The Classic TV Archive - US Medical Drama Series
Ben Casey (1961-66) - Breaking Point (1963-64)
Breaking Point (1963-64)
Episode Guide compiled by The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by: Rina Fox
references:
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://us.imdb.com)
UCLA Film and Television Archive
Bing Crosby Productions, Inc. (BCP)
for
ABC (Mondays 10:00pm EST)
Producer George Lefferts
Created by Meta Rosenberg
US Medical Drama series 1963-64 30 episodes x 60 min bw
starring
Paul Richards as Dr. 'Mac' McKinley Thompson
Eduard Franz as Dr. William Raymer
Premise:
Psychiatric case histories
Background:
Spin-off from 'Ben Casey'
Pilot film was the 9Sep63 episode of Ben Casey. "Breaking Point" had
the same producers as "Ben Casey". Described 'as vibrant a
series of case studies as the titles' literary inspirations suggest.'
A.A. Milne's 'Four Friends' in 'When We Were
Very Young' for the episode 'And James Was A Very Small Snail', Ralph
Hodgson's 'Reason' for the episode 'Confounding Her Astronomers.'
Other Bing Crosby productions for television include:
"Slattery's People", Hogan's Heroes", "The Bing Crosby Show" (sitcom),
"The Queen and I" (sitcom) and "Ben Casey"
"Breaking Point" Title Music by David Raskin
############### Breaking Point ###############
############### season 1963-64 ###############
##############################################
ABC Mondays 10:00 pm Eastern
[01] Breaking Point: SOLO FOR B-FLAT CLARINET Pt. 2.
16-Sep-1963 ABC Mon
(part 1 aired as an episode of Ben Casey 9Sep63)
Written by George Lefferts
Directed by Sydney Pollack
Director of photography Hal Mohr
guest cast:
Scott Marlowe ........ Jason Landros
Sheree North ......... Lisa Adams
Oskar Homolka ..... Papa Landros
Millie Perkins ......... Helena Adams
Kermit Murdock ..... Dr. Graves
Irene Vernon .......... Nurse Olmstead
Dara Howard .......... Dr. Mady Miller
Russell Johnson .... Eddy Mulhall
Garry Walberg
Dabney Coleman
John Yates
Eleanore Berry
Richard Reeves
Synopsis:
Dr. Mac accepts two cases: clarinetist Jason Landros, who both hates and needs his domineering father;
and actress Lisa Adams, who hates herself. [RF]
*NOTE: (This episode is the second part of a story that began on Ben Casey and finishes on Breaking Point.)
[02] Breaking Point: LAST SUMMER WE DIDN'T GO AWAY [verified on film -RF]
prod. no. 5222-3
23Sep1963 ABC Mon
Writers Meta Rosenberg, Jerome Ross.
Director William A. Graham
Guest cast:
Anthony Franciosa ... John Rollins
Brenda Scott ............ Gloria
Edward Asner ........... Humphries
Steve Stevens .......... Student
Synopsis:
High school teacher John Rollins faces his class again after summer vacation - during which time he underwent treatment
for depression and claustrophobia. Some of the students soon detect Rollins' remaining symptoms. [RF]
[03] Breaking Point: FIRE AND ICE
prod. no. 5222-8
30Sep1963 ABC Mon
Guest cast:
Janice Rule ........... Diane Henry
Kevin McCarthy ..... David Henry
Irene Tedrow ......... Mrs. Henry
Suzi Carnell ............ Reception Nurse
Maris Wrixon .......... Lawyer's Secretary
Ronnie Rondell Jr.
Synopsis:
An executive's wife faced with the breakup of her childless marriage, becomes involved with a young stranger. [RF]
[04] Breaking Point: BIRD AND SNAKE
prod. no. 5222-5
07Oct1963 ABC Mon
Guest cast:
Robert Redford ........ Roger Morton
Marisa Pavan .......... Norma Rossiter
Jack Weston ........... Sam Keller
Connie Sawyer ........ Mrs. Levinson
Synopsis:
A neurotic girl is a victim of a sadist who preys on group therapy patients to vent his hostility. [RF]
[05] Breaking Point: THERE ARE THE HIP, AND THERE ARE THE SQUARE [verified on film -RF]
prod. no. 5222-2
14Oct1963 ABC Mon
Writers Meta Rosenberg, Mark Rodgers
Director Don Siegel
Guest cast:
John Cassavetes ... Evan Price
Carol Lawrence ...... Evelyn Denner
J. Pat O'Malley ........ Mr. Denner
Virginia Gregg ......... Mrs. Price
Gilbert Green ........... Mr. Price
Woodrow Parfrey .... Witchdoctor
Jimmy Joyce ............ Salesman
Synopsis:
Beatnik Evelyn Denner and her boyfriend carry out a death pact. [TA]
[06] Breaking Point: THE BULL ROARER [verified on film -RF]
prod. no. 5222-9
21Oct1963 ABC Mon
Producer Meta Rosenberg
Writer Ernest Kinoy
Director Ralph Senesky
Guest cast:
Ralph Meeker ....... Murray Knopf
Mariette Hartley .... Betty Lorimer
Lou Antonio .......... Paul Knopf
Carmen Phillips .... Charlotte
CeCe Whitney ...... Heather
Danny Guardino .... Angie (Harry Guardino's kid brother Eddie Guardino, stage name Danny Guardino)
William Bramley .... Lloyd
Synopsis:
An overly sensitive young man, lives in the shadow of his brother's conquests with woment and begins to fear he's
a latent homosexual.
*Note: This was a historical moment in television with the first use of the word "homosexual".
https://senensky.com/breaking-point/the-bull-roarer/
Trivia: Originally Robert Redford was the first choice to play the young man, he turned it down in favor of the
Neil Simon's play "Barefoot in the Park".
Next choice was Dean Stockwell who was cast but a few days later his agent called and said that Dean had a change of heart.
Next up for the role was Michael Parks, Lynn Stalmaster the casting director exclaimed he was a hot new young actor.
They asked him to read for the part, Michael said he didn't read for parts and that was that. [RF]
[07] Breaking Point: CRACK IN AN IMAGE
prod. no. 5222-11
28Oct1963 ABC Mon
Guest cast:
Mark Richman ....... Steve Anson
Kim Hunter ............ Anita Anson
Paul Stewart .......... Paul Duval
Holly McIntire ........ Noel Anson
Richard Vath ......... Welch
Synopsis:
A senatorial candidate's political chances are threatened by his wife's emotional breakdown.
[08] Breaking Point: A PELICAN IN THE WILDERNESS
04Nov1963 ABC Mon
Writers Meta Rosenberg, Michael Blankfort
Director Elliot Silverstein
Guest cast:
Martin Balsam ....... Rabbi Eli Oringer
Akim Tamiroff ........ Goldstein
Barbara Turner ...... Dorothy Oringer
Virginia Capers ...... Esther
Zolya Talma ........... Mrs. Roth
Noam Pitlik ............. Albert Roth
Evelyn Ward ........... Mrs. Berens
Synopsis:
A rabbi's religious faith is seemingly lost following the accidental death of his only child. [RF]
[09] Breaking Point: AND JAMES WAS A VERY SMALL SNAIL
11Nov1963 ABC Mon
Producer George Lefferts
Written by Allan Sloane
Directed by Robert Ellis Miller
Director of photography Robert Hauser
Guest cast:
Harold J. Stone ..... Joseph Babcock
Marsha Hunt .......... Fran Babcock
Martine Bartlett ...... Barbara Newly
Eddie Rosson ........ Petey Babcock
Donald Losby
Michael Fox
Marcia Dealy
Synopsis:
After an emotional disturbance, 7 year-old Petey Babcock becomes
completely withdrawn. Thompson must now cure the boy and help the family
adjust to the severity of Petey's illness. [RF]
[10] Breaking Point: WHATSOEVER THINGS I HEAR
prod. no. 5222-7
18Nov1963 ABC Mon
Written by Albert Sanders
Directed by William A. Graham
Guest cast:
Shelley Berman ... Roy Chase
Sarah Marshall ..... Helen Chase
Joanna Frank ....... Alice Meade
Joe Maross .......... District Attorney Harris
Malachi Throne .... Attorney Wilson
Hari Rhodes ........ Detective Shaw
Doreen Lang ....... Judge Walters
Suzi Carnell ......... Nurse Holland
Harry Bartell ......... Mr. Meade
Synopsis:
A disturbed man on the brink of a breakdown is accused of attacking a young lady in a railroad parking lot. [RF]
[--] 25Nov1963 Episode rescheduled to 06Jan64, President Kennedy's Funeral.
[11] Breaking Point: WHO IS MIMI? - WHAT IS SHE?
02Dec1963 ABC Mon
Guest Cast:
Ruth Roman ......... Alicia Howard
Sondra Kerr ......... Mimi Casell
Vivian Nathan ...... Mrs. Casell
Hunt Powers ........ Sammy
Gregory Morton .... Mays
Synopsis:
Though Mimi Casell is a grown woman, she can't control her tears when critics ridicule her fading idol.
Synopsis 2:
A domineering mother regards all men as dirty thwarted the emotional development of her daughter Mimi, who at 30 is naive and virginal. [RF]
[12] Breaking Point: MILLIONS OF FACES
prod. no. 5222-13
09Dec1963 ABC Mon
Written by Alvin Boretz
Guest cast:
Rip Torn ............... Roy Kendall
Jan Sterling .......... Nurse Murdoch
Susan Harrison .... Martha
Leonard Stone ..... Dr. Laney
Jim Boles ............. Harkness
Synopsis:
A ward attendant faced with expulsion for posing as a doctor, threatens a nurse who exposed him. [RF]
[13] Breaking Point: THE GNU, NOW ALMOST EXTINCT
16Dec1963 ABC Mon
Directed by William A. Graham
Guest cast:
Walter Pidgeon .... Leon Manville
Lillian Gish ............ Stella Manville
Sara Haden ........... Clara Bascome
Betsy Robinson .... Lottie
Harvey Stephens .. Charles Bascome
Vito Scotti .............. Tony
Clint Howard .......... Mikey
Shary Richards ...... Nurse
Synopsis:
Stella Manville is living an illusion. The husband of this once-great stage actress has been dead for some time, but she
refuses to believe it. She talks about him - and to him - as if he were still alive. Both Stella's sister, Clara Bascome,
and Dr. Thompson believe that Stella must be made to face the truth - and return to reality. But this raises a serious
question. What is the point of stripping away the illusions of an aging and childless woman? Will she have anything left
to live for? [RF]
[14] Breaking Point: HEART OF MARBLE, BODY OF STONE
Bing Crosby prod. no. 5222-10
23Dec1963 ABC Mon (rebroadcast 11Apr64 Sat CFTO-TV Toronto)
Guest cast:
Gena Rowlands ...... Shelley Osborne Peters
Burgess Meredith ... Walter Osborne
John Milford ........... Carl Peters
Synopsis:
An attractive model turnes up at the hospital in a sorry state - drunk,
injured and convinced she's about to give birth. [RF]
[15] Breaking Point: DON'T CRY, BABY, DON'T CRY
30Dec1963 ABC Mon
Guest cast:
Sheree North ............. Susan Beaumont
Juanita Moore ........... Verna
Doris Dowling ............ Bella
Kathleen Cotter ......... Laura
Madie Norman ........... Guard
Robert Ellenstein ....... Warden
Synopsis:
A woman's prison inmate participates as a substitute mother to an unadoptable child in a rehabilitation experiment. [RF]
[16] Breaking Point: A LITTLE ANGER IS A GOOD THING
06Jan1964 ABC Mon
Written by Raphael Hayes
Guest cast:
Arthur O'Connell ......... Joseph Baylor
Rosemary De Camp .. Gertrude Komack
Dean Harens ............. Stanley Komack
Amanada Ames ......... Betty Komack
Marc Cavell ............... Billy Jackson
Helen Kleeb ............... Mrs. Miller
Clark Ross ................. Luigi
Synopsis:
After 72 humdrum years, Joe Baylor is depressed to learn he's probably got another healthy 20 years ahead. [RF]
[17] Breaking Point: AND IF THY HAND OFFEND THEE
13Jan1964 ABC Mon
guest cast:
James Daly ........... Mitchell Farnum
Nobu McCarthy ..... Nobuko
Irene Tsu .............. Niki
Richard Webb ...... Lieutenant Spencer
Stephen Ohigashi.. John
Synopsis:
A man is plagued by guilt for his participation in the atom bombing of Hiroshima over 18 years ago.
Synopsis 2:
Filled with deep psychological wounds, World War II veteran Mitchell Farnum goes on a rampage against all Japanese
---including his wife. [RF]
[18] Breaking Point: BETTER THAN A DEAD LION
20Jan1964 ABC Mon
Written by Mort Fine & Shimon Wincelberg
Guest cast:
Robert Ryan ........... Lloyd Osment
Bettye Ackerman .... Eunice Osment (Ben Casey, Mrs. Sam Jaffee)
John Larkin .............. Walker Gosse
Jerry Hausner .......... Dr. Gruder
Synopsis:
The wife of a failing famed author fears that he will destroy himself unless Dr. Thompson can help him. [RF]
[19] Breaking Point: A LAND MORE CRUEL
27Jan1964 ABC Mon
Guest cast:
Eleanor Parker ......... Alice Koenig
Barry Livingston ....... Paul
William Stevens ........ Matt
Robert Brubaker ....... Loughlin
Bek Nelson ............... Mady
Synopsis:
A successful fashion designer compulsively seeks out alliances with strange men. [RF]
[--] Breaking Point: 03Feb1964 - pre-empted for the Winter Olympics.
[20] Breaking Point: NO SQUARES IN MY FAMILY CIRCLE
10Feb1964 ABC Mon
Written by Milton Merlin & Barbara Merlin
Directed by Robert Stevens
Guest cast:
Jack Warden ......... Carlo Scotti
Mariette Hartley ..... Lee Brandt
Johnny Seven ....... Ernie
Ernest Sarracino ... Pappa Corelli
Synopsis:
A patient's revelations about his family organizational activities jeopardize his girlfriend and Dr. Thompson.
Synopsis 2:
A pastry artist suffers severe headaches because of family ties that make marriage impossible for him. The doctor's life
is placed in jeopardy when Carlo Scotti begins to tell about his associations with a gangster organization. [RF]
[21] Breaking Point: SO MANY PRETTY GIRLS, SO LITTLE TIME
17Feb1964 ABC Mon
written by Robert Towne
Guest cast:
Cliff Robertson ...... Evan Ross
Mary Murphy .......... Katherine Ross
Ilze Taurins ............ Elise Martin
Mari Blanchard ....... Rose Sinclair
Alan Napier ............. Harold Major
Shary Richards ....... Miss Hartford
Carol Andreson ...... Gerri Baines
Synopsis:
An attractive Don Juan of the publishing world runs into trouble with his boss for failing to sign Dr. Thompson as
consultant on a popular psychology book. [RF]
[22] Breaking Point: A CHILD OF THE CENTER RING
24Feb1964 ABC Mon
Guest cast:
Susan Strasberg ..... Jenny Cordova
Jack Oakie ............. Hugh
James Callahan ...... Masson
Cesare Danova ...... Orlando
Fabrizio Mioni ......... Valdo
Synopsis:
A young trapeze artist is mysteriously unable to walk following her father's accidental plunge to death in the big top.
Synopsis 2:
A circus trapeze artist is confined to a wheelchair by guilt. She forgot to check the rigging on the night her father
plunged to his death. [RF]
[23] Breaking Point: THE TIDES OF DARKNESS [verified on film -RF]
02Mar1964 ABC Mon
Produced by Morton Fine and David Friedkin
Written by Jean Holloway
Directed by Paul Wenkos
Guest cast:
Edmond O'Brien ........ Roger Conning
Lori Martin ................ Julie Conning (National Velvet)
Edward Platt ............. Pat Callahan
Herb Armstrong ......... Dr. Fielding
Walter Brooke ........... Mr. Enright
Regina Gleason ........ Martha
Patricia Neway ......... Nurse Kelly
Don Kennedy ............ Officer Martin
Betty Kenney ............ Mrs. Hawkins
Synopsis:
Thompson tries to help a 14 year old assault victim and her father. [RF]
[24] Breaking Point: SHADOW OF A STARLESS NIGHT
09Mar1964 ABC Mon (copyright date 09Mar64)
Guest cast:
Bradford Dillman ..... Dr. Peter Phillips
Dianne Foster .......... Deborah Phillips
Charles Robinson .... Dr. Kenneth Watkins
Dan Tobin ................ Dr. Martin
Russell Collins
Synopsis:
A popular young doctor on the way up is blinded in an automobile accident. Neither he nor his wife can come to grips with
the harsh realities of the situation, despite the efforts of friend and psychiatrist Dr. William Raymer Dr. Raymer is
determined that Peter Phillips can resume his career with a guide dog. [RF]
[25] Breaking Point: THE SUMMER HOUSE
16Mar1964 ABC Mon (copyright date 16Mar64)
Guest cast:
Piper Laurie ............ Alice Marin
Robert Loggia ........ Arnold Marin
Pamela Ferdyn ....... Little Girl
Audrey Christie ....... Mrs. Wickers
Phyllis Love
Synopsis:
Dr. Thompson is faced with a difficult decision when a patient's pregnancy prohibits the usual treatment for her catatonic condition.
Synopsis 2:
Young matron Alice Marin is found in a catatonic state while her husband is on a business trip. The doctor is faced with a
difficult decision for the patient is an expectant mother and the usual treatment would interfere with the pregnancy.
[26] Breaking Point: GLASS FLOWERS NEVER DROP PETALS
23Mar64 ABC Mon
Guest cast:
Jessica Tandy ....... Roberta Duncan
James Gregory ..... Jonathan Duncan
James Caan ......... Gerry
Peter Helm ........... Stuart
Arthur Peterson .... Doctor
Gene Benton ........ Drake
Synopsis:
A perfectionist attempts suicide when beset by midlife anxieties despite her "perfect" marriage.
Synopsis 2:
The wife insists she has a perfect marriage but the doctor reminds her that a happy woman is not likely to have her
history of migraine headaches. [RF]
[27] Breaking Point: NEVER TROUBLE TROUBLE TILL TROUBLE TROUBLES YOU
30Mar1964 ABC Mon
Guest cast:
Terry Carter ........... Rosie Palmer
Diana Sands .......... Sara Harris
Joel Fluellen ........... Palmer
Rex Ingram ............. Harris
Frederick O'Neal ..... Matty
Frankie Van ........... Referee
Mushy Callahan ..... Referee
Synopsis:
A boxer fears that he will inherit his fighter father's reputation in the ring. Afraid of being accused of taking a "dive".
Synopsis 2:
After losing by a KO, a young boxer is accused of throwing a fight. He swears he's innocent---but films show his opponent
never touched him. [RF]
[28] Breaking Point: CONFOUNDING HER ASTRONOMERS
06Apr1964 ABC Mon
Guest cast:
Jennifer Gillespie ... Virginia
Kathleen Nolan ....... Dr. Judy Cole
Richard Devon ....... James Sumarra
Peter Leeds ........... Brodkin
Virginia Gregg ........ Mrs. Bronson
Patsy Garrett
Synopsis:
Dr. Thompson succeeds, through a love of poetry, in establishing rapport with an extremely bright unadoptable child. [RF]
[--] Breaking Point: 13Apr1964 ABC Mon - pre-empted for the Academy Awards.
[29] Breaking Point: I, THE DANCER
Bing Crosby prod.
20Apr1964 ABC Mon
Guest cast:
Joey Heatherton ..... Dory Costain
Michael Callan ........ Gregory Costain
David Winters ......... Frank Boyd
Lili Valenty ............... Anna
John McLiam ........... Grant
Synopsis:
Dancer Dory Costain begins to suffer attacks of hysteria after four months of marriage to her choreographer-husband. [RF]
[30] Breaking Point: MY HANDS ARE CLEAN (final episode)
27Apr1964 ABC Mon
Written by Joel Hammil
Guest cast:
Telly Savalas .......... Vincenzo Gracchi
Marian Seldes ........ Madelena Gracchi
Henry Silva ............. Father Gabriel
Synopsis:
A loan shark experiences a "stigmata" in the form of bleeding palms to the consternation of his priest.
Synopsis 2:
One of the woes of a big city's "Little Italy" is what to do when somebody in the community turns up a miracle. That miracle
is an unscrupulous money lender intent on setting his church in panic when one day he discovers blood spots on his hands.
Synopsis 3:
Vincenzo Gracchi goes to his priest to show his bleeding hands. Although this is traditionally a sign of stigmata -
a conscious or unconscious association with some aspect of Christ - Father Gabriel is almost certain that, in this case,
it is not so. He knows that Gracchi is neither honest nor religious. But Father Gabriel also knows he must help the confused
and frightened Gracchi, as well as prevent the spread of rumors about the event. [RF]
########### Breaking Point #############
################# the end ##################
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