"Tales of the Unexpected" "The Hitch-Hiker" -- Episode 2.4 (March 22, 1980) Rod Taylor starred with Cyril Cusack in one of the 25 Roald Dahl stories adapted for this hit British TV series. For the first two seasons, each episode was introduced by Dahl himself from a fireside arm-chair. The series -- filmed by Anglia Television, a regional production company in England -- was an instant hit, with more than half of the British TV audience tuning in to the first program. The series was sold to more than 70 other countries. The shows were a mixture of suspense, horror and black comedy. "The Hitch-Hiker" features Taylor, as Paul Duveen, on an ill-fated drive, especially after picking up an impish rider, Michael Fish (Cusack), who is an expert "fingersmith." The hitch-hiker's pick-pocketing skills are supernatural, and he bedevils Taylor into one bit of trouble after another.

"Dupont Show of the Week" "The Ordeal of Dr. Shannon" -- Episode 2.9 (Dec. 16, 1962) Rod Taylor played Dr. Robert Shannon in this installment of a 60-minute NBC anthology series. Shannon is a brilliant American physician who abandons a promising career and resigns his hospital post to find a vaccine against a new and fatal influenza germ. He faces pressures from all sides -- from his friends, medical superiors and the woman he loves. The show was the first co-production deal between NBC and the BBC and was shot in November 1962 on location in England and Scotland. It is an adaptation of A.J. Cronin's best-selling novel, "Shannon's Way." The April 1963 edition of Rod's fan newsletter, "Rod-Lore," further describes the show and Taylor's portrayal of Dr. Robert Shannon: During his research, he becomes emotionally involved with a young medical sutdent, Jean Law (Elizabeth MacLennan), and she becomes his assistant. ... Hampered on every side by unfair treatment and outmoded equipment, he eventually finds a cure for the flu only to learn that it had already been discovered in the United States a short time before. Between this monumental disappointment and finding out that Jean Law, with whom he is so very much in love, is going to leave him to follow her own desire to work in foreign lands, Shannon falls into a pit of despair. However, Jean realizes she really does love Robert and returns to him and they decide to go to the Continent and continue their joint careers there. The actual location filming abroad endowed this hour-long production with realness that could not be captured in a studio production. Rod's portrayal was finely etched, bringing forth a rounded character, both light at moments and containing timely emotional blackness.

This episode is in the NBC Television Collection of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

"Bus Stop" "Portrait of a Hero" -- Episode 1.4 (Oct. 29, 1961) Rod Taylor played tennis bum Johnny Jones in one episode of this anthology series that focused on the lives of people stopping off at a bus stop cafe in Sunrise, Colo. Nina Foch was also a guest star in this episode, and the series regulars were played by Rhodes Reason, Marilyn Maxwell, Joan Freeman and Richard Anderson. The series, directed by Robert Altman, aired on ABC in 1961-62. "Bus Stop" was based on a stage play by William Inge (which had also spawned a 1956 film starring Marilyn Monroe). Another episode, "A Lion Walks Among Us," featured Fabian in one of the most controversial segments ever aired. It prompted a congressional inquiry into violence on TV, and caused advertisers to avoid the show.

"Alcoa Theatre" "Capital Gains" (Feb. 1, 1960) Rod Taylor starred with Joanne Dru in a half-hour drama that's part of the "Alcoa Theatre" anthology series. Taylor played Alan Ballister, a TV writer who's left penniless, courtesy of taxes and alimony. He's talked into forming a corporation and selling stock -- in himself -- to raise money. He makes himself and his stockholders wealthy while he churns out TV fare. Writer's block sends him back into dire financial straits. But his ex-wife has played the stock market shrewdly, to the good fortune of them both.

This episode is available through e/p Partners; contact Ron Evans.

"Zane Grey Theater" "Picture of Sal" -- Episode 4.17 (Jan. 28, 1960) Rod Taylor played Jed Harper in this episode of a 30-minute Western anthology series that aired on CBS1956-62. Jed is an artist, who shows up in a Nevada casino run by Sal (Carolyn Jones). The two obviously have a history together, which is revealed as the drama unfolds. As a young bride, Sal was left waiting at the altar, but her groom -- Jed -- never arrived. What she didn't know is that Jed had been imprisoned as a spy during the Civil War. Now, as they confront each other years later, will the couple reconcile or will Sal frame Jed for the murder of a gambler?

This episode is available from Jack Biedron, a collector of Westerns.

"Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse" "Thunder In The Night" -- Episode 2.14 (Dec. 4, 1959) Rod Taylor was a "special guest star" in this installment of "Desilu Playhouse," an hour-long anthology series produced by Desi Arnaz and broadcast on CBS from 1958 to 1960. "Thunder in the Night" was one of only two plays that Arnaz himself appeared in during the season. Taylor played Bob Carter, an investigator in a place where passports are a commodity -- bought, sold, stolen and counterfeited. But the crime has escalated, and a man has been killed for his passport. Carter turns to his friend, Chris Hunter (Desi Arnaz) for help and to tap his knowledge of the shadier characters around. The episode is stylish and ambitious, but Rod's role is rather ordinary -- and all too brief.

Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse: Info from the Museum of Broadcast Communication

"The Twilight Zone" "And When the Sky Was Opened" -- Episode 1.11 (Dec. 11, 1959) For extensive details, click here.

"Studio One In Hollywood" "Image of Fear" (Sept. 29, 1958) Rod Taylor played Anthony, a prince in exile. It's a quirky production, featuring a very hammy performance by Eugenie Leontovich as the exiled queen and Rod trying to affect an accent of unknown origin. After 20 years in exile in the United States, a royal family (from an unnamed country) has hope that the monarchy will be able to return to power. But intrigue arises as someone tries to kill the queen. The prime suspect is her son, Prince Anthony, who was told that he must give up his wife (Nina Foch) if he returns to the throne. The story isn't very suspenseful, but Taylor has some nice scenes, unexpectedly switching from the image of a playboy to an idealistic prince who suddenly realizes how much he loves his wife. "Studio One" was TV's longest-running drama anthology series (1948-58). By 1957, the series had moved from New York, was renamed "Studio One in Hollywood."

Museum of Television and Radio: The museum, which has locations in New York City and Los Angeles, has this episode available for viewing. Studio One: Information on the anthology series from the Museum of Broadcast Communication.

"Lux Playhouse" "Best House in the Valley" -- Episode 1.1 (Oct. 3, 1958) Rod Taylor starred with Polly Bergen in this 30-minute drama that aired on CBS. It's a sweet story of a rancher's son (Taylor) who falls in love with an poor-but-proud widow (Bergen) who lives in her "house" beneath the trees. Rod's performance is touching as he builds trust in the wary woman

This episode is available through e/p Partners; contact Ron Evans. It has a poor-quality picture, but it's a lovely story.

"Schlitz Playhouse of the Stars" "A Thing to Fight For" (Sept. 26, 1958) Rod Taylor was cast alongside Rod Steiger in this installment of the 30-minute CBS anthology series. The episode was directed by John Brahm, who also is credited on dozens of other episodes of great TV shows of the 1950s and '60s, such as "The Twilight Zone," "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "Bonanza," "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." He directed Rod in "The Story of Margery Reardon." Sponsorship alternated between Schlitz beer and Lux soap, so on alternate weeks, "Schlitz Playhouse of the Stars" was called "Lux Playhouse."

 

"Playhouse 90" Rod Taylor appeared in five productions of "Playhouse 90," the best of the 1950s anthology productions. For extensive details, click here.

 

"General Electric Theatre" "The Young Years" -- Episode 6.12 (Dec. 22, 1957) Rod Taylor appeared in two installments of this top-rated CBS dramatic anthology series. The first, "The Young Years," was hosted and narrated by Ronald Reagan, and the cast included Margaret O'Brien. It was adapted from a story by Yiddish novelist, dramatist and essayist Sholem Asch. Rod Taylor played Sam Tipton. "Early to Die" -- Episode 8.20 (Feb. 7, 1960) Kim Hunter co-starred.

Museum of Broadcast Communications: Info about "GE Theatre."

"Suspicion" "The Story of Marjorie Reardon" -- Episode 1.5 (Oct. 28, 1957) Rod Taylor delivers a rich, warm performance in this hour-long drama, one episode of a thriller/suspense anthology series on NBC. In this installment, Marjorie (Margaret O'Brien) is a young woman who's attacked by a psychopath (Henry Silva), leaving her in shame and with a fear of men -- until sweet, strong, understanding Jim (Rod Taylor) comes along. The cast also includes Michael Landon in a small role.

This episode is available from Hollywood's Attic.

"Cheyenne" "The Argonauts" -- Episode 1.3 (Nov. 1, 1955) Rod Taylor appeared in an early episode of this hour-long Western anthology series, which originally was one of three rotating series in ABC's "Warner Brothers Presents." Clint Walker starred as Cheyenne Bodie, a former frontier scout who drifted through the Old West, traveling from one adventure to another. In this episode, Cheyenne encounters Clancy (Rod Taylor) and Duncan (Edward Andrews), two men who have set out to prospect for gold. Proceeding together, the three strike it rich, but the growing sacks of gold dust breed suspicion amongst the campers. Clancy emerges as the good guy (of course), overcoming these emotions as well as a gunshot wound.

For more about Clint Walker, see the official Clint Walker site and Brian's Drive-in Theater. Museum of Broadcast Communication: "Cheyenne" info. This episode is available from Jack Biedron, a collector of old Western TV shows.

 

"Studio 57" This half-hour anthology series on the struggling DuMont network was sponsored by Heinz Foods and was also known as "Heinz Studio 57" and "Heinz 57 Playhouse." "The Black Sheep's Daughter" (April 26, 1955) Rodney Taylor played Tommy Scarbrough in this episode. The cast also featured Philip Ober, Carolyn Jones, Marcia Patrick, Frances Mercer and Tom Dugan. "The Last Day on Earth" (May 10, 1955) Walter Coy had the lead role as Dr. Robert Carlyle, a doctor experimenting with a new wonder drug who inadvertently injects himself with a serum that has proved fatal on animals. Jean Byron is Mary Carlyle, and Rod Taylor is Dr. Don Dalby. "Killer Whale" (June 7, 1955)

 

"Lux Video Theatre" Lux Video Theatre, which began airing in live 30-minute episodes from New York City in 1950, was an extension of Lux Radio Theater, which was broadcast from October 1934 to June 1955. Beginning in August 1954, the show was broadcast Hollywood in a 60-minute format on NBC. Following are the installments in which Rod appeared. "The Browning Version" -- Episode 5.33 (April 7, 1955) Rod Taylor played Mr. Gilbert in this adaptation of a play by Terence Rattigan, who also penned "Separate Tables" and "The VIPs." Herbert Marshall plays English schoolteacher Andrew Crocker-Harris, who is confronting the disappointments of his marriage and career. Forced to retire early because of bad health, Crocker-Harris departs unloved by his students as well as by Mrs. Crocker-Harris (Judith Evelyn), who is having an affair with Frank Hunter (Robert Douglas). Rod's character -- Mr. Gilbert -- is to be Crocker-Harris' replacement. In an unexpected act of kindness, one student, Taplow (Christopher Cook), gives the departing teacher a gift -- Robert Browning's translation of "Agamemnon," Crocker-Harris' favorite classic play -- providing a source of inspiration and hope. "Dark Tribute" Episode 5.47 (July 14, 1955) Rod appeared with Robert Coote and Gage Clark in this production, a mystery that is set in motion after a woman who has won a sweepstakes is found murdered. This installment was directed by Buzz Kulik, who directed many of the highly respected anthology series and episodic series during the "Golden Age" of TV and later became one of the most respected directors of made-for-TV movies, notably the 1971 drama "Brian's Song." Kulik also directed Rod in a "Playhouse 90" appearance.

www.rodtaylorsite.com