CTVA
The Classic TV Archive - TV Western series
Circus Boy
Episode Guide - April 2006
(Eps. #1.1 #1.2 #1.6 #1.7 #1.8) (#1.3 #1.9 #1.12 #1.13
#1.15 #2.10)
compiled by
The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by:
Sal Crisanti [SC]
D.W. McGregor [DWMcG]
Steve Jensen [SJ] RIna Fox [RF]
references:
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (http://us.imdb.com)
----------
CIRCUS BOY
----------
Norbert Production
in association with
Screen Gems Television,
a subsiduary of Columbia Pictures
for
NBC (Sundays 7:30 EST)(Sept56-Sep57)(36 new episodes)
ABC (Thursdays 7:30 EST)(Sept57-Sep58)(13 new episodes)
Executive Producer Herbert B. Leonard
Produced by Norman Blackburn
Associate Producer Douglas Heyes
US Family Western series 1956-58 49 episodes x 30 min bw
starring
Mickey Braddock as Corky, Circus Boy (real name Mickey Dolenz)
Noah Beery, Jr. as Joey, the Clown
Robert Lowery as "Big Tim" Champion, owner of the circus
Guinn "Big Boy" Williams as Pete, roustabout
Leo V. Gordon as Hank Miller
Billy Barty as Little Tom, the Midget
Olin Howlin as Swifty
Eddie Marr as Barker
Andy Clyde as Colonel Jack (eps 2, 18, 31)
*
Directors included:
Robert G. Walker, George
Archainbaud, Fred Jackman, Douglas Heyes
Writers included:
Max Lamb, Victor McCleod, Jerome S. Gottler, Charles N. Stewart, Douglas Heyes
*
Associate Producer: Douglas Heyes
Director of Photography: Irving Lippman
Supervising Film Editor: Henry Batista
Original Theme Music: Hal Hopper and Victor McCleod
################ Circus Boy #################
############## season 1 1956-57 ##############
##############################################
NBC Sundays 7:30 EST
36 new episodes
1.01 Circus Boy: MEET CIRCUS BOY
(verified -SC)
30Sep56 NBC Sun
Directed By Robert G. Walker
Written By Douglas Heyes
Guest Cast:
Leo Gordon .................... Hank Miller
Billy Barty ................... Little Tom
Olin Howlin ................... Swifty
Eddie Marr .................... Barker
Synopsis:
An orphaned young boy named Corky, is taken in by members of a traveling
circus. The owner, Big Tim Champion, has doubts about keeping him as a
perminent member of the circus family. [SC]
1.02 [--] Circus Boy: THE FABULOUS COLONEL JACK
30Sep56 NBC Sun
Directed By Robert G. Walker [SC]
Written By Lee Erwin [SC]
Guest Cast:
Andy Clyde .................... Colonel Jack
Billy Barty ................... Little Tom
Synopsis:
When disaster strikes the show, the circus people brand the yarn-spinning
Colonel Jack a jinx. Big Tim reluctantly decides he must sell up, but Colonel
Jack says he will get the money to save the circus. Can he do it or is it just
another tall story? [UK]
(UK airdate: 18Nov61 BBC, Sat 5:00 pm)
1.03 Circus Boy: THE GREAT GAMBINO (verified -SC)
07-Oct-1956 NBC Sun
Directed By Robert G. Walker
Written By Victor McLeod
Guest Cast:
Anthony Caruso .......... as Gambino
Michael Ross ............ as The Ring Master
Eddie Garr .............. as The Doctor
John Wilder ............. as Tony (uncredited)
Synopsis:
When Cleo the lion dies, she is replace by Nuba. The new lion turns out to be a
furious beast and during a performance Nuba leaps upon Gambino the lion tamer. [RF]
4. Circus Boy: The Amazing Mr. Sinbad (1956.10.14)
Don Diamond ................... Ben Ali
Raymond Hatton ................ Sgt. Price
Kenne Duncan .................. Barlow
1.05 Circus Boy: CORKY AND THE CIRCUS DOCTOR
21-Oct-1956 NBC Sun
Guest cast:
Stanley Andrews ............... Pop Warren
Russell Johnson ............... Ben Osgood
Jim Hayward ................... Madden
George Chandler ............... Henry Crump
Synopsis:
Several of the circus animals become ill and Pop Warren, the old circus
veterinarian,
can't cure them. When the disease spreads to the nearby town, Big Tim decides to
hire a new doctor. [RF]
1.06 Circus Boy: CASEY RIDES AGAIN
(verified -SC)
04Nov1956 NBC Sun
Directed By Robert G. Walker
Written By Lee Erwin
Guest Cast:
Ralph Moody........as Casey Perkins
Synopsis:
A former train engineer and the use of an abandoned short line railroad
come to the aid of the circus to try and meet a performance schedule
at a state fair in Carson City, Nevada. [SC]
1.07 Circus Boy: THE LITTLE FUGITIVE
(verified -SC)
11Nov1956 NBC Sun
Written & Directed By Douglas Heyes
Guest Cast:
John Hubbard........as Arthur Pincus
Mille Dorf........as Julie Treadway
Harvey Grant........as Robin Treadway
Synopsis:
A friend of Joey, The Clown, asks his help to impress the son of
his fiancé. [SC]
1.08 Circus Boy: THE PROUD PAGLIACCI
(verified -SC)
18Nov1956 NBC Sun
Directed By Robert G. Walker
Written By Victor McLeod
Guest Cast:
Otto Waldis .............. as Fritz Phieffer
Judy Short ............... as Marcy Middleton
Grant Withers ............ as Mr. Middleton
Slim Pickens ............. as Curley
Jay Brooks ............... as Jeff
Synopsis 1:
A retired clown attemps to make a comeback with the help of Joey, Corky and
Big Tim Champion. [SC]
Synopsis 2:
Old Fritz, once a circus headliner and now a stable-hand, tries to
impress the circus gang by giving the impression that he owns the
farm. But when Joey and Corky go to visit the farm, the spoiled
daughter of the real owner destroys the illusion. [RF]
1.09 [--] Circus Boy: WHITE EAGLE
25Nov56 NBC Sun
Directed By Robert G. Walker [SC]
Written By Victor McLoud [SC]
Guest Cast:
Ralph Moody ................... Chief Spotted Horse
James Anderson ................ Taylor
Fred Letuli ................... Warrior
Eugenia Paul .................. Nitika
Synopis:
Corky intervenes when Chief Spotted Horse and his tribe are unjustly
accused of horse stealing.
1.10 Circus Boy: THE LITTLE GYPSY
02-Dec-1956 NBC Sun
Guest cast:
Norman Fredric ................ Jano
Mary Ellen Kaye ............... Tula
Louis Lettieri ................ Prado
Martin Garralaga .............. King Kolya
Synopsis:
The Gyspy king's son attends the circus. He is accompanied by one
of the tribe, who recognizes the lovely equestrienne as a runaway. [RF]
1.11 [--] Circus Boy: THE MASKED MARVEL
(verified-SC)
9Dec56 NBC Sun
DIRECTED BY ROBERT G. WALKER.
WRITTEN BY MAX LAMB.
GUEST CAST:
Bradford Jackson ......... Billy Stanton
John Reach ............... Earl Stanton
John Crawford ............ Matt
Stanley Andrews .......... Sheriff
Synopsis:
Corky and Tim are outraged when they learn that the circus was robbed
by a masked man. The Circus marksman, known as "The Masked Marvel"
is a prime suspect. [SC]
1.12 [--] Circus Boy: THE GOOD SAMARITANS
(verified -SC)
23Dec56 NBC Sun
Directed By George Archainbaud [SC]
Written By Roy Erwin [SC]
Guest Cast:
Robert Foulk .................. Ben Farmer
Percy Helton .................. Toomis Flager
William Lally ................. John McNair
Synopsis:
When the circus arrives in the small town of Hayfield for a christmas
performance, they run into opposition from a town councilman
who has a closed minded view of circus people. [SC]
1.13 [--] Circus Boy: DARING YOUNG MAN
30Dec56 NBC Sun
Directed By Robert G. Walker [SC]
Written By Charles Stewart [SC]
Guest Cast:
Rand Brooks ............. Cal Jones
Helene Marshall ......... Sally Blake
Wendell Niles ........... Chester Blake
Synopsis:
A high-diving star leaves the circus and Corky persuades young Cal
Jones to take the job. But first Cal must overcome his fear of
heights. [TA]
14. Circus Boy: Farewell to the Circus (1957.01.06)
Irene Hervey .................. Martha Neilson
Harry Hickox .................. Victor MacGregor
Bill Walker ................... Cecil
1.15 [--] Circus Boy: ELMER THE AERONAUT
13Jan1957 NBC Sun (repeat 21Jul57)
Directed By Robert G. Walker [SC]
Teleplay By Lee Erwin / From A Story By Thonnis Calhoun [SC]
guest cast:
Sterling Holloway ....... Elmer Purdy
Hal Hopper ................ Baldy
Elaine Haslett ............. Mrs. Stebbins
Harry Strang .............. Sheriff
Synopsis:
Corky helps Elmer, a circus employee, to build a passenger balloon.
Though Big Tim forbids them to continue, the two inventors launch their
creation and take off. [RF]
1.16 [--] Circus Boy: THE REMARKABLE RICARDO
(verified-SC)
20Jan57 NBC
Directed By George Archainbaud
Written by Charles N. Stewart
Guest Cast:
Richard Avonde ...... Ricardo
Ray Teal ............ Sheriff Green
Jack Daly ........... Mr. Baily
Synopsis:
Corky plays detective when the circus escape artist, named Ricardo,
is suspected of being a thief. [SC]
1.17 Circus Boy: BIG TOP ANGEL
27Jan1957 NBC Sun (Network rerun 08Sep57)
Guest cast:
Jane Darwell .................. Mamie LaRue
Jan Shepard ................... Estelle
Manning Ross .................. Ken
Hal Taggart ................... Doctor
Synopsis:
Mamie, the circus wardrobe-mistress, is working hard to put her grandson through
medical school. But after spending a summer at the circus, Ken decides that he'd
rather marry Estelle, the trapeze artist, than finish his education. [RF]
1.18 [--] Circus Boy: THE RETURN OF COLONEL JACK
10Feb57 NBC Sun
Guest Cast:
Andy Clyde ............. Colonel Jack
Ollie O'Toole .......... Mr. Meeker
Ed Hinton .............. Mike
While Big Tim is away from the circus on business, Col. Jack
appears and tries to take over. His good intentions result in
chaos for the circus. [SJ]
19. Circus Boy: The Knife Thrower (1957.02.17)
Rick Vailin ................... Firpo
Eugene Iglesias ............... Marino
Whitney Blake ................. Lola
Hal Taggart ................... Doc
Tom McKee ..................... Dr. Adams
1.20 Circus Boy: JOEY'S WEDDING DAY
24Feb1957 NBC Sun
Guest cast:
Angela Stevens ................ Susie
Synopsis:
Joey the clown feels that Corky needs a mother's care to create a
completely normal home life, so Joey decides that he should get
married. [RF]
1.21 Circus Boy: MAN FROM CIMARRON
03Mar1957 NBC Sun
Guest cast:
William Fawcett ............... Cimarron Kid
Synopsis:
An old cowboy who repairs harnesses for the circus, has Corky
enthralled with his tales of the Old West. But when the cowboy
refuses to identify the criminals after he is an eye-witness to
a bank robbery, Corky becomes disillusioned. [RF]
1.22 [--] Circus Boy: THE GREAT GAMBINO'S SON (film)
10Mar1957 NBC Sun
Starring: Mickey Braddock (as Corky)/ Noah Beery (as Joey, the Clown)
With: Robert Lowery (as Big Tim Champion)/ Guinn Williams (as Pete, the
Canvasman)
Guest Cast:
Anthony Caruso ................ Gambino
John Wilder ................... Tony
Synopsis:
Having been raised apart from circus life, Tony, son of the lion-tamer
Gambino, is contemptuous of it. Gambino is hoping to make Tony a part
of the animal act in spite of this. [RF]
23. Circus Boy: Corky's Big Parade (1957.03.24)
Ralph Moody ................... Ezra Hillman
Roy Barcroft .................. Matt Flint
Steve Warren .................. Cass
Ken Osmond .................... Skinny
Richard Emory ................. John Ashcroft
1.24 [--] Circus Boy: THE LADY AND THE CIRCUS (film)
31Mar1957 NBC Sun
Guest Cast:
Frances Robinson .............. Rosemary Anderson
Thomas B. Henry ............... R. Gordon
Jack W. Harris ................ Sam Gordon
Paul Keast .................... Mike Anderson
Synopsis:
After Big Tim announces his plan to marry his childhood sweetheart, Rosemary
Anderson, he realizes that the hardships of circus life are too much to ask
Rosemary to share. [RF]
25. Circus Boy: Counterfeit Clown (1957.04.07)
Lee Patrick ................... Mrs. Minerva Murdock
Philip Van Zandt .............. Gerald Van Dorne
Don Beddoe .................... Judge Josh Simmons
Darlene Fields ................ Doris
Leonard Carey ................. Judson
26. Circus Boy: The Pawnee Strip (1957.04.14)
Chubby Johnson ................ Harry Garth
Jason Johnson ................. Luke Simmons
Daniel White .................. Ben Otis
Grace Albertson ............... Sarah
Coca Dolenz ................... Annie
Scott Morrow .................. Matt
1.27 Circus Boy: THE CUB REPORTER
21Apr1957 NBC Sun
Guest cast:
Noreen Corcoran ............... Jill
Brad Johnson .................. Frank Dillard
James Seay .................... Bill Logan
Kirby Smith ................... Mayor Archer
Elaine Haslett ................ Helen Dillard
Synopsis:
During the winter, Corky becomes a cub reporter for editor Frank
Dillard. After Frank lectures to Corky and his young daughter Jill
on newspaper ethics, the youngsters are disillusioned to learn
that Frank is the pawn of the unscrupulous mayor. To redeem himself,
Frank decides to break with the mayor and publish the truth about
the candidates for the forthcoming election. [RF]
28. Circus Boy: General Pete (1957.04.28)
Edward Cassidy ................ Col. Theodore Roosevelt
Lee Trent ..................... Capt. Stanforth
1.29 [--] Circus Boy: THE TUMBLING CLOWN
05May1957 NBC Sun
Guest cast:
Tom Brown .............. Ned Bailey
Barton MacLane ......... Nolan
Emil Sitka ............. Mr. Smith
Synopsis:
Ned Bailey, a friend of Corky's and Joey's, is trying to make a
comeback as
a circus entertainer. But when a detective arrives in search of a bank
robber, Joey makes a
startling discovery. [RF]
30. Circus Boy: Death Defying Donzetti (1957.05.12)
Richard Benedict .............. Donzetti
Nan Leslie .................... Muriel
31. Circus Boy: Colonel Jack's Brother (1957.05.19)
Andy Clyde .................... Colonel Jack/Jonathan Bixby
32. Circus Boy: The Swamp Man (1957.05.26)
Race Gentry ................... Jean Giroux
John Majulin .................. Cass Larkin
33. Circus Boy: Hortense the Hippo (1957.06.02)
Hal Peary ..................... Al Garson
Frank Jenks ................... Flash
Edward S. Brophy .............. Jethroe Ames
Rusty Wescoatt ................ Deputy
34. Circus Boy: The Fortune Teller (1957.06.09)
Mary Young .................... Mrs. Lilly
Barry Bernard ................. Bumps
Baynes Barton ................. Florenzo
Jerome Landfield .............. Edwin Lilly
Gloria Grant .................. Mice Lilly
35. Circus Boy: The Gentle Giant (1957.06.16)
Buddy Baer
Kubla Khan
1.36 [--] Circus Boy: LITTLE VAGABOND
23Jun1957 NBC Sun
guest cast:
Ricky Vera ...... Gene
Paul Picerni ...... Julio Gaetano
Yvette Dugay ...... Maria Gaetano
Edmund Cobb ...... Sheriff Thompson
Synopsis:
Gene, a homeless boy is given a home with Big Tim's circus until the
boy's parents can be located. Gene's usually belligerent attitude softens
for the first time when he comes into contact with the horses of the
equestrian act. [RF]
################ Circus Boy #################
############## season 2 1957-58 ##############
##############################################
ABC Thursdays 7:30 EST
13 new episodes
2.01 [37] Circus Boy: ELMER, THE RAINMAKER
19-Sep-1957 (rerun 19Jun58)
Guest cast:
Sterling Holloway ...... Elmer Purdy
Guinn Williams ......... Pete
Stanley Andrews ........ Sheriff Hicka
Bill Hale .............. Deputy
Jack Kenney ............ First Rancher
Norman Leavitt ......... Second Rancher
Synopsis:
Corky and amateur inventor Elmer Purdy sprinkle chemicals on the clouds in
a drought-stricken area, in an attempt to make rain, but only contaminate
the reservoir below. [RF]
2.02 [38] Circus Boy: Royal Roustabout (1957.09.26)
Peter Votrian ................. Eric
Robert Warwick ................ Count Brecht
Grant Withers ................. Keogh
Pamela Beaird ................. April
2.03 [39] Circus Boy: Bimbo Jr. (1957.10.03)
2.04 [40] Circus Boy: ALEX THE GREAT
10Oct57 ABC Thur
Directed by William Beaudine
Guest Cast:
John Duke .............. Alex Conrad
Patrick Waltz .......... Jim Freeman
Don Diamond ............ Zarno
Joyce Vanderveen ....... Alice Freeman
Fred Kohler ............ Sebastian
Synopsis:
Aerialist Alex Conrad feels guilty in connection with the
death of the Flying Falcon's, Cork's parents. Years later
Joey spots Alex in the audience and persuades him to rejoin
the circus. [DWMcG]
2.05 [41] Circus Boy: RETURN OF CASEY PERKINS
17Oct57 ABC Thur
Directed by Robert G. Walker
Guest Cast:
Ralph Moody ............ Casey Perkins
Will Wright ............ Sourdough Harry
George Keymas .......... Two Knives
Joseph Vitale .......... Broken Claw
The circus comes to the aid of an old friend Casey Perkins,
who is competing against another company to bring a railroad
to a cattle town. The rival concern has collared all the
available labor so the circus people agree to help lay the
tracks. [DWMcG]
2.06 [42] Circus Boy: MAJOR BUFFINGTON
24Oct57 ABC Thur
Directed by Robert G. Walker
Guest Cast:
Thurston Hall
Jesse White
Willard Waterman
Phil Tead
Synopsis:
Con man Major Buffington and his partner Spike are leaving
town fast. They climb into a circus boxcar sharing it with a
tiger. They later join the circus hoping to steal the
receipts. [DWMcG]
2.07 [43] Circus Boy: THE CLEMENS BOYS
31Oct57 ABC Thur
Directed by Fred Jackman
Guest cast: [RF]
Robert Easton ....... Lem Clemens
Stephen Pearson ..... Jody Clemens
Dennis Moore ........ Gus
Synopsis:
After seeing the circus Lem Clemens decides that this is the life for him.
Younger brother Jody wants to go with Lem but Lem refuses to take him. [DWMcG]
2.08 [44] Circus Boy: THE MAGIC LANTERN
7Nov57 ABC Thur
Directed by Fred Jackman
Guest Cast:
Sterling Holloway ....... Elmer Purdy
Ed Hinton ............... Sheriff
Karl Swenson ............ Lars Larsen
Lee Giroux .............. Sam Conway
Synopsis:
Big Tim gives Joey and Corky money to buy supplies in town.
Instead they use the money to get their friend Elmer Purdy
of jail. People consider Elmer a crackpot because he claims to
have invented a machine that shoes moving pictures.
2.09 [45] Circus Boy: THE DANCING BEAR
14Nov57 ABC Thur
Directed by Fred Jackman
Guest Cast:
Alex Geary .............. Karl Hofer
George Eldredge ......... Sheriff
Synopsis:
Karl Hofer, with Mitzi, his dancing bear, approaches Big Tim
for a job with the circus. Years before Big Tim had known Hofer
and had reason to mistrust him and so he refuses him a job. [DWMcG]
2.10 [46] Circus Boy: THE MARVELOUS MANELLIS
21Nov57 ABC Thur
Directed Bt William Beaudine [SC]
Written By Victor McLeod [SC]
Guest Cast:
Manning Ross ............ Jean Manelli
Norm Alden .............. Pierre Manelli
Linda Gay ............... Marie Manelli
Synopsis:
Big Tim hires high wire act The Marveloous Manellis to perform
for the circus. However one of them is missing when they turn
up at the circus. Corky is trapped in a forest fire with Marie,
one of the Manellis. [DWMcG]
2.11 [47] Circus Boy: UNCLE CYRUS
28Nov57 ABC Thur (rerun 28Aug58)
Directed by William Beaudine
Guest Cast:
Lucien Littlefield ...... Uncle Cyrus
Lorna Thayer ............ Zelda
Harry Hickox ............ Fuller
Synopsis 1:
Roustabout Pete receives the news that his Uncle Cyrus is about to visit him.
Pete is worried because he has boasted to him that he owns the circus. [DWMcG]
Synopsis 2:
Pete, a roustabout who works for Tim Champion is alarmed when he receives the
news
that his Uncle Cyrus is arriving for a visit. When Tim finds out why, he offers
to change places with Pete. [RF]
2.12 [48] Circus Boy: THE JUDGE'S BOY
5Dec57 ABC Thur
Directed by William Beaudine
Guest Cast:
Ralph Clanton ........... Judge Bradley Sheldon
Page Engle .............. Carlton Sheldon
Bill Phipps ............. Dirk Keyes
Ed Hinton ............... Glenn Keyes
Judge Sheldon's son Carlton leaves home to join the circus.
When his father is attacked he decides that his proper place
is at home. [DWMcG]
2.13 [49] Circus Boy: THE RETURN OF BUFFALO BILL
(verified-SC)
12Dec57 ABC Thur (final episode)
Directed by Fred Jackman
Written by Jerome S. Gottler and Victor McCleod
Guest Cast:
Dick Foran .................... Buffalo Bill
Ann Nagel ..................... Louisa Cody
Anna Marie Nanasi ............. Irma Cody
Synopsis 1:
The famous Buffalo Bill feels that the circus was responsible
for the deal of his son of his son. So when Big Tim's circus
and want a big star to attract the crowds Buffalo Bill refuses
to help. [DWMcG]
Synopsis 2:
The circus is losing money, so Corky persuades Buffalo Bill Cody to
come out of retirement to help the show. [SC]
.
################ Circus Boy #################
################# the end ##################
##############################################
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