The Classic TV Archive - US Comedy Series
I Married Joan (1952-55) Hot Off The Wire: The Jim Backus Show (1960-61)
The Jim Backus Show:
Hot Off The Wire (1960-61)
Episode Guide compiled by The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by:
Tom Alger, Jim Brent , Rina Fox
references:
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://us.imdb.com)
RayDic Production (Ray Singer, Dick Chevillat)
in association with
California National Productions, Inc.
for
First-Run Syndication
US comedy series 1960-61 39 episodes x 30 min bw
Starring
Jim Backus as John Michael "Mike" O'Toole
Nita Talbot as Dora Miles
with
Bobs Watson as Sidney, office boy
Premise:
Situation comedy starring Jim Backus as John Michael (Mike) O’Toole, editor and owner of a struggling news wire service,
perpetually striving to stave off bankruptcy
#### The Jim Backus Show: Hot Off The Wire ###
############### season 1960-61 ###############
##############################################
Syndicated Program Production Sequence NOT known
These are in order by the Los Angeles airdates (when available).
[01] The Jim Backus Show: THE MAD BOMBER (debut episode in most cities)
Synopsis 1:
A man infuriated by an article about himself, is determined to get even using one of his homemade bombs. [JB]
Synopsis 2:
A mystery bomber is incensed when he reads a psychological profile of himself by the Headline Press Service's "Dr. Hirnios."
[Lake Charles (Louisiana) American Press][TA]
synopsis 3:
John Michael O'Toole tangles with New York's mystery bomber who arrives at the Headline Press. [Hartford Courant/TA]
Synopsis 4:
New York's "mad bomber" plants one of his devices in the office of Headline Press Service. [Palm Beach Post] [TA]
(Aired 06Oct1960 KFDM-TV Beaumont Thurs. 8pm)
(Aired 16Oct1960 9:30pm Channel 5 KSD St. Louis, Missouri)
(Aired 12Nov1960 WJW-8 Cleveland Sat. 10:30pm, premiere episode)
(Aired 01Nov1960 WGR-2 North Towanda newspaper)
(Aired 13Oct1960 Hartford Courant)
[02] The Jim Backus Show: THE PATRIOTS
25Oct1960 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm [LA Times]
Synopsis 1:
When a subscriber to Headline Press Service wants to cancel, O'Toole makes up a story about a revolution in a Latin
American country. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
To keep a subscriber from canceling his Headline Press service, O'Toole (Jim Backus) fakes a story about a revolution
in a Latin American country. Accidentally, O'Toole has stumbled on a big story when it turns out such a revolution
is actually in the works. [Galveston Daily News/TA]
(Aired 28Nov1960 KOIN-6 Portland, Oregon, Monday 7pm)
(Aired 01Dec1960 KPRC-2 Galveston, TX Thursday 9:30pm)
(Aired 17Jan1961 WBBM-2 Chicago, Tues 6:30pm)
(Aired 22Aug61 KLEW-3, Lewiston, Idaho, Tuesday 9:00pm)
[03] The Jim Backus Show: MIKE O'TOOLE, ANGLER
01Nov1960 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Guest cast:
Lewis Charles ........ "Fingers" Larkin
Synopsis 1:
Asked to write some articles that will raise funds for an orphanage, O'Toole hires "Fingers" Larkin to rob the orphanage safe. [TA/JB]
Synopsis 2:
A representative from an orphanage calls on Mike O'Toole (Backus) urging him to run a series of articles to raise funds
for a playground. [Troy NY Record] [TA]
Synopsis 3:
O'Toole plots robbery at orphanage to raise funds. [Long Beach newspaper] [TA]
Synopsis 4:
O'Toole hires a safe cracker to rob an orphanage in order to raise money for a new playground and make headlines for himself. [TA]
(Aired 20Oct1960 7:30pm ch. 6 Thurs. Troy NY Record)
(Aired 23Oct1960 ch. 5 Sunday 9:30pm, Alton IL newspaper)
(Aired 19Nov1960 WJW-8 Cleveland, Ohio Sat. 10:30pm)
(Aired 31Jan1961 WBBM-2, Chicago Tue 6:30pm)
(Aired 12Oct1961 WLWT-5, Cincinnati, Ohio, Thursday at 7pm) [TA]
(Aired 10Nov1960 10:00pm Channel 6 WJIM Lansing, Michigan) [JB]
[04] The Jim Backus Show: NO HELP WANTED
Synopsis 1:
O'Toole and Dora, mistaking actress Catherine Lyden for a poverty-stricken housekeeper, are determined to help her. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
O'Toole believes that a once famous actress is poverty stricken. [Chicago Tribune] [TA]
Synopsis 3:
Amused that O'Toole thinks she is a cleaning lady, a famous actress plays along with the gag up to a point. [TA]
Synopsis 4:
O'Toole arranges a charity affair at Madison Square Garden for a famous Broadway actress whom he thinks is broke.
[Cleveland Plain Dealer] [TA]
(Aired 12Nov1960 City? - listed in Alton, Illinois Evening Telegraph)
(Aired 02Dec1960 WAGA-5 Atlanta, Georgia Fri. 8pm)
(Aired 10Dec1960 WJW-8 Cleveland, Ohio Sat. 10:30pm)
(Aired 07Feb1961 WBBM-2, Chicago Tue 6:30pm)
(Aired 09Nov1961 WLWC-4, Columbus, Ohio, Thursday at 7:00pm)
[05] The Jim Backus Show: SOUTH HAMPTON STORY (aka "Southampton Story")
15Nov1960 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Synopsis 1:
O'Toole goes to get a story on an heiress. He gets more than a story - he gets engaged to her. [TA/JB]
Synopsis 2:
O'Toole sends Sidney to interview a glamorous heiress and her latest fiancee. [Beaver Country Times, 11Aug61 ch4, Fri 7:30pm] [TA]
Synopsis 3:
O'Toole sends an eager young reporter out to cover the arrival in town of a beautiful heiress. When the reporter is
unable to get a story, O'Toole takes the assignment himself and finds he is the new romantic interest of the heiress. [TA]
Synopsis 4:
Heiress has reporter beaten up but falls for O'Toole. [Long Beach newspaper] [TA]
(Aired 12Dec60 KOIN-6 Portland, Oregon, Monday 7pm)
(Aired 03Jan61 WTMJ Ch. 4 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 10:15pm) [JB]
(Aired 14Jan61 WHIO-7, Dayton, OH, Saturday 7:00pm) [TA]
(Aired 21Aug61 WSFA-12, Montgomery, AL, Monday 8:00pm) [TA]
[06] The Jim Backus Show: THE MARRY-GO-ROUND
Guest cast:
Charles Ruggles
Barbara Perry ......... Lollypop
Synopsis 1:
Charles Ruggles stars as a millionaire playboy who plans to wed a showgirl until exposed by editor O'Toole. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
O'Toole and Dora go to great lengths to get the story on a rich old man who plans to marry Lollypop, a young showgirl. [TA]
Synopsis 3:
When a multi-millionaire playboy is about to take a strip teaser for his twelfth bride, O'Toole coaxes Dora to pose
as a glamor-girl. Story takes an unexpected turn when the old boy falls in love with Dora. [TA]
[Beaver Country Times, PA, 8Sep1961, ch. 4]
(Aired 24Nov60 WRCV-3, Philadelphia, Thursday 7:00pm)
(Aired 23Sep61 WHIO-7, Dayton, OH, Saturday 7:00pm)
[07] The Jim Backus Show: THE NEPHEW
22Nov1960 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Synopsis 1:
An old lady dies and leaves her money to her cat. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
O'Toole searches for nephew of dead millionairess. [Long Beach newspaper]
(Aired 01Dec60 WRCV-3, Philadelphia, Thurs. 7:00pm)
--same episode?
O'Toole is rewarded with a five-pound box of money when he finds a missing heir.
(Aired 03Dec1960 WJW-8 Cleveland Sat. 10:30pm)
[08] The Jim Backus Show: BABY, COME HOME
29Nov1960 Los Angeles, Tue 7:30pm KNXT-2
Synopsis 1:
Jim almost bungles an exclusive angle on a kidnap case. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
O'Toole, desperately wants to get an exclusive on a kidnapping case. [JB]
Synopsis 3:
O'Toole babysits with kidnapped child. [Long Beach newspaper] [TA]
Synopsis 4:
Just when Backus is despairing of coming up with an exclusive angle on a baby kidnap case, he is presented with
the missing infant. But things aren't so simple with O'Toole and it takes Dora's ingenuity to get him off the hook.
[The Arizona Republic, Phoenix/TA]
(Aired 21Nov1960 7:00pm Channel 6 KOIN Portland, Oregon) [JB]
(Aired 23Dec1960 7:30pm Channel 4 WTAE Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) [JB]
(Aired 28Dec1960 KPHO-5 Phoenix, AZ Wed. 9pm)
(Aired 10Jan1961 WBBM-2 Chicago, Tues 6:30pm WBBM-2)
(Aired 21Mar1961 KVAL-13 Eugene, Oregon, Tuesday 8:00pm)
[09] The Jim Backus Show: FRAME-UP
06Dec1960 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Synopsis 1:
O'Toole has a sleuth investigate the case of a neighborhood policeman accused of beating up a boy. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
A teenager beaten up by a gang of juvenile delinquents is frightened into blaming a policeman for the crime. [Troy NY Record] [TA]
Synopsis 3:
O'Toole assigns Sidney, the office boy, to pose as an undercover teenager in order to prove the innocence of a policeman
accused of beating up a youth. [06Dec1960 Charleston Gazette, Charleston, WV] [TA]
Synopsis 4:
Juveniles frame policeman on attack charge. [Long Beach newspaper]
(Aired 07Nov1960 7pm ch. 6 Portland, The Oregonian)
(Aired 15Dec1960 on WRCV-3, Philadelphia, Thursday 7pm)
(Aired 27Dec1960 on WBBM-2 Chicago Tues 6:30pm)
[10] The Jim Backus Show: PAINTING CAPER
13Dec1960 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Synopsis 1:
Trying to impress a potential subscriber to Headline Press Service, O'Toole poses as an art expert. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
Art treasure hoax makes headlines. [Long Beach Independent Press-Telegram]
Synopsis 3:
O'Toole creates an art hoax in an effort to coax a Texas millionaire into becoming a subscriber of his news wire service.
[Los Angeles Times] [TA]
(Aired 29Jan61 on WROC-5, Rochester, NY, Sunday at 10:30pm)
[11] The Jim Backus Show: THE THREE SISTERS
guest cast: [RF]
Gladys Hurlbut .......... Hortense
Cheerio Meredith ........ Mathilda
Lillian Culver .......... Bernice
Synopsis 1:
Three little old ladies come to keep house for O'Toole. They turn his apartment into a bookie joint. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
Mike bails a sweet old lady out of jail on a shoplifting charge. In her gratitude she volunteers to work for O'Toole
without pay. [Los Angeles Times] [TA]
Synopsis 3:
O'Toole feels sorry for an old lady who is arrested for shoplifting and bails her out. Then she and her two sisters use
his apartment for a bookie joint and other nefarious activities. [Miami News][TA]
(Aired 16Dec1960 WAGA-5 Atlanta, Georgia Fri. 8pm)
(Aired 17Dec1960 WDAU-22, Scranton, Saturday at 10:30pm) [TA]
(Aired 24Dec1960 WJW-8 Cleveland Sat. 10:30pm)
(Aired 03Jan1961 WBBM-2 Chicago Tues 6:30pm WBBM-2)
(Aired 03Aug1961 WBZ-TV 4, Boston, Thursday at 7:00pm) [RF]
(Aired 17Aug1961 WCKT-7, Miami, The Miami News, Thursday 10:30pm)
[12] The Jim Backus Show: UNCLE CHESTER
20Dec1960 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Synopsis 1:
O’Toole's Uncle Chester comes to visit. But he’s a strain on his nephew’s nerves and budget. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
Bumptious uncle is no help in attempt to expose crooked building commissioner. [Long Beach newspaper] [TA]
(Aired 6Dec60 on KXTV-10 Sacramento, Calif., Tues. at 7:30pm)
(Aired 06Jan1961 WAGA-5 Atlanta, Georgia Fri. 8pm)
[13] The Jim Backus Show: CRIME A LA CARTE
27Dec1960 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Synopsis 1:
In order to get a scoop, O'Toole poses as stool pigeon with information about a fictitious crime. [TA/JB]
Synopsis 2:
O'Toole poses as stool pigeon and gets picked up by ganglord's men. [Long Beach newspaper] [TA]
Synopsis 3:
O'Toole is kidnaped by a notorious gangleader who believes the newsman may tip off police on the gang s robbery plans.
[Los Angeles Times] [TA]
(Aired 06Dec1960 Chicago Tues 6:30pm WBBM-2)
(Aired 19Jan1961 WLWT-5, Cincinnati, OH, Thur. 7:00pm) [TA]
[14] The Jim Backus Show: THE DESK
03Jan1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Starring:
Jim Backus (as Mike O'Toole), Nita Talbot (as Dora Miles)
with: Bobs Watson (as Sidney)
Guest Cast:
Arch Johnson ........... Patrolman Larson
William McLean ......... Dave
Jim Callahan ........... Lou
Herb Vigran ............ Pete
Larry Blake ............ Detective Forrest
John Harmon ............ Benedict
Robert B. Williams ..... Heartless Harry
Synopsis 1:
Police believe that David Benedict murdered his missing wife. Mike has a different idea. [TA]
(Canada: 03Feb61 CFTO-9, Agincourt, Ontario, Friday at 7:00pm)
Synopsis 2:
Hiding from the police after failing to deliver the key witness in a murder case, O'Toole accidentally locks himself
in his rolltop desk and is trapped there while the slaying turns out to be something else. [UK]
(UK airdate: 23Aug61 ITV A-R London, Wed 6:30pm)
Synopsis 3:
O'Toole hides fugitive for scoop, then hides himself in roll-top desk whose lock jams. [Long Beach newspaper] [TA]
Synopsis 4:
Newsman Mike O'Toole finds himself in trouble with the police for withholding evidence, and, while trying to avoid the
men in blue, gets himself accidentally locked inside a rolltop desk. [The Oregonian/TA]
(Aired 09Jan1961 KOIN-6 Portland, Oregon, Monday 7pm)
[15] The Jim Backus Show: PIANO PRODIGY
10Jan1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Synopsis 1:
The Headline Press Service jumps at the opportunity to do publicity for a child piano prodigy. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
When a publicity stunt backfires, O'Toole searches desperately for a youthful concert pianist in hopes the pianist can
get him out of a tough spot. [Los Angeles Times][TA]
Synopsis 3:
The Headline Press Service's publicity build-up of a French piano prodigy hits a snag, when he injures his hand while
playing football in Central Park. [The Oregonian][TA]
Synopsis 4:
Two child piano prodigies and two injured hands. [Long Beach newspaper]
(Aired 02Jan61 KOIN-6 Portland, Oregon, Monday 7pm)
(Aired 31Jan61 on WGR-2, Buffalo, NY, Tuesday at 7:00pm)
(Aired 31Jan61 on WICU-12, Erie, PA, Tuesday at 7:30pm)
[16] The Jim Backus Show: MIKE CHEATS A CHEATER
17Jan1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Synopsis 1:
O'Toole wants to expose a phony drama teacher, so he poses as a millionaire's son and enters the acting class. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
Mike O'Toole plans an expose of a phony drama teacher, but finds he gets little cooperation from his star-struck assistants.
[The Oregonian] [TA]
(Aired 16Jan1961 KOIN-6 Portland, Oregon, Monday 7pm)
(Aired 26Jan1961 WBZ-4, Boston, Mass, Thurs. 7:00pm)
[17] The Jim Backus Show: MEET MELVIN
24Jan1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Synopsis 1:
O'Toole isn't too receptive to Dora's request for a raise. [TA/JB]
Synopsis 2:
O'Toole's girl Friday Dora dreams up a heartbreaking love story in an effort to get a raise from her boss. [Los Angeles Times/TA]
Synopsis 3:
Dora invents fiance to land raise, then has to produce him. [Long Beach newspaper][TA]
(Aired 23Feb61 WLWT-5, Cincinnati, OH, Thur. 7:00pm)[TA]
[18] The Jim Backus Show: THE WOMAN'S TOUCH
31Jan1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Synopsis 1:
"The Woman's Touch" results in some changes around the office. Dora (Nita Talbot) takes over operations for a week
and hires a new sales manager - with a winning personality but a very questionable background. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
Dora runs things for a week, and hires new sales manager. [Long Beach newspaper]
(Aired 13Feb1961 WBBM-2, Chicago, Ill. Tuesday 6:30pm)
[19] The Jim Backus Show: SIDNEY’S SCOOP
07Feb1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Synopsis 1:
Mike’s office boy writes a story that may well put the Globe out of business. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
An office boy finally gets a chance to become a reporter but fouls things up by writing a phony story. [Los Angeles Times/TA]
(Aired 4Apr61 on WCYB-5, Bristol, Virginia, Tuesday at 6:45pm)
[20] The Jim Backus Show: THE HYPNOTIST
14Feb1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Guest cast:
Patric Knowles ............ Lucifer Ferris
Synopsis 1:
O’Toole discovers that Lucifer Ferris, Doctor of Hypnotic Science, is really a con man. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
Post-hypnotic suggestion, makes difficult job of trapping blackmailing hypnotist. [Long Beach newspaper] [TA]
(Aired 5Sep61 on WIBW-13, Topeka, Kansas, Tuesday at 8:00pm)
(Aired 14Sep61 on WTIC-3, Hartford, Connecticut, Thursday 7pm)
[21] The Jim Backus Show: ONCE UPON A MOOSE
21Feb1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Guest cast:
Pat Buttram ........... Barnaby Bates
Synopsis 1:
Mike and Nora try to prove that a man accused of murder is really innocent. [TA/JB]
Synopsis 2:
O'Toole and Dora journey to a small town In West Virginia In an attempt to find a convicted murderer innocent of a crime.
[Los Angeles Times] [TA]
Synopsis 3:
Evidence to free convicted murderer is bullet in nose of stuffed moose head. Pat Buttram plays four roles.
[Long Beach newspaper] [TA]
(Aired 27Apr61 on WFIE-14 Evansville, Wednesday at 9:30pm) [TA]
[22] The Jim Backus Show: PINKMALION
28Feb1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Guest cast:
Jim Callahan
Willis Bouchey
Synopsis 1:
Mike is refused an interview with a famous actress, so he decides to create a movie star of his own. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
O'Toole invents a new starlet named Pink Larsen. It doesn't take him long to build her up to be the most sought after
star in the world. The trouble starts when he has to produce her. [TA]
(Aired 14Mar1961 on KVAL-13 Eugene, Oregon, Tuesday 8:00pm)
(Aired 02Mar1961 KLXY-4 Thurs 8pm, Spokane, Washington)
[23] The Jim Backus Show: WHEN A BODY MEETS A BODY
07Mar1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Synopsis 1:
Mike may have a scoop: There’s a dead man lying in the back room of a barbershop, and the police have not been notified. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
On a tip from a newsboy, Mike learns that a man has been murdered and lies in the back room of a barbershop.
[Lakeland Ledger] [TA]
Synopsis 3:
O'Toole rushes out to check a murder story and then finds there is no body. [Los Angeles Times] [TA]
Synopsis 4:
"Dead" gambler demands his wallet back. [Long Beach newspaper] [TA]
(Aired 03Apr1961, Tampa, Fla. Mon 7:30pm WTVT, ch. 13)
(Aired 06Apr1961 WLOS-13 Asheville, North Carolina, Thursdays at 10:30pm)
[24] The Jim Backus Show: ARABIAN NIGHT
14Mar1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Guest cast:
Dan Seymour
John Abbott
Synopsis 1:
O'Toole uses Dora as bait to get an interview with an Arabian prince. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
Dora is assigned to interview an Arabian Prince who has 38 wives. One look at Nita and the old boy decides to try for 39.
[Los Angeles Times] [TA]
Synopsis 3:
Arabian prince eyes Dora (Nita Talbot) as harem mate. [Long Beach Independent Press-Telegram][TA]
Synopsis 4:
O'Toole sends his assistant to interview an important potentate. O'Toole is then offered three camels and two harem girls
in exchange for his lovely assistant. [Spokane Spokesman-Review][TA]
(Aired 28Mar1961 KVAL-13 Eugene, Oregon, Tuesday 8:00pm)
(Aired 23Mar1961 WBX-4 Boston, Mass., Thursday 7:00pm)
(Aired 23Mar1961 KLXY-4 Spokane, Washington, Thurs 8pm)
[25] The Jim Backus Show: OLD ARMY GAME
21Mar1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Guest Cast:
Maurice Gosfield ......... Dillingham
Robin Raymond ............ Trudy
Sellete Cole ............. Millie
Synopsis 1:
Private "Dilly" Dillingham asks Mike to help him break up a gang that specializes in mugging soldiers. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
O'Toole dons his old Army uniform to join his buddy (Maurice Gosfield) in exposing a group of racketeers who are
preying on unsuspecting soldiers on leave. [TA]
(Aired 20Apr61 on WLWT-5, Cincinnati, OH, Thur. 7:00pm)
(Aired 23Jan62 on WTMJ-4 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Tues. 10:15pm)
[--] 28Mar1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm - Pre-empted for an Ohrbach's Fashion Show.
[26] The Jim Backus Show: THE FIX
04Apr1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Guest cast:
Ben Weldon ........ Little Augie
Synopsis 1:
In order to get the goods on Little Augie, a crook who has been fixing fights, Mike gets Sydney to pose as a boxer. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
Fight-fixer rigs matches, so Sydney poses as boxer to get the goods on him. [Long Beach Independent Press-Telegram] [TA]
Synopsis 3:
With Sidney pretending he is a prize fighter, Mike fixes a fight fixer who has been cashing in on rigged fights.
[22Apr1961 Beaver Country Times][TA]
(Aired 29Apr61 on WHIO-7, Dayton, Ohio, Saturday at 7:00pm)
(Aired 31Jan62 on WTMJ-4, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Tuesday 10:15pm)
[27] The Jim Backus Show: SAD SACK SANTA
11Apr1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Guest cast:
J. Pat O'Malley .......... Santa
Synopsis 1:
Mike finds a "Sad Sack Santa" sitting on a rooming-hours stoop, he's in his Santa suit in the middle of summer
- out of a job since Christmas. [TA/JB]
Synopsis 2:
Mike's attempts to help an unemployed department store Santa Claus lead to the unhappy feeling that he has been duped.
[Miami News][TA]
(Aired 16Mar1961 WCKT-7, Miami Thursday 10:30pm)
(Aired 3Apr61 on WBTV-3, Charlotte, North Carolina, Monday 7:00pm) [TA]
(aired 4May61 on WLWT-5, Cincinnati, Ohio, Thursday 6:30pm)[TA]
[28] The Jim Backus Show: THE PLANT
18Apr1961 LA KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm (postponed from 11Apr1961?)
Synopsis 1:
O'Toole baits a trap for the rival news service which has been stealing his exclusive stories. [Los Angeles Times][TA]
Synopsis 2:
Leslie Parrish guests as beauty planted in city room by rival service. [Long Beach newspaper] [TA]
Synopsis 3:
With Dora disguised as a defecting Russian girl-pilot, O'Toole baits a trap for the rival news service which has been
tapping his "exclusives." [The Oregonian/TA]
(10Apr1961 KOIN-6, Portland, Oregon, Monday 7pm/The Oregonian newspaper)
Note: The next two synopses seem to describe a different episode. However, the title and the 10Apr1961 Portland airdates
(from a newspaper & TV Guide) match up:
Synopsis 4:
Members of Mike's staff demand a raise. [TA]
Synopsis 5:
Mike’s staff demand a raise. Somehow they just don’t go for his compromise: retirement benefits at the age of 96.
(Aired 10Apr61 on KOIN-6, Portland, Oregon, Monday 7pm /TV Guide)
(Aired 13Feb62 on WTMJ-4, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Tuesday 10:15pm)
[29] The Jim Backus Show: THE TEMPORARY SCOUNDREL
25Apr1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Guest cast:
Rolfe Sedan
Synopsis 1:
Mike makes a deal to change places for a day with Manuel Belmonte, millionaire and man about town. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
O'Toole exchanges places with his lookalike, an Argentine millionaire. [Palm Beach Post/TA]
Synopsis 3:
O'Toole changes places with The World's Greatest Lover and almost gets shot in the process. [Los Angeles Times]
(Aired 17Apr1961 on KOIN-6, Portland, Oregon, Monday at 7:00pm)
(Aired 06Apr1961 on WCKT-7, Miami Thursday 10:30pm)
[30] The Jim Backus Show: FLOUNDERED IN FLORIDA
02May1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Starring: Jim Backus, Nita Talbot, with: Bobs Watson
Guest Cast:
Milton Frome .......... Irving Rudolph
Vivi Janiss ........... Mrs. Rudolph
Arlene Hunter ......... Angela
Alan Carney ........... Hogan
Olan Soule ............ Elmo
Alan Davis ............ Harold
Synopsis 1:
The bathing suit manufacturers are having a convention in Miami. Mike O'Toole, Headline Press Service editor lands
the job of handling the publicity for Sally's bathing suits. He appoints cub reporter Sidney and they fly off for
Florida in grand style - heading straight for trouble. [UK]
(UK airdate: 13Sep61 Associated-Rediffusion, London, Wed 6:15pm)
Synopsis 2:
O'Toole and Sidney land a publicity job with a bathing suit company. [Los Angeles Times/TA]
Synopsis 3:
Sidney is fleeced of his expense money by Miami doll. [Long Beach newspaper/TA]
[31] The Jim Backus Show: DEAR MINNIE
09May1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Guest cast:
ZaSu Pitts ........... Minnie
Hanley Stafford ...... Chester
Synopsis 1:
Minnie Morgan writes a lonely-hearts column. But from the looks of her muddled life, she doesn't follow her own advice. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
O'Toole hires leading lovelorn columnist (Zasu Pitts). [Long Beach newspaper]
Synopsis 3:
O'Toole discovers an advice-to-the-lovelorn columnist has her own domestic problems. [Los Angeles Times]
Synopsis 4:
Mike hires the country's leading advice to the lovelorn columnist. When he finds she has her own bundle of domestic
problems, Mike comes up with a solution. [May 27, 1961 Beaver Country Times]
(Aired 11May61 WBZ-4, Boston, Mass, Thurs. 7:00pm)
(Aired 03Jun61 WHIO-7, Dayton, OH, Saturday 7:00pm)
[32] The Jim Backus Show: IN THE ROUGH
16May1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Guest Cast:
Henny Backus (Jim Backus' wife) (as Henrietta Updyke)
Synopsis 1:
Wealthy Henrietta Updyke goes on an African safari and discovers a golfer she thinks will revolutionize the links
- a gorilla named Arnold King. Golfer Jimmy Demaret appears as himself. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
O'Toole bets his all on a golfing gorilla matched against Jimmy Demaret. [Long Beach newspaper] [TA]
Synopsis 3:
O'Toole's former girl friend comes up with a news gimmick: a gorilla that can hit a golf ball. [Los Angeles Times/TA]
(Aired 09Jun61 on WAGA-5, Atlanta, Georgia, Friday 8:00pm)
(Aired 10Jun61 on WHIO-7, Dayton, OH, Saturday 7:00pm)
[33] The Jim Backus Show: DORA'S VACATION
23May1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Guest cast:
Yvonne Craig ........ Debbie
Robert Burton ....... Mr. Duffield
Synopsis 1:
When Dora insists upon taking her long overdue vacation, Mike hires a giddy teenager to take her place. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
Teenage daughter of important client fills in for vacationing Dora. [Long Beach newspaper][TA]
(Aired 25May61 on WBZ-4, Boston, Mass., Thursday 7:00pm)
(Aired 15Jun61 on WLWT-5, Cincinnati, OH, Thur. 7:00pm)
[34] The Jim Backus Show: THE BIRTHDAY BOY
30May1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Synopsis 1:
A party isn't the only surprise that Mike gets on his birthday - a pair of black eyes also marks the occasion. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
O'Toole turns up at the wrong birthday party and the only present he gets Is a black eye for being a party crasher.
[Los Angeles Times/TA]
(Aired 22Jun61 on WLWT-5, Cincinnati, OH, Thurs. 7:00pm)
[--] 06Jun1961 Los Angeles - pre-empted for coverage of the President's trip to Europe and his return.
(KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm, Los Angeles Times).
[35] The Jim Backus Show: WAR BRIDE
13Jun1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Guest cast:
Phyllis Avery
Alex Dunand ......... Apache
Synopsis 1:
Jean Reilly, a "War Bride" on the trail of her missing husband, tracks Mike down and insists he is the man. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
O'Toole is mistaken for the long-lost husband of an attractive ex-WAC. [Los Angeles Times/TA]
Synopsis 3:
Phyllis Avery guests as former WAC who claims O'Toole is her long-lost husband. [Long Beach newspaper] [TA]
(Aired 4Dec61 on WEEK-43, Peoria, Illinois, Monday 6:30pm)
[36] The Jim Backus Show: THE TEXAS TYCOON
20Jun1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Synopsis 1:
Mike wants to bag Texas millionaire Handy Cameron as a financial backer. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
O'Toole uses Dora as bait to trap Texas millionaire. [Long Beach newspaper] [TA]
Synopsis 3:
Mike tries to talk a Texas tycoon into backing him. However, he falls in love with Dora and decides to return to
Texas with her. [Miami News/TA]
(Aired 01Jul1961 on WCKT-7 Miami, Miami News)
(Aired 6Jan62 on WJW-8, Cleveland, Ohio, Tuesday 9:30pm)
[37] The Jim Backus Show: GIFT FOR GRANDMA
27Jun1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Guest cast:
Cheerio Meredith ........ Sidney's grandmother
Synopsis 1:
Mike and Sidney buy a present for grandma, a hot necklace. [JB]
Synopsis 2:
Editor Mike O'Toole and his office boy Sidney set out to buy the latter's grandmother a birthday gift.
[25Jun1961 Hartford Courant][TA]
Synopsis 3:
Sidney sets out to buy his grandmother a birthday gift but in the process gets tangled up with a stolen necklace.[TA]
Synopsis 4:
Cheerio Meredith is featured as O'Toole's grandmother, whose gift gets the whole staff arrested.
[Long Beach newspaper] [TA]
[38] The Jim Backus Show:
04Jul1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Synopsis:
O'Toole finds himself in need of a wife and son if he is to collect a $10,0000 legacy. [Los Angeles Times] [TA]
--probably the same episode:
[38] The Jim Backus Show: O'TOOLE AND SON [UCLA]
c1960 Syndicated program.
a California National presentation
Produced by Ray Singer, Dick Chevillat
Written by Elon Packard, Stanley Davis.
Directed by Christian Nyby
director of photography, Paul Ivano
film editor
music by David Rose.
Guest Cast:
Robert B. Williams,
Ellen Corby,
Minerva Urecal,
Damien O'Flynn.
Synopsis 1:
"Newspaper editor Mike O'Toole (Backus) is to receive 100,000 dollars as stipulated in his uncle's will, only on the
condition that he have an heir to carry on the family name. The problem: no heir" [UCLA]
Synopsis 2:
To qualify as an heir for a fortune, Mike decides to adopt a son - his office boy!. [TA]
(Aired 31Jul61 WJAC-6, Johnstown, PA, Monday 7:00pm)
(Aired 07Aug61 WSFA-12, Montgomery, AL, Monday 8:00pm)
[39] The Jim Backus Show: FAREWELL TO DORA
11Jul1961 Los Angeles KNXT-2 Tue 7:30pm
Synopsis 1:
Dora's decided to accept a better job. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
O'Toole tries to change Dora's mind about leaving her job for a better one. [Los Angeles Times/TA]
Synopsis 3:
O'Toole pulls trick to keep Dora from quitting for a better job. [Pasadena Independent Star-News/TA]
(Aired 30Jun61 on WAFA-5, Atlanta, Georgia, Friday 8:00pm)
#### The Jim Backus Show: Hot Off The Wire ###
######## WGA Writers Guild of America ########
##############################################
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) list the following episodes.
The first 7 are dated 1960 and are possibly amongst the first 7 episodes produced.
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) *PIANO PRODIGY 1960
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) *WOMAN'S TOUCH 1960
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) NO HELP WANTED 1960
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) THE MARRY GO ROUND 1960
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) THE NEPHEW 1960
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) THE PATRIOT 1960
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) THREE SISTERS 1960
-----------------------------------------------------
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) *MINNIE MORGAN 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) ARABIAN NIGHTS 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) BABY COME HOME 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) BIRTHDAY BOY 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) CRIME ALA CARTE 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) DORA'S VACATION 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) FAREWELL TO DORA 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) FLOUNDERED IN FLORIDA 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) FRAME UP 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) GIFT FOR GRANDMA 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) IN THE ROUGH 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) MAD BOMBER 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) MEET MELVIN 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) MIKE CHEATS A CHEATER 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) OLD ARMY GAME 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) ONCE UPON A MOOSE 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) O'TOOLE & SON 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) PINKMALIAN 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) SAD SACK SANTA 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) SIDNEY'S SCOOP 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) SOUTHAMPTON STORY 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) TEMPORARY SCOUNDREL 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) TEXAS TYCOON 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) THE DESK 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) THE FIX 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) UNCLE CHESTER 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) WAR BRIDE 1961
JIM BACKUS SHOW-(CALIF. NATNL) WHEN A BODY MEETS A BODY 1961
THE JIM BACKUS SHOW -(NBC) THE HYPNOTIST 1961
THE JIM BACKUS SHOW -(NBC) THE PLANT 1961
#### The Jim Backus Show: Hot Off The Wire ###
################# the end ##################
##############################################
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