Damon Runyon Theater
(1955-56)
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
DAMON RUNYON THEATER
Normandie Television Pictures, Inc.
Daniel H. Shore
for
CBS Sat 10:30-11:00
Produced by Lou Breslow and Michael Kraike
April 16, 1955 to June 30, 1956
US Anthology series 1955-56 39 episodes x 30 min bw
Host: Donald Woods
Tales of New York life based on stories written by Damon Runyon (1884-1946)
######### Damon Runyon Theater #########
############ season 1 1955-56 ##########
#####################################
1.01 [01] Damon Runyon Theater: PICK THE WINNER (Debut)
16Apr1955 CBS Sat (08Apr55 copyright date)
guest cast:
Vivian Blaine ........ Cutie Singleton
Bob Strauss ....... Lucky Farrar
Bruce Bennett ....... Professor Woodhead
Diane De Laire ........ Mme. Sylvia
Synopsis:
A killing at a dice game enables Lucky Farrar and his girl to take a trip south to Hialeah.
But Lucky's luck at the race track is all bad until he meets a young
Princeton professor and a sure-fire system. [RF]
*Note: Based on Runyon's "Guys and Dolls."
1.02 [02] Damon Runyon Theater: DANCING DAN'S CHRISTMAS (film)
23Apr1955 CBS Sat (15Apr55 copyright date)
guest cast:
Broderick Crawford ......... Heine Schmitz
Robert Knapp ........ Dancing Dan McGann
Marilyn Erskine ......... Judy O'Neill
Mary Young ........ Grandma
Paul Dubov ....... Sam
Murray Alper ....... Arne
Synopsis:
The romance between dapper young Dancing Dan and his girl Judy O'Neill,
hits a snag when a very influential mobster decides that Judy reminds him of his mother.
Judy, however, is not happy with the change. [RF]
1.03 [03] Damon Runyon Theater: ALL IS NOT GOLD (film)
30Apr1955 CBS Sat (22Apr55 copyright date)
(rerun date 30Jun56)
Guest cast:
Scott Brady
Nancy Gates ......... Jan
Tom Brown ........... Mitchell
Herb Vigran ......... Simp
Ben Welden .......... Durocky
Synopsis:
When a bank refuses to cash the check of a gambler, he buys the bank! [RF]
Synopsis 2:
A gambler tries to raise money to buy a bank that wouldn't cash his check. [RF]
1.04 [04] Damon Runyon Theater: THE LACEWORK KID (film)
07May1955 CBS Sat (29Apr55 copyright date)
guest cast:
Steve Brodie ........ Lacework Kid
John Banner ........ Sgt. Heintz
Paul Langton ......... Barney Reardon
John Beradino ........ Sgt. Brady
Gladys Holland ...... Katsie
Synopsis:
A Broadway cardsharp is captured by the Germans during World War II.
In the prison camp he gives an excellent exhibition of his skill, this time
making a sadistic Nazi colonel his victim. [RF]
1.05 [05] Damon Runyon Theater: NUMBERS AND FIGURES (film)
14May1955 CBS Sat (06May55 copyright date)
guest cast:
Paul Douglas ......... "Numbers" Dorson
June Vincent ........ Cynthia Lawrence
Wally Vernon ........ Joey Perhaps
Allen Jenkins ........ Little Alfie
George Givot ........ "Bonus" Morgan
Synopsis:
A lucky win in a numbers game starts a wealthy socialite on a whirlwind adventure.
She is so fascinated by her good fortune that she goes into "business" on her own
in competition with one "Numbers" Dorson, an old hand at the numbers racket. [RF]
1.06 [06] Damon Runyon Theater: TOBIAS THE TERRIBLE (film)
21May1955 CBS Sat (13May55 copyright date)
guest cast:
Wallace Ford ....... Lt. Harrigan
Beverly Garland ....... Deborah Weems
Gil Stratton Jr. ....... Tobias Tweeny
Larry Kent ......... Angie
Carl Milletaire ........ Detroit Louis
Joe Devlin ........ Happy
Synopsis:
A meek diaper service delivery man suffers because his girlfriend yearns
for the movie-gangster type. In hopes of getting some pointers, Tobias visits
the local mobster hangout, just in time for a raid! [RF]
1.07 [07] Damon Runyon Theater: OLD EM'S KENTUCKY HOME (film)
28May1955 CBS Sat (20May55 copyright date)
guest cast:
Edmond O'Brien ........ Duke Martin
Gale Robbins ........ Marvel Delaney
Alan Reed ........ Blackstone Fogarty
Fay Baker ........ Adele Salisbury
Raymond Greenleaf ........ Colonel Salisbury
Synopsis:
Four fugitives from Broadway, two guys, a doll and a broken down nag take
a trip down to the Blue Grass State to visit a colonel who's lost his prize mare.
Object: a slight swindle. [RF]
1.08 [08] Damon Runyon Theater: LONELY HEART
04Jun1955 CBS Sat (27May55 copyright date)
guest cast:
Steven Geray ......... Barney Gruder
Ann Harding .......... Amelia
Allen Jenkins ........ Angeles Malone
Sid Tomack ........... Happy
Walter Baldwin ....... Harley
Synopsis:
A man marries a rich widow through a lonely hearts ad, and goes to
her secluded farm for a honeymoon. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
Barney Gruder answers a lonely-hearts ad and it almost costs him his life. [RF]
1.09 [09] Damon Runyon Theater: IT COMES UP MONEY
11Jun1955 CBS Sat (03Jun55 copyright date)
Guest cast:
Will Wright
Thomas Mitchell ...... Sylvester
Frances Bavier ....... Abigail
Wally Vernon ......... Joe
Jack Kruschen ........ Biggie Brogan
Jackie Loughery ...... Pat
Will Wright .......... Devereau
Tom Daly
Synopsis:
A real-estate agent (Will Wright) will stop at nothing to get rid of
an antique dealer who's blocking the construction of a
skyscraper. [RF]
1.10 [10] Damon Runyon Theater: THE BIG UMBRELLA (film)
18Jun1955 CBS Sat (10Jun55 copyright date)
Guest cast:
James Gleason ........ McCoy
Rick Jason ........... King of Vastillia
Adelle August ........ Margie
Murvyn Vye ........... Boris
Synopsis 1:
A fight promoter helps a deposed king regain his throne and the girl he loves. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
The deposed King of Vastilla takes to the American boxing ring. [RF]
Synopsis 3:
A fight promoter discovers a promising fighter in the person
of the deposed and broke King of Vastillia. [RF]
*Syndication airing on Stage 8 13Jan58.
1.11 [11] Damon Runyon Theater: BIG SHOULDERS
25Jun1955 CBS Sat (17Jun55 copyright date)
Guest cast:
Chick Chandler ...... Jones
Mona Freeman ........ Zelma
Edward Brophy ....... Blooch O'Dare
Jesse White ......... One Shot Maloney
Gus Schilling ....... Chesty Chicago
Synopsis:
A bookie borrows $10,000 to open a commission brokerage
and gives his daughter as security. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
"Absolutely" Jones asks Blooch O'Dare for unusual security
on a $10,000 loan---O'Dare's daughter Zelma. [RF]
*Syndication airing on Stage 8 14Jan58.
1.12 [12] Damon Runyon Theater: TEACHER'S PET
02Jul1955 CBS Sat (24Jun55 copyright date)
guest cast:
Fay Bainter ...... Miss Emilie
Adele Jergens ....... Bo Peep
Gene Evans .......... Tony Rose
Joseph Dowling ...... Dixon
Clegg Hoyt .......... O'Leary
Synopsis 1:
An elderly schoolteacher inherits a bookmaking empire. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
A king-pin bookie dies and leaves his bookmaking empire to his
old school teacher. His "staff" tries to carry on business as
usual while concealing from Miss Emilie the source of her income.
*Syndication airing on Stage 8 15Jan58.
1.13 [13] Damon Runyon Theater: THE MINK DOLL
09Jul1955 CBS Sat (01Jul55 copyright date)
guest cast:
Dorothy Lamour ...... Sally Bracker
Wayne Morris ........ Bracker
Willis Bouchey ...... Walters
Joe Besser .......... Frankly Farrel
Nedson Booth ........ Lieutenant Dekowski
Eleanor Audley ...... Cynthia
Synopsis:
The chorus girl wife of a Broadway con man inherits
a small fortune and tries to crash into society. [RF]
*Syndication airing on Stage 8 16Jan58.
1.14 [14] Damon Runyon Theater: BUNNY ON THE BEACH
16Jul1955 CBS Sat (08Jul55 copyright date)
guest cast:
William Frawley ..... Fatso Zimpf
Sara Haden .......... Agatha
Douglas Fowley ...... Dave the Dude
Elisabeth Risdon .... Emily
Ben Welden .......... Big John
Synopsis 1:
A pair of gamblers make a small fortune on the gambling concessions at a charity
fete,
but an Easter egg basket causes their plans to
go awry. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
As payment for a debt, two gamblers force Fatso Zimpf
to help them rob a charity affair. [RF]
*Syndication airing on Stage 8 17Jan58.
1.15 [15] Damon Runyon Theater: THE BIG FIX
23Jul1955 CBS Sat (15Jul55 copyright date)
Guest cast:
Sidney Blackmer ...... Bill Randall
William Bryant ....... Steve
Jana Mason ........... Alice
Michael O'Shea ....... Harris
Sheila Ryan .......... Eve
Synopsis:
Bill Randall, once a Broadway big shot, tries to keep his
son from finding out that he's now a Bowery bum. [RF]
1.16 [16] Damon Runyon Theater: A LIGHT IN FRANCE
30Jul1955 CBS Sat (22Jul55 copyright date)
guest cast:
Edward Everett Horton ...... Thaddeus T. Blackman
Hugh O'Brian ............... Packy
Maxie Rosenbloom ........... Benny Toledo
Otto Waldis ................ Herr Klauber
Lita Milan ................. Marie
Synopsis:
Shortly before world War 2, two mobsters are forced to flee to France.
They hide in a fishing village. [RF]
1.17 [17] Damon Runyon Theater: A NICE PRICE
06Aug1955 CBS Sat (29Jul55 Copyright date)
Guest cast:
James Dunn .......... Dan
Kathryn Grant ....... Clarice
Wally Vernon ........ Joey Perhaps
Jack Kruschen ....... Brogan
George Graham ....... Max
Synopsis:
Unexpected aid from three small-time gamblers helps
Harvard in the Harvard-Yale boat race. [RF]
1.18 [18] Damon Runyon Theater: SMALL TOWN CAPER
13Aug1955 CBS Sat (05Aug55 copyright date)
Guest cast:
Dick Foran
Irene Hervey
Charles Cantor
Synopsis:
Two con men unload a statue on the people of Centerhaven,
claiming it's of the town's most famous son. [RF]
1.19 [19] Damon Runyon Theater: THERE'S NO FOREVER
20Aug1955 CBS Sat (12Aug55 copyright date)
Guest cast:
John Ireland ........ Chopper Keeley
Fay Wray ............ Grace
Sharon Baird ........ Suzy
Joseph Dowling ...... Dugan
Frank Richards ...... Frankie
Synopsis:
Three bank robbers hide out in the home of an unsuspecting young widow. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
Bank Robber Chopper Keeley decides to go straight after
falling in love with a young widow. [RF]
1.20 [20] Damon Runyon Theater: EARTHQUAKE MORGAN
27Aug1955 CBS Sat (19Aug1955 copyright date)
Guest cast:
Buddy Baer ......... Morgan
Alex Nichol ......... Lt. John O'Toole
Sheila Ryan ......... Chloe
Sid Melton .......... Gloomy
John Beradino ....... Brady
Synopsis:
A safe-cracker is unwittingly involved in murder and kidnapping. [RF]
*Episode sometimes listed as "Earthquake".
########Damon Runyon Theater#########
###########season 2 1955-56##########
##################################
2.01 [21] Damon Runyon Theater: BRED FOR BATTLE
15Oct1955 CBS Sat (23Sep55 copyright date)
Guest cast:
Sheldon Leonard ..... Silky Mitts
John Bromfield ...... O'Hara
Nancy Gates ......... Kitty
Race Gentry ......... Wilbur
Max Rosenbloom ...... Benny Toledo
Synopsis:
Silky Mitts, a fight manager with an unusual theory
about "breeding" champion prize fighters. [RF]
2.02 [22] Damon Runyon Theater: MIAMI MOOLAH
22Oct1955 CBS Sat (30Sep55 copyright date)
Guest cast:
Ken Murray .......... Harry the Horse
Allen Joslyn ........ Bad Luck Benny
Gail Robbins ........ Amy
Synopsis:
Two horse players parlay a fake diamond ring and a chance discovery into a
fortune. [RF]
2.03 [23] Damon Runyon Theater: SITUATION WANTED (film)
29Oct1955 CBS Sat (07Oct55 copyright date)
guest cast:
Cesar Romero ........ Spanish John
Allen Jenkins ........ Alfie Malone
Horace McMahon ........ Swifty Stone
Anthony Caruso ........ Sebastian Morano
Yvette Dugay ........ Carlotta
Vincent Padula .......... General Zamora
Synopsis:
A jobless bodyguard is hired to transport firearms south of the border.
The purpose of the mission is to aid revolutionary forces. The results of
the mission are somewhat unexpected. [RF]
2.04 [24] Damon Runyon Theater: A STAR LIGHTS UP
05Nov1955 CBS Sat (14Oct55 copyright date)
Guest cast:
Virginia Field
Robert Strauss ...... Larsen
Carleton Young ...... Quinn
Synopsis:
An old actress (Virginia Field) is able to make a comeback after
being rejuvenated by a series of beauty treatments. [RF]
2.05 [25] Damon Runyon Theater: BROADWAY DATELINE (film)
12Nov1955 CBS Sat (21Oct55 copyright date)
guest cast:
Jack Carson .......... Byron "The Brain" Harris
Charlie Cantor ........ Percentage Jones
Jack Albertson ........ No Dice O'Toole
Wally Richards ....... Tim Lawrence
Sue England ........ Arlene Vale
Synopsis:
"The Brain" fears his gambling empire will be finished if his political backer is not re-elected.
To insure favorable press notices for his candidate, Harris buys a newspaper,
but reckons without the honesty of its young editor. [RF]
2.06 [26] Damon Runyon Theater: A JOB FOR THE MACARONE
26Nov55 CBS Sat (28Oct55 copyright date)
guest cast:
Dane Clark ....... Macarone Kid
Lois Collier ....... Mary Peering
Jesse White ....... Chesty Charlie
Wally Vernon ........ Joey
Synopsis:
The Macarone Kid is offered five grand to bump off a man who says
he has only a month to live. But something is fishy about this
solid-sounding deal, and the kid does differently. [RF]
2.07 [27] Damon Runyon Theater: BARBECUE
03Dec1955 CBS Sat (04Nov55 copyright date)
Guest cast:
Brian Donlevy
Jean Parker ......... Dolly
Vince Barnett ....... Little Nate
Ben Welden .......... Big John
Synopsis:
A down-and-out race-track tout (Brian Donlevy) foils a robbery
attempt by a notorious thief. [RF]
2.08 [28] Damon Runyon Theater: HONORARY DEGREE
10Dec1955 CBS Sat (11Nov55 copyright date)
Guest cast:
William Leslie ...... Jerry Leonard
Jackie Coogan ....... O'Keefe
Allen Jenkins ....... Alfie
Havis Davenport ..... Shirley
Synopsis 1:
A young man learns that he will receive a legacy only on
condition that he produce a diploma. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
To receive his $100,000 inheritance, Jerry Leonard must come up with
a college degree---but he just flunked out. [RF]
2.09 [29] Damon Runyon Theater: DOG ABOUT TOWN
17Dec1955 CBS Sat (18Nov55 copyright date)
Guest cast:
James Gleason ....... Spider McCoy
Frances Robinson .... Eloise
Clegg Hoyt .......... Bunions
John Hubbard ........ Kenneth
Synopsis 1:
A man kidnaps a champion terrier in hopes of collecting a ransom. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
A down-and-out horse devotee kidnaps a champion dog in
hopes of collecting a reward for its return. Instead he is offered
money to lose the prizewinning pooch permanently. [RF]
2.10 [30] Damon Runyon Theater: BLONDE MINK
24Dec1955 CBS Sat (25Nov55 copyright date)
Guest cast:
James Whitmore ...... Starker
Coleen Gray ......... Linda
John Beradino ....... Slats Slavin
Mel Welles .......... Marco
Synopsis 1:
A man is robbed and murdered by his partner. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
A beautiful blonde mink coat helps Julie Starker
find the man who murdered his boss. [RF]
2.11 [31] Damon Runyon Theater: JUDY THE JINX
31Dec1955 CBS Sat (09Dec55 copyright date)
Guest cast:
Adele Jergens ....... Judy Jensen
Kent Taylor ......... Lucky Diamond
George E. Stone ..... Snazz Blicker
Synopsis:
A red-headed chorus girl is renamed "The Jinx" because every show she
appears in closes abruptly. She falls in love with a gambler, only to find
that now she is the bane of the gamblers tables.
[RF]
2.12 [32] Damon Runyon Theater: THE FACE OF JOHNNY DOLLIVER
07Jan1956 CBS Sat (23Dec55 copyright date)
Guest cast:
Allen Jenkins ....... Alfie Malone
Beverly Tyler ....... Flower Brothertop
Biff Elliott ........ Johnny Dolliver
Synopsis:
A battered prizefighter falls in love with a debutante. Hoping to please her,
he has his face remodeled and gives up fighting. This works out fine until
one of her former boyfriends passes on some
information. [RF]
2.13 [33] Damon Runyon Theater: CLEO
14Jan1956 CBS Sat (30Dec55 copyright date)
Guest cast:
Keenan Wynn ....... Titanic O'Hara
Laurie Mitchell ..... Cleo
Ben Lessy ........... Charles
Robert Christopher .. Dapper Dan Grumley
Wally Vernon ........ Joey Perhaps
Synopsis 1:
Titanic O'Hara's girlfriend leaves him when she learns that he has bought a cow
because it reminded him of her. Then Titanic discovers that his girlfriend has
gotten mixed up with a counterfeiter. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
A horse player wins a large bet and spends his winnings on a calf whose eyes
remind him of his girl friend. Not at all flattered by this gesture, the young lady
breaks up with the well-meaning but tactless
lover. [RF]
2.14 [34] Damon Runyon Theater: THE GOOD LUCK KID
21Jan1956 CBS Sat (02Dec55 copyright date)
Guest cast:
Gene Barry .......... "Denver" Dan Taggert
Barbara Hale ........ Wendy Longfield
Barry Froner ........ Willy Unger
Peter Leeds ......... Benny South Street
Benny Rubin ......... Wingy
Synopsis:
While serving with the U.S. Army in Germany, a gambler meets an orphaned
teenager
who turns out to be a whiz at calculating dice combinations. With the boy's help,
our hero cleans up in the local dice games and sees a change to continue
his "luck" when the refugee emigrates to the States. [RF]
2.15 [35] Damon Runyon Theater: THE PEE WEES TAKE OVER
28Jan1956 CBS Sat (06Jan56 copyright date)
Guest cast:
Steve Brodie ........ Nate Harper
Peggy Webber ........ Claire Simpson
Sid Melton .......... Sam
David Kasday ........ Charlie
Bobby Faye .......... Harry
Stuffy Singer ....... Artie Simpson
Synopsis 1:
A bookie decides to sponsor his own Little League ball team when
his son is thrown off the existing team for
cheating. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
A bookie revamps his ethical codes when his 11 year old son is
dropped from a ball team because of unsportsmanlike
conduct. [RF]
2.16 [36] Damon Runyon Theater: THE PIGEON GETS PLUCKED
05Feb1956 CBS Sat (13Jan56 copyright date)
Guest cast:
Dick Foran .......... Ace
Ed Brophy ........... Charlie
Charles Cantor ...... Driscoll
Lyn Thomas .......... Hazel
Synopsis:
A poultry man refuses to allow a gambler to marry his daughter
unless he gives up gambling and enters his business. [RF]
2.17 [37] Damon Runyon Theater: A TALE OF TWO CITIZENS
12Feb1956 CBS Sat (20Jan56 copyright date)
Guest cast:
Sonny Tufts ......... Sam
Pamela Britton ...... Zelda
Gordon Jones ........ Grommet
Clegg Hoyt .......... O'Leary
Mel Welles .......... Gordon
Synopsis:
Two men who witness a robbery try to get themselves arrested for the crime. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
Two gangs of mobsters fight among themselves. [RF]
2.18 [38] Damon Runyon Theater: HOT OIL
19Feb1956 CBS Sat (27Jan56 copyright date)
Guest cast:
Charles Coburn ...... Harvard
Robert Armstrong .... O'Rourke
Havis Davenport ..... Melinda
Butler Hixson ....... Hightower
Lennie Bremen ....... Houk
Roger Smith ......... Richard
Synopsis:
A slot-machine baron, learning that his daughter is going to visit him,
hires a phony art-dealer to lead a touch of
class to his home. [RF]
2.19 [39] Damon Runyon Theater: MIRACLE JONES (final episode)
26Feb1956 CBS Sat (03Feb56 copyright date)
Guest cast:
John Carradine ........ Willis Cooper
Bill Williams ......... Andy Gubbins
Murray Alper .......... Packets Brogan
GeGe Pearson ........ Mme. Zara
Bradford Jackson .... Jones
Paul Keast .......... Swanson
Synopsis:
An ex-convict convinces a young man that he possesses miraculous healing powers,
and sets him up in business. Then the young man falls
in love with a patient. [RF]
####### Damon Runyon Theater #######
############ the end ##############
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