Category Archives: Television 1960s

‘The Virginian’ debuts on NBC 50 years ago this hour (1962)


Video: 'The Virginian Opening Theme Season One'

(Wednesday, September 19, 1962, 7:30 p.m. EDT) — The Western television series The Virginian debuted tonight on NBC starring Lee J. Cobb, Doug McClure, Gary Clarke and James Drury (click here to watch a clip from the first episode, The Executioners).

First satellite relay of a TV signal 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: 'Echo 1 Launched Communications Revolution'

(Tuesday, April 24, 1962) — The Massachusetts Institute of Technology achieved the first satellite relay of a television signal today, using NASA’s Echo 1 balloon satellite to bounce a video image of the letters “M.I.T.” transmitted from Camp Parks, California, to Westford, Massachusetts.

Jack Paar ends run as host of NBC’s ‘The Tonight Show’ 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: Paar interviews JFK (June 16, 1960)

(Thursday, March 29, 1962) — Jack Paar hosted NBC’s Tonight show for the final time today, although the network aired a repeat the following night. Continue reading Jack Paar ends run as host of NBC’s ‘The Tonight Show’ 50 years ago today (1962)

‘The Fugitive’ episode airs on ‘The Twilight Zone’ 50 years ago this hour (1962)


Video: 'Twilight Zone' open

(Friday, March 9, 1962, 10 p.m. ET) — Old Ben, who is able to transform himself into anything, tries to help a crippled little girl on tonight’s episode of the CBS-TV anthology series The Twilight Zone (click here to view an extended ‘The Fugitive’ clip).

‘The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank’ episode airs on ‘The Twilight Zone’ 50 years ago this hour (1962)


Video: 'The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank' promo clip

(Friday, February 23, 1962, 10 p.m. ET) — A man (James Best) returns from the dead during his funeral on tonight’s episode of the CBS-TV anthology series The Twilight Zone. Continue reading ‘The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank’ episode airs on ‘The Twilight Zone’ 50 years ago this hour (1962)

‘Kick the Can’ episode airs on ‘The Twilight Zone’ 50 years ago this hour (1962)


Video: 'Kick the Can' clip

(Friday, February 9, 1962, 10 p.m. ET) — A retirement home resident (Ernest Truex) finds a way to regain his youth on tonight’s episode of the CBS-TV anthology series The Twilight Zone. Continue reading ‘Kick the Can’ episode airs on ‘The Twilight Zone’ 50 years ago this hour (1962)