Inner Sanctum
(1953-54)
Episode Guide
compiled by The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by:
Jim Brent, Sal Crisant,
Rina Fox
references:
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://us.imdb.com)
UCLA Film and Television Archive
Galahad Production
NBC Film Production
for First-Run Syndication
Produced and Conceived by Himan Brown
Associate Producer: Mende Brown
Based on the radio series of the same name
US Anthology series 1953-54 39 episodes x 30 min bw
NBC Saturdays at 10:00pm
Host/Narrator: Paul McGrath as the voice of "Raymond"
and House Jameson
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######### unaired pilot circa 1953 ###########
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[00] "DEAD LEVEL" (UNAIRED PILOT) (circa 1953)
THE UNAIRED PILOT EPISODE WAS SHOT LIVE, NOT ON FILM.
Directed by Mande Brown
Written by Ed Adamson and Bob Sloan
Guest Cast:
Jean Carson ......... Vera Craig
Walter Brooks ....... Johnny Brice
John McQuade ........ Alex Craig
Ralph Bell .......... Detective Steve Maxton
Recurring cast:
Paul McGrath ........ Raymond the Narrator
Synopsis:
A woman hires a hearse driver to dispose a dead body,
that turns out to be her husband who is really alive.
[SC]
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################# season 1954 ################
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[01] Inner Sanctum: THE STRANGER
09Jan1954 NBC Sat
Based on the story by Guy de Maupassant
Guest cast:
Kevin McCarthy .... Stranger
Patricia Jenkins .. Ellen
Crahan Denton ..... Crowe
Jim Boles ......... Lorbie
Rusty Lane ........ Innkeeper
Nell Harrison ..... Mrs. Graham
Dan Morgan
Dorothy Jolliffe
Synopsis:
A stranger, who protests his innocence, is accused of
murder and held captive by three townspeople. [RF]
[02] Inner Sanctum: THE PORT OF REGRETS
16Jan1954 NBC Sat
Directed by Alan Neuman
Original Screenplay by Nelson Giddings
Guest cast:
Ian Keith ....... Judge Carleton Summers
Jeanne Shepard ....... Cora Summers
Stefan Schnabel ....... Mr. Vetal, Hotel Manager
Michael Tolan ....... Maurice Laraq
Warren Stevens ...... Stranger
Synopsis 1:
A JUDGE SENTENCES AN INNOCENT MAN TO TWENTY YEARS IN PRISON. THE
JUDGE AND HIS WIFE TAKE A VACATION AND VISIT A FAR AWAY ISLAND. WHILE
THERE, THE MAN THAT HE SENT TO PRISON APPEARS. [SC]
Synopsis 2:
A judge has reason to regret his philosophy. [RF]
[03] Inner Sanctum: THE HERMIT (film)
23Jan1954 NBC Sat
Based on the story by Guy de Maupassant
Guest cast:
John Marley ....... Jimmy
Gloria Marlowe .... Lita
Harry Bellaver .... Barry
John Coots ........ Bailey
Tige Andrews ...... Reed
Synopsis:
A team of bank robbers force an old hermit to hide them in his home only to learn
that their captive host is more dangerous that he seems. [RF]
[04] Inner Sanctum: GUILTY SECRET
30Jan1954 NBC Sat
Story by Charles Paul de Kock
Guest cast:
Mildred Dunnock ... Mother
James Lipton ...... Tony
Jill Kraft ........ Joyce
Ralph Stanley ..... Police Lieutenant
Synopsis:
A young man accuses his mother of murdering his father. [RF]
[05] Inner Sanctum: THE PERFECT KILL
06Feb1954 NBC Sat
Guest Cast:
Lenka Peterson ....... Ginny
Bramwell Fletcher ....... Inspector Stolz
Martin Newman ....... Mark
Joe Maross ....... Biff
Synopsis 1:
Circumstances surrounding the murder of a schoolgirl
make the killing appear to be the work of a fellow
student. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
Circumstances surrounding the murder of a schoolgirl make the killing
appear to be the work of a fellow student. [JB]
[06] Inner Sanctum: THE FACE OF FEAR
13Feb1954 NBC Sat
Produced by Himan Brown
Directed by Alan Neuman
Written by Mary Stern
Guest cast:
Paul Stewart ........... Packard
John Alexander .... Crawford
Bruno Wick ........ Manolo
Jim Bowles ........ Stevens
Capell ............ Jackson
Ed Holmes ......... Frank
Synopsis:
A racketeer who revealed too much about other criminals proves that a man
obsessed with fear of reprisal can become his own worst enemy. [JB]
[07] Inner Sanctum: NEVER DIE AGAIN
20Feb1954 NBC Sat
Guest cast:
Peg Hillias ....... Elizabeth
Everett Sloane .... Jonathan
Jack Klugman ...... Prater
Helen Wagner ...... Midge
Ted Osborn ........ Doctor
Alan Hewitt ....... Man
Synopsis:
A man is implicated in his wife's death albeit it be circumstantial. [RF]
[08] Inner Sanctum: THE YELLOW PARAKEET
27Feb1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Ernest Truex ...... Old man
Jack Grimes ....... Jason
Constance Ford .... Wilma
Sylvia Field ...... Miss Keene
Jay Barney ........ Paul
Edwin Cooper ...... Bolton
Synopsis 1:
An old man is duped by two con artists. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
An old and faithful employee involves himself in grand larceny in his search for
a friend. [JB]
[09] Inner Sanctum: A SECOND LIFE
06Mar1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Anthony Ross ...... Martin
Margaret Draper ... Marge
Rita Lynn ......... Janey
Jack Klugman ...... Harry
Synopsis:
A man attempts to murder his wife and realizes that he still loves her. [RF]
[10] Inner Sanctum: LOST IN THE DARK
13Mar1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Everett Sloane
Judith Braun ...... Nancy
Murray Hamilton ... Joe
Eddie Hyans ....... Sid
Alan Devitt ....... Ed
Patricia Crowley ....... Katherine
Synopsis 1:
A wealthy man who is losing his eyesight and his wife, has a scheme to regain
both. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
A wealthy man who is losing his sight attempts to regain it through the eyes of
another. [JB]
[11] Inner Sanctum: THE SOUND OF BIRDS
20Mar1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
E.G. Marshall ..... Carl
Louisa Horton ..... Miss Blaine
Rusty Lane ........ Brule
Joe Maross ........ Gregg
Synopsis 1:
Two people searching for an escaped lunatic are
murdered. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
A meek bird fancier becomes involved in an investigation of the murder of two
people. [JB]
[12] Inner Sanctum: CAT CALLS
27Mar1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
John Beal ......... Vic
Lydia Reed ........ Julie
Janet Ward ........ Paula
Ethel Owen ........ Mrs. Ashland
Bruno Wick ........ Taylor
Helen Wagner ...... Teacher
Synopsis:
An architect who lives in a tenement room is driven to nightmares by cats
which howl under his window. [JB]
[13] Inner Sanctum: MAN OF IRON (film)
03Apr1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Paul Stewart ...... Harry
Audrey Christie ... Claire
Jack Warden ....... Mooney
Norma Crane ....... Mrs. Palmer
John Raby ......... Palmer
Synopsis 1:
An innocent man is convicted of murder. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
When a murder is committed, an innocent man is convicted of the crime
and the guilty person refuses to confess. [JB]
[14] Inner Sanctum: THE SISTERS (film)
10Apr1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Mildred Dunnock ... Eva
John Newland ...... Paul
Louisa Horton ..... Dora
Vinton Hayworth ... Rogers
Synopsis:
Two wealthy sisters learn that they are in the clutches of a confidence artist. [RF]
[15] Inner Sanctum: THE GOOD LUCK CHARM
17Apr1954 NBC Sat
Producer Himan Brown
Written by John Roeburt
Directed by Alan Neuman
guest cast:
Murray Hamilton ... Cabbie
Barbara Baxley .... Lila
Henry Lascoe ...... Gordon
Mercer McLeon ..... Crane
Ralph Stantley .... Rogers
Gilbert Mack ...... Cashier
Arthur Hanson ..... Reporter
Mickey Freeman .... Photographer
James Little ...... Policeman
Synopsis:
A cab driver finds $20,000 in his taxi. Deciding to keep the money,
he locates
its owner and kills him. [RF]
[16] Inner Sanctum: THE HANDS
24Apr1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
William Prince .... Ted
Kim Stanley ....... Maggie
Leif Erickson ..... Seton
Stanley Tackney ... Garrison
Synopsis:
When a man returns from an insane asylum,
his wife lives in constant fear of her life. [JB]
[17] Inner Sanctum: KILLER'S CHOICE
01May1954 NBC Sat
Directed by Alan Neuman
Original Screenplay by John Roeburt
Guest Cast:
Warren Stevens ....... Roy Lomax/His Twin
Sally Gracie ....... Vera Compos
Joe De Santis ....... Ben Compos
James Gregory ....... Gregory, District Attorney
Luis Van Rooten ....... Remo
Synopsis:
A MAN'S BROTHER, HIS TWIN, IS SHOT AND KILLED BY ANOTHER MAN. THE
POLICE DETERMINE IT WAS AN ACCIDENT, AND THE KILLER GOES FREE. THE
DEAD MAN'S BROTHER IS OUT FOR REVENGE. [SC]
[18] Inner Sanctum: WATCHER BY THE DEAD (film)
08May1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
John Beal ......... Tim
John Baragrey ..... Julian
Harry Townes ...... Willard
Lou Krugman ....... Cop
Synopsis:
A practical joker bets a friend that he won't spend the
night in an empty house with a dead man. [RF]
[19] Inner Sanctum: IDENTITY UNKNOWN
15May1954 NBC Sat
Directed by Alan Neuman
guest cast:
Margaret Phillips.. Model
William Prince .... Townley
Robert F. Simon ... Loomis
Harold Vermilyea .. Charles
Synopsis:
A model searches for her sister's murderer. [RF]
[20] Inner Sanctum: QUEEN OF SPADES
22May1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Harry Townes ...... Joe
Joe De Santis ..... Dan
Edward Binns ...... Barney
Lisa Howard ....... Louise
Martin Balsam ..... Larkin
Synopsis 1:
A card game ends with a dead joker. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
Unable to raise the ante in a high stake card game,
one of the players offers to
bet his life in a hand. [JB]
Synopsis 3:
A big-time poker game leads to murder when played
with a deck marked for death. [JB]
[21] Inner Sanctum: HANDLE WITH CARE
29May1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Martin Huston ..... Jim
Leonard Bell ...... Smiley
Margaret Draper ... Mrs. Maple
Lew Charles ....... Greco
John McGovern ..... Maple
Carl Frank ........ Cop
Jim Boles ......... Postal Clerk
Martin Finley ..... Fat Boy
Synopsis:
When a man of the waterfront is released from jail three
murderers decide he knows too much to live. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
When a waterfront rat is released from prison on parole, three men who have
been involved in a murder decide that he knows too much to live. [JB]
[22] Inner Sanctum: THE SILENT BRIDE
05Jun1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Barbara Baxley .... Jean
Alfred Ryder ...... Mark Edwards
Rusty Lane ........ Frisby
Jane Seymour ...... Mrs. Edwards
Katherine Bard .... Mary
Francis Compton ... Butler
Synopsis:
An attractive young woman encounters strange duties in an old home. [RF]
[23] Inner Sanctum: GHOST MALE
12Jun1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Joseph Wiseman .... Insurance Inspector
Constance Ford .... Susan
Edward Binns ...... Lacey
Allen Nourse ...... Uncle
Synopsis:
An insurance inspector suspects a strange looking man to be one of the
deceased pilots for whom his company has paid insurance. [JB]
*Sometimes incorrectly listed as Ghost Mail.
[24] Inner Sanctum: TOMORROW NEVER COMES
19Jun1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Warren Stevens .... Joe
Harry Bellaver .... Bliss
Roy Fant .......... James
Synopsis:
A boxcar becomes a coffin in the story of two men who look enough alike to be
twins. [JB]
[25] Inner Sanctum: NOBODY LAUGHS AT LOU
26Jun1954 NBC Sat
Guest cast:
Joey Faye ......... Lou
David Opatoshu .... Barney
Joe De Santis ..... Rick
Eddie Hyans ....... Dave
Martin Balsam ..... Hanson
Dennis Harrison ... Nagle
Synopsis:
An ex-vaudevillian must dance for his life at the point of a gun. [RF]
[26] Inner Sanctum: FAMILY SKELETON
03Jul1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Murray Hamilton ... Frank
Edward Binns ...... Rocky
Stephen Elliott ... Sergeant (as Steve Elliott)
Abby Lewis ........ Lila
Synopsis:
A skeleton with a bullet hole in its skull is found in the basement of a
once-grand family.
Two moving men ask money from the family in return for their silence. [RF]
[27] Inner Sanctum: DARK OF THE NIGHT
10Jul1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Wallace Ford ...... Photographer
Betsy Palmer ...... Karen
Ralph Stantley .... Yaeger
Perry Wilson ...... Lena
George Mitchell ... Cop
Missy Russell ..... Girl
Synopsis:
A photographer, having fallen in love with his secretary,
tries to drive his
wife insane. [RF]
[28] Inner Sanctum: BURIAL AT HIGH POINT
17Jul1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
John Baragrey ..... Jeff
Barbara Baxley .... Susan
Theodore Newton ... CHemney
Edgar Stehli ...... Jonathan
John Becher ....... Kellam
Frank Sutton ...... St. Meyers
Synopsis:
The son-in-law of a dying wealthy old man plots to drive
the daughter insane to get her inheritance. [JB]
[29] Inner Sanctum: HOUR OF DARKNESS
24Jul1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Jo Van Fleet
James Gregory
Philip Kenneally .. Garson
Jim Dolan ......... Fackner
Harry Stanton ..... Andrew
Synopsis:
A man who has gambled a large sum of company money plans to murder
his wife and collect on her insurance. [JB]
[30] Inner Sanctum: REWARD FOR JANIE
31Jul1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
June Dayton ....... Janie
Berry Kroeger ..... Weaver
John Kellogg ...... Feller
Frank Marth ....... Trooper
Karl Lukas ........ Tommy
James Boles ....... Gunner
Synopsis:
A waitress thinks she's double-crossed a robber
but she's in for a surprise. [RF]
[31] Inner Sanctum: FACE OF THE DEAD
07Aug54 NBC Sat
Producer Himan Brown
Original Screenplay by John Roeburt
Directed by Alan Neuman
Director of photography Zoli Vidor
Art Director Richard Sylbert
Music by Lew White
Guest Cast:
Everett Sloane .......... Vince Madero/Nick Ramsey
Harry Bellaver ....... Moody
Gloria McGehee ........ Gladys Ramsey
Jack Klugman ....... Detective Crane
John McGovern ....... Doc Benson
John Raby ......... Michaels
Synopsis:
AN UNDERWORLD CZAR IS KILLED BY ONE OF HIS HENCHMEN. THE KILLER HAS
HIS FACE CHANGED BY A PLASTIC SURGEON, NOT KNOWING THAT HIS NEW FACE
IS THE SAME AS THE MAN HE KILLED. [SC]
[32] Inner Sanctum: THE LONELY ONE
14Aug1954 NBC Sat
Story by Edgar Wallace
Directed by Alan Neuman
guest cast:
Vaughn Taylor ...... Old man
Edward Binns ....... Uhl
John Kellogg ....... Rosen
Nan McFarland ...... Alice
Lou Polan .......... Hartley
Jim Dolan .......... Desk Sergeant
Synopsis:
A lonely old gentleman, in order to get some recognition,
confesses to crimes he did not commit. [RF]
[33] Inner Sanctum: DREAM OF MURDER
21Aug1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Harry Townes ...... Paul
Luis van Rooten ... Tony
Carol Wheeler ..... Joyce
Lola Bruns ........ Mother
Patsy Perroni ..... Nemo
Synopsis:
A murdered man's son lures the killer to a lonely lighthouse to even the score.
[RF]
[34] Inner Sanctum: PATTERN OF FEAR
28Aug1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Beatrice Straight.. Louise
Robert H. Harris .. Man
Nita Talbot ....... Millie
Joe Mantell ....... Atherton
Synopsis:
A “phantom lover” visits a friendless woman and is shot for his trouble. [JB]
[35] Inner Sanctum: THE THIRD FATE
04Sep1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Louisa Horton ..... Cecily Fentriss
Donald Woods ...... Blake
Carl Frank ........ Ethan
Jim Dolan ......... Conductor
Synopsis:
A nightmare about a psychopathic killer becomes a reality. Cecily Fentriss is
plagued by nightmare in which a woman predicts her death. [JB]
[36] Inner Sanctum: THE LANDSLIDE
11Sep1954 NBC Sat (rerun 18Feb55)
Guest cast:
Allen Nourse ...... Ethan
Nan McFarland ..... Julie
Marion Russell .... Dorothy
Katherine Emmett .. Rebecca
John Marlan ....... Henry
Martin Balsam ..... Wesley
Synopsis 1:
Two desperate men intrude on a bizarre transaction. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
An old woman, a landslide and a box full of money are the elements of
a bizarre story of greed and selfishness. [JB]
[37] Inner Sanctum: THE SKULL BENEATH
18Sep1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Robert H. Harris .. Timothy
Jack Albertson .... Mike
Phyllis Hill ...... Laura
Mike Kellin ....... Barrow
Johnny Seven ...... Haynes
Synopsis:
A drab, dreary man leads an obscure life until he announces that he has
the power to predict a person’s death within 24 hours of the time. [JB]
[38] Inner Sanctum: THE FATAL HOUR
25Sep1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Shepperd Strudwick ........ Host
Margaret Draper ... Laura
James Westerfield.. Cicero
Theodore Newton ... Sam
Chester Stratton .. Paul
Susan Fleming ..... Liz (wife of Harpo Marx)
Synopsis:
A group of people at a dinner party is told by their host
that they have served poisoned cocktails. [JB]
[39] Inner Sanctum: BLIND LUCK (final episode of "Inner Sanctum")
02Oct1954 NBC Sat
guest cast:
Warren Stevens .... Larry
Rusty Lane ........ Brenner
June Dayton ....... Eileen
Alan Devitt ....... Jensen
Synopsis:
A blind beggar becomes an eyewitness in the defense
of a drifter indicted for
murder. [JB]
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