Sunday Showcase (1959-60)
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
SUNDAY SHOWCASE
(aka Breck Sunday Showcase, NBC Sunday Showcase)
September 20, 1959 - May 13, 1960
NBC Sunday 8:00-9:00
Producer Robert Alan Aurthur
*Once a month "Our American Heritage" shared the timeslot with
"Sunday
Showcase".
*NOTE: Some airings of the "Sunday Showcase" did not air on Sunday and were
usually renamed Breck Showcase.
####### Sunday Showcase #######
####### season 1 1959-60 ######
###############################
NBC Sundays (20Sep59-13May60)
1.01 Sunday Showcase: PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE SOMETIMES
20Sep1959 NBC Sun
Producer Robert Alan Aurthur
Written by S. Lee Pogostin
Directed by John Frankenheimer
starring
Jason Robards Jr. ... Alex Reed
Geraldine Page ...... Virginia Reed
George C. Scott ..... Dr. Richard Bryan
Zina Bethune ........ Carol
Nan Martin .......... Nancy
Synopsis:
A wealthy couple going thru martial woes are headed for tragedy when their
14-year-old daughter realizes that both her
parents are falling apart. Her father is having an affair and her mother is all
wrapped up with her psychiatrist. [RF]
1.02 Sunday Showcase: WHAT MAKES SAMMY RUN? (Part 1)
27-Sep-1959 NBC Sun
Producer Robert Alan Aurthur
Written by Budd Schulberg & Stuart Schulberg
Directed by Delbert Mann
starring
Larry Blyden ............... Sammy Glick
John Forsythe ............. Al Manheim
Dina Merrill .................. Laurette Harrington
Barbara Rush .............. Kit Sargent
Sidney Blackmer .......... H.L. Harrington
David Opatoshu ........... Sidney Fineman
Monique Van Vooren .... Zizi Molnari
Horace McMahon ....... Mike Crowley
Milton Selzer ............... Julian Blumberg
Nelson Olmsted .......... Ben Osborne
William Post Jr. .......... Lucky Westover
Norman Fell ................ Sammy's brother
Jay Lawrence ............. Sheik Romero
Earl Wilson ................. Himself
Synopsis:
The story about an American heel who connives his way over the lives and
ambitions of others from a post as copy boy on a New York City daily to
a top Hollywood executive position. Part I introduces Sammy, the copy boy and
covers a portion of our hero's career as an important screen writer. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
The rise of Sammy Glick from the slums of New York to a post as radio columnist
of a metropolitan newspaper. With the help of a stolen manuscript,
the self-centered domineering columnist moves on to Hollywood as a scenario
writer. By manipulating ghost writers and the artful use of the double cross,
he becomes a powerful figure in the film industry. [RF]
*Ratings for the first time viewing were only a 9.5 with "Maverick" winning the
night with a 22.9 share rating.
1.03 Sunday Showcase: WHAT MAKES SAMMY RUN? (Part 2)
04-Oct-1959 NBC Sun
Producer Robert Alan Aurthur
Written by Budd Schulberg & Stuart Schulberg
Directed by Delbert Mann
starring
Larry Blyden .............. Sammy Glick
John Forsythe ........... Al Manheim
Dina Merrill ................ Laurette Harrington
Barbara Rush ............ Kit Sargent
Sidney Blackmer ........ H.L. Harrington
David Opatoshu ......... Sidney Fineman
Monique Van Vooren .. Zizi Molnari
Horace McMahon ....... Mike Crowley
Milton Selzer ............... Julian Blumberg
Nelson Olmsted .......... Ben Osborne
William Post Jr. .......... Lucky Westover
Norman Fell ................ Sammy's brother
Jay Lawrence ............. Sheik Romero
Earl Wilson ................. Himself
Synopsis:
Part II conclusion. Sammy Glick has all that money can buy, but lacks social
position and a wife. To remedy this he woos
and wins the beautiful socialite daughter of the banker who has invested heavily
in his movie studio. [RF]
1.04 Sunday Showcase: THE MILTON BERLE SHOW
11Oct1959 NBC Sun
Hosted by Milton Berle
starring
Danny Thomas ........ Himself
Peter Lawford ....... Himself
Lana Turner ......... Herself
Barbara Heller ...... Herself
Highlights:
In a comedy routine, "The Two Berles," Milton shows the way he used to be and
what he is today. As "The Insulters",
Milton, Peter, Danny and Lana expose TV stars and shows. Lawford and Barbara
Heller, satirizes TV gangster shows
with "The Untouchables" renamed "The Unbearables" Danny Thomas as Scarface,
Milton Berle as Bugsy Monahan,
Peter Lawford as Ace the Crime Reporter and Barbara Heller as a nightclub
chanteuse. Milton and Danny take a
coffee break and reminisce about their careers in show business. Lana sings,
"Just Turn Me Loose on Broadway"
and "Taking a Chance on Love". [RF]
Summary:
Milton Berle hosts this zany variety episode packed with comedy skits. Lana
Turner, Peter Lawford and Danny Thomas
join Milton in the fun. [RF]
[--] Our American Heritage #1: Divided We Stand
18Oct59
1.05 Sunday Showcase: A TRIBUTE TO ELEANOR ROOSEVELT ON HER DIAMOND JUBILEE
25Oct1959 NBC
Host Arthur Godfrey
starring
Eleanor Roosevelt
with
Helen Hayes
Maurice Chevalier
Bob Hope
Henry Fonda
Joan Crawford
Elizabeth Taylor
Ralph Bellamy
Sidney Poitier
Gertrude Berg
Sir Cedric Hardwicke
Marian Anderson
Jimmy Durante
Eddie Cantor
Mary Martin
Jose Iturbi
Highlights:
Former President Harry Truman, Vice President Richard Nixon chuckles about his
first appearance on any program
with the former President, Maurice Chevalier charms and sings, Gertrude Berg and
Sir Cedric Harwicke sing
"I Remember It Well", Marian Anderson's moving spirituals, Jose Iturbi's piano
solo, Bob Hope's monologue,
plus bits of Eddie Cantor and Jimmy Durante. Many more personalities from Helen
Hayes, Sidney Poitier, Henry Fonda,
Elizabeth Taylor, Ralph Bellamy, Mary Martin, Joan Crawford make themselves
useful at appropriate moments throughout. [RF]
1.06 Sunday Showcase: THE MILTON BERLE SPECIAL
01Nov1959 NBC
Host Milton Berle
starring
Lucille Ball
Desi Arnaz
Highlights:
Uncle Milty is joined by Lucy and Desi in a comedy-drama act in Las Vegas.
Skit with Lucy and Milty doing battle with a pair of jewel thieves, Milty was
about to give his wife a big diamond ring.
Comedy sketch with Lucy and Milty in a Las Vegas wedding ceremony with attire to
match. [RF]
1.07 Sunday Showcase: MURDER AND THE ANDROID
08Nov1959 NBC
Based on the Alfred Bester sci-fi story
Directed by Alex Segal
starring
Kevin McCarthy
Suzanne Pleshette
Rip Torn
Vladimir Sokoloff
Sono Osato
Synopsis:
The story of a man in the world of 400 years hence who inherits an android, a
synthetic laboratory produced
man. The android, normally submissive and obedient, goes berserck
and starts to order his owner around. [RF]
[--] Sunday Showcase:
15Nov1959
pre-empted for "Hallmark Hall of Fame"
Special.
[--] Our American Heritage #2: The Practical Dreamer
22Nov1959
[--] Sunday Showcase:
29Nov1959
pre-empted for The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences takes over to
present its Grammy awards
to recording stars. [RF]
1.08 Sunday Showcase: GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADWAY
https://www.reruncentury.com/watch/?s=1010
06-Dec-1959 NBC Sun
Producer Charles Isaacs
Associate Producer Bob Gilmore
Production Assistant Jean Messerschmidt
Written by Charles Isaacs, Fred Fox, Irving Elinson, Benedict Freedman and Danny
Simon
Directed by Dick McDonough
Musical Director Axel Stordahl
Choreography by Bob Hamilton
Art Director Spencer Davies
Wardrobe by Leah Rhodes
Makeup Claude Thompson
Technical Director Bob Finch
Lighting Del Jack
Audio Phillip Ryder
Senior Video Ed Huston
Unit Manager John Hinsey
starring
Jimmy Durante
Jane Powell
Jimmie Rodgers
Eddie Hodges
Ray Bolger
Highlights:
Jimmy Durante takes charge for a program titled "Give My Regards to Broadway".
The show opens with all joining in for "That's Entertainment".
Featuring the works of George M. Cohan.
1.09 Sunday Showcase: THE INDESTRUCTIBLE MR. GORE
13Dec1959 NBC Sun
Producer Robert Alan Aurthur
Written by Gore Vidal
Directed by William A. Graham
Narrated by Gore Vidal
starring
William Shatner ..... Thomas Gore
Inger Stevens ....... Nina Kay
E.G. Marshall ....... Judge Wingate
Nancy Marchand ...... Mrs. Clegg
Henderson Forsythe .. Mr. Clegg
William Traylor ..... Cam Kay
Synopsis:
Drama about Gore Vidal's grandfather Senator Thomas Gore. Tom Gore comes to
Coriscana, Texas, in 1892 seeking
a job in Judge Wingate's law office. The Judge questions him sharply, and the
young attorney admist that the
goal of his life is to become a United States Senator. Then Gore reveals that he
is totally blind. [RF]
*NOTE: The drama is based on the life of Gore Vidal's grandfather, the late
Senator Thomas P. Gore of Lawton.
Gore was the only blind senator ever elected to the legislature and a pivotal
figure in the movement for
Oklahoma statehood.
The drama was telecast from New York City. (Live, Color,
60mins)
[--] Preempted for President's Trip, Eisenhower at the
Western Summit Meeting
20Dec1959
[--] Preempted for Prolog 1960 Special
27Dec1959
1.10 Sunday Showcase: THE MARGARET BOURKE WHITE STORY
03Jan1960 NBC (rerun 13Jun60)
Produced by Robert Saudek
Written by Joseph Liss
Directed by Alex March
starring
Teresa Wright ....... Margaret Bourke White (nominated for an Emmy)
Eli Wallach ......... Alfred Eisenstaedt
Synopsis:
The dramatization of the noted LIFE magazine photographer's courageous battle
against Parkinson's disease.
Nothing daunted Miss Bourke-White when it came to getting a photograph—and it is
this spirit which so helped
her in her current fight. "Maggie" lived in conditions of the most primitive
discomfort and hardship deep in
the heart of guerrilla-held territory in southwest Korea. She subsisted chiefly
on U.S. Army rations, and
drinking water she purified in her canteen with Halizone tablets. [RF]
1.11 Sunday Showcase: HEDDA HOPPER'S HOLLYWOOD
10Jan1960 NBC
starring
Hedda Hopper
Synopsis:
The past, present and future of Hollywood as seen through the eyes of columnist
Hedda Hopper will be shown,
with a long list of guest stars including Gary Cooper, Lucille Ball, Francis X.
Bushman, Ramon Novarro,
Gloria Swanson, James Stewart, Anthony Perkins, Liza Minelli, Walt Disney and
many others. [RF]
1.12 Sunday Showcase: ONE LOUD CLEAR VOICE
17Jan1960 NBC
Written by Roger O. Hirson
starring
Larry Blyden
Mary Fickett
Wendell Corey
Jack Klugman
Frank Conroy
Joseph Sweeney
Synopsis:
An original drama tells the story of a political idealist who comes to power and
is turned into a machine boss. [RF]
[--] Our American Heritage #3: Destiny, West!
24Jan1960
1.13 Sunday Showcase: THE TWISTED CROSS
31Jan1960 NBC
Producer Henry Salomon
Teleplay by Richard Hanser
Directed by Henry Salomon
Narrated by Alexander Scourby
Synopsis:
An authentic account of the rise and fall of Adolf Hitler with actual film
footage of the Jews being rounded
up for the concentration camps.. [RF]
*NOTE: Repeated by popular demand this program originally aired on "Project 20".
1.14 Sunday Showcase: AFTER HOURS
07Feb1960 NBC
Written by Tony Webster
starring
Christopher Plummer
Sally Ann Howes
Buster Keaton
Synopsis:
A lonely man threatens to quit his job because he doesn't want to attend the
office Christmas party.
Synopsis 2:
A comedy of a patient turned analyst and a girl who didn't want to be
understood.
*NOTE: Pre-empted from 20Dec59 due to Presidential
Trip.
1.15 Sunday Showcase: THE DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER
(Live)
14Feb1960 NBC
Producer David Susskind
Adapted by Phil Reisman Jr.
Story by Stephen Vincent Benet
Directed by Tom Donovan
starring
Edward G. Robinson .. Daniel Webster
David Wayne ......... The Devil
Tim O'Connor ........ Jabez Stone
Betty Lou Holland ... Dorcas Stone
Royal Beal .......... Justice Hawthorne
Stuart Gorman ....... Stevens
Howard Freeman ...... Pinkham
Synopsis 1:
Stephen Vincent Benet's classic tale of a New England farmer (Tim O'connor) who
sells his soul to the Devil
(David Wayne) in exchange for 'seven years of glittering fortune.
Synopsis 2:
After a run of bad luck, New Englander Jabez Stone is about to lose his farm and
this is the last straw.
In a fit of rage, Jabez tells his wife that he'd sell his soul to the devil for
just about two cents
- and the devil takes him up on it. Contract in hand, he offers Jabez the
customary irresistible terms:
"Seven Years of Glittering Fortune."
*NOTE: The program was rebroadcast, through the magic of
color videotape, on April 30, 1962 as a Breck golden
showcase presentation.
[--] Our American Heritage #4: Shadow of a Soldier
21Feb1960
1.16 Sunday Showcase: THE SECRET TO FREEDOM
28Feb1960 NBC
Written by Archibald MacLeish
starring
Tony Randall
Kim Hunter
Thomas Mitchell
Synopsis:
The play deals with a current crisis in the United Stales, and tells the story
of a civic-minded couple who
have worked long and hard to gain passage of a tax referendum to improve the
schools in their town. They are
confident of victory, but the referendum is defeated. This leads to a search for
answers to bitter questions
about the town, the times, and the country. [RF]
*NOTE: Filmed in Mount Holly, N.J.
1.17 Sunday Showcase: TURN THE KEY DEFTLY
06Mar1960 NBC
Executive producer Robert Alan Aurthur
Producer George Schaefer
Written by Alfred Bester
Directed by George Schaefer
starring
Julie Harris ........ Francesca, Simone
Francis Lederer ..... Mario Morgan
Maximilian Schell ... Peter Gerard
Humphrey Davis ...... Captain Feidman
Louis Edmonds ....... Marcel Roget
Barbara Bulgakov .... Baroness
Synopsis:
Gerard the Great is dead, and Mario's Giant Variety Show & One-Ring Circus has
lost its star. But Gerard's son Peter,
an architect, knows the act, and Mario asks him to join the traveling troop
temporarily. While Peter is trying to
decide whether to become a circus illusionist, he is perplexed by the brand of
illusion practiced offstage by
Francesca, who was his father's assistant. [RF]
1.18 Sunday Showcase: LIFE IN THE THIRTIES
13Mar1960 NBC
Narrated by Alexander Scourby
Music Robert Russell Bennett
Synopsis:
A look at the American way of life in the 1930's.
*NOTE: A repeat program originally aired on "Project 20".
[--] Our American Heritage #5: Autocrat and Son
20Mar1960
1.19 Sunday Showcase: THE AMERICAN
27Mar1960 NBC
Producer Robert Alan Aurthur
Associate Producer Alex March
Teleplay by Merle Miller
Directed by John Frankenheimer
starring
Lee Marvin .......... Ira Hayes
Synopsis:
The powerful story of Ira Hayes, the American Indian who was one of the Marines
present at the flag raising
on Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
It is the story of the ordeal of Ira Hamilton Hayes, Pima Indian, one of six
U.S. Marines who planted the
American flag on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, in 1945. [RF]
*Note: Author William Bradford Huie claimed
infringement on the story about Marine hero Ira Hayes.
1.20 Sunday Showcase: HOLLYWOOD SINGS
03Apr1960 NBC
Producer Robert Saudek
written by Lucille Kallen
Hosted by Boris Karloff
starring
Tammy Grimes
Eddie Albert
Franz Allers
Synopsis:
Boris Karloff sets the tone of the proceedings by casting an amused, if rather
jaundiced eye, on Hollywood
of the '20s. Starting with a spoof of the silent films, Tammy and her "consort"
Eddie Albert progress
chronologically, if not musically, from "Toot Toot Tootsie" via early Gershwin,
to "Gigi."
[--] Our American Heritage #6: Millionaire's Mite
10Apr1960
1.21 Sunday Showcase: EASTER
17Apr1960
Narrator Victor Jory
starring
Elaine Malbin
The Utah Symphony Orchestra
The Virginia Tanner Dancers
The University of Utah's Corps de Ballet and Mixed Chorus
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
[--] Sunday Showcase:
24Apr1960
pre-empted for "Overture to a Royal Wedding".
1.22 Sunday Showcase: THE FRANCES LANGFORD SHOW
01May1960
Producer Frank Tashlin (Frances' husband)
Hostess Frances Langford
starring
Johnny Mathis
Mary Costa
Don Ameche
Hermione Gingold
Bob Cummings
The Three Stooges
The Hermes Pan Dancers
Martin B. McKneally, National Commander of the American Legion.
Highlights:
Mary Costa sings "Sempre Libera" from La Traviata and "Holiday For Strings".
Bob Cummings and Hermione Gingold duet with "I Remember It Well".
Frances and Bob team up on "Rockin' Chair".
A revival of the Bickersons with Don Ameche rejoining his old partner Frances.
Johnny and Frances sing "Skyliner".
Frances sings Irving Berlin's "Suppertime" and closes the show with "Ave Maria".
[--] Sunday Showcase
08May1960
"Music on Ice" summer series debuts in the Sunday Showcase timeslot.
1.23 Breck Showcase: ROUGHING IT
13May1960 NBC Fri
Producer Robert Saudek
starring
James Daly ........... Mark Twain
Andrew Prine
Frances Heflin
George Mathews
Synopsis:
Based on Twain's volume of reminiscences of his years in the Nevada gold fields,
during the Gold Rush,
when he served for six years as an unpaid aide to his brother, Secretary of the
Nevada Territory. [RF]
*Note: James Daly replaced Hal Holbrook who was originally announced for the
role.
*Note: This program was postponed from an earlier date.
[--] Sunday Showcase: THE SACCO-VANZETTI STORY
(Part 1) (Nominated for an Emmy)
03-Jun-1960 rebroadcast date original airdate not known.
written by Reginald Rose (nominated for an Emmy)
directed by Sidney Lumet (nominated for an Emmy)
producer Alex March
executive producer Robert Alan Aurthur
narrated by Ben Grauer
starring
Martin Balsam ....... Nicola Sacco
Steven Hill ......... Bartolomeo Vanzetti (Emmy nominated)
Carroll O'Connor .... Frederick Katzman
E.G. Marshall ....... William Thompson
House Jameson ....... A. Lawrence Lowell
Stuart Germain ...... Judge Webster Thayer
Robert Emhardt ...... Governor Fuller
Tom Clancy .......... Will H. Daly
Harry Davis ......... Michael Levangie
Mary James .......... Mary Splaine
Royal Beal .......... Walter Ripley
Dan Morgan .......... Captain Proctor
Wiley Hancock ....... John Vaney
Anne Hegira ......... Lola Andrews
Tom Carlin .......... Gardner Jackson
Ben Yaffee .......... C.A. Barr
Rex Everhart ........ Officer Le Baron
John C. Becher ...... Chief Stewart
Frank Campanella .... Prison Guard
Dana Elcar .......... Newspaperman
Charles Tyner ....... Clerk
Peter Falk ?
Synopsis:
The Sacco-Vanzetti case was an episode of the 1920's, but it stirred up a storm
of
controversy which still has not died. Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were
charged
with murdering a shoe-company paymaster and a payroll guard in South Braintree,
Massachusetts, in 1920. They were tried in Dedham, Mass., and convicted. [RF]
[--] Sunday Showcase: THE SACCO-VANZETTI STORY (Part 2)
10-Jun-1960 rebroadcast date original airdate not known.
written by Reginald Rose
directed by Sidney Lumet
producer Alex March
executive producer Robert Alan Aurthur
narrated by Ben Grauer
same as above
Synopsis:
The first half re-created the 1921 trial in Massachusetts - Sacco and Vanzetti
were convicted of murder. Now the events of the next six years are dramatized:
The case goes through a series of appeals, and the public outcry increases,
many claiming that the two men were convicted not on the basis of the evidence,
but because they were anarchists. [RF]
####### Sunday Showcase #######
########### the end ###########
###############################
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