1960s Timeline

Latest Podcasts

Politics | Culture | Entertainment | Sports

Aug 20, 2021

TV: Legal Drama "The Defenders" Set to Premiere Next Month

Aug. 20, 1961 - "The Defenders," a television series which revolves around a father-and-son team of lawyers, will make its debut on CBS on Sept. 16, at 8:30 p.m. The production will star E.G. Marshall (pictured left with Dennis Hopper and Robert Reed), who has appeared in many films and more than 400 television shows. As Lawrence Preston, senior member of the law firm of Preston & Preston, Mr. Marshall will be starring in his first series. Robert Reed, a young performer who h

Aug 17, 2021

Movies: Gleason Signed for Serling's Film Adaptation of "Requiem for a Heavyweight"

Aug. 17, 1961 - David Susskind, the energetic head of Talent Associates, has signed Jackie Gleason for a leading role in Rod Serling's film adaptation of his own television drama, "Requiem for a Heavyweight." With Anthony Quinn in the title role of the doomed boxer, Mr. Gleason playing his unscrupulous manager and two more key roles yet to be filled, Mr. Susskind expects the film to go before the cameras in six weeks. "This will be the one boxing film I know of," said Mr. Sus

Aug 16, 2021

TV: Karl Held to Portray Law Student on "Perry Mason"

Aug. 16, 1961 - Karl Held (right), television actor, will portray David Gideon, a young law student who assists Perry Mason when the TV series starring Raymond Burr begins a new season. Mr. Held's character will help Perry Mason in uncovering evidence to aid Mason's clients accused of murder. This will be the show's fifth season on CBS. #tv #classictv #classictelevision #lawyer #legal #legalshow

Aug 2, 2021

Jack Lescoulie, Richard Thomas in New Show "1, 2, 3 - Go" on NBC

Aug. 2, 1961 - Jack Lescoulie, who was associated with Dave Garroway for nine and a half years on the "Today" show, has found a new job on a children's TV program. Mr. Lescoulie will function as "kind of a Dutch Uncle" to a 10-year-old boy on "1, 2, 3 - Go," which makes its debut Oct. 8 on NBC. Mr. Lescoulie will be companion to young Richard Thomas (pictured), a stage and television actor. Richard and Mr. Lescoulie will explore many "real places around the world, from the bo

Jul 27, 2021

Secretary Ribicoff Urges Parents to Limit Childrens' TV Time

July 27, 1961 - Parents were urged by a member of the Cabinet today to "get tough" with children who sit for hours "like a vegetable" watching television violence. The advice came from Abraham A. Ribicoff, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. "A child watches what he is permitted to watch," he said. Mr. Ribicoff said research had not established definitely whether violence on the screen led to similar behavior by the American youngster. But he made this comment: "If th

Jul 26, 2021

Show Business Veteran Shirley Booth to Star in "Hazel" on NBC-TV

July 26, 1961 - Shirley Booth, whose knowledge of show business is extensive, has been learning that the television series is a thing apart. At the moment she is in the midst of making the third episode of a series called "Hazel." It is about the famous cartoon character. The series will go on NBC in late September. "I am still feeling my way with Hazel," she said. "She must have humor of course. She has to have a strong maternal complex. She has to be sort of 'butch' so she

Jul 25, 2021

Actress Madlyn Rhue in Serious Condition after Car Crash

July 25, 1961 - Madlyn Rhue, an actress, is in serious condition from injuries received in a head-on automobile collision in Hollywood, hospital attendants said today. Miss Rhue, 25 years old, is appearing with Sal Mineo and Yul Brynner in "Escape from Zahrain," a film now in production. Miss Rhue debuted in show business at age 17 as a dancer at the Copacabana nightclub in New York City. She has appeared on many television shows, including "The Untouchables," "Perry Mason" a

Jul 24, 2021

Cesar Romero to Star in Concentration Camp Drama on NBC-TV

July 24, 1961 - Cesar Romero (pictured) will co-star in "Paper Bullets," a drama about concentration camp victims forced to participate in a Nazi intelligence project. With Frank Lovejoy in the starring role as a Nazi officer, the show will be televised by NBC on Oct. 15 at 10 p.m. #tv #classictv #classictelevision

Jul 24, 2021

Southern Broadcaster Says TV Coverage of Freedom Riders "Overplayed"

July 24, 1961 - A Southern broadcaster said today that TV stations in his region were "getting it from our own people" because of network coverage of racial problems in the South. Walter J. Brown, president of WSPA-TV in Spartanburg, S.C., cited a letter from a woman who called for the establishment of a Southern TV network. Mr. Brown said that the problem had come to a climax with coverage of the Freedom Bus riders, which he believes the networks have "overplayed." He has su

Jul 17, 2021

TV Actor Rod Cameron ("State Trooper," "Coronado 9") Marries Former Mother-in-Law

July 17, 1961 - Rod Cameron (pictured), screen actor, has married his former mother-in-law. The announcement was made today by Mr. Cameron's lawyer. Mr. Cameron is 50 years old. His new wife, the former Mrs. Alves-Lico, is 52. He divorced her daughter last year. In the 1950s, Mr. Cameron starred in two syndicated TV series: "City Detective" (1953–1955) and "State Trooper" (1956–1959). He can currently be seen on the detective series "Coronado 9." #movienight #movietime #movie

Jul 5, 2021

TV: Season Finale on "Alfred Hitchcock Presents"

July 4, 1961 - On tonight's season finale of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," a district attorney's ambition for higher office may interfere with the plans of a crime boss who saved his life during the war. Starring Leslie Nielsen (pictured) and Harold Stone. 8:30PM on #NBC. #tv #classictv #classictelevision #scifi #sciencefiction

Jul 5, 2021

TV: John Chancellor to Host "Today" Show

July 4, 1961 - John Chancellor (left) will become host of NBC's "Today" show starting July 17. The newsman will be the permanent replacement for Dave Garroway, who tendered his resignation several weeks ago. Mr. Chancellor has been on the NBC news staff since 1950. On the day the new host takes over, "Today" will appear live instead of on tape. Frank Blair (center), who has been reporting the news on "Today," will join the show's panel and participate in interviews and