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CTVA
The Classic TV Archive - US Reporter Drama Series
"Big Town" (1950-56)
  "Mayor of the Town" (1954-55)   "O.Henry Playhouse" (1957)    "Glencannon" (UK, 1957-58)
 "The Lone Wolf" (US, 1954-55)  "The Pursuers" (UK, 1961-62)
"Adventures of a Jungle Boy" (1957)   "African Patrol" (1958-59)
Big Town
syndication titles:
'Heart of The City'/ 'By-line Steve Wilson'/ 'Headline'/ 'City Assignment' /`Crime Reporter'
Episode Guide -October 2008
("The Stranger")
The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by:
Rina Fox,  Heikocleef
references:
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (http://www.us.imdb.com)
UCLA Film and Television Archive
--------
BIG TOWN
--------
Lever Brothers Company. Gross-Krasne production
for
CBC (Thursdays 9:30 pm EST)(05Oct50-16Sep54) (Live until Spring 1952)
Produced by Jack J. Gross and Philip N. Krasne
*
Lever Brothers Company. MS Television Productions (Mark Stevens)
for
NBC (Wednesdays 10:30 pm EST) (11Oct54- Summer 1955)(season 5)
NBC (Tuesdays 10:30 pm EST) (Fall 1955-02Oct56)(season 6)
Produced and Directed by Mark Stevens
US Reporter Drama series 1950-56   169+ episodes x 30 min bw

Starring
(Seasons 1-4, 1950-54 on CBS Thursdays)
Patrick McVey as Steve Wilson #1 (1950-1954)
Mary Wells as Lorelei Kilbourne #1 (1950-1951)(Live eps)
Julie Stevens as Lorelei Kilbourne #2(1951- Spring 1952)(Live eps)
Jane Nigh as Lorelei Kilbourne #3 (Spring 1952-1954)(Filmed eps)
Beverly Tyler as Lorelei Kilbourne #4 (1954))(Filmed eps)
*
Starring:
(Seasons 5-6, 1954-56, on NBC)
Mark Stevens .... Steve Wilson #2 (1954-56)
Trudy Wroe .... Lorelei Kilbourne #5 (1954-1955)
Barry Kelley .... Charlie Anderson (1954-1956)
John Doucette .... Lt. Tom Greggory (1954-1955)
Lynn Stalmaster .... "Rush" (1954-1955)
Doe Avedon .... Diane Walker (1955-1956)

Premise:
Stories of a crusading newspaper editor and staff.

The long-running melodrama centered on the "Illustrated Press", the
largest and most influential newspaper in Big Town, whose driving
force was crusading editor Steve Wilson. Steve's concerns were
thwarting the spread of organized crime, exposing political corruption,
establishing various types of reforms, and any other cause that
seemed worthy.

################## Big Town ##################
############## season 1 1950-51 ##############
##############################################
CBS Thursday 9:30 pm EST (Live)
(premiere 05-Oct-1950)
Starring:
Patrick McVey as Steve Wilson #1 (1950-1954)
Mary Wells as Lorelei Kilbourne #1 (1950-1951)

1.xx [--] Big Town: THE PAY-OFF (Live)
5Oct50 CBS Thur
Guest Cast:
Grace Kelly

################## Big Town ##################
############## season 2 1951-52 ##############
##############################################
CBS Thursday 9:30 pm EST (Live - until Spring 1952)
Starring:
Patrick McVey (as Steve Wilson #1)
Julie Stevens (as Lorelei Kilbourne #2)(1951- Spring 1952) (Live episode).
Jane Nigh (as Lorelei Kilbourne #3) (Spring 1952-1953)(Filmed episodes)

2.xx [--] Big Town: TICKET RACKET (verified on film)
(featured on European "Serie Noire" as syndicated title "City Assignment")
(c) 1952 Lever Brothers Co. Gross-Krasne production.
Produced by Jack J. Gross and Philip N. Krasne
Teleplay by Fenton Earnshaw
Directed by Charles Haas
Director of Photography John W. Boyle, A.S.C.
Kinevox High Fidelity Recording
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne)
Guest Cast:
Lee Van Cleef, Bob Sherman, Mike Vallin, Paul Birch
Louis Nicoleti, Patricia Walker, Joe Haworth
Synopsis:
Newspaper reporters investigate a case of counterfeit raffle tickets, trying
to break "the racket" as their paper is sponsoring the official raffles.

2.xx [--] Big Town: MARRY MY PAST  [UCLA]
(c)1952 Lever Brothers Co. Gross-Krasne production. Film Show no. 9.
29-May-1952 CBS Thur
producers, Jack J. Gross, Philip N. Krasne
director, Charles Haas ; writer, Lawrence Kimble.
photography, John W. Boyle / Editor, Sherman A. Rose, Jack Bachom;
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne)
Guest Cast;
Edgar Barrier, Frances Rafferty, Tina Thompson, Bill Phillips,
Kathleen Freeman, Shimen Ruskin, Robert Livingston, Virginia Carroll,
Jess Kirkpatrick.
Synopsis:
A young girl becomes separated from her mother and the Illustrated Press
helps reunite them.
Commercials: Pepsodent -- Rinso -- Lifebuoy.  [UCLA]

2.xx [--] Big Town: BABY SITTER  [UCLA]
(c)1952 Lever Brothers Co. Gross-Krasne production
12-Jun-1952 CBS Thur
producers, Jack J. Gross, Philip N. Krasne
director, Charles Haas ; writer, Lawrence Kimble.
photography, John W. Boyle / Editors, Sherman A. Rose, Jack Bachom;
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne)
Guest Cast:
Marjorie Weaver, George Nader, Charles Cane, John Close, Melinda Plowman.
Synopsis:
Lorelei has a nightmarish experience when researching a series on baby
sitting.
Commercials: Pepsodent -- Rinso -- Lifebuoy.  [UCLA]

2.xx [--] Big Town: TAPE RECORDER   [UCLA]
(c)1952 Lever Brothers Co. Gross-Krasne production
19-Jun-1952 CBS
producers, Jack J. Gross, Philip N. Krasne
director, E.A. Dupont ; writer, Lawrence Kimble.
photography, John W. Boyle / Editor, Sherman A. Rose, Jack Bachom;
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne)
Guest Cast:
John Close, Robert Sherman, Joan Vohs, Paul DuBov, Dick Rich,
Mickey Simpson, Dabbs Greer.
Synopsis:
A man is framed for murder, but Wilson clears him with the aid of a tape
recorder.  [UCLA]

2.xx [--] Big Town: LOCOMOTIVE STORY  [UCLA]
(c)1952 Lever Brothers Co. Gross-Krasne production.
03-Jul-1952 CBS
producers, Jack J. Gross, Philip N. Krasne ;
director, Charles Haas ; writer, Lawrence Kimble.
photography, John W. Boyle / Editors, Sherman A. Rose, Leonard Shapiro;
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne)
Guest Cast:
Louis Jean Heydt, Ross Ford, Anne Kimball, Robert Carson, Anthony Jochim,
Julian Ludwig, George DeNormand.
Synopsis:
Steve Wilson solves the murder of a young nightclub singer and absolves
her boyfriend of any wrongdoing.
Commercials: Pepsodent -- Rinso -- Lifebuoy.  [UCLA]

2.xx [--] Big Town: EMBEZZLEMENT   [UCLA]
(c)1952 Lever Brothers Co. Gross-Krasne production.
10-Jul-1952 CBS
producers, Jack J. Gross, Philip N. Krasne ;
director, Charles Haas ; writer, Lawrence Kimble.
photography. John W. Boyle / Editors, Sherman A. Rose, Jack Bachom
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne);
Guest Cast:
Ann Doran, Howard Negley, Connie Marshall, Bobby Ellis, Greta Granstedt,
Arthur Lovejoy.
Synopsis:
An embezzler skips town and brings shame upon his wife and teenaged daughter;
the daughter and the son of the cop assigned to track down the father fall
for each other, and complications arise.
Commercials: Surf / Art Linkletter -- Pepsodent -- Lifebuoy.  [UCLA]

2.xx [--] Big Town: THE SHILL  [UCLA]
(c)1952 Lever Brothers Co. Gross-Krasne production.
17-Jul-1952 CBS
producers, Jack J. Gross, Philip N. Krasne
director, William Asher ; writer, Fenton Earnshaw.
photography, John W. Boyle / Editors, Sherman A. Rose, Jack Bachom
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne)
Guest Cast:
Elena Verdugo, Steven Geray, John Hudson, Howard Negley, Lois Austin.
Synopsis:
Wilson busts up a phony mindreading racket. [UCLA]
Commercials: Pepsodent -- Rinso -- Lifebuoy.

2.xx [--] Big Town: MOSS ROSE  [UCLA]
(c)1952 Lever Brothers Co. Gross-Krasne production.
31Jul52 CBS Thur
producers, Jack J. Gross, Philip N. Krasne ;
director, Charles Haas ; writer, Lawrence Kimble.
photography, John W. Boyle. /Editors, Sherman A. Rose, Jack Bachom;
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne);
Guest Cast:
Hayden Rorke, Gordon Wynne, Emlen Davies, Bob Bice, Ann Loos.
Synopsis:
Criminals try to do away with the public prosecutor and some potentially
damaging witnesses.
Commercials: Pepsodent -- Rinso -- Lifebuoy.  [UCLA]

2.xx [--] Big Town: FATHER AND SON  [UCLA]
(c)1952 Lever Brothers Co. Gross-Krasne production. Film Show no. 20.
28-Aug-1952 CBS Thur
producers, Jack J. Gross, Philip N. Krasne ;
director, William Asher
writers, William Asher, E.A. Dupont, David Chantler.
From a story by E.A. Dupont, David Chantler.
photography, John W. Boyle; Editor, Jack Bachom;
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne);
Guest Cast:
Hugh Sanders, Lynn Stalmaster, Toni Gerry, Florence Ravenel,
George Conrad
Synopsis:
When the son of a homicide detective friend of Steve Wilson is arrested for
narcotics violation, the father is understandably upset. After the son goes
through a drug rehabilitation program, he finds it hard to find a job and
to get the approval of his father. Although he tries to stay off drugs, he
cannot and holds up a drug store. However, he could not bring himself to
shoot the druggist. The father and his son reach an understanding; the boy
is arrested; and everyone feels that after he pays his debt to society,
everything will be fine.  [UCLA]

################## Big Town ##################
############## season 3 1952-53 ##############
##############################################
CBS Thursdays 9:30pm EST (Film)
Starring:
Patrick McVey (as Steve Wilson #1)
Jane Nigh (as Lorelei Kilbourne #3) 

3.xx [--] Big Town: MOTHER'S DAY   [UCLA]
(c)1952 Lever Brothers Co. Gross-Krasne production. Film Show no. 52.
04Jun53 CBS Thur
producers, Jack J. Gross, Philip N. Krasne ;
director, Duke Goldstone ; writers, E.A. Dupont, David Chantler.
Director of Photography, Harold Stine / Film Editor, Sherman A. Rose;
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne);
Guest Cast:
Elizabeth Fraser, Ellen Corby, Lynn Stalmaster.
Synopsis:
The woman who sells flowers outside the Illustrated Press office is worried
about her son, who is often engaged in criminal activities, and is spurred
on to crime by his girlfriend. One night, the couple plans to rob a man
riding in the son's taxicab, but the girlfriend shoots and kills a policeman
after the robbery. The son is imprisoned, but everyone feels that since he
is not a bad boy at heart, and that he is learning a trade in prison, that
he will be totally rehabilitated when he gets out of jail.
Commercials: Lifebuoy soap -- Surf detergent with Laraine Day stocking
offer -- Shadow Wave home permanent with Cathy Downs.  [UCLA]

3.xx [--] Big Town: unknown title
18Jun53 CBS Thur
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne);
Synopsis:
Steve and Lorelei tangle with a notorious undesirable alien who has been
terrorizing influential citizens and their families with threats of violence
and death. [RF]

3.xx [--] Big Town: unknown title
25Jun53 CBS Thur
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne);
Synopsis:
Steve Wilson delves into the case of a slum youngster who is accused of
theft and assault. [RF]

3.xx [--] Big Town: unknown title
09Jul53 CBS Thur
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne);
Synopsis:
An eerie voice on a mysterious dictaphone record brings Steve and Lorelei
to a close brush with death. [RF]

3.xx [--] Big Town: unknown title
16Jul53 CBS Thur
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne);
Synopsis:
Steve and Lorelei engage in a frantic race against time to save a delirious
man from the gas chamber. [RF]

3.xx [--] Big town: THE STORY OF JERRY BAXTER   [UCLA]
(c) 1952. Lever Brothers Co. Gross-Krasne production.
CBS (airdate unknown) (season 1952-53)
producers, Jack J. Gross, Philip N. Krasne ;
director, E.A. Dupont ;
writers, Bertram Millhauser, E.A. Dupont, David Chantler.
Editor, Jack Bacham; photography, John Boyle.
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson), Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne #3)
Guest Cast:
Michael Miller, Egar Dearing, Crane Whitley, Monica Keating, Jimmy Dodd,
Jack Hagan, Gene Collins, Bill Kimbley, Bruce Marks.
Synopsis:
Reform school lad disappears after being let out on his own recognisance
to go to his mother's funeral.
Commercials: Rinso Soap -- Pepsodent -- Lifebuoy.  [UCLA]

################## Big Town ##################
############## season 4 1953-54 ##############
##############################################
CBS Thursdays 9:30 pm EST (Film)
Starging
Patrick McVey (as Steve Wilson #1)
Jane Nigh (as Lorelei Kilbourne #3) 
Beverly Tyler (as Lorelei Kilbourne #4) 

4.xx [--] Big town: THE BIG CHEAT  [UCLA]
(c) 1953. Lever Brothers Co. Gross-Krasne production.
06-Nov-1953 CBS Thur
producers, Jack J. Gross, Philip N. Krasne ;
director, Sam White ; writer, Al C. Ward.
photography, Harold Stine. Editor, Edward Biery;
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne);
Guest Cast:
Ted de Corsia, Robert Lowery, Noreen Nash

4.xx [--] Big town: THE STRANGER [verified - Heikocleef]
26Nov53
Produced by Jack J.Gross and Philip Krasne
Written by Al C.Ward
Directed by Peter Godfrey
photographed by Frederick Gately
edited by Sherman A.Rose
starring:
Patrick McVey (as Steve Wilson)/ Jane Nigh (as Lorelei Kilbourne)
Guest Cast:
Marjorie Lord ......... as Marie Baker
Lee Van Cleef ......... as Jack Coleman
Harvey Grant .......... as Roger Baker
Damian O`Flynn ........ as Carl Baker

4.xx [--] Big Town: KID STUFF
07-Jan-1954 CBS Thur
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne);
Synopsis:
Investigating numbers games and football pools in the city's high schools, Steve
and Lorelei uncover a teenage gang terrorizing local shopkeepers. [RF]

4.xx [--] Big Town: Unknown title
14-Jan-1954 CBS Thur
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne);
Synopsis:
Steve's articles on truck hijacking make him a target for the underworld. [RF]

4.xx [--] Big Town: THE HEIR
21-Jan-1954 CBS Thur
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne);
Synopsis:
Steve is called on to clear up a series of attempts on the lives of a
rich man and his alleged grandchild. [RF]

4.xx [--] Big Town: Unknown title
25-Feb-1954 CBS Thur
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne);
Synopsis:
A $50 bill puts Steve on the trail of bank robbers. [RF]

4.xx [--] Big Town: Unknown title
18-Mar-1954 CBS Thur
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Beverly Tyler (Lorelei Kilbourne #4);
Synopsis:
A deaf mute's interpreter misinterprets his testimony at a trial. [RF]
 

4.xx [--] Big Town: Unknown title
08-Apr-1954 CBS Thur
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh ? (Lorelei Kilbourne);
Synopsis:
Attempts are made to kill a clerk who witnessed a crime. [RF]

4.xx [--] Big Town: Unknown title
27-May-1954 CBS Thur
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Beverly Tyler (Lorelei Kilbourne #4);
Synopsis:
The son of a condemned killer swears vengeance against the judge who
sentenced his father. [RF]

x.xx [--] Big Town: (episode title unknown)
10-Jun-1954 CBS Thur (possibly a rerun)
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne);
Synopsis:
A playboy loses his memory as the result of a plane crash, and gets a chance
to look at his former life from the viewpoint of an outsider. [RF]

4.xx [--] Big town: (episode title unknown)
17June54 CBS Thur
Synopsis:
An escaped convict resorts to time bombs, bullets, disguises,
and a hostage - Steve Wilson - in a desperate bid for freedom

[--] Big Town: Unknown title
16-Sep-1954 CBS Thur (possibly a rerun)
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Jane Nigh (Lorelei Kilbourne);
Synopsis:
A box of cookies provides a clue for a murder investigation. [RF]
----------------
UNKNOWN ORIGINAL  AIRDATES
----------------

x.xx [--] Big Town: DAVID AND GOLIATH
(syndicated series title "Crime Reporter")
(original airdate unknown)

x.xx [--] Big Town: DICE OF FORTUNE
(syndicated series title "Crime Reporter")
(original airdate unknown)

x.xx [--] Big Town: FLIGHT FROM FREEDOM
(syndicated series title "Crime Reporter")
(original airdate unknown)

x.xx [--] Big Town: STOPOVER
(syndicated series title "Crime Reporter")
(original airdate unknown)

x.xx [--] Big Town: TAXI DANCER
original airdate not known
starring
Patrick McVey (as Steve Wilson)
Guest Cast:
Joyce Holden
Synopsis:
A dead taxi-dancer's sister is convinced she did not jump from an office
window but she was pushed. She takes a job at the dance palace to get at
the truth. [RF]
(Syndication airing on "Cavalcade of Stars" 23Oct56)

x.xx [--] Big Town: KILLER FOR HIRE
original airdate not known
starring
Patrick McVey (as Steve Wilson)
Guest Cast:
Skeets Gallagher
Synopsis:
An ex-circus clown has hired a man to kill him so that his family can
collect the insurance. He changes his mind and asks a reporter to stop
the killer. [RF]
(Syndication airing on "Calvalcade of Stars" 26Oct56)

4.xx [--] Big Town: Unknown title
09-Sep-1954 CBS Thur (original airdate)
Starring:
Patrick McVey (Steve Wilson); Beverly Tyler (Lorelei Kilbourne);
Guest cast:
Horace McMahon ...... Dave
Tracy Roberts ....... Fern
Michael Fox ......... Doctor
June Whitley ........ Nurse
Al Hill ............. Attendant
Dan Barton .......... Griff
Synopsis:
Steve Wilson gets an anonymous tip that a young title contender plans to throw
his fight with the champ. Steve and his assistant Lorelei Kilbourne look into
the matter and find that the challenger is in real trouble. [RF]

################## Big Town ##################
############## season 5 1954-55 ##############
##############################################
(Change of Network and Star)
MS Television Productions
for
NBC (Wednesdays 10:30 pm EST) (11Oct54- Summer 1955)
Produced and Directed by Mark Stevens
Starring:
Mark Stevens as Steve Wilson #2, Managing Editor (1954-56)
Barry Kelley as Charlie Anderson, City Editor (1954-1956)
Trudy Wroe as Lorelei Kilbourne #5 (1954-1955)
John Doucette as Lt. Tom Greggory (1954-1955)
Lynn Stalmaster as "Rush" (1954-1955)

5.01 [--] Big Town: (season premiere - no details)
12Oct54 NBC Wed (or 11Oct54 NBC Tue?)
Starring:
Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson)

5.xx [--] Big Town: Unknown title
16Feb55 NBC Wed
Starring: Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson); Trudy Wroe (as Lorelei)
Guest cast:
Barry Kelley .......... Charlie Anderson
Kay Stewart ........... Mrs. Anderson
Cheryl Calloway ....... Sherry Anderson
Francis J. McDonald ... Benny
Peter Mamakos ......... Rich Burton
Synopsis:
Just before he is electrocuted, a condemned killer bequeaths his eye corneas
to a man he blinded 20 years before. Steve Wilson has 24 hou

5.xx [--] Big Town: OPERATION SURVIVAL
06Apr55 NBC Wed
Guest cast:
Natalie Norwick ... Margery
Synopsis:
Steve serves for two weeks as a Marine Corps Reserve captain and gets
caught in a violent hurricane. [RF]

5.xx [--] Big Town: CORONER REPORT PROBE (film)
13Apr55 NBC Wed
Starring: Mark Stevens (to be verified)
guest cast:
Edward Binns as Sam Blaine
Addison Richards as Dr. Butler
Peter Gray as Dr. Ames
Synopsis:
Steve Wilson, editor of the Illustrated Press, goes on a crusade when
he learns that the medical examiner is issuing death certificates without
thoroughly investigating the cause of death. [RF]

5.xx [--] Big Town: TOO OLD TO WORK? (film)
20Apr55 NBC Wed
Starring: Mark Stevens (to be verified)
Synopsis:
Editor Steve Wilson investigates the problem of a fellow employee who
has been dismissed from the staff because of his age. Secretary of
Labor James P. Mitchell will appear to discuss this growing problem. [RF]

5.xx [--] Big Town: MERCY OR MURDER? (film)
27Apr55 NBC Wed
Starring: Mark Stevens (to be verified)
guest cast:
Wilton Graff
Synopsis:
Steve Wilson gets involved with this moral issue when he gets a tip
that a prominent doctor is planning a "mercy killing". [RF]

5.xx [--] Big Town: THE BLOOD PROFITEER (film)
11May55 NBC Wed
Starring: Mark Stevens (to be verified)
guest cast:
Paul Burke as Gardiner
Harvey Petrie as Harvey Bannock
Vernon Rich as Milton Sherman
Synopsis:
Editor Steve Wilson is suspicious of a commercial blood bank which is
charging abnoramally high rates. He assigns to the story a young
reporter, just back from the Medical Corps in Korea. [RF]

5.xx [--] Big Town: TEACHER'S ORDEAL (film)
18May55 NBC Wed (Rerun - original air date not known)
Starring: Mark Stevens (to be verified)
guest cast:
Morris Ankrum as Commodore
Kendall Clark as Mr. Forrest
Evelyn Scott as Mrs. Elwood
David Kasday as John Elwood
Synopsis:   
A schoolteacher is suspender for supposedly striking a young child.
Steve Wilson and the Illustrated Press help bring about a just verdict.
(This is a request repeat of an earlier telecast. [RF]

5.xx [--] Big Town: HOSTAGE OF THE LAW (film)
25May55 NBC Wed
Starring: Mark Stevens (to be verified)
guest cast:
Anthony Caruso as Harold Milo
Jack Klugman as Jack Orliffe
Paul Frees as Willy Kozmar
Morris Ankrum as Commodore
Synopsis:
Editor Steve Wilson finds reason to question the methods of Big Town's
district attorney. Wilson objects to the D.A.'s arrest of a bookie's
brother-in-law. [RF]

5.xx [--] Big Town: OUT ON PAROLE (film)
01Jun55 NBC Wed
Starring: Mark Stevens (to be verified)
guest cast:
Anne Barton as Nan Fry
Joanne Davis as Dorothy Gavin
Tom Avera as Edward Gavin
Vic Perrin as Pete
Synopsis:
A criminal, released on parole, kills a policeman in a holdup. Steve
Wilson investigates the story to learn whether parole boards exercise
good judgment. [RF]

################## Big Town ##################
############## season 6 1955-56 ##############
############### (final season) ###############

MS Television Productions
for
NBC (Tuesdays 10:30 pm EST) (Fall 1955-02Oct56)
Produced and Directed by Mark Stevens
(Syndicated Title: "Byline Steve Wilson")
(Syndicated version, distributed by M & A Alexander Productions, Inc.)
Starring:
Mark Stevens as Steve Wilson #2, Managing Editor (1954-56)
Barry Kelley as Charlie Anderson, City Editor (1954-1956)
Doe Avedon as Diane Walker (1955-1956)

 6.xx [--] Big Town: JUVENILE GANGS  [UCLA]
(c)1955 Lever Brothers Co. MS Television Productions.
01-Nov-1955 NBC Tue
producer-director, Mark Stevens ; writer, Elliot West.
photography, Charles Van Enger / Editor, Lee Gilbert;
Starring:
Mark Stevens (Steve Wilson);
Barry Kelley (Charlie Anderson); Doe Avedon (as Diane Walker)
Guest Cast:
Sal Mineo, Donald Randolph, Ainslie Pryor, Sherwood Price, Dick Tyler.
Synopsis:
Sal Mineo's first TV appearance, here as a youth gang member in trouble
with the police. [UCLA]
Commercials: A.C. Sparkplugs.  [UCLA]

6.xx [--] Big Town: PRISON RIOT
(syndicated series title - Byline Steve Wilson. Prison Riot)
(c)1955 Lever Brothers Co. MS Television Productions
15-Nov-1955 NBC Tue
Starring:
Mark Stevens (Steve Wilson);
Synopsis:
Steve Wilson finds himself in the middle of a feud between a kindly prison
warden and a sharp-minded politically appointed commissioner of corrections.
The men are disputing about the solution of the current prison riot, in which
the "lifer" ringleader is holding several prison guards as hostages. [RF]

6.xx [--] Big Town: MENTAL HEALTH
22-Nov-1955 NBC Tue
Starring:
Mark Stevens (Steve Wilson);
Barry Kelley (Charlie Anderson); Doe Avedon (as Diane Walker)
Guest Cast:
Peggy Webber ...... Carla Jackson
Synopsis:
Steve Wilson investigates a woman's claim that she is being persecuted by
the Illustrated Press. [RF]

6.xx [--] Big Town: COLUMNIST
29-Nov-1955 NBC Tue
Starring:
Mark Stevens (Steve Wilson);
Barry Kelley (Charlie Anderson); Doe Avedon (as Diane Walker)
Synopsis:
Steve is forced to suppress his star columnist's efforts to expose a powerful
mystery man. [RF]

6.xx [--] Big Town: GANG LEADER   [UCLA]
(c)1955 Lever Brothers Co. MS Television Productions.
06-Dec-1955 NBC Tue
producer-director, Mark Stevens ; writer, Turnley Walker.
photography, Charles Van Enger / Editor, Lee Gilbert;
Starring:
Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson);
With: Barry Kelley (as Charlie Anderson); Doe Avedon (as Diane Walker)
Guest Cast:
Joe DeSantis, Harry Bartell, Chuck Webster, William Vaughan, George Conrad.
Synopsis:
Big town looks at organized crime in the years since the Senate hearings.
The new mobs are now corporate. Tony Castle, a gang leader of the old
school, is returning from a prison stretch. He tries to get back into his
old ways, but can only operate outside the syndicate. Steve Wilson, editor
of the Illustrated Press, wants to talk to Castle about his crime
connections. But now Foster, Castle's lawyer is the big boy and Tony can't
get back the leadership he lost. The syndicate is after him. After some
time, Wilson gets to Castle, but just as Tony is about to spill the beans
he is shot. Severely wounded, he tells Wilson and the police enough to
begin criminal proceedings against the syndicate. [UCLA]
Commercials:
Rinso Blue -- Lifebuoy Soap -- Good Luck Margarine -- A.C. Sparkplugs.

[--] 13Dec55 - no details

6.xx [--] Big Town: HANDICAPPED WORKERS  [UCLA]
(syndicated title By-line Steve Wilson. Handicapped workers)
(c)1955 Lever Brothers Co. MS Television Productions.
20-Dec-55 NBC Tue
producer-director, Mark Stevens ; writer, Richard Landau.
photography, Charles Van Enger. Editor, Lee Gilbert;
Starring:
Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson);
Barry Kelley (as Charlie Anderson); Doe Avedon (as Diane Walker),
Guest Cast:
Val Dufour, Maurice Manson, Charlene Brooks, Howard Culver.
Synopsis:
"Steve Wilson discovers the plight of a young worker who loses his legs
saving a group of children and then finds his old job closed to him.
General Omar Bradley, Chairman of the President's Committee on Employment
of the Physically Handicapped, discusses the problem"  [UCLA]
Commercials: slugs.

[--] 27Dec56 - no details
[--] 03Jan56 - no details

6.xx [--] Big Town: RESERVOIR STORY [UCLA]
(c)1955 Lever Brothers Co. MS Television Productions.
10-Jan-1956 NBC Tue
producer-director, Mark Stevens ; writer, Turnley Walker.
photographer, Charles Van Enger / Editor, Lee Gilbert;
Starring:
Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson);
With: Barry Kelley (as Charlie Anderson); Doe Avedon (as Diane Walker),
Guest Cast:
Mike Rayhill, Grandon Rhodes, Wheaton Chambers, Frank Penton, Brad Trumbull.
Synopsis:
After the headgates were opened a few days before the announced time at the
brand new Valley View Reservoir, Illustrated Press editor Steve Wilson
becomes suspicious. The paper had questioned the project in the first place
(too costly and unsafe) and now their fears have been confirmed. After the
water is flowing, the rain starts and the reservoir seems quite unsafe.
Then, the city inspector who also had questioned the project disappears.
The missing official is found, but is then attacked by thugs representing
the Atlas Construction Company who had built the dam. He dies, but not
before he spills the beans on the fraud perpetrated by the Company. [UCLA]
Commercials: A.C. Sparkplugs -- Lifebuoy Soap.

6.xx [--] Big Town: BULLDOG REPORTER
17-Jan-1956
starring: Mark Stevens, Barry Kelley, Doe Avedon
Guest cast:
William Roerick
Forrest Lewis
Synopsis:
An Illustrated Press reporter follows a hunch, despite police warnings and
investigates the death of a society girl. [RF]

6.xx [--] Big Town: DEBT CONSOLIDATORS
24-Jan-1956
starring: Mark Stevens, Barry Kelley, Doe Avedon
Synopsis:
The Illustrated Press is faced with a libel suit when city editor Charlie
Anderson investigates supposed graft in district attorney's office. [RF]

6.xx [--] Big Town: HIT AND RUN
(syndicated title: By-line Steve Wilson. Hit and run)
31-Jan-56 NBC Tue
Guest cast:
Wilton Graff ...... Mr. Carleton
Lydia Reed ........ Judy
Sheila Bromley .... Grace Carleton
Raymond Greenleaf.. Dr. Bailey
Synopsis:
A penniless victim in a hit-and-run case needs thousands of dollars for
surgery necessary to save his life. [RF]

6.xx [--] Big Town: PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER  [UCLA]
(syndicated title: By-line Steve Wilson. Press photographer)
(c)1955 Lever Brothers Co. MS Television Productions.
07-Feb-1956 NBC Tue
producer-director, Mark Stevens ; writer, Gene Wang.
photography, Charles Van Enger / Editor, Lee Gilbert;
Starring:
Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson);
With: Barry Kelley (as Charlie Anderson); Doe Avedon (as Diane Walker),
Guest Cast:
Martin Kingsley, Barney Phillips, Jeanne Bates, Alex Sharp.
Synopsis:
Newly released from a mental hospital, photographer Phil Lindstrom finds
it hard to adjust. "A top photographer, just recovered from a nervous
breakdown, can't get a job until Steve Wilson proves he has the ability to
contribute something of value" [UCLA]

6.xx [--] Big Town: HANG JURY  [UCLA]
(c)1955 Lever Brothers Co. MS Television Productions.
14-Feb-1956 NBC Tue
producer-director, Mark Stevens ; writer, Paul Monash.
photography, Charles Van Enger / Editor, Lee Gilbert;
Starring:
Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson);
With: Barry Kelley (as Charlie Anderson); Doe Avedon (as Diane Walker),
Guest Cast:
James Todd, Frank De Kova, Harry Antrim, Jean Vanderpyle, William Kendis.
Commercials: Lifebuoy.  [UCLA]

6.xx [--] Big Town: SKID ROW
21Feb56 NBC Tue
Starring:
Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson)
Guest cast:
Arthur Hanson ..... Frank Ferries
John Doucette ..... Andrew Peters
Synopsis 1:
Steve decides to do a human interest story about a Skid Row derelict
who has been responsible for saving many lives during a fire.
Synopsis 2:
An Illustrated Press reporter turns in a story about a heroic derelict
responsible for saving a number of lives during a skid row fire.
Steve Wilson recognizes the rescuer as Andrew Jackson Peters, former
baseball hero. [RF]

6.xx [--] Big Town: EXTRADITION
28Feb56 NBC Tue
Starring:
Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson)
Guest cast:
Biff Elliott ...... George Bell
Cynthia Baxter .... Ann
Mack Williams ..... Jenkins
Synopsis:
An escaped convict, originally sentenced on only circumstantial
evidence, has led a model life since his escape. He is suddenly
threatened with extradition and work on a road gang to complete
his 12 year old sentence. [RF]

6.xx [--] Big Town: SCHOOL SCANDAL
06Mar56 NBC Tue
Starring: Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson)
with: Barry Kelley (as Charlie Anderson, City Editor)
Guest cast:
Ralph Votrian ..... Carl Barrett
Dayton Lummis ..... Mr. Barrett
Nancy Kilgas ...... Ann Mason
Synopsis:
Steve Wilson investigates the case of a high school principal who has been
accused of bad supervision. The Man has put his job and daughter's reputation
in jeopardy by expelling a boy for striking a teacher. [RF]
(Rerun on "Byline, Steve Wilson"- 17Jan58 ABC Fri WABC-TV ch.7 New York City)

6.xx [--] Big Town: TRAIN WRECK
13Mar56 NBC Tue
Starring:
Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson)
Guest cast:
Roy Roberts ....... Griff Lansing
Phil Chambers ..... Mallory
William Forrest ... Ray Harrison
Joan Blair ........ Landlady
Herbert C. Lytton.. Paulson
Synopsis:
Steve Wilson's friend, the editor of a rival newspaper, suffers a heart
attack before he can complete his investigation of a disastrous train wreck.
Steve picks up the trail where his friend left off. [RF]

6.xx [--] Big Town: TRIAL LAWYER
20-Mar-1956 NBC Tue
Guest cast:
Carl Benton Reid
Synopsis:
A young truck driver is on trial for the kidnap-murder of his boss. [RF]

6.xx [--] Big Town: Unknown title
27-Mar-1956 NBC Tue
Guest cast:
Biff Elliott ...... George Bell
Cynthia Baxter .... Ann
Mack Williams ..... Jenkins
Synopsis:
A young doctor's career is jeopardized when a woman accuses him of
making a wrong diagnosis of her son's injury. [RF]

6.xx [--] Big Town: THE POLICEMAN
03-Apr-1956 NBC Tue
Starring:
Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson)
*No cast details
Synopsis:
A policeman jeopardizes his career when he wounds a teenage law breaker.
The stories told by the policeman and the young man are completely
contradictory, and Steve Wilson tries to discover the truth. [RF]

6.xx [--] Big Town: BEAUTY CONTEST
10-Apr-1956 NBC Tue
Starring:
Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson)
Guest cast:
Marianne Stewart .. Edith Miller
Gordon Mills ...... Greg Harmon
Yvonne Peattie .... Doris Scott
S John Launer ..... Jack Reynolds
Synopsis:
A reporter on his staff tells Steve that the beauty contest which the
Illustrated Press is sponsoring for charity is a racket. But Steve
does not share these suspicions until the night of the contest. [RF]

6.xx [--] Big Town: ARSONIST   [UCLA]
(c)1956 Lever Brothers Co. MS Television Productions.
17-Apr-1956 NBC Tue
producer-director, Mark Stevens ; writer, Rik Vollaerts.
photography, Charles Van Enger / Editor, Lee Gilbert;
Starring: Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson)
With: Barry Kelley (as Charlie Anderson)
Guest Cast:
Russell Thorsen, James O'Rear, Maris Wrixon, George Keymas, Kay Rhiel.
Synopsis:
"Steve Wilson sets a trap for an arsonist. The bait is city editor Charlie
Anderson, who arranges with the arsonist for the burning of a factory"  [UCLA]
Commercials: A.C. Sparkplugs -- Lifebuoy Soap.

[--] 24Apr56/01May56 - no details

6.xx[--] Big Town: ADULT DELINQUENTS
08-May-1956 NBC Tue

6.xx [--] Big Town: CRIME IN THE CITY ROOM
15-May-1956 NBC Tue

[--] 22May56 - no details

6.xx [--] Big Town: MARINE STORY
29-May-1956 NBC Tue
Starring: Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson)
Guest cast:
Richard Carlyle
Synopsis:
Steve Wilson tries to help an old Marine Corps buddy whose feelings of guilt
about 100 men killed in battle under his command have brought him to the
brink of insanity. [RF]
(reaired on "Byline, Steve Wilson" 25Oct56)

===============

6.xx [--] Big Town: DETECTIVE AGENCY
02Jul56 Mon ? (time shift or rerun?)
Starring: Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson)
With: Barry Kelley (as Charlie Anderson)
Synopsis:
Steve Wilson investigates a detective agency which is trying to frame
the fashion editor of his paper. [RF]

6.xx [--] Big Town: SMEAR MAGAZINE
09Jul56 Mon? (time shift or rerun?)
Starring: Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson);
With: Doe Avedon (as Diane Walker),
Synopsis:
A smear magazine plans to publish a distorted version of a trivial
incident in the life of a distinguished judge. Upon learning the news,
the overwrought jurist suffers a heart attack. Steve Wilson tries to
persuade the magazine's editor not to publish the story. [RF]

================

6.xx [--] Big Town: WATERFRONT
30-Sep-1956 NBC Tue
Starring: Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson)
With: Barry Kelley (as Charlie Anderson)
*no cast details
Synopsis:
A woman refuses to give the illustrated Press Information about the hit-and-run
accident in which her husband was killed. Her husband, a long-shoreman, was
killed because he knew too much about the waterfront rackets and the woman
is afraid for the life of her young son. [RF]

6.xx [--] Big Town: INSANE CRIMINAL
07-Oct-1956 NBC Tue
Starring: Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson)
With: Barry Kelley (as Charlie Anderson)
*no cast details
Synopsis:
A distraught wife asks Steve Wilson to help her. Her husband, who is about
to be released from a mental institution, is headed for the death house. [RF]
*Note: This is the final show in the series.

########## Big Town (seasons 5 & 6) ##########
############ Syndicated Reruns ###############
####### Original Airdates Not Known ##########

[--] Big Town: THE FIGHT GAME
(season 5 or 6)
(syndicated rerun on "Headline" 09Apr56 NBC Mon)
starring:
Mark Stevens (Steve Wilson); Trudy Wroe (Lorelei Kilbourne)
Synopsis:
A badly beaten prizefighter helps lead Steve Wilson on the trail
of crooked boxing in Big Town. [RF]

[--] Big Town: RACE TRACK STORY
(season 5 or 6)
(syndicated rerun on "Headline" 20Jul57 ABC Sat)
starring
Mark Stevens (as Steve Wilson)
Synopsis:
An investigation is started by Steve Wilson of the Illustrated Press
when he discovers that his long time friend, a harness racing driver,
has been found dead in a horse stall. Further investigation by Steve
reveals a story of blackmail and intrigue. [RF]

[--] Big Town: BLOOD MONEY
(syndicated rerun on "Headline" - 07Sep57 ABC Sat, WILK-TV Wilkes-Barre PA)
Starring Mark Stevens OR Patrick McVey ??
Synopsis:
Steve Wilson learns that a commercial blood bank is charging exceptionally high
rates for blood. The investigation which follows leads to a well-organized
racket. [RF]

[--] Big Town: FOUR HOURS TO LIVE
(syndicated rerun on "Heart of the City" - 07Sep57 NBC Sat, WBRE-TV Wilkes-Barre PA)
Starring Mark Stevens OR Patrick McVey ??
Synopsis:
A soda jerk is forced at gun point to fill a prescription for a small boy, and
to use poison. Steve and Lorelei learn of this and launch a frantic search for
the child. [RF]

################## Big Town ##################
################## the end ##################
##############################################

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