Warner Bros. Presents

WARNER BROS. PRESENTS

ABC had been languishing in the new television medium. CBS had 74 affiliates, NBC had 71 and ABC had 14. DuMont's 3 affiliates were sold in 1955. The way to gaining affiliates was good programming. William Paley had locked all the major talent for CBS some years before, and despite a merger between ABC and Paramount, it was Warner Bros. which came to ABC's rescue.

The movie studios approached television with hostility, and, like a ban in the 1920s against radio, the majors forbade its film stars to appear on the broadcast medium. Leonard Goldenson, Bob Weitman and Bob Kintner faced 28 hours of prime time programming to fill. Quiz shows were popular, and westerns, but who to produce enough? Goldenson talked to the heads of all the motion picture studios, tempting them with the concept of running a trailer for their motion pictures which would reach so many people, but they all held off. Finally, at a dinner with Jack L. Warner, Leonard Goldenson spent four solid hours selling him on the idea of taking mothballed properties the studio already owned and putting them on television.

The fall of 1955 launched Warner Bros. Presents, a rotating wheel of three shows. Casablanca, King's Row (both from the Warner films of the same names) and a western, Cheyenne, would alternate on Tuesday nights. This was an ideal testing ground. Cheyenne was the only hit of the three, but it would run for many seasons. The show also devoted the last quarter hour to promoting new Warner Bros. films. The public was not terribly receptive to these 15-minute commercials, and they were dropped along with Casablanca and King's Row.

1: KINGS ROW: LADY IN FEAR (13 September 1955)
Written by Jameson Brewer; Directed by Paul Stewart
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Jack Kelly (Dr. Parris Mitchell), Nan Leslie (Randy Monaghan), Robert Horton (Drake McHugh), Peggy Webber (Elise Sandor), Victor Jory (Dr. Alexander Tower).
Guests: George Chandler (Carstairs), Myrna Fahey (Renee), Russell Johnson (Mark), Jack Macy (Skeffington), Peggy Webber (Eloise), Lillian Bronson
Dr. Parris Mitchell grew up in a small Midwestern town and became a doctor to help those people, especially the friends of his youth. He was sure he could cure Eloise if he could talk to her, gain her confidence without alienating her husband and the entire town.

2: CHEYENNE: MOUNTAIN FORTRESS (20 September 1955)
From the screenplay by Alan Le May and Winston Miller
Teleplay by Don Martin; Directed by Richard L. Bare
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Clint Walker (Cheyenne Bodie), L. Q. Jones (Smitty).
Guests: Ann Robinson (Joan Carter), Bob Wilke (Bob Manson), Peter Coe (Perado), Jeff Silver (Stew), James Garner (Forsythe), Phil Rich (Skiley), John Doucette Capt. Daniels), George Wallace (Plank), Rush Williams (Foste)
Introducing Clint Walker as "Cheyenne," the scout who guides a wagon train out of one ambush only to find greater peril.
Behind the Cameras: The McConnell Story, starring Alan Ladd and June Allyson.

3. CASABLANCA: WHO HOLDS TOMORROW? (27 September 1955)
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Charles McGraw (Rick Jason), Marcel Dallo (Capt. Renaud), Dan Seymour (Ferrari), Michael Fox (Sasha), Clarence Muse (Sam), Ludwig Stossel (Ludwig).
Guests: Anita Ekberg (Trina), Alberto Morin (Portino)

4. KINGS ROW: TWO OF A KIND (4 October 1955)
Written by Charles Lang; Directed by Richard L. Bare
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Jack Kelly (Dr. Parris Mitchell), Nan Leslie (Randy Monaghan), Robert Horton (Drake McHugh), Peggy Webber (Elise Sandor), Victor Jory (Dr. Alexander Tower), Lillian Bronson (Grandma), Robert Burton (Dr. Gordon)
Guests: Wallace Ford (Uncle Ezra), Peter Votrian (Tim) Dennis Hopper, Natalie Wood.
A young boy presents new challenges to Dr. Parris Mitchell. The town has branded him a juvenile delinquent, but Parris feels he can help the lad, who he sees as a sick, frightened boy.
Behind the Cameras: Blood Alley starring John Wayne and Lauren Bacall.

5. CHEYENNE: JULESBERG (11 October 1955)
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Clint Walker (Cheyenne Bodie), L. Q. Jones (Smitty).
Guests: Adelle August (Jeremy Barnes), Ray Teal (McCanles), David Alpert (Wilfred Barnes), Billy Chapin (Tommy Scott), Tom Monroe (Floyd), Ray Montgomery (Morton Scott), Edwin Rand (Virgil)
Cheyenne and his sidekick Smitty find a lost wagon train.

6: CASABLANCA: BLACK MARKET OPERATION (18 October 1955)
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Charles McGraw (Rick Jason), Marcel Dallo (Capt. Renaud), Dan Seymour (Ferrari), Michael Fox (Sasha), Clarence Muse (Sam), Ludwig Stossel (Ludwig).
Guests: Nicole Maurey (Denise), Peter van Eyck (Alex Thannis)

7. KINGS ROW: ELLIE (AKA POSSESSIVE LOVE) (25 October 1955)
Teleplay by Richard Morris, Story by Roy Huggins; Directed by Paul Stewart
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Jack Kelly (Dr. Parris Mitchell), Nan Leslie (Randy Monaghan), Robert Horton (Drake McHugh), Peggy Webber (Elise Sandor), Victor Jory (Dr. Alexander Tower), Lillian Bronson (Grandma), Robert Burton (Dr. Gordon)
Guests: Kathryn Givney (Millicent Banning), Joy Page (Ellie)
Parris meets a new challenge with his patient Ellie, who has been ruled for years by her domineering mother.
Behind the Cameras: I Died a Thousand Times, starring Jack Palance and Shelly Winters.

8. CHEYENNE: THE ARGONAUTS (1 November 1955)
Adapted from the 1948 John Huston film screenplay of the Ben Travern novel)
Teleplay by D. D. Beauchamp; Directed by Richard L. Bare
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Clint Walker (Cheyenne Bodie), L. Q. Jones (Smitty).
Guests: Rodney Taylor (Clancy), Ed Andrews (Duncan), Steve Conte (Acuna)
Renegade Indians and gold prospectors clash.
Behind the Cameras: James Dean and Jim Backus in Rebel Without a Cause.

9. CASABLANCA: LABOR CAMP ESCAPE (8 November 1955)
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Charles McGraw (Rick Jason), Marcel Dallo (Capt. Renaud), Dan Seymour (Ferrari), Michael Fox (Sasha), Clarence Muse (Sam), Ludwig Stossel (Ludwig).
Guests: Don Randolph (Captain Rudolph), William Hopper (William Randoll), Maureen O'Sullivan (Helen).
Rick uncovers a Red plot and an imprisoned newspaper man is reunited with his wife.
Behind the Cameras: Sincerely Yours, starring Liberace.

10: KINGS ROW: MAIL ORDER BRIDE (AKA MAIL ORDER ROMANCE) (15 November 1955)
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Jack Kelly (Dr. Parris Mitchell), Nan Leslie (Randy Monaghan), Robert Horton (Drake McHugh), Peggy Webber (Elise Sandor), Victor Jory (Dr. Alexander Tower).
Guests: Lee Patrick (Mrs. Johnson), Rhys Williams (Kevin Monaghan)
A lonely man matches wits with a scheming woman.
Behind the Cameras: Jack Palance in I Died a Thousand Times.

11. CHEYENNE: BORDER SHOWDOWN (22 November 1955)
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Clint Walker (Cheyenne Bodie), L. Q. Jones (Smitty).
Guests: Myron Healey (Thompson), Lisa Montell (Rosa), Julian Rivero [uncredited], Adele Mara (Sarita), Richard Reeves (Cliff), Eugene Iglesias (Alfredo), James Burke (Buckshot), Edward Colmans (Carlos), Martin Garralaga (Mr. Delgado)
Violence and mob psychology rule a helpless Mexican town.
Behind the Cameras: Liberace in Sincerely Yours.

12. CASABLANCA: HAND OF FATE (29 November 1955)
Written by Nelson Gidding; Directed by John Peyser
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Charles McGraw (Rick Jason), Marcel Dallo (Capt. Renaud), Dan Seymour (Ferrari), Michael Fox (Sasha), Clarence Muse (Sam), Ludwig Stossel (Ludwig). Guests: Michael Fox (Sasha), Kurt Katch (Ozmajian), David Leonard (Professor Garnier), Harry Nader (Jahmed), Dan Seymour (Ferrari) Rick battles to save a priceless relic.
Behind the Cameras: Garry Cooper in The Court Martial of Billy Mitchell.

13: KINGS ROW: INTRODUCTION TO ERICA (6 December 1955)
Written by Kenneth Higgins; Directed by Paul Stewart
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Jack Kelly (Dr. Parris Mitchell), Nan Leslie (Randy Monaghan), Robert Horton (Drake McHugh), Peggy Webber (Elise Sandor), Victor Jory (Dr. Alexander Tower).
Guests: John Alderson (Mike Polich), Isa Ashdown (Child), Nadine Ashdown (Child), Maria Palmer (Erica Schiller)
An attractive widow proposes to a crusty bachelor doctor-with unexpected results.
Behind the Cameras: Liberace in Sincerely Yours.

14. CHEYENNE: THE OUTLANDER (13 December 1955)
Teleplay by R. Wright Campbell, Story by Douglas Heyes ; Directed by Richard L. Bare
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Clint Walker (Cheyenne Bodie), L. Q. Jones (Smitty).
Guests: Leo Gordon, Onslow Stevens (Judge Culver), Doris Dowling (Cora Culver), Leo Gordon (MacDonald), Jack Pepper (Whiskey), Dub Taylor (Hoyt), Tom Brown (Editor), Abel Fernández (Cowhand [uncredited])
Bullets and blackmail.

15. CASABLANCA: FAMILY DISPUTE (20 December 1955)
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Charles McGraw (Rick Jason), Marcel Dallo (Capt. Renaud), Dan Seymour (Ferrari), Michael Fox (Sasha), Clarence Muse (Sam), Ludwig Stossel (Ludwig).
Guests: Joe De Santis, Patty McCormack, Lydia Reed, Arleen Whelan
Behind the Cameras: Al Jolson singing to troops overseas and Mario Lanza singing "Ave Maria."

16: KINGS ROW: WEDDING GIFT (27 December 1955)
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Jack Kelly (Dr. Parris Mitchell), Nan Leslie (Randy Monaghan), Robert Horton (Drake McHugh), Peggy Webber (Elise Sandor), Victor Jory (Dr. Alexander Tower).
Guests: Dennis Hopper, Lydia Bronson, Natalie Wood
Renee's determined to get her man but picks an unusual way to do it.

17. CHEYENNE: THE TRAVELERS (3 January 1956)
From the screenplay by S. Lewis Meltzer
Teleplay by Walter Doniger, Story by Walter Doniger and Kenneth Higgins; Directed by Richard L. Bare Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Clint Walker (Cheyenne Bodie), L. Q. Jones (Smitty).
Guests: James Gleason (Pop Keith), Diane Brewster (Mary), Robert Armstrong (Marshall Merrick), Morris Ankrum (Ed Roden, Sr.), Gregory Walcott (Lou Gray), Joseph Breen (Dan Roden), Robert Carson (Newcombe), Dennis Hopper (uncredited)
Cheyenne is made a deputy marshal to prevent a lynching.

18. CASABLANCA: FATEFUL NIGHT (10 January 1956)
Teleplay by Nelson Gidding, Story by Robert Libott; Directed by John Peyser
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Charles McGraw (Rick Jason), Marcel Dallo (Capt. Renaud), Dan Seymour (Ferrari), Michael Fox (Sasha), Clarence Muse (Sam), Ludwig Stossel (Ludwig).
Guests: Morris Ankrum (Lou), Karin Booth (Sylvia), Lisa Daniels (Vicki), Jean De Briac (General Dupres), Lester Matthews (Colonel Masters), Jon Shepodd (Larry)
Behind the Cameras: The 30th anniversary of sound movies is observed with Don Juan, starring John Barrymore.

19. KINGS ROW: CARNIVAL (17 January 1956)
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Jack Kelly (Dr. Parris Mitchell), Nan Leslie (Randy Monaghan), Robert Horton (Drake McHugh), Peggy Webber (Elise Sandor), Victor Jory (Dr. Alexander Tower).
Guests: Sydney Chaplin(Tiger Hudson), Maggie Mahoney (Louise Thornton), Dennis Hopper (Tod Monaghan), Claire Kelly (Little Egypt), Natalie Wood (Renee Gyllinson)

20. CHEYENNE: DECISION (24 January 1956)
Teleplay by Dean Riesner, Story by Roy Huggins; Directed by Richard L. Bare
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Clint Walker (Cheyenne Bodie), L. Q. Jones (Smitty).
Guests: Nancy Hale (Ann Saunders), Richard Denning (Captain Quinlan), James Garner (Lt. Lee Rogers), Clegg Hoyt (Sgt. Beaugard), Terry Frost (Sgt. Short), William Challee (Soldier), (uncredited), Michael Landon (Young Soldier) (uncredited), Ray Teal (Maj. Heffler) (uncredited)

21. CASABLANCA: SATAN'S VEIL (31 January 1956)
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Charles McGraw (Rick Jason), Marcel Dallo (Capt. Renaud), Dan Seymour (Ferrari), Michael Fox (Sasha), Clarence Muse (Sam), Ludwig Stossel (Ludwig).
Guests: Elliott Reid (Allardyce Newton), Rosanna Rory (Ghitana Eros)
Rosanna Rory plays a beautiful but deadly internation spy involved in blackmail and murder.

22. CHEYENNE: THE STORM RIDERS (7 February 1956)
Written by R. Wright Campbell and Dean Riesner; Directed by Richard L. Bare
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Clint Walker (Cheyenne Bodie), L. Q. Jones (Smitty).
Guests: Regis Toomey (John Dembro), Beverly Michaels (Sheila Dembro), Anne Whitfield (Johnny Dembro), Barton MacLane (Martin Storm), Paul Burns (Marty), Mickey Simpson (Swallow), Howard Negley (Ed Jeffries), Lane Bradford (Hadley)
The story concerns blocked efforts to drive a herd of ponies, a horse running down the hero, and tender ministrations of the youthful second wife of a rancher (Anne Whitfield).
[Now on every other week!]

23. WARNER BROS PRESENTS: SIEGE (14 February 1956)
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Guests: Paul Richards, Elizabeth Montgomery, Tery Rangno, Ed Kemmer
The first in a new series of one-hour dramas through which the studio is retrenching its TV schedule.
An escaped killer (Paul Richards) menaces a country schoolteacher (Elizabeth Montgomery). A killer holds a classroom as hostage-and a schoolteacher's day is darkened with terror.

24. CHEYENNE: RENDEZVOUS AT RED ROCK (21 February 1956)
Teleplay by D. D. Beauchamp, Story by Douglas Heyes; Directed by Richard L. Bare
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Clint Walker (Cheyenne Bodie), L. Q. Jones (Smitty).
Guests: Gerald Mohr (Pat Keogh), Douglas Fowley (Pritchard), Steve Darrell (Earl), Joel Ashley Clayton), Dawn Richard (Millie), Helene Marshall (Joan), Sam Flint (Roberts), John Cliff (Turner), David Alpert (Chad)

25. CASABLANCA: THE ALLEY (28 February 1956)
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Charles McGraw (Rick Jason), Marcel Dallo (Capt. Renaud), Dan Seymour (Ferrari), Michael Fox (Sasha), Clarence Muse (Sam), Ludwig Stossel (Ludwig).
Guests: Marcel Dallo, Corey Allen (Abdel), Rena Clark (Rhoda), Eduard Franz (Ben Hassan)
Rena Clark plays a jilted bride.

26. CHEYENNE: WEST OF THE RIVER (6 March 1956)
Written by Kenneth Higgin, based on a screenplay by James R. Webb; Directed by Richard L. Bare
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Clint Walker (Cheyenne Bodie), L. Q. Jones (Smitty).
Guests: Lois Collier (Ruth McKeever), Trevor Bardette (Ed McKeever), Stephanie Griffin (Jennie McKeever), Lane Bradford (Sgt Baker), Harry Lauter (Ryan), Russell Hicks (Col. Kilrain), Henry Rowland (Morgan), William Erwin (Poinsett), John Close (Griffin), Marjorie Stapp (Betty Baker)
Stephanie Griffin plays a while girl captured by Indians.

27. WARNER BROS PRESENTS: SURVIVAL (13 March 1956)
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Guests: Jim Backus, Julie Bishop, Butch Bernard

28. CHEYENNE: (20 March 1956)
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Clint Walker (Cheyenne Bodie), L. Q. Jones (Smitty).
Guests: Stephanie Griffin
An Indian captive is rescued by Cheyenne.

25. WARNER BROS PRESENTS: EXPLOSION (27 March 1956)
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Guests: Lyle Bettger, Joy Page, Roxanne Arlen
A salesgirl provides the clue that leads to a murder.

29. CHEYENNE: QUICKSAND (3 April 1956)
Dean Riesner and N. B. Stone, Story by Roy Huggins and N. B.Stone; Directed by Leslie H. Martinson
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Clint Walker (Cheyenne Bodie), L. Q. Jones (Smitty).
Guests: Dennis Hopper (Utah Kid), John Alderson (Beef Simpkins), Wright King (Frank Endicott), Peggy Webber (Ella McIntyre), G. Thomas Duggan (Jeffrey Billings), Norman Frederic (Yellow Knife), Mary Flynn (Lavinia), Charles Hall (Kevin), Frank McGrath (John Pike)

30. CASABLANCA: SIREN SONG (10 April 1956)
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Charles McGraw (Rick Jason), Marcel Dallo (Capt. Renaud), Dan Seymour (Ferrari), Michael Fox (Sasha), Clarence Muse (Sam), Ludwig Stossel (Ludwig).
Guests: Mari Blanchard (Elsa Norden), Roberta Haynes (Maria), James Mitchell (Francisco), Ric Roman (Rossano), Hayden Rorke (Henderson)

31. CHEYENNE: FURY AT RIO HONDO (17 April 1956)
Written by James Gunn; Directed by Leslie H. Martinson
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Clint Walker (Cheyenne Bodie), L. Q. Jones (Smitty).
Guests: Peggie Castle (Mississippi), Carl Esmond (Colonel Pickard), Ralph Moody (Pete), Karen Kadler (Isabella). Edward Colmans (Manuel), Mel Wells (Bolados), Roger Etienne (Lt. Beauclerc), Tom Hernández (Ramon), Pepe Hern (Ricardo), Tim Graham (Piano Player)

32. CASABLANCA: DEADLOCK (24 April 1956)
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Charles McGraw (Rick Jason), Marcel Dallo (Capt. Renaud), Dan Seymour (Ferrari), Michael Fox (Sasha), Clarence Muse (Sam), Ludwig Stossel (Ludwig).
Guests: Ann Codee (Miss Stohli), Carl Milletaire (Guillot), Laurie Mitchell (Gaby), Olive Sturgess (Susette) Peter van Eyck (Chadec)

33. CHEYENNE: STAR IN THE DUST (1 May 1956)
Teleplay by Roy Huggins, Story by Roy Huggins and Douglas Heyes; Directed by Richard L. Bare
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Clint Walker (Cheyenne Bodie), L. Q. Jones (Smitty).
Guests: Adele Mara (Claire(, Don Megowan (Sheriff Wes Garth), Ian Wolfe (Chas. Peabody), Morris Ankrum (John Clements), William Phipps (Jim), Chris Alcaide (Deputy) (uncredited), Dabbs Greer (Townsman) (uncredited), Mort Mills (Mike) (uncredited), Tom Monroe (Bank Robber Leader) (uncredited)

34. WARNER BROS PRESENTS: DEEP FREEZE (8 May 1956)
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Guests: Gerald Mohr, Charles Bronson, John Shepodd, Allison Hayes

35. CHEYENNE: JOHNNY BRAVO (15 May, 1956)
Teleplay by Dean Riesner, Story by Roy Huggins and Dean Riesner; Directed by Richard L. Bare Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Clint Walker (Cheyenne Bodie), L. Q. Jones (Smitty).
Guests: Penny Edwards (Molly Crowley), Carlos Rivas (Johnny Bravo), Harry (Matt Crowley), Mort Mills (Ben Taggart), Charles Horvath (Emmett), Nancy Kulp (Waitress), Gil Perkins (Mingo), Howard Negley (Sheriff Wade), Harry Harvey Sr. (Tom Lovelace), Bob Jellison (Little Man), Margarita Martín (Tamale Woman)
Cheyenne gets into a fight and loses his job, however, he makes a new friend.

36. WARNER BROS PRESENTS: THE WIFE OF BATH'S TALE (22 May 1956)
Adapted from the Geoffrey Chaucer story in The Canturbury Tales
Written by ; Directed by
Host: Gig Young
Guests: Natalie Wood, Jacques Sernas, Torin Thatcher

37. CHEYENNE: THE LAST TRAIN WEST (29 May 1956)
Written by Howard Browne and Jack DeWitt; Directed by Richard L. Bare
Host: Gig Young
Regulars: Clint Walker (Cheyenne Bodie), L. Q. Jones (Smitty).
Guests: Barbara Lawrence (Lola), James Garner (Bret), Barbara Eiler (Ruth), Gordon Jones (C.R. Tatum), Lane Bradford (O'Neill), Paul Savage (Orville Jones), Paul Sorensen (Jud Lawrence), Stan Jones (Sheriff), Lester Johnson (Frank Perry),L.Q. Jones (Smitty) (uncredited), Sid Melton (Shorty) (uncredited)



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