On Trial (1956-57)
The Joseph Cotten Show (title change)(March 1957-1959)

Episode Guide compiled by The Classic TV Archive

https://ctva.biz/index.htm

with contributions by: Tom Alger, Rina Fox
references:
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://us.imdb.com)
UCLA Film and Television Archive
 

ON TRIAL:  THE JOSEPH COTTEN SHOW
Fordyce Enterprises Productions
in association with
Revue Productions, Inc. / MCA tv
for
NBC (Fridays 9:00pm EST)

September 14, 1956 to September 21, 1959

Sep 1956-Sep 1957 NBC Fri 9:00-9:30

Jun 1958-Aug 1958 NBC Sat 10:30-11:00

Jul 1959-Sep 1959 CBS Mon 9:30-10:00

Hosted by Joseph Cotten

Filmed episodes.

Pilot show was aired in 1955

United States vs. Alexander Holmes

"The Ann Sothern Show " was replaced during the summer of 1959

by "The Joseph Cotten Show" anthology series.

CBS Mondays 9:30 pm Aired 06Jul59-21Sep59

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########### On Trial ###########

######## pilot episode 1955 ######

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 Star Stage:  ON TRIAL  (pilot episode) aka  THE UNITED STATES VS. HOLMES

23-Sep-1955 NBC Fri [rerun 20Jul59]

Written by Don M. Mankiewicz & Larry Marcus
starring
Joseph Cotten
Robert Middleton
Frank Gerstle
Sallie Brophy
Synopsis:
A lawyer prosecutes a seaman responsible with tossing  six refugees out of a lifeboat. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
A Government attorney discovers evidence in favor of the man he is prosecuting. [RF]
 

########### On Trial ###########

######## season 1 1956/57 ######

############################

NBC Fridays 9:00-9:30pm Eastern
 

[01] On Trial: THE TRIAL OF EDWARD PRITCHARD

14Sep56 NBC Fri 

guest stars:

Joseph Cotten .... Edward Pritchard
Jan Chaney ....... Mary McLeod
Ivan Triesault ... Von Berning
Henry Daniell .... Clark
Lumsden Hare ..... Judge
Hilda Plowright .. Mrs. Pritchard
Irene Tedrow ..... Mrs. Patterson
Jack Raine ....... Inspector
Walter Kingsford.. Prosecutor
Synopsis:
At the turn of the century in Glasgow, Scotland, an eminent physician is charged with poisoning his wife. [RF]

*Note: Syndication airing on The Joseph Cotten Show 14Jun58.

 [02] On Trial: WE WHO LOVE HER

21Sep56 NBC Fri

guest stars:

Kevin McCarthy ....... Carl Wilson

Alexis Smith ........ Libby Wilson

Cheryl Callaway ....... Betty Jane

Synopsis:
Libby and Carl Wilson want to adopt their niece who has been living with them since her parents were killed in an
auto accident. But before the youngster came to live with them Libby was arrested for shoplifting, which ordinarily
would make her ineligible to adopt a child. It's up to the court to decide whether the couple's devotion to the child
is enough to outweigh Libby's criminal record. [RF]

[03] On Trial: THE NEVADA NIGHTINGALE

28Sep56 NBC Fri 

guest stars:

Diana Lynn ....... Kitty

Donald Curtis ....... Philip Wendell Jr.

Chuck Connors ....... Andy

Carl Esmond ...... Vail

Regis Toomey ...... Judge

Howard Wright ....... Al Wilson

Norman Willis ...... Philip Wendell Sr.

Hal Smith ....... Cowboy

Robert B. Williams ...... Bartender

 Synopsis:
A singer in a Nevada night club accepts a job offered her by an opera impresario. The owner of the night club thereupon
sues her for breach of contract, and the court must decide whether or not her services are special, unique and irreplaceable. [RF]
*Note: Syndication airing on The Joseph Cotten Show 23Aug58.

[04] On Trial: TWICE IN PERIL

19Oct56 NBC Fri  [rerun 21Jun57]

prod. no. TP0925

guest stars:

Joseph Cotten ...... Mr. Patterson

Joseph Wiseman ..... Antonio

Christopher Dark ...... Guiseppe

Joanna Lee ..... Clara

Carl Benton Reid ..... Judge Hall

Fredd Wayne ...... Assistant District Attorney

Synopsis:
The rope is cut while a young trapeze artist is doing her act, and she is killed. The other members of the act suspect
one another of the murder. [RF]

[05] On Trial: THE DE SANTRE AFFAIR  (aka  THE FATAL CHARM)

26Oct56 NBC Fri   [rerun 28Jun57]

guest stars:

Joan Fontaine ......... Adrienne

Robert Cornthwaite ......... Ranier

Edward Franz ......... De Santre

Geoffrey Toone ........ Lenier

Mabel Taliaferro ......... Old Woman

Synopsis:
The wife of a member of the French Academy is charged with the murder of a gossip columnist. She testifies that she
had to kill him to save her husband from being blackmailed. [RF]

[06] On Trial: THE LAW IS FOR LOVERS

09Nov56 NBC Fri

guest stars:

Inger Stevens ....... Ruth

Gene Lockhart ....... Clay

Everett Sloane ....... Anthony

Ron Hagerthy ....... Jerry Jr.

Parker Garvie ....... Blodgett

[07] On Trial: DEATH IN THE SNOW

16Nov56 NBC Fri 

guest stars:

Hoagy Carmichael  .... Frazier
Keenan Wynn ......... Bill Harris Jr.
Richard Hale ........ Roscoe Barnes
Robert Ellis ........ George Barnett
Don Beddoe .......... Ben Gerber
Olive Carey ......... Mrs. Gerber
Phil Chambers ....... Henry Martin
Anthony George ...... Indian Guide
Synopsis:
A group of gold prospectors isolated in the frozen wastes of Alaska bring their leader to trial for the murder
of their Indian guide. [RF]

[08] On Trial: THE TRIAL OF MARY SURRATT

23Nov56 NBC Fri 

guest stars:

Joseph Cotten ....... Robert Westwood
Virginia Gregg ...... Mary Surratt
Ray Collins ......... Corbett
Frank Milan ......... Preston
Harry Tyler ......... Matt
Synopsis:
An ex-cavalry officer of the U.S. Army returns to his law practice after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. He is
convinced of Mary Surratt's guilt in the conspiracy, but friends persuade him to talk to Mary and possibly defend her. [RF]
 

[09] On Trial: THE PERSON AND PROPERTY OF MARGERY HAY

07Dec56 NBC Fri 

guest stars:

Lurene Tuttle ....... Margery Hay

Kim Hunter ....... Anita Wells

Lee Erickson ...... Stevie

Phil Chambers ...... Emerson

Alexander Campbell ...... Mayor Carr

Walter Abel

[10] On Trial: THE JAMESON CASE

14Dec56 NBC Fri 

guest stars:

Everett Sloane ..... Wilson
James Gregory ...... Commander Andrew Jameson
Robert Burton ...... Houston
Jan Murray ......... Lindsey (Ian Murray tvguide)
Anthony Lawrence ... Sharpe
Synopsis:
Comm. Andrew Jameson is called before a court-martial in 1852. While at sea, he was responsible for the hanging of
three seamen suspected of planning a mutiny. [RF]
 

[11] On Trial: THE FOURTH WITNESS

21Dec56 NBC Fri 

guest stars:

Mala Powers .... Ellen

Dane Clark ...... Carl

Simon Scott ..... Dr. Philip Marceau

Frank Gerstle ..... Williams

Herbert Ellis ..... Carson

[12] On Trial: THE TRIAL OF COLONEL BLOOD

04Jan57

guest stars:

Michael Wilding ....... Colonel Blood

Jack Raine ....... Sir Hubert

Norman Lloyd ....... Duke of Buckingham

Henry Daniell ....... King Charles

Synopsis:
In the 1660's, Col. Blood was a courageous rebel against the throne of Charles II of England. He is accused of a
number of crimes, including an attempt to steal the crown jewels, and Charles II himself tries him. [RF]
 

[13] On Trial: DOG VERSUS BIDDEFORD

11Jan57 NBC Fri  (copyright date 8Nov56)

guest stars:

Joseph Cotten ...... Senator George Graham Vest

L.Q. Jones ..... Jedediah 'Jed' Boone

Jan Chaney ..... Abretha

Ralph Moody ..... Biddeford

[14] On Trial: LIBEL IN THE WAX MUSEUM

18Jan57 NBC Fri  (copyright date 27Nov56)

guest stars:

John Baragrey .... Herbert Baggs

June Lockhart .... Julie Baggs

Terrence De Marney .... Guide

Richard Peel .... Policeman

James Fairfax .... Room Clerk

[15] On Trial: THE TICHBOURNE CLAIMANT

01Feb57 NBC Fri 

guest stars:

Gladys Cooper .... Lady Tichborne

Robert Middleton .... Tichborne

Dayton Lummis ...... Colonel Duncan Smythe

Lillian Kemble-Cooper ..... Mrs. Hobbs

Anthony Jochim ..... Corporal Bacon

Eric Snowden ..... Hobbs

William Walker ..... Bogie

[16] On Trial: THE LIE DETECTOR GAME

08Feb57 NBC Fri 

prod. no. TP0939

guest stars:

Kathryn Givney ....... Judge Emma Morgan

Ben Alexander ....... Mr. Blink

Harry Jackson ....... Bill Emerson

Philip Reed ....... Bennett

Joan Vohs ..... Eve Emerson

Dan Tobin ..... Frazier

Alan Reynolds ...... Court Clerk

[17] On Trial: THE CASE OF THE FORGOTTEN MAN

15Feb57 NBC Fri 

prod. no. TP0940

guest stars:

Joseph Cotten ....... Sanders

Jorja Curtright ....... Anne Prentice

Howard Smith ....... Neeley

Lillian Hamilton ....... Mrs. Bagby

Edwin Jerome ...... Cohalan

Chester Stratton ....... Prentice

Synopsis:
A prominent attorney who aspires to the governorship is confronted by the wife of a man jailed for forgery. The
attorney was involved in the case against the convict five years before, and the woman still believes her husband
is innocent. [RF]
*Note: Syndication airing on The Joseph Cotten Show 09Aug58.

[18] On Trial: THE CASE OF THE DOUBLE TROUBLE

01Mar57 NBC Fri

prod. no. TP0942

guest stars:

Joseph Cotten ...... Joseph Downey

Russell Collins ...... Harry Brown

Gavin Gordon ...... Judge Kling/Joseph Russo

Stuart Randall ..... Lieutenant Siegel

Harry Bellaver ...... Drexler

Jack Whiting ....... Hartford

Gloria Victor ....... Blondie

Synopsis:
A man is arrested for robbery at the Hollywood Bowl. [RF]

[19] On Trial: THE CASE OF THE PANICKY MAN

08Mar57 NBC Fri 

prod. no. TP0941

guest stars:

Joseph Cotten ....... Gregg Bolton
Philip Ober ......... Andrews
Ralph Moody ......... Oswald
Christopher Dark..... Emil Zopak
Baynes Barron ....... Kiely
Synopsis:
A man is accused of murdering his wife on the basis of his unusual behavior on the

 day she died. He was seen scrubbing traces of blood off the porch and burning her clothes. [RF]
 

[20] On Trial: THE FREEMAN CASE

15Mar57 NBC Fri 

prod. no. TP0934

Gs:

Joseph Cotten ....... William Seward

Virginia Gregg ........ Fanny Seward

Jeanette Nolan ....... Sally Freeman

Robert Nichols ....... Willie Freeman

Henry Daniell ...... Van Buren

Ed Jerome ...... Judge

Synopsis:
Attorney William Seward accepts the case of a man who murdered five members of the same family. In this case, Seward,
who later became Lincoln's secretary of state, set a legal precedent in American courts. (film) [RF]

[21] On Trial: THE GHOST AT DEVIL'S ISLAND

29Mar57 NBC Fri 

(copyright title: The Ghost of Devil's Island)

prod. no. TP0944

guest stars:

Paulette Goddard as Dolly

Philip Reed as Augustus

Edward Platt as Bascomb

Frank Gerstle as Vinnie

Reginald Denny as Admirer

Voltaire Perkins as Judge

Frank Wilcox as Garrett

[22] On Trial: THE CASE OF THE JEALOUS BOMBER

05Apr57 NBC Fri  (rebroadcasted 26Jul57)

prod. no. TP0943

guest stars:

Joseph Cotten ........ Frank Parsons

Audrey Totter ........ Ellen Parsons

William Hopper ....... Arnold Bait

Onslow Stevens ...... Fields

John McKee .... Chandler

Synopsis:

An insanely jealous man suspects his wife of secretly meeting his business partner.

 He decides to murder his rival and works an ingenious scheme. (film) [RF]

[23] On Trial: THE CASE OF THE ABANDONED HORSE

Revue-Fordyce prod. no. TP0931

12Apr57 NBC Fri 

guest stars:

Eva Bartok ....... Delores Whitecloud

Hugh Marlowe

Linda Stirling

Synopsis:
An Indian girl Delores Whitecloud, graduates from lawschool. She learns that a government official, allied with neighboring
ranchers, has confiscated her tribe's horses in an attempt to force the Indians back to a reservation. She pleads the case
for her people and the suit goes to the Supreme Court. [TA]

[24] On Trial: ALIBI FOR MURDER

26Apr57 NBC Fri 

guest stars:

Macdonald Carey ...... Mike

Peggy Knudsen ....... Mona

Morris Ankrum ....... Benson

Charles Lane ....... Grayson

John Vivyan ....... Harry

Frank Fenton ....... Sheriff

[25] On Trial: THE CASE OF THE ABSENT MAN

Revue-Fordyce prod. no. TP0946

03May57 NBC Fri 

guest stars:

Joseph Cotten ....... Ray Barnes

Kent Taylor ....... Phillip Brady

Margaret Hayes ....... Mrs. Ann Hastings

Hugh Sanders ....... Dailey

Voltaire Perkins ....... Judge

Synopsis:
After a man has been missing for seven years, his wife seeks to have the court declare him legally dead. Coincidentally
her missing husband's business partner also wants the court to pass the official ruling. [TA]

[26] On Trial: THE CASE OF THE SUDDEN DEATH

10May57 NBC Fri 

guest stars:

Joseph Cotten ....... Clint Anderson

Dick Foran ....... Newcombe

John Doucette ....... Owen Davy

Ron Hayes ....... Jeff Moore

[27] On Trial: THE GENTLE VOICE OF MURDER

24May57 NBC Fri

Host: Joseph: Cotten

guest stars:

Barbara Bel Geddes

Helmut Dantine ....... LaCosta

Ellen Corby ....... Martha

Florida Friebus ....... Helen Fogarty

Kathleen Freeman ....... Mrs. Dandridge

A.E. Gould Porter ....... Coroner

Synopsis:
A young Englishwoman who wants to avoid spinsterhood is happily swept off her feet by a suave gentleman who is a
hypnotist by profession. The woman is soon aware that she has reason to fear her husband's hypnotic abilities. [TA]

[28] On Trial: THE SECRET OF POLANTA

31May57 NBC Fri 

guest stars:

Joseph Cotten ....... Reed Murrow

Stanley Clements ....... Captain Ralph Evans

Lita Milan ....... Maria Bellini

Eduardo Ciannelli ....... Prosecutor

Paul Stewart ....... Mr. Bari

Jan Chaney ....... Dottie

Jay Adler ....... Mora

Gavin Gordon ....... Mr. Spencer

Nestor Paiva ....... Bruno

Mario Siletti ....... Judge

Synopsis:
A successful young junior partner in a law firm is accused by an Italian village of stealing valuables from townsfolk
during military action in World War 2. [TA]
 

[29] On Trial: THE DEADLY CHAIN

07Jun57 NBC Fri 

guest stars:

Dan O'Herlihy ....... Carmody
Joanne Gilbert ....... Liza
Patrick O'Neal ....... Baker
James Seay
Synopsis:
  A highly respected district attorney, his beautiful daughter and a political columnist are involved in a murder. [TA]

[30] On Trial: THE CASE OF THE GIRL ON THE ELSEWHERE
14Jun57 NBC Fri
guest stars:
Joseph Cotten ....... Reed
Kathleen Crowley ...... Felicity O'Brien
Morris Ankrum ....... Judge
Herb Ellis ....... Kenny
Joseph Nell ....... Quist
Simon Scott ....... Wells
Jack Gargan ...... Stenographer
Synopsis:
Her prison record comes back to threaten the future of Felicity O'Brien  when she is suspected of murder. [RF]

[--] On Trial: TWICE IN PERIL
21Jun57 [rerun from 19Oct56]

[--] On Trial: FATAL CHARM
28Jun57 [rerun from 26Oct56]

########## On Trial ############

########## the end ############

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The Joseph Cotten Show (Summer 1959)

Name change - Summer replacement series for  The Ann Sothern Show   (6Jul59-21Sep59) CBS Mon 9:30-10:00pm

  [--] The Joseph Cotten Show: SILENT AMBUSH
06Jul1959 CBS Mon [repeat from GE Theatre #6.16 26Jan58]
Directed by Rudolph Mate
Director of photography John F. Seitz
Hosted by Joseph Cotten
Guest stars:
Alan Ladd .......... Dan Donlan
Elisha Cook Jr. .... Jed
Phyllis Avery ...... Laura Saunders
Edgar Buchanan ..... Doc
Stacy Harris ....... Nate
Strother Martin .... Obie
Sondra Rodgers
Joseph Mell
Willis Bouchey
Owen Cunningham
Ken Hooker
Synopsis:
On the eve of an election, a frontier sheriff discovers that he is losing his hearing. Hoping that the lawless faction
of the town will not learn of his affliction, he continues to campaign for office. (film) [RF]
 

[--] The Joseph Cotten Show: ELEANOR
13Jul1959 CBS Mon
Hosted by Joseph Cotten
Guest stars:
Charles Laughton
Synopsis:
A lonely old man buys an old horse which is about to be sold to a glue factory. Then he realizes that he must
find a way to earn a living for them both. [RF]

[--] The Joseph Cotten Show: THE UNITED STATES VS. HOLMES [Rerun of pilot episode from "Star Stage"]
20Jul1959 CBS Mon [repeat from 23Sep55]

[--] The Joseph Cotten Show: THE LONELY WIZARD
27Jul1959 CBS Mon [repeat from Schlitz Playhouse #7.8  15Nov57]
Hosted by Joseph Cotten
Guest stars:
Rod Steiger ...... Charles Steinmetz
Synopsis:
The true story of electrical engineer Charles Steinmetz. Even as a child in Germany, Charles was lonely, preferring
to devise inventions rather than play with other children. As he grows to young manhood, Steinmetz applies his
brilliant mind to problems of electrical engineering. [RF]
 

  [--] The Joseph Cotten Show: STRANGE WITNESS
03Aug1959 CBS Mon [repeat from GE Theatre #6.24 23Mar58]
Hosted by Joseph Cotten
Guest stars:
Joan Crawford ......... Ruth
John McIntire ......... John
Sidney Blackmer ....... Christopher
Synopsis:
Returning home from work early one evening, a surprised husband finds his wife with another man. The husband demands
a divorce and the two men fight. During the struggle the husband is killed, and the wife and her friend try to
establish an alibi. [RF]

[--] The Joseph Cotten Show: TOWN THAT SLEPT WITH THE LIGHT ON
10Aug1959 CBS Mon [repeat from Schlitz Playhouse #7.31  16May58]

[--] The Joseph Cotten Show: HIGH GREEN WALL
17Aug1959 CBS Mon  [repeat from GE Theatre #3.4  3Oct54]
Written by Charles Jackson
Based on Evelyn Waugh's adaptation of "The Man Who Liked Dickens".
Hosted by Joseph Cotten
Guest stars:
Joseph Cotten
Thomas Gomez
Synopsis:
Henty, a disillusioned businessman, joins an Amazon expedition and gets lost in the jungle. There he meets McMaster,
the sinister half-caste whose greatest joy is having the works of Charles Dickens read to him. [RF]
 

[--] The Joseph Cotten Show: no details
24Aug1959 CBS Mon

[--] The Joseph Cotten Show: MAN ON A RACK
31Aug1959 CBS Mon [repeat from Schlitz Playhouse #7.20  21Feb58]

[--] The Joseph Cotten Show: FALSE ALARM
07Sep1959 CBS Mon [repeat from Schlitz Playhouse #7.37  15Aug58]
Guest stars:
Janice Rule
Joseph Wiseman

[--] The Joseph Cotten Show: TWICE IN PERIL
14Sep1959 CBS Mon

[--] The Joseph Cotten Show: no details ( Final episode of the series)
21Sep1959 CBS Mon
 

#### The Joseph Cotten Show ####
######### Summer 1959 ########
############################
 

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