The Classic TV Archive - US Crime Series
Spartan/Official Films:
"Peter Gunn" (1958-61) - "Mr. Lucky" (1959-60)
Mr. Lucky (1959-60)
Episode Guide compiled by The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by: Sal Crisanti, Rina Fox
references:
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://us.imdb.com)
UCLA Film and Television Archive
Spartan Productions. Filmed at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer-Studios
Official Films, Inc. (International Creative Exchange)
for
CBS (Saturdays 9:00-9:30pm EST) (24Oct59 to 03Sept60)
Executive Producer Gordon Oliver
Produced by Jack Arnold
Created by Blake Edwards
ENTIRE PRODUCTION SUPERVISED BY BLAKE EDWARDS
SERIES BASED ON AN ORIGINAL STORY 'BUNDLES FOR FREEDOM' BY MILTON HOLMES
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER JACK McEDWARD / PRODUCTION MANAGER TERENCE NELSON
US Crime Adventure Series 1959-60 34 episodes x 30 min bw
Starring
John Vivyan as Mr. Lucky
Ross Martin as Nick Andamo
With:
Pippa Scott as Maggie Shank-Rutherford
Tom Brown as Lt. Rovacs
Joe Scott as the Croupier/Maitre D'
Premise:
Mr. Lucky, a suave but honest professional gambler who had won a plush floating
casino, the "Fortuna", made it his base of operations. He figures out how to
operate the casino without breaking the law, by having it on a yacht moored in
international waters outside the three-mile limit. The series was created by
famed writer/director Blake Edwards, loosely based on the 1943 film starring
Cary Grant, which was based on an original story "Bundles for Freedom" by Milton
Holmes.
Much of the show's atmosphere is provided by Henry Mancini's theme and
incidental music, which produced two full albums, The Music From Mr. Lucky and
Mr. Lucky Goes Latin. Of particular note, besides the theme, is "March of the
Cue Balls" from episode 5. Mr. Lucky's pocket watch, when opened, plays the
first five notes of the theme, corresponding to the words "They call him
Luck-y".
Edwards helped revive the concept in 1980 as a TV-movie pilot called Casino,
starring Mike Connors.
Background:
Spartan Productions also produced the series "Peter Gunn" for CBS
(1958-61; 114 episodes) starring Craig Stevens
Other Credits:
*
DIRECTORS INCLUDED: BLAKE EDWARDS, JACK ARNOLD, LAMONT JOHNSON, BORIS SAGAL,
ALAN CROSLAND,JR.
*
WRITERS INCLUDED: TONY BARRETT, GENE L. COON, LESTER AARON PINE, LEWIS REED,
KEN KOLB
*
FILM EDITOR: RUSSELL SCHOENGARTH / DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: PHILIP LATHROP
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR JAMES WELCH
*
STUNTS: GEORGE ROBOTHAM, TROY MELTON, DICK CROCKETT, TOM STEELE, ALEX SHARP,
CARL SAXE, JACK PERKINS, BILL HICKMAN
*
Theme song: 'Mr. Lucky' by Henry Mancini
############# Mr. Lucky ############
######### season 1 1959-60 #########
####################################
CBS (Saturdays 9:00-9:30pm EST) (24Oct59 to 03Sept60)
1.01 Mr. Lucky: THE MAGNIFICENT BRIBE (a.k.a. El Presidente)"
24-Oct-1959 CBS Sat
written by Arthur A. Ross & Blake Edwards
directed by Blake Edwards
Guest cast:
Nehemiah Persoff ...... El Presidente
Ziva Rodann ........... Elena
Al Ruscio ............. Lieutenant
Francis McDonald ...... Old Fisherman
Ruben Moreno .......... Driver
Alusio Ferreira ....... Guitar Player
Synopsis:
Mr. Lucky and his associate Andamo are forced to abandon their casino in
Andamo's island country when the corrupt president learns that their yacht,
the Fortuna, has been used by a group of revolutionaries to bring in arms.
1.02 [--] Mr. Lucky: THEY SHALL NOT PASS (a.k.a. The Mine a.k.a. Lucky Gets the Fortuna)"
31-Oct-1959 CBS Sat
written by Lester Aaron Pine
directed by Jack Arnold
Guest cast:
Conrad Nagel ......... Julius Rutherford-Shank
Norman Alden ......... Devil
Madge Blake .......... Mrs. Edgar Bentley
Lillian Bronson ...... Mrs. Rutherford-Shank
Ned Wever ............ Edgar Bentley
Lou Krugman .......... Drunk
Abigail Nelson ....... Little Girl
Shirley Monticue ..... Girl Beatnik
Synopsis:
Lucky and Andamo, penniless, crash a costume party aboard an enormous yacht,
and Lucky turns it into a floating casino, the Fortuna II.
1.03 [--] Mr. Lucky: BUGSY (verified -SL) (a.k.a. The Stowaway a.k.a. One Body Too Many)"
07-Nov-1959 CBS Sat
written by Lester Aaron Pine
directed by Jack Arnold
Guest cast:
Edward Platt ......... Henry Praiswater
Barbara Stuart ....... Mrs. Bugsy McKenna
Gavin MacLeod ........ Bugsy McKenna
Clegg Hoyt ........... Pudge
Wilson Wood .......... Bartender
Jack Perkins ......... Sammy Reni
Alex Sharp ........... Joey Reni
Tony Michaels ........ Accountant
ANGUS DUNCAN ......... 1ST COAST GUARD MAN,
MICHAEL JOHNSON ...... 2ND COAST GUARD MAN.
RECURRING CAST:
TOM BROWN ............ AS LT.ROVACS,
JOE SCOTT ............ AS THE CROUPIER.
SYNOPSIS 1:
THREE SYNDICATE THUGS BOARD THE FORTUNA SEARCHING FOR AN
OLD FRIEND OF MR.LUCKY, NAMED BUGSY MCKENNA. [SC]
Synopsis 2:
Mr. Lucky hides an old friend on the Fortuna who is on the run from
syndicate thugs.
1.04 [--] Mr. Lucky: THE MONEY GAME (verified -SC) (a.k.a. The Professor a.k.a. For Love or Money?)"
14-Nov-1959 CBS Sat
written by Gene L. Coon
directed by Paul Nickell
Guest cast:
Barbara Bain ......... Prudence
J. Pat O'Malley ...... Professor Olander
Troy Melton .......... Alex
Donald Losby ......... Eddie
RECURRING CAST:
TOM BROWN ........... AS LT.ROVACS,
JOE SCOTT ........... AS THE CROUPIER.
SYNOPSIS:
A GROUP OF COUNTERFEITERS USE MR.LUCK'S BOAT,THE FORTUNA, TO TRANPORT THEIR
ILLEGAL MONEY ON SHORE. [SC]
Synopsis 2:
Lucky is on the lookout for counterfeit money when the police inform him that
phony bills are being put into circulation from the Fortuna's port.
1.05 [--] Mr. Lucky: THAT STANDS FOR POOL (verified -RF) (a.k.a. The Pool Game)"
21-Nov-1959 CBS Sat
written by Lester Aaron Pine
directed by Jack Arnold
Guest cast:
Stanley Adams ........ Nick Popolous
Jay Adler ............ J.B.
Paul Lambert ......... Mark Liggett
Synopsis:
Gambler Nick Papadopoulous challenges Lucky to a game of pool at very
high stakes, and brings two thugs along to make sure he wins. Lucky is
resigned to losing - but several other gamblers have placed their bets
on him. [RF]
1.06 [--] Mr. Lucky: MY LITTLE GRAY HOME (a.k.a. The Inmate)
28-Nov-1959 CBS Sat
written by Lester Aaron Pine
directed by Jerry Hopper
Guest cast:
King Donovan ......... Willie
Treva Frazee ......... Mary Koskiusko
Buddy Lewis .......... Warren
Peter Mamakos ........ Rock Canari
Lewis Martin ......... Judge
Robert Nash .......... Inspector
Howard Negley ........ Warden
Stephen Ellsworth .... Bank President
Donald Kerr .......... Cook
Synopsis:
An ex-convict who can't handle the outside world seeks Mr. Lucky's help in
returning to prison.
1.07 [--] Mr. Lucky: THE GORDON CAPER (verified -RF)
05-Dec-1959 CBS Sat (rebroadcast 05Feb63)
written by Gene L. Coon
directed by Tony Leader
Guest cast:
Betty Garde ......... Maybelle Towers
Berry Kroeger ....... Walter Gordon
Herb Armstrong ...... Evan Britton
Nora Hayden ......... Joyce
Ted de Corsia ....... Roy Berg
Dorothy Neumann ...... Reader's Aide
Synopsis 1:
Maybelle Towers, former employee of millionaire Walter Gordon, goes
into debt while gambling on Lucky's ship. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
A woman devises an elaborate blackmail scheme to obtain money from her rich
ex-employer to pay off a gambling debt to Mr. Lucky.
1.08 [--] Mr. Lucky: LITTLE MISS WOW
12-Dec-1959 CBS Sat
written by Gene L. Coon
directed by Boris Sagal
Guest cast:
Yvonne Craig ......... Beverly Mills
Don Gordon ........... Turkey Thomas
Sam Buffington ....... Freddy Furlong
Lewis Charles ........ Joe Corson
J. Edward McKinley ... Lloyd Mills
Milton Parsons ....... Waiter
Synopsis:
Lucky and Andamo find a missing heiress who has been living in poverty.
1.09 [--] Mr. Lucky: A BUSINESS MEASURE
19-Dec-1959 CBS Sat
written by Lester Aaron Pine
directed by Boris Sagal
Guest cast:
Suzanne Lloyd ........ Sylvana
Tom McKee ............ Blake
Philip Ober .......... Nigel
James Parnell ........ Steve
Synopsis:
A pair of smugglers board the Fortuna, one to distract Mr. Lucky while the
other hides gems on board.
1.10 [--] Mr. Lucky: HIJACKED (verified -SL)
26-Dec-1959 CBS Sat
teleplay by A. A. Roberts and Tony Barrett & Lewis Reed / story by A. A. Roberts
directed by Lamont Johnson
Guest cast:
David White ......... Mr. Van Horn
Lili Kardell ........ Carol Van Horn
Len Lesser .......... Gunman #1
Carl Saxe ........... Gunman #2
Tom Steele .......... Gunman #3
RECURRING CAST:
TOM BROWN ........... AS LT.ROVACS,
JOE SCOTT ........... AS THE CROUPIER.
SYNOPSIS 1:
A GROUP OF HOODLEMS ROB THE FORTUNA OF ELEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS, INCLUDING A
CHECK GIVEN TO MR.LUCKY TO PAYOFF A LARGE GAMBLING DEBT, BY THE WIFE OF A
PROMINENT BUSINESSMAN. [SC]
Synopsis 2:
Thieves seem particularly interested in stealing a check a lady gave Mr. Lucky
to pay off a large gambling debt.
1.11 [--] Mr. Lucky: ACES BACK TO BACK (a.k.a. Lucky's Painting)
02-Jan-1960 CBS Sat
written by Gene L. Coon
directed by Lamont Johnson
Guest cast:
Bernard Fein ........ Spanish Charley
Earle Hodgins ....... Horace Fulbright
Arthur Kendall ...... Jack The Knife
Robert Warwick ...... Charles Colter
Peter Whitney ....... Andre Damon
Synopsis:
A wartime buddy sends Mr. Lucky a hideous painting for a birthday gift which
the artist desperately wants back.
1.12 [--] Mr. Lucky: MAGGIE, THE WITNESS
09-Jan-1960 CBS Sat (rebroadcast 30Apr63)
written by Lester Aaron Pine
directed by Boris Sagal
Guest cast:
Richard Devon ....... Polly the Actor
Milton Frome ........ Pennypacker
Hal K. Dawson ....... Mr. Low
Ross Martin ......... Andamo
Synopsis 1:
Maggie (Pippa Scott) sees a gangland killing and tells the police she can identify
the murderers. Now Lucky has to hide her for her own protection.
Synopsis 2:
An insurance company is after Maggie to give her money inherited from an
uncle, right after Mr. Lucky puts her into hiding since she witnessed a mob killing.
1.13 [--] Mr. Lucky: THE TWO MILLION DOLLAR WINDOW (a.k.a. In Possession of Stolen Money)
16-Jan-1960 CBS Sat
written by Lewis Reed & Tony Barrett
directed by Boris Sagal
Guest cast:
Wesley Lau .......... Slate
Bernard Kates ....... Benny The Actor
Cyril Delevanti ..... Gardenia O'Toole
Paul Genge .......... Police Captain
Charles Keane ....... Plainclothesman
William Boyett ...... Health Officer
Tony De Mario ....... Henchman
William Fawcett ..... Fisherman
Synopsis:
Mr. Lucky is informed that money he won gambling with a scar-faced man was
stolen from a race track.
1.14 [--] Mr. Lucky: THE LEADVILLE KID GANG
23-Jan-1960 CBS Sat
written by Gene L. Coon
directed by Alan Crosland Jr.
Guest cast:
Will Wright ........ Leadville Kid
John Cliff ......... Chris Durfee
Raymond Hatton ..... Joe Horn
Burt Mustin ........ Uncle Billy
Synopsis:
The police inform Mr. Lucky that they can't go after three elderly men who robbed the
Fortuna, since it was outside the three mile limit when the crime occurred.
1.15 [--] Mr. Lucky: THE SOUR MILK FUND (a.k.a. The Benefit)
30-Jan-1960 CBS Sat
written by Gene L. Coon
directed by Jack Arnold
Guest cast:
Warren Stevens. ..... Charles Van Clede
Maureen Leeds ....... Victoria Pennington
Bob Hopkins ......... Fred Archer
Synopsis:
Andamo falls for a lady who boards the Fortuna in an effort to stop gambling there.
1.16 [--] Mr. Lucky: THE BRAIN PICKER
06-Feb-1960 CBS Sat
written by Gene L. Coon
directed by Boris Sagal
Guest cast:
Lisa Gaye ........... Sherry Beaumont
John Carlyle ........ Ronnie Slater
Herbert Rudley ...... Arthur Burnett
Charles Wagenheim ... Charles Van Halsington III
Synopsis:
After Lucky decides to change the Fortuna from a gambling casino to a supper club,
a woman who Lucky rescues when she attempts suicide asks him for a very large loan.
1.17 [--] Mr. Lucky: THE LAST LAUGH (a.k.a. The Comic a.k.a. Intrigue?)
13-Feb-1960 CBS Sat
written by Gene L. Coon
directed by Jack Arnold
Guest cast:
Frank Gorshin ....... Jerry Musco
Brad Dexter ......... Fred Scorby
Sally Fraser ........ Jane Musco
Synopsis:
A comic who works aboard Lucky's floating night club is pressured by a
gangster and his henchman to quit Lucky. Lucky rescues the comedian
from a beating and warns the hoodlum to lay off.
1.18 [--] Mr. Lucky: THE PAROLEE (a.k.a. Parole Racket)
20-Feb-1960 CBS Sat
Teleplay by Lester Aaron Pine & Gene L. Coon / Story by Lester Aaron Pine
directed by Lamont Johnson
Guest cast:
Frank Behrens ........ Ross Wilson
Charles Calvert ...... Sam Burns
Lucille Curtis ....... Mrs. Burns
Linda Lawson ......... Angie
Bartlett Robinson .... Joe Hardiman
Ric Roman ............ Fenneman
Shepherd Sanders ..... Spotts
Jeremy Slate ......... Karl Lieder
Gayla Graves ......... Wilson's Secretary
Synopsis:
Mr. Lucky gets some legal problems when he tries to intervene with the police,
who are throwing his salad chef in prison for parole violations.
1.19 [--] Mr. Lucky: THE TAX MAN (verified -RF) (a.k.a. Lucky Taxes)"
27-Feb-1960 CBS Sat
written by Ken Kolb
directed by Jack Arnold
Guest cast:
Simon Scott .......... George Darwin
Bill Baldwin Sr. ..... Orval Whitley
Walter Burke ......... Tobias Foss
Robert H. Harris ..... Fenton Lorimer
Synopsis:
Facing exposure for income-tax fraud, a crooked businessman tries to
gain time by pinning a similar rap on Lucky. [RF]
1.20 [--] Mr. Lucky: THE GLADIATORS (a.k.a. Playboy Fighter)
05-Mar-1960 CBS Sat
written by Gene L. Coon
directed by Alan Crosland Jr.
Guest cast:
Nita Talbot ......... Kitten Conner
Kent Taylor ......... Frankie Bragan
Hal Baylor .......... Benny Brenoff
William Smith ....... Leland Lamont
John Dennis ......... Flipper
Richard Karlan ...... Joe Kerk
Jimmy Lennon Sr ..... Announcer
Mushy Callahan ...... Referee
Evan MacNeil ........ Eva
Synopsis:
Lucky holds a charity boxing match on board the Fortuna.
1.21 [--] Mr. Lucky: BIG SQUEEZE (a.k.a. Lucky Frame)
12-Mar-1960 CBS Sat
written by David P. Harmon
directed by Jack Arnold
Guest cast:
Richard Bakalyan .... Spider
Jack Elam ........... Phil Bricker
Kevin Hagen ......... Jojo
Percy Helton ........ Pop Markel
Kathy Marlowe ....... Myrna (recurring)
Irene Tedrow ........ Madam Maria
Frankie Darro ....... Jockey
Synopsis:
Bandits set out to frame Mr. Lucky when he turns down their request to use the
Fortuna as a getaway vehicle.
1.22 [--] Mr. Lucky: COLD DECK (a.k.a. Marked Cards)
19-Mar-1960 CBS Sat
written by John Hawkins
directed by Jack Arnold
Guest cast:
Joe Maross .......... Jim Branco
Peter Leeds ......... Len Porter
Tina Carver ......... Ruth Branco
Pamela Duncan ....... Nancy Ballard
Paul Maxey .......... Reynolds
Howard Petrie ....... John Dort
Larry Blake ......... Dave Gray
Synopsis:
After a ruined poker player attempts suicide, Lucky sets out to find who has
been using marked cards at a friend's club.
1.23 [--] Mr. Lucky: HIS MAIDEN VOYAGE (a.k.a. Lucky Penny)
26-Mar-1960 CBS Sat
written by Jameson Brewer
directed by Boris Sagal
Guest cast:
Barry Atwater ....... Vincent
Tammy Marihugh ...... Penny
Norman Alden ........ Mitch
Henry Beckman ....... Huey
Benny Burt .......... Jake
Synopsis:
A lawyer in a custody battle over his daughter tries to smuggle her out of the
country on the Fortuna.
1.24 [--] Mr. Lucky: I BET YOUR LIFE
02-Apr-1960 CBS Sat
written by David Harmon
directed by Jack Arnold
Guest cast:
Ross Elliott ........ Harold Vong
R.G. Armstrong ...... Mike Haley
Mari Blanchard ...... Miss Grey
Kathy Marlowe ....... Myrna (recurring)
Synopsis:
Lucky hires himself a hit man to find out who is trying to kill him.
1.25 [--] Mr. Lucky: HAIR OF THE DOG
09-Apr-1960 CBS Sat
written by Stirling Silliphant
directed by Lamont Johnson
Guest cast:
Geneviève Aumont .... Therese
Joe Bassett ......... Murdock
Peter Whitney ....... Rosey
Gavin MacLeod ....... Salesman
Synopsis:
A known criminal tries stronger tactics when Mr. Lucky refuses to sell him the
Fortuna for a ridiculous price.
1.26 [--] Mr. Lucky: VOTE THE BULLET (a.k.a. Councilman Lucky)
16-Apr-1960 CBS Sat
written by Lewis Reed & Tony Barrett
directed by Jack Arnold
Guest cast:
Charles Aidman ..... Art Cable
Dehl Berti ......... Anthony Vasconi
Lou Krugman ........ Garvin
Celia Lovsky ....... Mama Vasconi
Steve Peck ......... Vincent Vasconi
Stafford Repp ...... Root
Paul Genge ......... Police Captain
Synopsis:
Lucky runs for city council to try to oust the criminals who run the town.
1.27 [--] Mr. Lucky: HIT AND RUN
23-Apr-1960 CBS Sat
written by Steve McNeil
directed by Jack Arnold
Guest cast:
Alan Hewitt ......... Harvey Boone
Doris Singleton ..... Iris Boone
Fred Coby ........... Sergeant Hopkins
Tony De Mario ....... Maxie Maden
Tom McKee ........... Allan Christian
Sarah Selby ......... June Bullitt
Charles Tannen ...... Ed Boyle
Wendell Holmes ...... David Bullitt
Synopsis:
Lucky is accused of a hit-and-run murder when he loans his car to a friend.
1.28 Mr. Lucky: TAKING A CHANCE
30-Apr-1960 CBS Sat
written by David P. Harmon
directed by Jack Arnold
Guest cast:
Joanna Barnes ....... Laura Lawrence
Stanley Adams ....... Danny Devlin
Billy Barty ......... Midget
Lily Fontaine ....... Janet Forest
Synopsis:
Lucky wins a lottery for which the prize is a date with a popular Hollywood
actress who asks Lucky for help against blackmailers.
1.29 Mr. Lucky: LAST JOURNEY (a.k.a. Boy and the Syndicate a.k.a. The Fishing Boat?)
14-May-1960 CBS Sat
written by Sam Ross
directed by Jack Arnold
Guest cast:
John Marley ......... Glenn Markson
Eugene Martin ....... David Parker
Ann McCrea .......... Deena
Cece Whitney ........ Helen
Harvey Stevens ...... Dan Parker
Synopsis:
During the middle of the night a small boy is smuggled onto the Fortuna from a
small fishing vessel.
1.30 Mr. Lucky: OPERATION FORTUNA (a.k.a. The Bungling Waiter a.k.a. Anniversary Party)
21-May-1960 CBS Sat
written by Paul David
directed by Jack Arnold
Guest cast:
Jolene Brand ......... Clara Iglesias
Richard Chamberlain .. Alec
Anne Helm ............ Edie
Jack Nicholson ....... Martin
Buzz Martin .......... Bud
Synopsis:
A bungling waiter shows his appreciation by robbing Mr. Lucky after Lucky
decides to give him one last chance instead of firing him.
1.31 [--] Mr. Lucky: STACKED DECK (a.k.a. Blonde Stowaway)
28-May-1960 CBS Sat
written by Jameson Brewer
directed by Jack Arnold
Guest cast:
Fay McKenzie ......... Sheila Wells
Yvette Mimieux ....... Margot
Grant Williams ....... Conrad
Synopsis:
A runaway heiress stows away on board the Fortuna, but a peculiar man is
pursuing her.
1.32 [--] Mr. Lucky: ODYSSEY OF HATE (verified -RF)
04-Jun-1960 CBS Sat
written by Leon Tokatyan
directed by Terence Nelson
Guest cast:
Patricia Donahue .... Ursula Heft
Karl Swenson ........ St. John
Jimmy Ames .......... Mr. Dewar
Eleanor Audley ...... Mrs. Dubois
Mary Benoit ......... Mrs. Heresford
Robert Brubaker ..... Mr. Barber
Carol Byron ........ Patricia
Warner Jones ....... Agent
Ted Knight ......... Dr. Furst
(Edna Ryan as Mrs. Jean Furst ?)
Synopsis:
In the dead of night, a man and woman sneak aboard the Fortuna. Their
reason, to spread Pro-Nazi literature in the U.S. [RF]
1.33 [--] Mr. Lucky: DANGEROUS LADY (a.k.a. Honeybird)
11-Jun-1960 CBS Sat
written by Michael Fessier
directed by Jack Arnold
Guest cast:
Jackie Coogan ........ Joe Azevedo
Ollie O'Toole ........ Steve Quinn
Lee Van Cleef ........ Kruger
Virginia Vincent ..... Honeybird
Bambi Hamilton ....... Girl
Synopsis:
A woman who needs lots of money very quickly comes to Mr. Lucky for help.
1.34 [--] Mr. Lucky: ELECTION BET (a.k.a. Hit on Lucky)
18-Jun-1960 CBS Sat
written by Lester Aaron Pine & Paul David
story by Lester Aaron Pine
directed by Jerry Hopper
Guest cast:
Vito Scotti .......... Jake
Joi Lansing .......... Evelyn
King Calder .......... Mr. Toby
Leo Gordon ........... Killer
Mel Welles ........... Hoodlum
G. Stanley Jones ..... Ed
Synopsis:
A man who lost a large bet to Lucky over the outcome of a South American
election tries to kill Mr. Lucky to avoid paying the debt.
################## Mr. Lucky ################
################## the end #################
##############################################
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