The Man and the Challenge
The Man and the Challenge is a 36-segment half-hour television adventure/science fiction series which ran new episodes on NBC from September 12, 1959, to June 11, 1960. It starred George Nader as Dr. Glenn Barton, a research scientist for the Institute of Human Factors, an agency that conducted experiments designed to measure human endurance for the United States government. The series was produced by Ivan Tors. Nader's costars included Jack Ging as Dan Wright, Michael Masters as Bill Locke, the Canadian-born Joyce Meadows as Lynn Allen, and Michael Keith as Matt Adams. The episodes focused on various individuals setting world records of strength, endurance, and mastery of various difficult skills. The program also featured appearances by Bethel Leslie as Eleanor Beck in "The Early Warning", Ted Knight, as Dr. Herter in the episode "Daredevils", and Raymond Bailey, in the role of Dr. Kramer on the series opener "The Sphere of No Return". Joining Knight in that segment was Paul Burke.
Cast: Jack Ging, Joyce Meadows, George Nader
Season 1
36 episodes
- 1. The Sphere of No ReturnIn order to test human stamina at high altitudes, Barton and two other men go up in a balloon. When one panics and fails the required standards he is replaced by a woman which draws a hostile response from the remaining pilot.CC30minSep 12, 1959
- 2. Maximum CapacityBarton sends two men into the frozen north to test their endurance in extreme levels of cold and isolation. He wants to determine the best way to train men for high security jobs in the Arctic.CC30minSep 19, 1959
- 3. Odds Against SurvivalNo synopsis available yet.CC30minSep 26, 1959
- 4. Sky DivingTo study the effects of gravity on potential astronauts, Barton goes to France to learn free fall parachuting from a brother-and-sister team of skydivers: Suzanne and Georges Bolet.CC30minOct 3, 1959
- 5. Experiments in TerrorNo synopsis available yet.CC30minOct 10, 1959
- 6. Invisible ForceIn a hostile country, three Americans are being held captive. Barton is asked by a Washington official to form a clandestine athletic unit to free them.CC30minOct 17, 1959
- 7. Escape to NepalIn order to test the U2-21 drug which supposedly increases a man's ability to retain oxygen at great heights, Barton puts a group of mountaineers through a rigorous test in the Rockies before sending them to the Himalayas for a final test.CC30minOct 24, 1959
- 8. Border to BorderTwo antagonistic jet pilots are entered into a Mexican auto race to prove that a team can overcome obstacles better than any single person could.CC30minOct 31, 1959
- 9. Trial by FireBarton enters an active volcano to test a new type of fire suit. He nearly loses his life in the experiment.CC30minNov 7, 1959
- 10. White OutBarton researches hypothermia in Antarctica by reducing the body temperature of two doctors. He hopes the experiment will lead to an understanding of how to freeze astronauts to withstand certain aspects of interplanetary flight.CC30minNov 14, 1959
- 11. The Breaking PointA volunteer is sealed in a cell for 30 days and is subjected to psychological torment in order to determine his breaking point.CC30minNov 28, 1959
- 12. Jungle SurvivalGlenn Barton is sent on a dual mission: test survival techniques in the Amazon Basin and determine the fate of four lost fliers.CC30minDec 5, 1959
- 13. I've Killed Seven MenNo synopsis available yet.CC30minDec 12, 1959
- 14. Man Without FearBarton uses a chemical names LSD-25 on a firefighter. The chemical removes fear, but raging forest fires prove that fear is a necessary part of courage.CC30minDec 19, 1959
- 15. The VisitorsNo synopsis available yet.CC30minDec 26, 1959
- 16. The StormGlenn Barton is asked to clear the reputation of a man who died mysteriously.CC30minJan 1, 1960
- 17. Killer RiverOn a cliff above the Colorado River, Barton rescues a parachuted pilot.CC30minJan 9, 1960
- 18. RodeoBarton investigates the effects of a new rocket belt at a rodeo.CC30minJan 23, 1960
- 19. The Windowless RoomA crack test pilot crashes his aircraft. After the crash he experiences a self-induced paralysis that slowly destroys his career and marriage. Barton restores the pilot's confidence by using hypnotic techniques.CC30minJan 30, 1960
- 20. Nightmare CrossingBarton tests candidates for command positions in space.CC30minFeb 6, 1960
- 21. The Lure of DangerBarton looks individuals that subconsciously want to destroy themselves. He wants to learn why some men desire death.CC30minFeb 13, 1960
- 22. RecoveryNo synopsis available yet.CC30minFeb 20, 1960
- 23. Buried AliveBarton experiments with Yoga to show that it can be helpful in adverting tragedy.CC30minFeb 27, 1960
- 24. RecondoA warden's daughter is held hostage by four escaped convicts.CC30minMar 3, 1960
- 25. Flying LabBarton performs and experiment to show that ignorance and fear cause lack of efficiency.CC30minMar 12, 1960
- 26. Hurricane MesaBarton conducts a test on a pilot to prove that he can be switched successfully to a desk job.CC30minMar 19, 1960
- 27. Astro FemaleBarton puts four women against four men in order to prove that woman can equal and perhaps surpass males as astronauts.CC30minMar 26, 1960
- 28. The Extra SenseIn order to prove that emotional stress promotes telepathy, Barton parachutes from a high precipice.CC30minApr 2, 1960
- 29. Man in a CapsuleBarton conducts a survival test on the surface of the ocean.CC30minApr 9, 1960
- 30. The DropperNo synopsis available yet.CC30minApr 23, 1960
- 31. High DiveNo synopsis available yet.CC30minApr 30, 1960
- 32. DaredevilsBarton puts the king of syut drivers through an incredibly dangerous test believing that the secret to survival lies in body chemical reactions.CC30minMay 7, 1960
- 33. Shooter McLaineBarton almost dies when a scientist ignoring his own physical limits and Barton's warnings misreads important test instruments.CC30minMay 21, 1960
- 34. Early WarningNo synopsis available yet.CC30minMay 28, 1960
- 35. BreakoffNo synopsis available yet.CC30minJun 4, 1960
- 36. Highway to DangerBarton researches highway hypnosis by subjecting himself to driving conditions that have killed five truck drivers.CC30minJun 11, 1960
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The Man and the Challenge
The Man and the Challenge is a 36-segment half-hour television adventure/science fiction series which ran new episodes on NBC from September 12, 1959, to June 11, 1960. It starred George Nader as Dr. Glenn Barton, a research scientist for the Institute of Human Factors, an agency that conducted experiments designed to measure human endurance for the United States government. The series was produced by Ivan Tors. Nader's costars included Jack Ging as Dan Wright, Michael Masters as Bill Locke, the Canadian-born Joyce Meadows as Lynn Allen, and Michael Keith as Matt Adams. The episodes focused on various individuals setting world records of strength, endurance, and mastery of various difficult skills. The program also featured appearances by Bethel Leslie as Eleanor Beck in "The Early Warning", Ted Knight, as Dr. Herter in the episode "Daredevils", and Raymond Bailey, in the role of Dr. Kramer on the series opener "The Sphere of No Return". Joining Knight in that segment was Paul Burke.
Creators and cast
- Created by
- Ivan Tors
Maturity rating
Not yet rated.
Audio languages
English
