U.S. STEEL HOUR: SEASON FOUR (1956-1957) – “The Broadway of Television” was back for another season. Some standout episodes from this season:
WE MUST KILL TONI – The Oberon Brothers (Fritz Weaver and Norman Lloyd) need money desperately. They were counting on inheriting, but when it looks like the inheritance will instead go to Toni (Lisa Daniels) the brothers try to kill her in this dark comedy.
BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY – PAUL NEWMAN, George Peppard, Albert Salmi, Barbara Babcock and Clu Gulager star in the TV version of this classic story. A major league pitcher (Paul Newman) learns his catcher (George Peppard in his television debut) is dying from a rare disease. He honors the catcher’s request to keep the situation a secret from the rest of the team.
SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE – Gypsy Rose Lee – stripper, activist, author and legend (thanks to the musical Gypsy) stars with Gig Young and Leora Dana in this romantic comedy about the writer of a book on marriage and its effect on couple Young and Dana.
TOM SAWYER – Musical version of the Mark Twain story. John Sharpe played Tom, Jimmy Boyd was Huckleberry Finn, Bennye Gatteys played Becky Thatcher, Rose Bampton was Aunt Polly and Matt Mattox portrayed Injun Joe.
TO DIE ALONE – In the American West, two families – one which supported the North and the other the South – remain embittered toward each other. Burl Ives and Karl Swenson starred.
SHADOW OF EVIL – An overzealous and trigger-happy sheriff guns down a young outlaw who may or may not have tried to shoot him first. The cast included Jack Cassidy, Shirley Jones, LEE MARVIN, Rip Torn and Joseph Campanella.
THE BOTTLE IMP – An adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s short story about an imp who grants wishes but at the expense of the soul of whoever dies in possession of its bottle home. Starred Thayer David and Susan Oliver.
A DRUM IS A WOMAN – Jazz ballet starring THE Duke Ellington. Depicted the romance between Caribee Joe and Zajj. Also starring Joya Sherrill, Margaret Tynes, Ozzie Bailey, Carmen de Lavallade and Talley Bailey.
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George Peppard as my catcher? Dying? I know the story it’s hard for me to see this in my mind! And Lee Marvin with Rip Torn!?! That’s a casting combo I’d never thought of! This sounds like a wonderful series! Great stuff!!
Yes, but sadly so few episodes have survived that I can only guess at how good or bad around 16 other episodes from this season were.
Great collection of old gems! Thank you for bringing back these wonderful memories.
I’m always happy to do it, friend!
Again wish to express my appreciation to Gamma Hans.
Should … outa … pie in the sky speculations.
Yes, a lot to take in.
I never heard about the television series “U.S. Steel Hour” but your post has given me strong reasons to check it out. As a former baseball player, I found the episode “Bang the Drum Slowly” to be the most interesting.
Thanks! I didn’t know you were a baseball player.
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Logged, thank you!
That Duke Ellington piece must have been quite a show.
It can be found online, in fact!
While searches on YouTube will sometimes bring up the full episodes, this time it only brought up the Duke Ellington jazz piece:
I’ve seen the whole episode, so maybe it’s just not up for now over copyright strikes. You know how stuff comes and goes online these days.
Well reviewed. So old but good 👍🏼
Thank you!
❤️
Thanks!
There are some really good old shows
Thanks! I feel the same way!
Interesting
Thank you! Very nice of you!