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CTVA - The Classic TV Archive - UK
The Classic TV Archive - UK Historical Adventure series
 William Tell (1958-59)
Episode Guide -  compiled by The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by:
D.W. McGregor (Sunderland, UK), Tom Alger (USA), Geoff Phillips (Durham, UK), Alan Keeling
references:
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://us.imdb.com)
------------

Incorporated Television Programme Co. Ltd Production (ITP) (Lew Grade)
made at National Studios, Elstree, England
Executive Producer Ralph Smart
Produced by Leslie Arliss
UK Swashbuckling Adventure series 1958-59   39 episodes x 30 min bw
starring
Conrad Phillips
as William Tell

with
Jennifer Jayne as Hedda Tell (wife)
Richard Rogers as Walter Tell (son)
Willoughby Goddard as Landburgher Gessler
Nigel Green as Fertog, "The Bear"

Premise:  Stories of the legendary Swiss freedom fighter and his arch enemy Gessler.
   Network DVD   /    Review

"William Tell" Song
based on the 'William Tell' overture
lyrics by Harold Purcell
sung by David Whitfield

############### William Tell #################
############# season 1958-59 ################
##############################################

 [01] William Tell: THE EMPORER'S HAT (first episode)
Produced and Directed by Ralph Smart
Original Story by Rene Wilde
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 
With: Jennifer Jayne (Hedda Tell), Richard Rogers (Walter Tell)
Willoughby Goddard (Gessler)
Guest Cast:
Norman Mitchell ....... Frederick
Ernest Milton ......... Furst
Derry Nesbitt ......... Sentry
Synopsis:
The unarmed Swiss states of Uri, Schweiz and Underwalden are invaded by the
Austrians under the pretence of "protection". With the obese Landburgher
Gessler in command, they subject the peasants to heavy taxes and demand that
they kneel in respect before a hat of the Austrian Emporer, which is placed
atop a pole in every village. One of the first to rebel is William Tell, a
peasant from the village of Burglen in the state of Uri. Through his efforts,
the Austrians are turned into laughing stocks, and is arrested on a charge of treason. [DWMcG]
(12Sep59 ITV Tyne-Tees UK, Sat 6:00pm)

[02] William Tell: THE ASSASSINS
produced by Ralph Smart
directed by Terry Bishop
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell)

[03] William Tell: THE HOSTAGES  [veriied on film]
Copyright 1958
Produced by Ralph Smart
Directed by Peter Maxwell
Original Story by Ralph Smart / Teleplay by Doreen Montgomery
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell)
Cast:
Jennifer Jayne ........... Hedda Tell
Richard Rogers ........ Walter Tell
Willoughby Goddard ...... Gessler
Peter Hammond ........... Captain Homanstahl
Roy Purcell ............... Fritz
James Booth .......... Franz
Celia Hewitt .......... Gretel
*
Director of Photography: Arthur Graham

[04] William Tell: LANDSLIDE
Produced by Ralph Smart
Written by John Kruse
Directed by Terry Bishop
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 
Guest Cast:
Marjorie Rhodes ...... Aunt Maria
Charles Lloyd Pack ... Herr Specker
Charles Houston ...... Weber
Wilfred Brambell ..... Josef
Frank Thornton ....... Tax Colector
Synopsis:
William Tell discovers he is being impersonated when he is accused of robbing
Austrian tax-collectors, and receives a message that he must stop. He is causing
hardship to the villagers because Gessler's men are collecting the taxes for a
second time. Many witnesses swear that they have seen Tell committing the
robberies and it is for his own sake, as well as to protect the villagers from
additional hardship, that he sets out to find the impersonator.
(16Jan60 ITV Tyne-Tees UK)

[05] William Tell: THE BOY SLAVES
produced by Ralph Smart
directed by Terry Bishop
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 
guest star
Frazer Hines

[06] William Tell: THE BARONESS
produced by Ralph Smart
directed by Peter Maxwell
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell)

[07] William Tell: THE SECRET DEATH
Produced by Ralph Smart
Directed by Peter Maxwell
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 
With: Jennifer Jayne (Hedda Tell), Willoughby Goddard (Gessler)
Guest Cast:
Sidney James ............ Schaffner
Synopsis:
When William Tell's wife, Hedda, is arrested in a daring attempt to obtain arms
for the resistance men, he tries to rescue her by firing a phial of secret potion
into her cell. Once taken, it will make her look as if she is dead, and Tell
believes her body will then be handed over to the Swiss authorities.
(29Dec61 ITV Tyne-Tees UK, Fri 5:25 pm)

[08] William Tell: VOICE IN THE NIGHT
Produced by Ralph Smart
Directed by Terry Bishop
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 
Synopsis:
William Tell's father-in-law has been arrested by the scheming Gessler, and Tell
knows that the result of the forthcoming trial is a forgone conclusion. Once
again, he decides to take the law into his own hands.

[09] William Tell: THE GAUNTLET OF ST. GERHARDT
produced by Ralph Smart
directed by Peter Maxwell
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 

1.10 [--] William Tell: THE CUCKOO
Produced by Ralph Smart
Directed by Peter Maxwell
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 
With: Jennifer Jayne (Hedda Tell), Willoughby Goddard (Gessler)
Richard Rogers (Walter Tell)
Guest Cast:
Peter Hammond .......... Hofmanstahl
Jack Watling ........... Ferdinand
David Davenport ........ Sergeant
George Benson .......... Conrad
Synopsis:
Landburgher Gessler is troubled by lack of sleep caused by a persistant cuckoo
outside his bedroom, and he is also in trouble with the Emporer because of his
failure to collect sufficient taxes from the Swiss.
(5Jan62 ITV Tyne-Tees UK, Fri 5:25pm)

[11] William Tell: THE ELIXIR
produced by Ralph Smart
directed by Terry Bishop
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 

1.12 [-] William Tell: THE MAGIC POWDER
    1958

The Adventures of William Tell - The Magic Powder Pt1
The Adventures of William Tell - The Magic Powder Pt2
The Adventures of William Tell - The Magic Powder Pt3
The Adventures of William Tell - The Magic Powder Pt4

William Tell - The Magic Powder Pt1    
William Tell - The Magic Powder Pt2
Pt3 - missing
William Tell - The Magic Powder Pt4

Produced by Ralph Smart
Directed by Peter Maxwell
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell)
With: Jennifer Jayne (Hedda Tell), Willoughby Goddard (Gessler)
Guest Cast:
Peter Hammond .......... Hofmanstahl (recurring)
Henry Oscar ............ Dr. Kleine
Gerald Cross ........... Ludwig
Anthony Parker ......... Soldier
Synopsis:
William Tell and Landburgher Gessler meet unexpectedly at the castle of the
scientist Dr. Kleine - but are there for different purposes.
(26Jan62 ITV Tyne-Tees ITV, Fri 5:25pm)

1.13 [--] William Tell: THE PRISONER (Verified on film)
Produced by Leslie Arliss
Written by John Kruse
Directed by Peter Maxwell
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 
Jennifer Jayne (Hedda Tell)
(Willoughby Goddard NOT in this episode)
Guest Cast:
Bruce Seton ............. Bullinger
Jerry Verno ............. Petitpierre
Michael Caine ........... Max
John Howard Davies ...... Karl
Kieth Pyott ............. Erlanger
Richard Shaw ............ Tasker

  [14] William Tell: THE RAID
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell)
Synopsis:
Tell challenges the huge Hans to a fight to test his courage. [TA]
(US re-run: 31Oct64 on WPIX-11, NYC, Saturday 2:30pm)

[15] William Tell: THE LOST LETTER
produced by Ralph Smart
directed by Terry Bishop
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 

[16] William Tell: GESSLER'S DAUGHTER
produced by Leslie Arliss
directed by Ernest Morris
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 

[17] William Tell: MANHUNT
produced by Leslie Arliss
directed by Peter Maxwell
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 
guest star
Christopher Lee

[18] William Tell: THE BANDIT
produced by Leslie Arliss
directed by Anthony Squire
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 

[19] William Tell: UNDERCOVER
produced by Leslie Arliss
directed by Ernest Morris
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 

[20] William Tell: THE BEAR
7Nov59 [uk] Tyne-Tees, Sat 5:15 pm
Produced by Leslie Arliss
Directed by Ernest Norris
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 
cast:
Nigel Green ......... Fertog, "The Bear" (entry episode)
Synopsis:
William Tell comes to blows with the massive robber Fertog, known as "The Bear",
whose son Bruno has joined the resistance against his fathers wishes. Fertog
agrees to let Bruno remain if Tell can defeat him in a bare-handed fight. Tell
wins, and after another life and death struggle, finds he has made a friend and not an enemy

[21] William Tell: THE SUSPECT
produced by Leslie Arliss
directed by Quentin Lawrence
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 

[22] William Tell: THE GOLDEN WHEEL
produced by Leslie Arliss
directed by Peter Maxwell
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 

[23] William Tell: THE BRIDE
Produced by Leslie Arliss
Directed by Quentin Lawrence
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 
Synopsis: An Italian countess is kidnapped at Gessler's orders.
(US Synd:  26Aug59  WGAN-13 Portland, Maine)

[24] William Tell: THE AVENGER [verified -AK]
Produced by Leslie Arliss
Written by Lindsay Galloway
Directed by Anthony Squire
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell)
Guest Cast:
Willoughby Gray ....... Number One
Ralph Michael ......... Quirini
Derek Waring .......... Louis
Diana Lambert ......... Anna
Raymond Young ......... Aldo
Peter Reynolds ........ Hilaire
John le Mesurier ...... Duke of Burgundy  

[25] William Tell: THE YOUNG WIDOW
produced by Leslie Arliss
directed by Peter Maxwell
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 

[26] William Tell: THE SHREW
produced by Leslie Arliss
directed by Peter Maxwell
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 

[27] William Tell: THE TRAP
produced by Leslie Arliss
directed by Quentin Lawrence
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 
guest star
Robert Shaw

[28] William Tell: THE KILLER
produced by Leslie Arliss
directed by Peter Maxwell
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 

[29] William Tell: THE MOUNTAIN PEOPLE
produced by Leslie Arliss
directed by Quentin Lawrence
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 

[30] William Tell: THE SURGEON
produced by Leslie Arliss
written by Doreen Montgomery
directed by Peter Maxwell
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 
Synopsis:
William Tell is seriously wounded whilst trying to escape after raiding Gessler's
tax office. The loyal Swiss give him shelter but there is no doctor available to
attend him, and Gessler's men are on the attack.

[31] William Tell: THE ENSIGN
produced by Leslie Arliss
directed by Quentin Lawrence
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 

1.32 [--] William Tell: THE UNWELCOME STRANGER
produced by Leslie Arliss
directed by Peter Maxwell
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 
(Jennifer Jayne, Willoughby Goddard, Richard Rogers - NOT in this episode)
Guest Cast:
David De Keyser ......... Karl
Susan Travers ........... Dina
Peter Swanwick .......... Hofer
Derren Nesbitt .......... Martin
John McCarthy ........... Heinz
Norman Macowan .......... Andreas
John Maxim .............. Capt. Markheim
Synopsis:
William Tell discovers that the Burgomaster and some of the once-loyal
partisans are selling arms intended for them, to the Austrians. Tell is almost
captured when he attempts to stop the sale. [DWMcG]
(14May60 Tyne-Tees UK, Sat 6:00pm)

[33] William Tell: THE BLACK BROTHERS
produced by Leslie Arliss
directed by Quentin Lawrence
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 

[34] William Tell: THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER
produced by Leslie Arliss
directed by Peter Maxwell
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 

[35] William Tell: SECRET WEAPON
produced by Leslie Arliss
directed by Ernest Morris
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 

[36] William Tell: THE TRAITOR
Produced by Leslie Arliss
Directed by Peter Maxwell
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 
With: Jennifer Jayne (Hedda Tell)
Synopsis:
The leader of the Swiss resistance group sends for Tell and Hedda to help him
weed out a traitor among his men.
(Local 22Aug59 syndicated broadcast, WHDH-5 Boston, Massachusetts)

[37] William Tell: CASTLE OF FEAR

[38] William Tell: THE SPIDER
Guest Cast:
Donald Pleasance
Deborah Watling

[39] William Tell: THE MASTER SPY (final episode)
13Feb60 [uk] Tyne-Tees, Sat 5:15 pm
Starring: Conrad Phillips (as William Tell) 
With: Willoughby Goddard (Gessler), Nigel Green (The Bear)
Guest Cast:
Glyn Owen ............. Anton
Jack Watling .......... Ferdinand Hofmanstahl
Harvey Hall ........... Heinz
Maureen Beck .......... Rosa
Adrienne Corri ........ Mara
Synopsis:
A beautiful spy, Mara - known as "The Shadow" - is sent top pit her wits against
William Tell, and Tell soon finds himself up against an opponent who has courage
and intelligence - as well as feminine wiles. But William, too, can be cunning,
as Mara quickly discovers.

 ################ William Tell ################
################## appendix ##################
##############################################

One of several Swashbuckling Adventure
series made by Lew Grade's ITC around this time.
Others included:-
The Adventures of Robin Hood (Richard Greene) 143 episodes 1955-59
The Scarlet Pimpernel (Marius Goring) 1955
The Count of Monte Cristo (George Dolenz) 39 episodes 1955
The Buccaneers (Robert Shaw as Capt. Dan Tempest) 39 episodes 1956
The Adventures of Sir Lancelot (Wiliam Russell) 30 episodes 1956
Sword of Freedom (Edmund Purdom) 39 episodes 1957
Sir Francis Drake (Terence Morgan) 26 episodes 1962

Other companies produced :-
The Adventures of Long John Silver (Robert Newton) 26 episodes 1955
Ivanhoe (Roger Moore) 39 episodes 1958
Richard The Lionheart (Dermot Walsh) 39 episodes 1962
The Gay Cavalier (Christian Marquand) 13 episodes 1956

################ William Tell ################
################# the end ###################
##############################################

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