comedy Hour) plays his accomplice Gilali.

Season 1, Episode 19, "Choose a Victim": Susan Oliver (Ann Howard on Peyton Place) plays wealthy inheritor Edith Landers. 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 her uncle Philip. Henry Hunter (Doctor Summerfield on Hazel) plays his friend Larry Kirt. Larry Blyden (Joe Sparton on Joe & Mabel and Harry Burns on Harry's Girls)plays beach bum Ralphie Teal. Guy Mitchell (popular singer backed by Mitch Miller who appeared in Those Redheads From Seattle, Red Garters, and The Wild Westerners and played George Romack on Whispering Smith) plays police Det. Hazlett. 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 his partner Det. Sid Benajain. Billy Barty (Babby on Peter Gunn, Sparky the Firefly on The Bugaloos, Sigmund Ooze on Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, Inch on Ace Crawford, Private Eye, and the voice of Dweedle on Wildfire) plays carnival small person Sam.

Season 1, Episode 20, "Hay-Fork and Bill-Hook": Kenneth Haigh (appeared in Saint Joan, Cleopatra, and Robin and Marian and played Joe Lampton on Man at the Top) plays Scotland Yard Det. Insp. Harry Roberts. Audrey Dalton (appeared in Titanic (1953), Separate Tables, and Kitten With a Whip) plays his wife Nesta. Alan Napier (shown on the left, appeared in The House of the Seven Gables, Lassie Come Home, Joan of Arc, Marnie, The Loved One, and Batman: The Movie and played Gen. Steele on Don't Call Me Charlie and Alfred the butler on Batman) plays Dark Woods Constable Evans. Doris Lloyd (starred in Waterloo Bridge, Tarzan the Ape Man, Oliver Twist, and The Time Machine) plays his mother. Alan Caillou (Jason Flood on Tarzan and The Head on Quark) plays Chief Constable Sir Wilfred. J. Pat O'Malley (see the biography section for the 1961 post on Frontier Circus) plays a pub patron. Richard Peel (see "The Poisoner" above) plays a mine-sweeping soldier.

Season 1, Episode 21, "The Merriweather File": Bethel Leslie (appeared in 15 episodes of The Richard Boone Show and played Claudia Conner on All My Children and Ethel Crawford on One Life to Live) plays besieged wife Ann Merriweather.  Ross Elliott (Freddie the director on The Jack Benny Program and Sheriff Mark Abbott on The Virginian) plays her husband Charles. James Gregory (shown on the right, see the biography section for the 1960 post on The Lawless Years) plays her next-door neighbor, attorney Howard Yates. Edward Binns (starred in 12 Angry Men, North by Northwest, Heller in Pink Tights, and Judgment at Nuremberg and played Roy Brenner on Brenner and Wally Powers on It Takes a Thief) plays police Lt. Giddeon. K.T. Stevens (Vanessa Prentiss on The Young and the Restless) plays dead hustler's girlfriend Virginia Grant. Bernard Fein (Pvt Gomez on The Phil Silvers Show) plays private investigator I.L. Gluckman. Richard Reeves (Mr. Murphy on Date With the Angels) plays a police patrolman.

Season 1, Episode 22, "The Fingers of Fear": Nehemiah Persoff (shown on the near left, starred in The Wrong Man, Al Capone and Some Like It Hot) plays homicide Lt. Jim Wagner. Kevin Hagen (shown on the far left, John Colton on Yancy Derringer, Inspector Dobbs Kobick on Land of the Giants, and Dr. Hiram Baker on Little House on the Prairie) plays his partner Sgt. Spivak. Robert Middleton (Barney Wales on The Monroes) plays dishwasher Orbach. H.M. Wynant (Frosty on Batman and Ed Chapman on Dallas) plays diner cook Sid. Thayer Roberts (Thomas on The Living Bible) plays doll owner Mr. Merriman. Ted de Corsia (Police Chief Hagedorn on Steve Canyon) plays Police Commissioner Putnam. Michael Burns (Howie Macauley on It's a Man's World and Barnaby West on Wagon Train) plays young fisherman Jody Matthews. 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. Richard Travis (Rodger Barnett on Code 3 and Thompson on The Grand Jury) plays suspect Mr. Carter. Rodolfo Hoyos, Jr. (Luis Valdez on Viva Valdez) plays leather tradesman Mr. Martinez. Dick Wessel (see the biography section for the 1960 post on Riverboat) plays film projectionist Mr. Zimmer. Robert Stevenson (see "Man in the Cage" above) plays psychologist Dr. Lascoe. Morgan Brittany (Kate Simpson on Glitter and Katherine Wentworth on Dallas) plays young, unwitting Merriman accomplice Doris Carlyle. Angela Greene (Tess Trueheart on Dick Tracy) plays her mother. Sam Gilman (Sam Grafton on Shane) plays police Officer Pat Dutton.

Season 1, Episode 23, "Well of Doom": Ronald Howard (Sherlock Holmes on Sherlock Holmes, Stephen Britten on Mary Britten, M.D., Wing Commander Hayes on Cowboy in Africa, and Dr. John Dartington on The Lotus Eaters) plays inheritor of the Hadwick estate Robert Penrose. Torin Thatcher (appeared in Great Expectations, The Crimson Pirate, The Robe, Love is a Many-Splendored Thing, and Witness for the Prosecution) plays his housekeeper Jeremy Teal. Billy Beck (Lt. Trask on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, the photo editor on Lou Grant, Charles on Falcon Crest, and Nick Pappasmearos on Son of the Beach) plays his chauffeur Cyril. Henry Daniell (appeared in The Philadelphia Story, Jane Eyre, Song of Love, Lust for Life, and Witness for the Prosecution) plays wronged land-owner Squire Moloch. Richard Kiel (starred in The Phantom Planet, Eegah, The Longest Yard, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, and Pale Rider and played Moose Moran on Barbary Coast) plays his assistant Master Styx. 

Season 1, Episode 24, "The Ordeal of Dr. Cordell": Robert Vaughn (starred in Teenage Cave Man, The Magnificent Seven, The Towering Inferno, and Bullitt and who 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, and Albert Stroller on Hustle) plays gas researcher Dr. Frank Cordell. Kathleen Crowley (Terry Van Buren on Waterfront and Sophia Starr on Batman) plays his associate Dr. Lois Walker. Robert Ellenstein (appeared in 3:10 to Yuma, Too Much Too Soon, and North by Northwest) plays their boss Dr. Brauner.  Russ Conway (Fenton Hardy on The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Applegate Treasure, Gen. Devon on Men Into Space, and Lt. Pete Kile on Richard Diamond, Private Detective) plays homicide Lt. Boutaric. Marlo Thomas (shown on the right, played Stella Barnes on The Joey Bishop Show and Ann Marie on That Girl) plays university student Susan Baker. 

Season 1, Episode 25, "Trio for Terror": Terence de Marney (Case Thomas on Johnny Ringo and Counsellor Doone on Lorna Doone) plays rich Uncle Julian. Reginald Owen (appeared in A Christmas Carol (1938), Mrs. Miniver, Woman of the Year, National Velvet, and Mary Poppins) an old hussar. Peter Brocco (Peter the waiter on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show) plays a casino major domo. Michael Pate (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 serial strangler Shanner. John Abbott (appeared in The Woman in White, Madame Bovary, The Merry Widow, and Gigi) plays stone statue artist Kriss Milo. Richard Peel (see "The Poisoner" above) plays a police inspector. Noel Drayton (Mr. Hardcastle on Family Affair) plays his superintendent. 

Season 1, Episode 26, "Papa Benjamin": John Ireland (starred in Red River, All the King's Men, I Shot Jesse James, and Spartacus and played John Hunter on The Cheaters, Jed Colby on Rawhide, and Lyman Shackleford on Cassie & Co.) plays jazz pianist and composer Eddie Wilson. Jeanne Bal (Pat Baker on Love and Marriage) plays his wife and band singer Judy. Robert H. Harris (Jake Goldberg on Molly and Raymond Schindler on The Court of Last Resort) plays his manager Jerry Roberts. Jester Hairston (appeared in The Alamo, In the Heat of the Night, Lady Sings the Blues, and I'm Gonna Get You Sucka and played Wildcat on That's My Mama and Rolly Forbes on Amen) plays voodoo cult leader Papa Benjamin. 

Season 1, Episode 27, "Late Date": Larry Pennell (see the biography section for the 1961 post on Ripcord) plays beach resident Larry Weeks. Edward Platt (shown on the left, appeared in Rebel Without a Cause, Written on the Wind, Designing Woman, and North by Northwest and played the Chief on Get Smart) plays his brother Jim. Jody Fair (appeared in High School Confidential, Hot Rod Gang, The Brain Eaters, and Sex Kittens Go to College) plays Jim's step-daughter Helen. Steve Mitchell (Fred Starkey on The New Phil Silvers Show) plays Helen's boyfriend Gordon. Stuffy Singer (Donnie Henderson on Beulah and Alexander Bumstead on Blondie) plays Larry's acquaintance Art Brinkerhoff. Richard Reeves (see "The Merriweather File" above) plays a truck driver. Stuart Randall (Sheriff Art Sampson on Cimarron City, Al Livermore on Lassie, and Sheriff Mort Corey on Laramie) plays police Sgt. Crowell.

Season 1, Episode 28, "Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper": John Williams (appeared in Dial M for Murder, Sabrina, To Catch a Thief, and Witness for the Prosecution and played Nigel French on Family Affair) plays British Jack the Ripper investigator Sir Guy. Donald Woods (John Brent on Tammy and Craig Kennedy on Kennedy, Criminologist) plays psychologist Dr. John Carmody. Ransom M. Sherman (Herbert Dunston on Father of the Bride) plays the Washington, D.C. police commissioner. Adam Williams (appeared in Flying Leathernecks, The Big Heat, Fear Strikes Out, and North by Northwest) plays artist Hymie Kralik. Gloria Blondell (sister of Joan Blondell, played Honeybee Gillis in The Life of Riley and was the voice of Gloria on Calvin and the Colonel) plays murder victim's neighbor Maggie Radevik. J. Pat O'Malley (see "Hay-Fork and Bill-Hook" above) plays a street singer.

Season 1, Episode 29, "The Devil's Ticket": MacDonald Carey (shown on the right, see the biography section for the 1960 post on Lock Up) plays artist Hector Vane. Joan Tetzel (appeared in Duel in the Sun, The File on Thelma Jordon, and Joy in the Morning) plays his wife Marie. John Emery (appeared in Here Comes Mr. Jordan, Blood on the Sun, Spellbound, The Woman in White, and Rocketship X-M) plays a demonic pawnbroker. Robert Cornthwaite (Professor Windish on Get Smart and Howard Buss on Picket Fences) plays pawnbroker Mr. Spengler. Patricia Medina (Margarita Cortazar on Zorro) plays artist model Nadja. Hayden Rorke (starred in Father's Little Dividend, When Worlds Collide, and Pillow Talk and played Steve on Mr. Adams and Eve, Col. Farnsworth on No Time for Sergeants, Dr. Alfred Bellows on I Dream of Jeannie and Bishop on Dr. Kildare) plays psychiatrist Dr. Frank.

Season 1, Episode 30, "Parasite Mansion": Pippa Scott (shown on the left, see the biography section for the 1960 post on Mr. Lucky) plays school teacher Marcia Elizabeth Hunter. Jeannette Nolan (starred in Macbeth (1948), The Big Heat, Tribute to a Bad Man, and The Reluctant Astronaut, did voicework for Psycho, The Rescuers, and The Fox and the Hound, and played Annette Devereaux on Hotel de Paree and Holly Grainger on The Virginian) plays cursed Harrod family matriarch Granny. James Griffith (Deputy Tom Ferguson on U.S. Marshal) plays her nephew Victor. Tom Nolan (Jody O'Connell on Buckskin, Officer Hubbell on Jessie, and Mick on Out of This World) plays his brother Rennie. Beverly Washburn (starred in Old Yeller and played Kit Wilson on Professional Father and Vickie Massey on The New Loretta Young Show) plays their sister Lollie. 

Season 1, Episode 31, "A Good Imagination": Edward Andrews (shown on the right, 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 bookseller Frank Logan. 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 unfaithful wife Louise. Britt Lomond (Captain Monastario on Zorro and Johnny Ringo on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp) plays her brother Arnold Chase. Ken Lynch (see the biography section for the 1961 post on Checkmate) plays private detective Joe Thorp. Mary Grace Canfield (Amanda Allison on The Hathaways, Harriet Kravitz on Bewitched, and Ralph Monroe on Green Acres) plays Logan's sales clerk Celia Perry. Ed Nelson (Michael Rossi on Peyton Place and Ward Fuller on The Silent Force) plays cabin handyman George Parker. William Allyn (associate producer of Peyton Place) plays playboy Randy Hagen. Jim Bannon (Red Ryder in 4 feature films and the TV series Red Ryder, Sandy North on The Adventures of Champion, Sheriff Tom Tynes on Casey Jones, and was the announcer on Ethel and Albert) plays a rural sheriff.

Season 1, Episode 32, "Mr. George": Gina Gillespie (Tess on Law of the Plainsman and Mimi Scott on Karen) plays young heir Priscilla. Virginia Gregg (starred in Dragnet, Crime in the Streets, Operation Petticoat and was the voice of Norma Bates in Psycho and was the voice of Maggie Belle Klaxon on Calvin and the Colonel) plays her aunt Edna Leggett. John Qualen (appeared in The Three Musketeers(1935), His Girl Friday, The Grapes of Wrath, Angels Over Broadway, Casablanca, Anatomy of a Murder, and A Patch of Blue) plays a streetcar conductor. Joan Tompkins (Trudy Wagner on Sam Benedict, Mrs. Brahms on Occasional Wife, and Lorraine Miller on My Three Sons) plays Priscilla's late guardian's sister Laura Craig. 

Season 1, Episode 33, "The Terror in Teakwood": Guy Rolfe (appeared in Ivanhoe, King of Kings, and Taras Bulba and played Charles Atkinson on The Widow of Bath and The Emperor on William Tell) plays world-renowned pianist Vladimir Vicek. Hazel Court (shown on the left, starred in Devil Girl From Mars, The Curse of Frankenstein, The Raven, and The Masque of the Red Death and played Jane Starrett on Dick and the Duchess, Liz Woodruff on 12 O'Clock High, and Norma Hobart on Dr. Kildare) plays his wife Leonie. Charles Aidman (narrator on the 1985-87 version of The Twilight Zone) plays her former suitor Jerry Welch. Linda Watkins (Robin Crosley on One Life to Live) plays newspaper critic Sylvia Slattery. Bernard Fein (see "The Merriweather File" above) plays a stage manager.

Season 1, Episode 34, "The Prisoner in the Mirror": Henry Daniell (see "Well of Doom" above) plays notorious illusionist and criminal Count Alexander Cagliostro. Lloyd Bochner (Chief Inspector Neil Campbell on Hong Kong and Cecil Colby on Dynasty) plays university professor Harry Langham. Jack Mullaney (Johnny Wallace on The Ann Sothern Show, Lt. Rex St. John on Ensign O'Toole, Dr. Peter Robinson on My Living Doll, and Hector on It's About Time) plays his assistant Fred Forrest. Marion Ross (shown on the right, 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 Langham's fiance Kay Forrest. Peter Brocco (see "Trio for Terror" above) plays renowned scholar Prof. Thibault. David Frankham (see "The Poisoner" above) plays 1910 Paris illusionist Marquis Robert de Chantenay. Frieda Inescort (appeared in Pride and Prejudice (1940), A Place in the Sun, and The Alligator People and played Emily Van Buren on Waterfront) plays his mother.

Season 1, Episode 35, "Dark Legacy": Harry Townes (starred in The Brothers Karamazov, Screaming Mimi, and Sanctuary) plays sorcerer Radan Asparos and his nephew Mario. Richard Hale (starred in Abilene Town, Kim, San Antone, Red Garters, and To Kill a Mockingbird) plays Radan's cousin Lars Eisenhart. Doris Lloyd (see "Hay-Fork and Bill-Hook" above) plays Radan's cousin Edith Pringle. Ned Glass (MSgt. Andy Pendleton on The Phil Silvers Show, Sol Cooper on Julia, and Uncle Moe Plotnick on Bridget Loves Bernie) plays nightclub manager Vince Fennaday. Henry Silva (starred in Johnny Cool, The Manchurian Candidate, Cinderfella, and Ocean's Eleven) plays Mario's friend Tony Wolfe. 

Season 1, Episode 36, "Pigeons From Hell": Brandon de Wilde (starred in The Member of the Wedding, Shane, All Fall Down, and Hud and played Jamison Francis McHummber on Jamie) plays young drifter Timothy Branner. David Whorf (assistant director on Batman, Peyton Place, The Felony Squad, The F.B.I., Cannon, The Streets of San Francisco, and Spenser: For Hire) plays his brother Johnny. Crahan Denton (appeared in The Parent Trap, Birdman of Alcatraz, and To Kill a Mockingbird) plays rural Sheriff Buckner. Guy Wilkerson (played Panhandle Perkins in 22 westerns) plays local resident Howard. 

Season 1, Episode 37, "The Grim Reaper": William Shatner (see "The Hungry Glass" above) plays accountant Paul Graves. Natalie Shafer (shown on the left, appeared in The Snake Pit, Callaway Went Thataway, and Anastasia and played Lovey Howell on Gilligan's Island) plays his aunt, mystery writer Beatrice Graves. Elizabeth Allen (see "The Hungry Glass" above) plays her secretary Dorothy Lyndon. Paul Newlan (Police Capt. Grey on M Squad and Lt. Gen. Pritchard on 12 O'Clock High) plays investigating police Sgt. Bernstein. Robert Cornthwaite (see "The Devil's Ticket" above) plays Beatrice's attorney Mr. Phillips.  Henry Daniell (see "Well of Doom" above) plays 1848 Parisian painter's father Pierre Radin.

Season 2, Episode 1, "What Beckoning Ghost?": Judith Evelyn (appeared in Rear Window, Hilda Crane, Giant, The Brothers Karamazov, and The Tingler and played The Woman on Windows) plays concert pianist Mildred Adler Beaumont. Tom Helmore (appeared in The Tender Trap, Designing Woman, Vertigo, and The Time Machine) plays her younger husband Eric Beaumont. Adele Mara (wife of Maverick producer Roy Huggins who appeared in Wake of the Red Witch, Sands of Iwo Jima, and The Big Circus) plays her sister Lydia. Frank Wilcox (see the biography section for the 1961 post on The Untouchables) plays a detective.

Season 2, Episode 2, "Guillotine": Alejandro Rey (shown on the right, played Carlos Ramirez on The Flying Nun and Capt. Luis Rueda on Dallas) plays condemned killer Robert Lamont. Robert Middleton (see "The Fingers of Fear" above) plays the executioner Monsieur de Paris. Gregory Morton (Mr. Wainwright on Peyton Place and Walter Williams on Ben Casey) plays the prison director. Peter Brocco (see "Trio for Terror" above) plays his assistant. Marcel Hillaire (appeared in Sabrina, Seven Thieves, and Murderer's Row and played Inspector Bouchard on Adventures in Paradise) plays the prison barber. Gaylord Cavallaro (Det. Sgt. Steve Wall on The Pursuers) plays cab driver Francois Triniteaux.

Season 2, Episode 3, "The Premature Burial": Sidney Blackmer (starred in Kismet (1930), Little Caesar, The Count of Monte Cristo, Heidi (1937), High Society, and Rosemary's Baby and played Dr. Morgan Granger on Ben Casey) plays prematurely buried Edward Stapleton. Patricia Medina (see "The Devil's Ticket" above) plays his fiance Victorine Lafourcade. Boris Karloff (shown on the left, see the biography section for the 1960 post on Thriller) plays his physician Dr. Thorne. William D. Gordon (Joe Travis on Riverboat and wrote or adapted teleplays for Thriller, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Fugitive, Ironside, and CHiPs) plays Thorne's colleague Dr. March. Scott Marlowe (Nick Koslo on Executive Suite, Eric Brady on Days of Our Lives, and Michael Burke on Valley of the Dolls) plays artist Julian Boucher. J. Pat O'Malley (see "Hay-Fork and Bill-Hook" above) plays the Stapleton butler.

Season 2, Episode 4, "The Weird Tailor": George Macready (Martin Peyton on Peyton Place) plays black magic practitioner Mr. Smith. Gary Clarke (Dick Hamilton on Michael Shayne, Steve Hill on The Virginian, and Capt. Richards on Hondo) plays his son Arthur. 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 tailor Erik Borg. Sondra Blake (former wife of Robert Blake, played Erlene on Days of Our Lives) plays his wife Anna. Stanley Adams (Lt. Morse on Not for Hire) plays Borg's creditor Mr. Schwenk. Abraham Sofaer (starred in Christopher Columbus, Quo Vadis, and Elephant Walk) plays car salesman Nicolai. Diki Lerner (appeared in Singin' in the Rain, Li'l Abner, Irma la Douce, The Swinger, and Easy Come, Easy Go) plays clothing dummy Hans.

Season 2, Episode 5, "God Grante That She Lye Stille": Sarah Marshall (see "The Poisoner" above) plays condemned witch Elspeth Clewer and her lone surviving relative Lady Margaret Clewer. Henry Daniell (see "Well of Doom" above) plays presiding Judge John Weatherford and his descendant Vicar Weatherford. Ronald Howard (see "Well of Doom" above) plays local physician Dr. Stone. Victor Buono (shown on the far right, appeared in Robin and the 7 Hoods, Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte, The Greatest Story Ever Told, and The Silencers and played King Tut on Batman and Dr. Schubert on Man From Atlantis) plays psychologist Dr. Van de Velde. 

Season 2, Episode 6, "Masquerade": Tom Poston (shown on the far left, starred in Zotz!, Soldier in the Rain, and The Happy Hooker and played Mr. Sullivan on On the Rocks, Cliff Murdock on The Bob Newhart Show, Damon Jerome on We've Got Each Other, Franklin Delano Bickley on Mork & Mindy, George Utley on Newhart, Ringo Prowley on Good Grief, Floyd Norton on Grace Under Fire, and Clown on Committed) plays honeymooner Charlie Denham. Elizabeth Montgomery (shown on the near left, starred in Johnny Cool, Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?, and How to Stuff a Wild Bikini and played Samantha Stephens on Bewitched) plays his wife Rosamond. John Carradine (starred in Stagecoach, The Grapes of Wrath, House of Frankenstein, House of Dracula, The Ten Commandments, and Sex Kittens Go to College and played Gen. Joshua McCord on Branded) plays spooky mansion owner Jed Carta. Jack Lambert (see the biography section for the 1960 post on Riverboat) plays his son Lem. 

Season 2, Episode 7, "The Last of the Sommervilles": Phyllis Thaxter (starred in Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, The Sea of Grass, The Breaking Point, and Superman) plays attendant niece Ursula Sommerville. Martita Hunt (starred in Great Expectations, Anna Karenina, Anastasia, Becket, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, and Bunny Lake Is Missing) plays her eccentric, rich Aunt Celia. Boris Karloff (see "The Premature Burial" above) plays Celia's physician Dr. Farnham. 

Season 2, Episode 8, "Letter to a Lover": Ann Todd (shown on the right, starred in The Seventh Veil, The Paradine Case, The Passionate Friends, and Breaking the Sound Barrier and played Ann Teviot in Ann and Harold and Astrid Linderman in Maelstrom) plays beleaguered wife Sylvia Lawrence. Murray Matheson (see "The Poisoner" above) plays her husband Andrew. Brendan Dillon (Mr. Bemis on The Virginian and Tommy Kelsey on All in the Family) plays postman Coggins. Richard Peel (see "The Poisoner" above) plays police Sgt. Lathrop.

Season 2, Episode 9, "A Third for Pinochle": Edward Andrews (see "A Good Imagination" above) plays hen-pecked husband Maynard Thispin. Ann Shoemaker (appeared in Alice Adams, Stella Dallas, My Favorite Wife, and Above Suspicion) plays his wife. Doro Merende (appeared in Our Town, The Man With the Golden Arm, and Kiss Me, Stupid and played Aunt Iris Flower on Bringing Up Buddy) plays nosy neighbor Melba Pennaroyd. Vito Scotti (shown on the left, played Jose on The Deputy, Capt. Gaspar Fomento on The Flying Nun, Gino on To Rome With Love, and Mr. Velasquez on Barefoot in the Park) plays prospective astronaut Buddy Welsh. Ken Lynch (see "A Good Imagination" above) plays a police lieutenant. Barbara Perry (Thelma Brockwood on The Hathaways) plays Maynard's girlfriend Babs Dawson. Burt Mustin (Foley on The Great Gildersleeve, Mr. Finley on Date With the Angels, Gus the fireman on Leave It to Beaver, Jud Fletcher on The Andy Griffith Show, and Justin Quigley on All in the Family) plays a train redcap.

Season 2, Episode 10, "The Closed Cabinet": Doris Lloyd (see "Hay-Fork and Bill-Hook" above) plays reanissance-era matriarch Dame Alice. David Frankham (see "The Poisoner" above) plays her modern-day descendant Alan Mervyn. Olive Sturgess (Carol Henning on The Bob Cummings Show) plays his girlfriend Eve Bishop. 

Season 2, Episode 11, "Dialogues With Death": Boris Karloff (see "The Premature Burial" above) plays morgue attendant Pop Jenkins and southern aristocrat Col. Jackson Beauregard Finchess. Ed Nelson (see "A Good Imagination" above) plays newspaper reporter Tom Ellison and Finchess' relative Daniel LeJean. William Schallert (shown on the right, see the biography section for the 1960 post on TheMany Loves of Dobie Gillis) plays psychologist Dr. John McFarland. Norma Crane (appeared in Tea and Sympathy, They Call Me Mr. Tibbs!, and Fiddler on the Roof and played Rayola Dean on Mister Peepers) plays Lejean's wife Nell. Estelle Winwood (starred in Quality Street, This Happy Feeling, The Notorious Landlady, and Dead Ringer and played Aunt Hilda on Batman) plays Finchess' sister Emily.

Season 2, Episode 12, "The Return of Andrew Bentley": Terence de Marney (see "Trio for Terror" above) plays sorceror Amos Wilder. John Newland (shown on the left, see the biography section for the 1960 post on One Step Beyond) plays his nephew Ellis Corbett. Antoinette Bower (Fox Devlin on Neon Rider) plays his wife Sheila. Philip Bourneuf (appeared in Joan of Arc, Chamber of Horrors, and Pete 'n' Tillie and played Dr. Wickens on Dr. Kildare) plays Wilder's physician Dr. Weatherbee. Oscar Beregi, Jr. (appeared in Ship of Fools, The Incredible Mr. Limpet, and Young Frankenstein and played Joe Kulak on The Untouchables) plays the town minister Rev. Burkhardt.

Season 2, Episode 13, "The Remarkable Mrs. Hawk": Joan Van Vleet (starred in East of Eden, I'll Cry Tomorrow, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Cool Hand Luke, and I Love You, Alice B. Toklas) plays pig farmer Mrs. Cissy Hawk. John Carradine (see "Masquerade" above) plays hobo Jason Longfellow. Bruce Dern (shown on the right, starred in The Wild Angels, Hang 'Em High, Support Your Local Sheriff!, Silent Running, Coming Home, and Nebraska and played E.J. Stocker on Stoney Burke and Frank Harlow on Big Love) plays his accomplice Johnny Norton. Paul Newlan (see "The Grim Reaper" above) plays local lawman Sheriff Tom Ulysses Willetts. 

Season 2, Episode 14, "Portrait Without a Face": John Newland (see "The Return of Andrew Bentley" above) plays painter Robertson Moffat. Jane Greer (starred in Dick Tracy (1945), Out of the Past, The Big Steal, The Prisoner of Zenda, and Down Among the Sheltering Palms and played Charlotte Pershing on Falcon Crest and Vivian Smythe Niles on Twin Peaks) plays his wife Ann. Katherine Squire (Emma Simpson on The Doctors) plays her Aunt Agatha. Robert Webber (appeared in The Sandpiper, The Silencers, The Dirty Dozen, 10, Private Benjamin, and S.O.B. and played Alexander Hayes on Moonlighting) plays gallery cataloguer Arthur Henshaw. George Mitchell (Cal Bristol on Stoney Burke) plays local lawman Pete Browning. 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 Marie. Gage Clarke (Mr. Botkin on Gunsmoke) plays family physician Dr. Josiah Grant. John Banner (shown on the left, played Bovaro on Rocky Jones, Space Ranger, Hans on The Baileys of Balboa, Sgt. Hans Georg Schultz on Hogan's Heroes, and Uncle Latzi on The Chicago Teddy Bears) plays art expert Prof. Martin Vander Hoven.