Kraft Mystery Theatre (NBC)(Summer 1961, 62, 63)
Episode Guide compiled by The Classic TV Archive

http://ctva.biz/index.htm

with contributions by:

Rina Fox

 references:

Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)

Internet Movie Database (http://us.imdb.com)

UCLA Film and Television Archive
 

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KRAFT MYSTERY THEATRE

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Summer 1961 episodes:

filmed in England

 (UK theatrical second features, edited for TV)

*

Summer 1962 episodes:

filmed at Desilu Studios, Hollywood, USA

(some originals, others

   previously aired on "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse" 1958-60)

*

Summer 1963 episodes:

filmed at Revue Studios, Hollywood, USA

(some previously aired on "Alcoa Playhouse" from 1961-63)

for

NBC (Wednesdays 9:00pm EST))(14Jun61-27Sep61)

NBC (Wednesdays 9:00pm EST)(13Jun62-26Sep62)

NBC (Wednesdays 9:00pm EST)(19Jun63-25Sep63)

Producer Alex March

US Anthology series  Summer 1961-1962-1963      ?eps x 60min       

Hosted by Frank Gallop

Directors Included:

 Paul Bogart, Michael Dreyfuss, Jack Klugman, David Greene

"Kraft Mystery Theatre" theme

  composed by  Johnny  Williams (for Revue Studios)

 

(Another series titled Kraft Mystery Theater  aired on NBC from during the Summer of 1958)

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  NBC (Wednesdays 9:00pm EST))(14Jun61-27Sep61)

    Filmed in England

 (UK theatrical second features, edited for TV)

     Hosted by Frank Gallop 

Summer Replacement for "The Perry Como Show"
 

 

*Note: Last show of the series, format changes Desilu Studios in Hollywood.

 

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   NBC (Wednesdays 9:00pm EST)(16 episodes)(13Jun62-26Sep62)
Desilu Studios, Hollywood
(some originals, others previously aired on Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (1958-60)

Summer Replacement for "The Perry Como Show"

2.01 [17] Kraft Mystery Theatre: IN CLOSE PURSUIT
13Jun1962 NBC Wed
Producer Elliott Lewis
Teleplay by Norman Shields
Story by A.A. Roberts
Directed by Robert Altman
starring
Beverly Garland
William Windom
Jan Sterling
Dan Tobin
Maxine Stuart
Emile Meyer
John Milford
George Kennedy
Calvin Quillet
Synopsis:
A murderess of an alcoholic husband skillfully shifts the blame to the waitress he'd been secretyly meeting. [RF]
*NOTE: The premiere film drama of the 16-full hour dramas that will replace Perry Como during the summer and runs
until October 3rd.

2.02 [18] Kraft Mystery Theatre: DEATH OF A DREAM
20Jun1962 NBC Wed
Written by Paul Savage
story by N.Z. Shield
Directed by Robert Altman
starring
Robert Vaughn ..... Bill Gardner
Dianne Foster ..... Marge
Sherwood Price
Synopsis:
Marge Gardner and her little girl Ann have waited for her runaway husband, Bill only to learn on his return, that
he had become a thief. Criminals arrive and terrorize the family while searching for $120,000 in stolen money. [RF]

2.03 [19] Mystery Theater: PERILOUS
27Jun1962 NBC Wed
Adapted by William Templeton
Story by William C. White
Directed by Jerry Thorpe
Director of photography Robert De Grasse
Editor Edward A. Biery
starring
Joan Fontaine ...... Margaret Lewis
Maximilian Schell .. Hans
John Williams ...... Harry
Edit Angold ........ Frau Froelich
Fred Nurney ........ Dr. Brunner
Norbert Schiller ... Froelich
John Mylong
Mark Dana
Rudolph Anders
Charles deVries
James Forrest
Jennifer Raine
Henry Rowland
Synopsis:
The story is about a librarian whose job is a cover for activities in the anti-Nazi underground in Berlin. [RF]
*Originally aired on Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse 22Jun59.

2.04 [20] Kraft Mystery Theatre: DEAD ON NINE
04Jul1962 NBC Wed
Teleplay by William Templeton
Story by Jack Popplewell
Directed by William F. Claxton
starring
Louis Hayward
Signe Hasso
Audrey Dalton
Leo G. Carroll
Synopsis:
A couple who have tired of their marriage, have decided that murder is the quickest way to freedom. The man
shows his secretary how to use a gun. [RF]

2.05 [21] Kraft Mystery Theatre: TWO COUNTS OF MURDER
11Jul1962 NBC Wed
Producer Devery Freeman
Written by Henry Keukel
Directed by Robert Ellis Miller
starring
Raymond Massey .... Amos Claypool
David Janssen ..... Ross Ingraham
Whitney Blake ..... Amy Claypool
Robert Emhardt .... Ed Hoxey
William Allyn ..... Phillip Claypool
Lawrence Dobkin ... Dave Harris
James Bell ........ Alex
Irma Hurley ....... Sarah Vance
George Mitchell ... Charlie Vance
Cindy Robbins ..... Sally Ann Reed
Ray Teal .......... Sheriff Blaney
Synopsis:
A DA's political career is placed in jeopardy after the grandson of a wealthy influential Southern family
is arrested and charged with murder. The DA's is being forced to suppress evidence and bribed with a
future governship. [RF]
*Originally aired on Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse August 10, 1959.

2.06 [22] Kraft Mystery Theatre: NIGHT PANIC
18Jul1962 NBC Wed
Written by A.A. Roberts
Directed by Richard Kinon
starring
Cloris Leachman .. Joan Lindsay
John Ericson ..... Dick
Gordon Jones ..... Tucker
Marion Ross ...... Elaine
S. John Launer ... Underhill
Synopsis:
A woman is driven to hysteria by threats from an anonymous telephone caller. [RF]
*Originally aired on Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse.

2.07 [23] Kraft Mystery Theatre: MURDER IS A PRIVATE AFFAIR
25Jul1962 NBC Wed
Directed by Earl Bellamy
starring
Dina Merrill ..... Aline Lincoln
David Brian ...... Bleeck
Adam West ........ Johnny Cinderella
Peter Adams ...... Bannister
Hal Baylor ....... Hinkle
Myrna Hansen ..... Ingrid
Kam Tong ......... Jung Lu
Jack Weston ...... Trumpet Player
Synopsis:
A gambler goes straight in an effort to help the threatened daughter of an old friend. [RF]
*Originally aired on Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse 10Jun60.

2.08 [24] Kraft Mystery Theatre: SOUND OF MURDER
01Aug1962 NBC Wed
Written by William Templeton
Directed by Robert Altman
starring
Ronald Long
Antoinette Bower
Liam Redmond
Alexander Davion
Synopsis:
Blackmail threatens a young student's brilliant future when he resorts to violence to win a highly
prized scholarship. [RF]

2.09 [25] Kraft Mystery Theatre: CHEZ ROUGE
08Aug1962 NBC Wed
Directed by Allen Reisner
starring
Janis Paige ....... The Redhead
Ray Danton ........ Robert Mason
Harry Guardino .... Paul Conrad
Kurt Kasznar ...... Captain Martinez
Herbert Berghof ... Hallas
Dan Blocker ....... Duke
Abel Fernandez .... The Spaniard
Synopsis:
The proprietor of a Panama City cafe known as the redhead has troubles when her ex-husband tries to blackmail her. [RF]
*Originally aired on Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse 10Feb59.

2.10 [26] Kraft Mystery Theatre: CRY RUIN
15Aug1962 NBC Wed
Written by John Kneubuhl & John Mantley
Directed by Paul Stanley
starring
Richard Anderson
Ellen Burstyn (as Ellen McRae)
Keir Dullea
Denver Pyle
Leonard Stone
Robert F. Simon
Larry Gates
Synopsis:
A powerful politician's neglect of his son leads the boy to violence. [RF]

2.11 [27] Kraft Mystery Theatre: THUNDER IN THE NIGHT
22Aug1962 NBC Wed
Written and Directed by Sheldon Reynolds
starring
Desi Arnaz ......... Chris Hunter
Akim Tamiroff ...... Captain Farago
Rod Taylor ......... Bob Carter
George Macready .... Paul Reuter
Marion Marshall .... Ronnie Portman
Massimo Serato ..... Wilnow
Sidney Clute ....... Mike
Eugene Deckers ..... Nico
Alex Revides ....... Billy
Philo Hauser ....... Old Man
Tito Vosberg ....... Killer
Tiberio Mitri ...... Chang
Michael Medwin ..... Handsome
Graeme Bruce ....... Hanley
Abramov ............ Balalaika
Synopsis:
The owner of a North African gambling casino refused to help in breaking up a passport counterfeit ring. [RF]
*Originally aired on Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse 19Feb60.

2.12 [28] Kraft Mystery Theatre: THE PROBLEM IN CELL BLOCK 13
29Aug1962 NBC Wed
Written by Arthur A. Ross
Directed by Richard Kinon
starring
Everett Sloane
Claude Dauphin
Phillip Pine
Joseph Ruskin
June Walker
Synopsis:
A scientist bets a prison warden that he can escape from a maximum security prison within five days. [RF]

2.13 [29] Kraft Mystery Theatre: THE NIGHT THE PHONE RANG
05Sep1962 NBC Wed
Written by Aaron Spelling
Directed by Allen H. Miner
starring
Eddie Albert ....... Joe Minelli
Margo .............. Celia Minelli
Paul Dubov ......... Samuel Manheim
Sidney Blackmer .... Woodson
Ross Elliott ....... Lieutenant White
Abe Lax ............ Dave Sperling
Victor Millan ...... Priest
House Peters Jr .... Association Man
Orville Sherman .... Derelict
Cindy Ames ......... Secretary
Synopsis:
An average citizen faces death unless he commits a murder for a crime syndicate.[RF]
*Originally aired on Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse 17Nov58.

2.14 [30] Kraft Mystery Theatre: CHANGE OF HEART
prod #5147-8
12Sep1962 NBC Wed
executive producer, Warren Lewis
producer, Elliott Lewis
written by David J. Goodman
directed by Richard Kinon
starring
Robert Middleton
Donald May
Russ Conway
Evans Evans
Dick Sargent
Allison Hayes
Karl Swenson
Synopsis:
A blind detective solves a series of mysteries by offering himself as the next victim. [RF]

2.15 [31] Kraft Mystery Theatre: MURDER IN GRATITUDE
19Sep1962 NBC Wed
Written by William Templeton
Directed by Jerry Thorpe
starring
Trevor Howard ...... Dr. Derek Lester
Michael Pate ....... Howard
Robin Hughes ....... Gerald Lester
Robert Coote ....... Terry
Lisa Montell ....... Simone
Patricia Driscoll .. Lillian
Alberto Morin ...... Police Inspector
Synopsis:
A former Royal Air Force bomber pilot is murdered in a small French Village he helped to rebuild.[RF]
*Originally aired on Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse 11Dec59.

2.16 [32] Kraft Mystery Theatre: CIRCLE OF EVIL  (final episode of season 2)
26Sep1962 NBC Wed
written by Robert Blees
directed by Jerry Thorpe
starring
Hugh O'Brian ....... Murray Kirk
Felicia Farr ....... Ruth Vincent
Robert Clarke ...... Wiley Carson
Joe De Santis ...... La Scalzo
Ken Clark .......... Lundeen
Curtis Cooksey ..... Conmy
Mickey Simpson ..... Turkey Watson
O.Z. Whitehead ..... Charley Welsh
Mason Curry ........ Storekeeper
Synopsis:
A private investigator falls in love with his client's girlfriend and finds himself trying to prove
the man's guilt. [RF]
*Originally aired on Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse 16Mar60.

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 NBC (Wednesdays 9:00pm EST)(15 episodes x 1hr)(19Jun63-25Sep63) 

       Revue Studios, Hollywood USA

 (some previously aired on "Alcoa Playhouse" (1961-63)
 

 3.1 [33] Kraft Mystery Theatre: SHADOW OF A MAN
Revue Studios, USA (copyright date: 19Jun63)
19Jun1963 NBC Wed 9-10pm
Written by Frank Fenton
Story by James Patrick
Directed by David Lowell Rich
starring
Ed Begley
Broderick Crawford
Jack Kelly
John Anderson
Michael Burns
Bradford Dillman
Beverley Owen
Berkeley Harris
Synopsis:
Two insurance investigators are assigned to learn why a revered small town citizen suddenly withdrew
$50,000 from the bank and sold a yacht for $25,000. [RF]

3.2 [34] Kraft Mystery Theatre: THE IMAGE MERCHANTS
26Jun1963 NBC Wed 9-10pm
starring
Melvyn Douglas
Geraldine Brooks
Macdonald Carey
Dianne Foster
Ron Foster
Synopsis:
A magazine writer is assigned by a publisher to learn why a congressman near death from a plane crash,
unexpectedly flew to his home town on the night he was due at the state capitol for a high-level meeting. [RF]
*NOTE: Episode was an unsold pilot, Melvyn Douglas is wasted in a relatively small part here.

3.3 [35] Kraft Mystery Theatre: THE RULES OF THE GAME
03Jul1963 NBC Wed 9-10pm
starring
Hugh O'Brian
Bethel Leslie
Edgar Stehli
Roland Winters
Synopsis:
A newspaper editor is shaken when a dying man confesses to a murder for which another was executed. [RF]

3.4 [36] Kraft Mystery Theatre: CATCH FEAR BY THE THROAT
10Jul1963 NBC Wed 9-10pm
starring
Steve Forrest
Bradford Dillman
Linden Chiles
Karen Steele
Anna Kashfi
Synopsis:
A Lietuenant Governor cracks after taking over for the dying Governor.
Synopsis 2:
(Steve Forrest) Lietuenant Governor whose psychiatric problem flares when he is signing some papers in
lieu of the ill Governor. The psychiatrist (Bradford Dillman) uses the usual means plus a smidgeon of humor
to solve the Lt. Governor's problem. [RF]

3.5 [37] Kraft Mystery Theatre: THE FUGITIVE EYE
17Jul1963 NBC Wed 9-10pm
Written by John Marcus
Story by Charlotte Jay
Directed by Herman Hoffman
starring
Charlton Heston .... Paul Malone
Leo G. Carroll ..... Welch
Jack Livesey ....... Graves
Ronald Long ........ Inspector Prayle
Laurie Main ........ Sergeant Hadley
Jennifer Raine ..... Elizabeth
William O'Connell .. Private Benson
Kendrick Huxham .... Vicar
Hilda Plowright .... Vicar's Wife
Elizabeth Allen .... Nurse
Colin Campbell ..... Englishman
Brendan Dillon ..... Officer
Irvin Ashkenazy .... Hatchet-faced Man
Michel Petit ....... Boy
George Whiteman .... Drunken Sod
*Originally aired on Alcoa Premiere 17Oct61.

3.6 [38] Kraft Mystery Theatre: THE FORTRESS
24Jul1963 NBC Wed 9-10pm
starring
Lloyd Bridges .... Lt. Wallace Brown
James Shigeta .... Chinese Captain
Philip Ahn ....... Chinese Major
Amy Fields ....... Ruth Brown
Synopsis:
Lt. Wallace Brown is captured by the North Korean Communists and imprisoned in a barren cell with only
an ever-burning light bulb to keep him company. [RF]
*Originally aired on Alcoa Premiere 24Oct61.

3.7 [39] Kraft Mystery Theatre: OF STRUGGLE AND FLIGHT
31Jul1963 NBC Wed 9-10pm
Written by Alvin Boretz
Directed by Ted Post
starring
Janice Rule ........ Karen Evans
Jack Kruschen ...... Joe Haneke
Dabney Coleman ..... Lee Mattheson
Tod Andrews ........ Paul Evans
Gerald O'Loughlin .. Steve
Jordan Grant ....... Reed
Synopsis:
Karen Evans is addicted to gambling and becomes involved with the underworld when she loses a large amount
of money. Now for the second time, her husband calls the Missing Persons Bureau who has been sent searching
for her, and this time her clothes have washed up on the beach. [RF]
*Originally aired on Alcoa Premiere 28Mar63.

3.8 [40] Kraft Mystery Theatre: THE BOY WHO WASN'T WANTED
07Aug1963 NBC Wed 9-10pm
Written by John and Ward Hawkins
Directed by James Sheldon
starring
Dana Andrews ....... Pat Barrat
Billy Mumy ......... Skipper
Marilyn Erskine .... Celia Barrat
Barbara Loden ...... Betty Johnson
Thomas Browne Henry. Judge Whittaker
Ed Peck ............ James Donner
S. John Launer ..... Dr. Benson
Katherine Warren ... Mrs. Handley
Frank Sully ........ Truck Driver
Synopsis:
A detective tries to adopt the son of a man he helped send to prison.
*Originally aired on Alcoa Premiere 05Jun62.

3.9 [41] Kraft Mystery Theatre: THE DARK LABYRINTH
14Aug1963 NBC Wed 9-10pm
Teleplay by Mark Rodgers
Story by Lawrence Durrell
starring
Carroll O'Connor .... Charles Campion
Patrick O'Neal ...... Frederic Warren
Salome Jens ......... Madelyn Warren
Barbara Barrie ...... Virginia Stanley
Arthur Malet ........ Peter Fearmax
Synopsis:
Five persons defy warnings and enter the labyrinth of the lengendary man-eating minotaur on the Island of Crete. [RF]
*Originally aired on Alcoa Premiere 21Mar63.

3.10 [42] Kraft Mystery Theatre: THE HOUR OF THE BATH
21Aug1963 NBC Wed 9-10pm
Written by Donald S. Sanford
Directed by George Schaefer
starring
Robert Forster ...... Henry Detweiler
Barbara Luna ........ Becky
Harold Fong ......... Nam Quang Hok
Yuki Shimoda ........ Ti Rong
Kam Tong ............ Lu Ding
Viraj Amonsin ....... Viet Cong Leader
Synopsis:
A U.S. Peace Corps worker learns that some of the Vietnamese people with whom he is cooperating have marked
him for death. [RF]
*Originally aired on Alcoa Premiere 16Jan62.

3.11 [43] Kraft Mystery Theatre: TALK TO MY PARTNER
28Aug1963 NBC Wed 9-10pm
starring
Joanna Moore ....... Hilary Snow
Ray Danton ......... Brig Hazard
Synopsis:
Two lawyers defend a gardener accused of masterminding wholesale robberies.
Synopsis 2:
Hilary Snow, a neophyte corporation lawyer is asked by the Legal Assistance League to defend a Japanese
Gardener accused of theft. She gets a legal helping hand from Brig Hazard, one of the firm's junior partners. [RF]

3.12 [44] Kraft Mystery Theatre: ORDEAL IN DARKNESS
04Sep1963 NBC Wed 9-10pm
Written by William P. McGivern & Richard Fielder
Directed by James Sheldon
starring
Keir Dullea ........ Tommy Miller
Richard Conte ...... John Miller
Dorothy Green ...... Nancy Miller
George Kennedy ..... Jake
Dan Frazer ......... Corby
Synopsis:
Temporarily blinded executive John Miller refuses to give up his business responsibilities. [RF]
*Originally aired on Alcoa Premiere 15Nov62.

3.13 [45] Kraft Mystery Theatre: GO LOOK AT ROSES
11Sep1963 NBC Wed 9-10pm
starring
John Forsythe
Lola Albright
Norman Fell
Cathleen Nesbitt
Synopsis:
A columnist meets violence when he attempts to locate the missing member of the Class of '28, to invite him
to a reunion at P.S. 302. [RF]

3.14 [46] Kraft Mystery Theatre: PATTERN OF GUILT
18Sep1963 NBC Wed 9-10pm
Written by Helen Nielsen
Directed by Bernard Girard
starring
Ray Milland ........ Keith Briscoe
Myron McCormick .... Lt. Gonzales
Joanna Moore ....... Elaine Briscoe
Olive Carey ........ Nettie Swanson
Lucy Prentis ....... Faye Briscoe
Harlan Warde ....... Walker
Rex Holman ......... Kawalik
Howard Caine ....... Higbee
Synopsis:
A newspaper reporter fears that either his ex-wife or his estranged wife will be the next target in a
series of murders he's investigating. [RF]
*Originally aired on Alcoa Premiere 09Jan62.

3.15 [47] Kraft Mystery Theatre: MAN WITHOUT A WITNESS
25Sep1963 NBC Wed 9-10pm
starring
Lin McCarthy ........ John Lawrence
Madlyn Rhue
Patricia Medina
Synopsis:
Attorney John Lawrence tries to trackdown a witness who lied on the stand, the only one who can prove the
innocence of an ex-police captain charged with murder. He must vindicate the former police captain of hiring
assassins to kill a man. [RF]
*Note: It's a good yarn, and Madlyn Rhue is especially good as a naive girl who holds the key to he case.
Patricia Medina plays a jaded nightclub singer. [RF]
*Final episode of the program.
 

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