PROFILES IN COURAGE (1964-1965) – This television series took its name from the late President John F. Kennedy’s non-fiction book of that title. Some of the episodes dramatized specific sections of JFK’s book while others depicted what the producers felt were similar instances of political figures facing tough choices.
Those choices were between following their conscience or following what was best for their political career at the time.
John F. Kennedy’s book – like many (probably all) such works by sitting politicians – was supposedly ghost-written and dealt purely with senators, the office Kennedy held when putting the book together.
The television version of Profiles in Courage ran for 26 episodes, each of which filled a 1-hour time slot with commercials.
NOTEWORTHY EPISODES:
OSCAR W. UNDERWOOD (Nov 8th, 1964) – Senator Underwood was a top contender for the Democrat presidential nomination in 1924. However, he obeyed his conscience by speaking out against the Ku Klux Klan, one of the Democrat Party’s most powerful forces.
His courageous stand cost him the presidential nomination and then his senate seat. Sidney Blackmer played Oscar Underwood and Victor Jory played Charles Carlin.
MARY S. MCDOWELL (Nov 15th, 1964) – Mary McDowell was a New York teacher during World War One. She refused to support the war effort via War Bonds rallies or sign a loyalty oath due to her religious principles as a Quaker.
McDowell lost her job and was publicly vilified, with the New York Times going so far as to write that her case “proved that Quakers and other pacifists ought not to be allowed to teach children”. Rosemary Harris starred as Mary McDowell and Albert Salmi played Mr. Schneider. Continue reading
ASTREA – One of the most enigmatic figures from the Silent Film Era. No precise birth or death dates are known. Her surname was supposedly Barbieri but not even that is certain. 
JUSTITIA (1919) – Astrea’s most well-known movie. She plays a prim, ladylike noblewoman who becomes a fiery, two-fisted champion of justice when need be. 
ELEKTROPOLIS (1928) – By Otfrid von Hanstein. Readers are introduced to Fritz, a young German engineer who has been having trouble finding a job. On what turns out to be a lucky Friday the Thirteenth for him, he gets a job offer from a mysterious Mr. Schmidt. 
Joe Namath started life as a Pennsylvania boy. Later in life he became the quarterback for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide under iconic football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. After college he was signed by the New York Jets for what was then the highest-ever contract for a quarterback. 
NORWOOD (1970) – The stunning sequel to True Grit. Okay, I’m kidding! I couldn’t resist since Norwood came out a year after True Grit, was based on another novel by the author of True Grit and starred Glen Campbell and Kim Darby, also from True Grit. Marguerite Roberts wrote the screenplay for both flicks, too. 
Joe William Namath plays Joe William Reese, a friend of Norwood who sees him become a singing sensation. Also in the strange circle of friends are dwarf actor Billy Curtis and runaway bride Rita (Darby). 
CENTURY CLUB – Teams scoring 100 or more points in Regulation: The DAVIDSON-DAVIE COLLEGE STORM defeated the visiting CLEVELAND COLLEGE YETIS by a score of 104-80 ### Meanwhile, the TERRA STATE TITANS triumphed 108-80 over the OWENS COLLEGE EXPRESS ### And the MARION MILITARY INSTITUTE TIGERS downed the ENTERPRISE STATE BOLL WEEVILS 108-86. 
SEVEN HUNDRED WINS – Coach Brian Peabody of the PIMA COLLEGE AZTECS notched his 700th win in style at the SCOTTSDALE COLLEGE FIGHTING ARTICHOKES (yes, really). At Halftime the Aztecs were clinging to a mere 39-37 edge. From there Pima College left the Fighting Artichokes further and further behind in a 95-71 victory led by Cohenj Gonzales’ 17 points. 
RELAMPAGO (Lightning) 
LLANERA VENGADORA (Plains Avenger) 
THE BELLE STARR STORY (1968) – (Original title Il Mio Corpo per un Poker) This movie was directed by Lina Wertmuller, making it the only Spaghetti Western directed by a woman. It has nothing to do with the real Belle Starr, but for name recognition you can’t beat that title!
Where does the time go? It was 2020 when Balladeer’s Blog first covered the ongoing 
If you’re new to the whole Local 58TV Analog Horror series the YT Channel is 
LUCKY SEVEN (1978) – Years before the hacker calling himself Captain Midnight hijacked HBO airtime to protest their high prices and years before the weird Max Headroom parody hack in Chicago came this forgotten incident in the annals of pirate broadcasting. 
The host for Lucky 7 was a memorable man wearing a gas mask on his face like he was some kind of late-night Horror Host. This figure would introduce the programs and movies being shown on the channel and would also editorialize about the way corporations and the government held a monopoly on the airwaves. 
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