"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) For details, click here.

"Bus Stop" "Portrait of a Hero" -- Episode 1.5 (Oct. 29, 1961) For details, click here.

"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."

The Paley Center for Media: 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" "A Thing to Fight For" -- Episode 8.1 (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," and "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." He also directed Rod in "The Story of Margery Reardon." Sponsorship alternated between Schlitz beer and Lux soap, so on alternate weeks, "Schlitz Playhouse" was called "Lux Playhouse."

IMDb John Brahm, director

 

"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" For details, click here.

Museum of Broadcast Communications: Info about "GE Theatre." IMDb - Young Years IMDb - Early to Die

"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. The episode is loosely the same plot as the classic movie "Treasure of the Sierra Madre," with Humphrey Bogart and John Huston.

Museum of Broadcast Communication: "Cheyenne" info.

 

"Studio 57" For details, click here

 

"Lux Video Theatre" For details, click here.

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