first-run syndication TV (in US)
there weren't just 3 channels, there was also this oddball assortment of adventure, comix, toones, talk & game shows. Missing The Passerby (1951-1956)
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- An animated series about a preteen Native American boy. Pow Wow struggled to protect the forest and its wildlife from threats, and regularly tried to rescue injured animals. He took advise from his mentor, a wise medicine man.
- StarsDuncan RenaldoLeo CarrilloTroy MeltonThe Cisco Kid rides through the American frontier with his sidekick, Pancho, fighting corruption with a blend of pride and humor that created a legend in the hearts of generations of television viewers.
- CreatorAlexander AndersonJay WardStarsVern LoudenRoy WhaleyRuss CoughlanThe humorous adventures of the heroic Crusader Rabbit, and his sidekick Rags the Tiger.
- StarsRalph ByrdJoe DevlinWilliam WoodsonIntrepid detective Dick Tracy tangles with a bizarre rogue's gallery of villains. But as always our stoic officer of the law, virtuous to a fault, proves himself up to the task of putting the criminals behind bars.
- StarsKent TaylorLois CollierFrank OrthBlackie and gal pal Mary, and their dog Whitey, solve lots of Los Angeles crimes before the cops can do it.
- StarsJack LaLanneRuby HandlerJack LaLanne shows the audience his "trimnastics" and other ways to get in better shape.
- StarsGeorge ReevesNoel NeillJack LarsonThe Man of Steel fights crime with help from his friends at the "Daily Planet."
- StarsBud AbbottLou CostelloSid FieldsBud and Lou are unemployed actors living in Mr. Fields' boarding house. Lou's girlfriend Hillary lives across the hall. Any premise would lead to slapstick, puns, lots of gimmicks from their movies.
- CreatorRuth WoodmanStarsStanley AndrewsRobert TaylorRonald ReaganWestern stories and legends based, and filmed, in and around Death Valley, California. One of the longest-running Western series, originating on radio in the 1930s. The continuing sponsor was "20 Mule Team" Borax, a product formerly mined in Death Valley.
- StarsBetty WhiteDel MooreJack NarzThe day-to-day events in the lives of a newly-married couple. Each episode consists of three short, unrelated sketches in which characters often break the imaginary fourth wall.
- StarsJon HallRay MontgomeryNick StewartMissionaries' kid Tom Reynolds returns to the jungle as a doctor where he treats natives ("Ramar" means "White Medicine Man") and takes care of bad guys, aided by Prof. Ogden.
- StarsRussell HaydenJackie CooganPhil ArnoldPat Gallagher and his sidekick Stoney Crockett are Secret Service agents in the Old West, dispatched by the government to investigate crimes threatening the young nation.
- StarsLiberaceGordon RobinsonJoan O'BrienLiberace wanted his own show where he could control his presentation as he did with his club shows. This series was a smash hit.
- StarsSylvia SidneyEdward Everett HortonMelville CooperThis syndicated show presented adaptations of Broadway shows.
- StarsHerbert MarshallPaul GuilfoyleDavid ColmansHerbert Marshall hosted this anthology series of fast paced thirty minute dramas. It was also known as "Times Square Playhouse."
- StarsDan DuryeaDouglass DumbrilleMyrna DellCon artist and private eye China Smith works out of a bar in Singapore, roaming Asia in search of beautiful women (who like his tough style) and quick money. His nemeses are the friendly British Inspector and the scheming "empress."
- StarsJohnny CashLuther PerkinsMarshall GrantAn hourly country & western variety music and barn dance show, originating from Los Angeles and featuring live performances from many of the top country performers of the 1950's.
- StarsSally Claster GelbardMolly McCloskeyBruce Edward HallA 1953 -1994 children's T.V. show that used hosts, puppets, games, music, short cartoons, and educational segments to teach a variety of subjects to preschool children.
- StarsRichard CarlsonJohn ZarembaVirginia StefanHerbert Philbrick's covert life as an FBI spy within the Communist underground, his dual existence fraught with constant peril and the challenge of keeping his espionage activities hidden from family and friends.
- StarsAdolphe MenjouJohn HamiltonDan WhiteTV comedy anthology series
- StarsRonald HowardHoward Marion-CrawfordArchie DuncanThe adventures of master detective Sherlock Holmes as he and his assistant, Dr. Watson--and, somewhat reluctantly, the bumbling Inspector Lestrade--battle criminals in London.
- StarsSteve HollandIrene ChamplinJoseph NashSpace hero Flash Gordon and his crew of the Galaxy Bureau of Investigation patrol space, battling space monsters, power-mad alien dictators and other threats to the stability of the universe.
- CreatorJay DratlerStarsJoel AldrichTim GrahamJean ByronThis dramatic anthology series went into open syndication when the DuMont Television Network ceased operations.
- StarsPreston FosterDouglas DickLois MoranJohn Herrick was the Captain of the tug "Cheryl Ann" in Los Angeles harbor. His family consisted of wife May, Police Detective son Jim, and the crew of the tug, his son Carl, Tip, and Willie. Carl was engaged to Terry. The stories revolved around the family and various criminals encountered around the harbor.
- StarsDan DuryeaNestor PaivaKeith McConnellIn this syndicated series China Smith is an adventurer based in 1950's Singapore. He takes on an array jobs to earn money, from fleecing the deserving to doing investigative work. Hobson is the local lawmen while Shira the mysterious temptress.
- CreatorHam FisherStarsJoe Kirkwood Jr.Cathy DownsMaxie RosenbloomJoe Palooka is a mild mannered boxer who is in love with Anne and goes about life in a gentle way. This syndicated series was based on a narrative first popular as a comic book, then a radio show.
- CreatorEdward ByronPhillips LordStarsDavid BrianJackie LougheryStuart NeddBased on the popular radio show that lasted from 1939 through 1951. The initial TV version (1951-'52) was staged as a live bi-weekly series and rebooted in 1954. The District Attorney of Los Angeles 'protects' the people.
- StarsJimmy DeanThe Texas WildcatsPete CasselTown and Country Time was a syndicated music TV series produced in Washington D.C. Initially 52 episodes were filmed for syndication in 1954; based on the series' popularity, it became a daily program initially airing on local Washington, DC television in 1955 before being picked up in other media markets in 1956. The series featured what critics called "hillbilly music", which today we would consider country, bluegrass and western genres. The program gave Patsy Cline and Roy Clark, both local Virginia artists, their first television exposure.
- StarsPhilip Van ZandtRory MallinsonKing DonovanCops working hard to break criminal cases.
- StarsBroderick CrawfordArt GilmoreWilliam BoyettPowerful patrol cars, fast motorcycles, and superheterodyne two-way radios combine to fight crime on the rural highways of America's wide open spaces.
- StarsTruman BradleyMichael FoxMarshall ThompsonIn this science-fiction anthology series host Truman Bradley introduces stories extrapolated from actual scientific data available in the 1950's, concentrating on such concepts as space flight, UFO's and mental telepathy.
- StarsJohnny WeissmullerMartin HustonDean FredericksJungle Jim is a 26-episode syndicated adventure television series which aired from 1955 till 1956, starring Johnny Weissmuller, as James "Jungle Jim" Bradley, a hunter, guide, and explorer in, primarily, Africa.
- StarsRobert NewtonConnie GilchristKit TaylorSwashbuckling made for TVs episodes staring 'Legend' Robert newton as Long John Silver and argh 'Jim Larrd' as they face many new adventures......
- StarsIrish McCallaChristian DrakeNeal the ChimpThe adventures of a woman who grew up in the jungle as she protects the beasts and the natives while encountering white hunters, native Africans, wild animals and slave traders.
- StarsPat MeikleSonny FoxDavid OsmondIt was a children's variety show on every Sunday. It had a live children's audience and it was on Channel 5 in New York, which was WNEW, a local station before FOX. Sandy Becker was the first host. Then came Sonny Fox. After Sonny left, the last host was Bob McAllister. It had live guests and cartoons.
- StarsBuster CrabbeFuzzy KnightCullen CrabbeA captain in the French Foreign Legion in North Africa tries to keep the peace and battle bandit tribes while also taking care of his son, who lives with him at the Foreign Legion fort.
- CreatorRoy SteffensFriedrich SchillerStarsRoy SteffensBruce HaynesJack CahillFrom his secret laboratory, Captain Z-Ro and his associates use their time machine, the ZX-99, to learn from the past and plan for the future.
- StarsJohn HowardFrances MercerPhilip TongeBased on Lloyd C. Douglas's 1939 novel of the same title, the widowed Dr. Hudson lives with his daughter and housekeeper; he and his protege deal with a variety of medical (mostly psychological) traumas.
- StarsDouglas KennedyEddy WallerStephen BekassySteve Donovan is the law in Wyoming with Rusty Lee as his deputy in this syndicated series.
- StarsPatti PageFranklin PangbornGene NelsonA syndicated music series aired in a 15-minute time-slot. Later, the episodes were edited into half-hour (26 minute) installments.
- CreatorStan JonesMort BriskinStarsJohn BromfieldStan JonesRoy EngelWhile this sounds like a western, "The Sheriff of Cochise" was a contemporary police drama set in Cochise County, Arizona. Stories seemed strangely similar to "Highway Patrol," emphasizing fist fights and car chases rather than gunplay. Tough Sheriff Frank Morgan was eventually promoted to U.S. Marshall and given the entire state of Arizona to keep under control (the series title would subsequently change to U.S. MARSHAL and remain in syndication until 1960). Singer Stan Jones was the series creator but departed the show in 1958. A total of 156 episodes were produced under both titles.
- CreatorRobert D. BuchananJack SchlehStarsNoah TylerFrom their earth headquarters on Zero Zero Island, Colonel Bleep, Squeek and Scratch battle intergalactic villains such as Doctor Destructo, the master criminal of the universe, The Black Knight, and Captain Patch, a displaced pirate.
- CreatorRobert A. CinaderStarsJohn PickardDave WillockMichael HinnCaptain Shanks Adams is in charge of the real Ft. Lowell in this syndicated fictional series set in the dangerous Arizona territory, where Adams combats all sorts of trials assisted by his scout Luke Cummings and Lt. Binning.
- StarsMacdonald CareyJan ShepardJack HoganBased on several films released between 1939 and 1941 starring Jean Hersholt as Dr. Paul Christian, this series picks up with his retirement and as he turns his practice over to his nephew, Dr. Mark Christian.
- CreatorJay Richard KennedyStarsBarry SullivanByron KeithDon C. HarveyThe Man Called X was Agent Ken Thurston who took on dangerous cases in a variety of exotic locations. He was sent all around the world by the Intelligence Bureau to gather information and protect U.S interests. His code name is simply X.
- StarsGeorge VandemanJohn BradshawMark Finley"It Is Written" has been a staple on American television since premiering in 1956. The weekly program, currently hosted by John Bradshaw, applies timeless truths to everyday life, with many episodes dealing with issues such as loneliness, fear, low self-esteem and spiritual principles. With its straightforward, uplifting presentations, the program aims to inspire and encourage people of all faiths and creeds. Founded by George Vandeman, "It Is Written" was the first religious telecast to air in color.
- CreatorArt NapoleonJo NapoleonStarsKenneth TobeyCraig HillNancy HaleCharter helicopter pilots Chuck and P. T. solve crimes. Rescue people, perform tasks and more using their Bell helicopter, the star of the show;
- StarsMerry AndersBarbara EdenLori NelsonMotherly Mike, ditzy but sexy Loco, and sensible Greta move to the big city to find themselves wealthy men to turn into husbands. After the first year Greta gets married with Gwen the new roommate in this syndicated series.
- StarsWendell CoreyBill BaldwinCasey WaltersThe workings of the US Coast Guard Harbor Command.
- StarsRichard TravisEugene W. BiscailuzChristopher DarkCode 3 is an American crime drama that aired in syndication in 1957. The stories were all based on actual files of the Los Angeles sheriff's office. Stories were presented from the viewpoint of Assistant Sheriff George Barnett.
- CreatorPeter PackerStarsRex ReasonMort MillsHarry HarveyThe adventures of Adam MacLean, publisher and chief reporter for the "Yellowstone Sentinel" of Yellowstone, Wyoming in the late 19th century.
- StarsArt GilmoreMason Alan DinehartBill SwanAn anthology series about the happenings and experiences of midshipmen attending the US Naval Academy. Sometimes humorous as in kidnapping school mascots but more often the difficulties facing future officers.
- StarsVoltaire PerkinsBill WelshIan AbercrombieAn early example of reality-based courtroom drama, "Divorce Court" presented cases where divorcing couples presented their stories before Judge Voltaire Perkins, who always rendered his decision by the end of the program and resolved other divorce issues. Many cases involved accusations of cruelty, adultery, desertion, alcohol abuse and irreconcilable differences often with many strange twists and turns.
- StarsRalph BellamyKieron MooreEric PohlmannThe series adapted for television some true tales from press correspondents from around the world.
- StarsJim BrittDick DaneheJimmy DemaretThe host followed some of golf's top players, e.g., Sam Snead, Gene Littler, Arnold Palmer, et al., in annual two-man contests of 26 rounds of golf on ten courses.
- StarsJeffrey HunterDebra PagetJeffrey Hunter and Debra Paget alternated as the weekly hosts for this syndicated package of thirty-nine 20th Century-Fox features trimmed to a uniform 90-minute length.
- CreatorJames BuxbaumStarsLloyd BridgesKen DrakeCourtney BrownMike Nelson is a scuba diver in the days when it was still very new. He works alone, it was mostly carried through his voice-over narrations. These gave the show a flavor of a radio program.
- CreatorFriedrich SchillerStarsConrad PhillipsWilloughby GoddardJennifer JayneDepicts the legend of William Tell, who, as the stories say, shot an apple off of his son's head and lead the rebellion to free Switzerland.
- StarsRichard CarlsonArt GilmoreRiley HillColonel Mackenzie, commander of the 4th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Clark near Brackettville in Kinney County in southwest Texas during the 1870s, receives secret orders from President Ulysses S. Grant and Secretary of War William W. Belknap to stop bandits from crossing the Rio Grande into the United States, or from returning to Mexico.
- CreatorMort BriskinStarsJohn BromfieldJames GriffithRobert BrubakerUnited States Marshal (renamed from Sheriff of Cochise) is a crime drama set in Tuscon, Arizona about a U.S. Marshal fighting crime.
- StarsRobert BeattyJohn HowlettRichard BebbRobert Beatty stars as Detective Inspector Mike Maguire, a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman posted to New Scotland Yard, in this popular 1950s series depicting London's fight against crime.
- CreatorAlan LivingstonStarsLarry HarmonPaul FreesPenny PhilipsChildren's show. The adventures of Bozo the Clown.
- StarsAdolphe MenjouTroy MeltonCharles Davis"Target" was a 30-minute US television horror and suspense anthology series produced by Ziv Television Programs, Inc. for first-run syndication.
- StarsJoan GardnerDon MessickEd JanisSpanky is a normal little boy. Tadpole is a sentient teddy bear. Together they went to adventures around the world, from assisting the police in catching criminals to participating in human spaceflight and visiting the Moon.
- CreatorSidney SalkowStarsPatty Ann GerrityTommy FarrellPhyllis CoatesComedy adventures of pretty 9-year-old Alice Holliday growing up in the small American town of River Glen in Georgia.
- CreatorClark HaasStarsRichard CottingHal SmithMargaret KerryThe adventures of a pilot who takes on dangerous assignments.
- StarsMichael RennieJonathan HarrisNaomi ChanceHarry Lime makes money dealing art and solves crime to save his life.
- StarsDal McKennonThe adventures of red-haired Bucky and his Mexican friend Pepito in the American Southwest.
- StarsMark ScottArt PassarellaHank AaronA series of filmed home run contests between two sluggers of the late 1950s/early 1960s, one National Leaguer, one American Leaguer. The batters had to swing at every pitch in the strike zone. Any called strike or batted ball that did not go for a home run was an out. (Three outs per inning.) The batter with the most runs at the end of nine innings won $2000. The loser got $1000. As an added incentive, any batter who hit three home runs in a row got a $500 bonus. Each consecutive home run after the first three in a row was worth an additional $500. While one hitter was at bat, the other sat in the press box with host Mark Scott and talked about both his and the other hitter's career. Filmed at Wrigley Field--home of the Pacific Coast League Los Angeles Angels--where the power alleys were a generous 345 feet from home plate.
- StarsMacdonald CareyJohn DoucetteJoan GranvilleCases taken from the files and case histories of renowned Philadelphia defense attorney Herbert L. Maris.
- StarsMyron McCormickCathleen NesbittFrank ConroyThis syndicated anthology series staged a different play every week covering all genres, dramas, comedies, musicals, fantasies, mysteries, et al, utilizing some of the best talent appearing on Broadway.
- StarsMarshall ThompsonArthur FranzMarcia HendersonMarshal Thompson plays a secret agent who is approximately 6 inches tall. He's carried around from one mission to another in a briefcase with a small chair inside.
- StarsKeith AndesWilliam ConradWilliam WoodsonKeith Andes stars as an ex- military man hired on to root out corruption in the police department in an unnamed U.S. city.
- StarsPaul StewartEdward HolmesClement FowlerDeadline is a 1959-1961 American television drama series that re-enacted famous newspaper stories from the past. Hosted and narrated by Paul Stewart, the syndicated series was produced by Arnold Perl. Guest stars included Peter Falk, Diane Ladd, Robert Lansing, and George Maharis. Thirty-nine 30-minute episodes were produced.
- StarsRichard WebbRico AlanizJohn IndrisanoDon Jagger is a Border Patrol deputy chief who is a troubleshooter from to various locations. His assignments take him from the Florida Everglades to Washington logging camps in this syndicated series.
- StarsDane ClarkJoan MarshallBernie GozierAn adventurer and his pretty young ward live in a house boat in Trinidad.
- StarsMantovani Orchestra and ChorusJohn ConteMantovani39 episodes of this syndicated show were produced in 1958 and 1959 and released in January 1959. The show featured Mantovani and his 46-piece orchestra playing old musical favorites.
- StarsJack MercerMae QuestelJackson BeckThe continuing animated adventures of Olive Oyl, Wimpy, Swee'pea and Popeye.
- CreatorStephen BosustowStarsBenny RubinDaws ButlerJim BackusThe adventures of a visually impaired old man.
- StarsHal SmithDick BealsNorma MacMillanA young boy and his talking dog learn lessons about life.
- StarsEllwood KieserPat McGeehanEfrem Zimbalist Jr.This American Roman Catholic religious-themed anthology sheds light on the contemporary search for meaning, freedom, and love.
- CreatorBob KaneStarsDal McKennonJohnny HolidayWhile best known as the creator of Batman, around 1960, Bob Kane created the animated series, Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse - as parody of Batman. This series explored the more campy aspects of the Batman TV series which followed several years later.
- CreatorMichael NoonanMichael PlantStarsPeter GravesTony WickertRobert TudawaliThe story of American Christopher Cobb and his foundation of Australia's first coach-line, which he established in the colony of New South Wales, Australia.
- StarsDal McKennonHush assisted Police Chief Muldoon in jailing criminals by transforming himself into a cigar smoking shadow named Quincy, who operated independently in tracking down clues. Featured criminals included the Scavenger Hill Mob, Yo Yo, Ping Pong, Baffles, Al Cologne, Professor Zappo, and One Ton.
- CreatorJohn AbernathyLeo GordonStarsJean Blake FlemingRick JasonWalter ReedRobin Scott is a wealthy, Oxford-educated freelance insurance investigator, skilled in karate and judo, who travels all over the world investigating claims made against insurance companies, while trying to avoid the machinations of his wealthy girlfriend to get him to the altar.
- StarsJohn ConteBurt DouglasKarl SwensonA syndicated anthology series adapted from stories published in the Saturday Evening Post magazine.
- The Nutty Squirrels present cartoons from around the world.
- CreatorVirginia Winslow Hopper MathewsStarsJackie RobinsonRachel RobinsonDavid RobinsonFamous people read favorite literary selections aloud to a small group of children, often relatives of the reader. In 1960, Virginia Winslow Hopper Mathews created the children's TV series Reading Out Loud with Westinghouse Broadcasting executive Mike Santangelo. Produced by Westinghouse for syndication, the show featured notable figures reading aloud their favorite books, speeches and literature to children, including Jacking Robinson discussing and reading The Gettysburg Address to his family, broadcast May 1, 1960 . It debuted February 7, 1960 on the five TV stations owned by Westinghouse in Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco. READING OUT LOUD also opened on WNTA-TV, prior it becoming a Public Television Station (WNET-TV) in New York City and 46 educational TV stations around the U.S. It ran as a half-hour show for 15 episodes.
- CreatorWalter R. BrooksSonia ChernusWalter BrooksStarsAllan LaneAlan YoungConnie HinesThe misadventures of a wisecracking talking horse and his human owner.only syndicated in first season (spring 1961), then picked up by CBS.
- StarsMike DouglasEllie FrankelEllie Frankel SextetMike Douglas, aided by a different celebrity co-host every week, interviews a variety of figures from the world of entertainment.
- StarsJerry HausnerBenny RubinMel BlancCartoon series produced by UPA, in which Dick Tracy (voiced by the distinguished film and stage actor Everett Sloane) played more or less of an incidental role. Most of the crime fighting was left to his assistants, all originals created for the series: Hemlock Holmes (an English bulldog who talked like Cary Grant), the calorically challenged beat cop Heap O'Calorie (who talked like Andy Devine), and the offensively (today) stereotyped Latino and Asian characters Go-Go Gomez and Joe Jitsu, respectively. Most of the familiar Tracy villains from the comic strip (Flattop, Mumbles, Pruneface, etc.) were featured here, as well. In addition to Sloane, such talented voice persons and character actors as Benny Rubin, Paul Frees, and Mel Blanc handled much of the voice-work for this series.
- CreatorHarry Redmond Jr.StarsLarry PennellKen CurtisShug FisherA skydiver and a pilot, on their private airplane, are placed in unusual situations where their special skills and abilities are needed, leading them on exciting adventures from chasing dangerous criminals to performing difficult rescues.
- CreatorRaymond R. StuartThis syndicated series used still pictures and narration to chronicle the careers of motion picture performers, directors, and producers.
- StarsRon HayesGordon CasellSteve BrodieIn this syndicated series, Lincoln Vail was a local law enforcement official patrolling the wilderness area in his airboat. He had frequent dealings with the local Seminoles and worked diligently to protect the wildlife.
- StarsPorter WagonerSpeck RhodesMack MagahaPorter Wagoner's long-running musical variety show that launched the career of Dolly Parton.