TV Shows: 1940 - 1959
by awolfehart | created - 14 Jan 2017 | updated - 28 Apr 2020 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. 77 Sunset Strip (1958–1964)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Stu Bailey and Jeff Spencer are the wisecracking, womanizing private-detective heroes of this Warner Brothers drama.
Stars: Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Edd Byrnes, Roger Smith, Jacqueline Beer
Votes: 1,634
2. Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955–1962)
TV-14 | 25 min | Drama, Mystery
Series of unrelated short stories covering elements of crime, horror, drama, and comedy about people of different backgrounds committing murders, suicides, thefts, and other sorts of crime caused by certain motivations, perceived or not.
Stars: Alfred Hitchcock, Harry Tyler, John Williams, Patricia Hitchcock
Votes: 19,320
3. Bat Masterson (1958–1961)
TV-14 | 30 min | Western
Bat Masterson roams The West and defends the innocent.
Stars: Gene Barry, Allen Jaffe, Allison Hayes, Ken Drake
Votes: 1,222
4. Bonanza (1959–1973)
TV-PG | 49 min | Western
The Wild West adventures of Ben Cartwright and his sons as they run and defend their Nevada ranch while helping the surrounding community.
Stars: Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker, Pernell Roberts
Votes: 10,990
5. Broken Arrow (1956–1958)
30 min | Western
Indian Agent Tom Jeffords makes friends with Chief Cochise, becoming a blood brother of the Apache. Together they fight white schemers and renegade Indians.
Stars: John Lupton, Michael Ansara, Steven Ritch, Steve Conte
Votes: 271
6. Cheyenne (1955–1963)
TV-G | 60 min | Western
After the Civil War, nomadic adventurer Cheyenne Bodie roamed the West looking for fights, bad guys to beat up, and women. His job changed from episode to episode.
Stars: Clint Walker, Clyde Howdy, Chuck Hicks, Lane Chandler
Votes: 2,024
7. Colt .45 (1957–1960)
30 min | Western
Christopher Colt appeared to be a gun salesman, but he was actually a government agent tracking down notorious bad guys. His cousin Sam took the lead when the studio had contract disputes with the original star.
Stars: Wayde Preston, Donald May, Kenneth MacDonald, Don 'Red' Barry
Votes: 133
8. Dennis the Menace (1959–1963)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Television episodes built around the same sorts of incidents found in Hank Ketcham's long-running comic strip.
Stars: Herbert Anderson, Jay North, Gloria Henry, Billy Booth
Votes: 2,544
9. Father Knows Best (1954–1960)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The popular radio show comes to life in this hit sitcom about a wise family man, Jim Anderson, his common-sense wife Margaret and their children Betty, Bud and Kathy.
Stars: Robert Young, Lauren Chapin, Jane Wyatt, Billy Gray
Votes: 2,640
10. Gunsmoke (1955–1975)
TV-PG | 60 min | Western
Marshal Matt Dillon keeps the peace in rough-and-tumble Dodge City.
Stars: James Arness, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Ken Curtis
Votes: 8,742
11. Have Gun - Will Travel (1957–1963)
Approved | 25 min | Western
The adventures of a gentlemanly gunfighter-for-hire.
Stars: Richard Boone, Kam Tong, Hal Needham, Stewart East
Votes: 3,329
12. Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans (1957)
Approved | 30 min | Adventure, Drama, Western
Nat Cutler, known as Hawkeye, is a fur trader. With his faithful Indian companion Chingachgook, the last of the Mohican tribe, he fights to protect settlers against the raiding Huron Indians.
Stars: John Hart, Lon Chaney Jr., Bill Walsh, John Vernon
Votes: 271
13. How to Marry a Millionaire (1957–1959)
30 min | Comedy, Romance
Motherly Mike, ditzy but sexy Loco, and sensible Greta move to the big city to find themselves wealthy men to turn into husbands. After the first year Greta gets married with Gwen the new roommate in this syndicated series.
Stars: Merry Anders, Barbara Eden, Lori Nelson, Jimmy Cross
Votes: 98
14. I Love Lucy (1951–1957)
TV-Y | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The wife of a band leader constantly tries to become a star - in spite of her having no talent, and gets herself (along with her best friend) into the funniest predicaments.
Stars: Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, William Frawley
Votes: 28,903
15. Lassie (1954–1974)
TV-G | 30 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
The ongoing saga of the Martin family and their beloved collie, Lassie.
Stars: Lassie, Jon Provost, June Lockhart, Hugh Reilly
Votes: 3,807
16. Leave It to Beaver (1957–1963)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The misadventures of a suburban boy, family and friends.
Stars: Jerry Mathers, Hugh Beaumont, Barbara Billingsley, Tony Dow
Votes: 9,343
17. Maverick (1957–1962)
TV-14 | 60 min | Western
Bret and Bart Maverick are well-dressed gamblers who migrate from town to town always looking for a good game.
Stars: Jack Kelly, James Garner, Roger Moore, Lane Chandler
Votes: 3,621
18. The Danny Thomas Show (1953–1965)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Danny is a New York entertainer. Between his co-stars at the nightclub where he performs and his wife and kids, he has dilemmas galore, which he somehow manages to resolve and still laugh.
Stars: Danny Thomas, Rusty Hamer, Marjorie Lord, Angela Cartwright
Votes: 1,242
19. Mister Ed (1961–1966)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
The misadventures of a wisecracking talking horse and his human owner.
Stars: Allan Lane, Alan Young, Connie Hines, Mister Ed
Votes: 4,662
20. Northwest Passage (1958–1959)
25 min | Adventure
Major Robert Rogers organized "Rogers Rangers" to search for the alleged waterway across the United States during the French and Indian War (1754-1759). Helping Rogers, an experienced ... See full summary »
Stars: Keith Larsen, Buddy Ebsen, Don Burnett, Philip Tonge
Votes: 120
21. One Step Beyond (1959–1961)
Approved | 25 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
"One Step Beyond" was a collection of tales about paranormal events, horrifying folklore, and the world of the unknown.
Stars: John Newland, Robert Douglas, Olan Soule, Will J. White
Votes: 1,879
22. Perry Mason (1957–1966)
TV-PG | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The trials of a master criminal defense attorney handling the most difficult cases in support of the innocent.
Stars: Raymond Burr, Barbara Hale, William Hopper, Ray Collins
Votes: 11,818
23. Peter Gunn (1958–1961)
TV-14 | 30 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Peter Gunn is a private detective with a knack for finding trouble. His cases often mean he runs into the shadiest characters, most vicious thugs and the most powerful crime bosses. Cool and resourceful, he always gets the guilty party.
Stars: Craig Stevens, Herschel Bernardi, Lola Albright, Bill Chadney
Votes: 1,651
24. Rawhide (1959–1965)
TV-PG | 50 min | Western
Gil Favor is trail boss of a continuous cattle drive. He is assisted by Rowdy Yates. The crew runs into characters and adventures along the way.
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Paul Brinegar, Steve Raines, Eric Fleming
Votes: 4,607
25. The Bullwinkle Show (1959– )
TV-G | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Rocky, a plucky flying squirrel and Bullwinkle, a bumbling but lovable moose, have a series of ongoing adventures.
Stars: Bill Scott, June Foray, Paul Frees, Edward Everett Horton
Votes: 4,590
26. Science Fiction Theatre (1955–1957)
25 min | Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
In this science-fiction anthology series host Truman Bradley introduces stories extrapolated from actual scientific data available in the 1950's, concentrating on such concepts as space flight, UFO's and mental telepathy.
Stars: Truman Bradley, Michael Fox, Marshall Thompson, Peter Hansen
Votes: 444
27. Sea Hunt (1958–1961)
30 min | Action, Adventure
Mike Nelson is a scuba diver in the days when it was still very new. He works alone, it was mostly carried through his voice-over narrations. These gave the show a flavor of a radio program.
Stars: Lloyd Bridges, Ken Drake, Courtney Brown, Jan Harrison
Votes: 1,411
28. The Abbott and Costello Show (1952–1957)
TV-G | 25 min | Comedy, Family, Mystery
Bud and Lou are unemployed actors living in Mr. Fields' boarding house. Lou's girlfriend Hillary lives across the hall. Any premise would lead to slapstick, puns, lots of gimmicks from their movies.
Stars: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Sid Fields, Gordon Jones
Votes: 1,349
29. The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952–1966)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
Ozzie and Harriet Nelson raise their two sons Ricky and David. As the sons age, they experience teenage dating problems, marriage and careers.
Stars: Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, Ricky Nelson, David Nelson
Votes: 1,603
30. The Ed Sullivan Show (1948–1971)
TV-G | 60 min | Music, Talk-Show
The classic prime time variety show most famous for its vaudeville acts and rock music performances.
Stars: Ed Sullivan, The Ray Bloch Orchestra, Ray Bloch, Johnny Wayne
Votes: 1,561
31. The Gabby Hayes Show (1950–1954)
15 min | Drama, Family, Western
A 1950s children's show, sponsored by the Quaker Oats Company. It underwent a number of changes in format, but the host was always the veteran actor George "Gabby" Hayes. Hayes had often ... See full summary »
Stars: George 'Gabby' Hayes, Wright King, Andrew Duggan, Truman Smith
Votes: 48
32. The Gene Autry Show (1950–1955)
30 min | Western
The already legendary singing cowboy rode with his comic pal Pat from town to town bringing justice, song and his horse Champion to the old Southwest.
Stars: Gene Autry, Champion, Pat Buttram, Bob Woodward
Votes: 266
33. The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950–1958)
30 min | Comedy
Neighbor Blanche Morton frequently joined Gracie in escapades which annoy hubby Harry and provides George with an opportunity to offer a humorous soliloquy.
Stars: George Burns, Gracie Allen, Bea Benaderet, Harry von Zell
Votes: 1,536
34. The Honeymooners (1955–1956)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Family
A bus driver and his sewer worker friend struggle to strike it rich while their wives look on with weary patience.
Stars: Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Audrey Meadows, Joyce Randolph
Votes: 6,230
35. The Jonathan Winters Show (1956–1957)
15 min
Stars: Jonathan Winters, Don Pardo, Wayne Howell, Eddie Safranski
Votes: 22
36. The Jackie Gleason Show (1952–1973)
TV-G | 60 min | Comedy
Live variety show with Jackie Gleason.
Stars: Jack Lescoulie, The June Taylor Dancers, Ray Bloch, Jackie Gleason
Votes: 521
37. The Johnny Carson Show (1953–1956)
30 min | Comedy, Music
Comedy routines, featuring Johnny Carson and guests, and singing were the theme of this program.
Stars: Johnny Carson, Jill Corey, Jack Prince, Glen Turnbull
Votes: 159
38. The Lawrence Welk Show (1951–1955)
60 min | Music
A musical variety show, hosted by the big band leader Lawrence Welk. The show started in 1951 as a local production by KTLA, the first commercial television station in California. The show ... See full summary »
Stars: Lawrence Welk, Dick Dale, Myron Floren, Lawrence Welk and His Orchestra
Votes: 48
39. The Lone Ranger (1949–1957)
TV-G | 30 min | Western
The adventures of the masked hero and his Native American partner.
Stars: Jay Silverheels, Clayton Moore, John Hart, Bill Ward
Votes: 2,870
40. The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959–1963)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Comedy, Family
A young man schemes and attempts to get the "better things in life" mostly popularity, success, and most importantly, girls.
Stars: Dwayne Hickman, Bob Denver, Frank Faylen, Florida Friebus
Votes: 2,053
41. The Phil Silvers Show (1955–1959)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Master Sergeant Bilko, regularly helped by the soldiers at Fort Baxter's motor pool, spends little time performing his duties by constantly trying to obtain money through various get-rich-quick scams and promotions.
Stars: Phil Silvers, Harvey Lembeck, Paul Ford, Allan Melvin
Votes: 1,735
42. The Real McCoys (1957–1963)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy, Family
From the hills of West Virginia, Amos McCoy moves his family to an inherited farm in California. Grandpa Amos is quick to give advice to his three grandchildren and wonders how his neighbors ever managed without him around.
Stars: Walter Brennan, Richard Crenna, Kathleen Nolan, Tony Martinez
Votes: 1,292
43. The Red Buttons Show (1952–1955)
30 min | Comedy
When this show was on CBS it ran in a variety format. When it went to NBC it became a sitcom. Red Buttons was very popular. Red won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Stars: Red Buttons, Allan Walker, Joe Silver, The Elliot Lawrence Orchestra
Votes: 68
44. The Red Skelton Hour (1951–1971)
TV-G | 60 min | Comedy
A comedy-themed variety show, hosted by the popular comedian Red Skelton. It run with no interruption from 1951 to 1971. From 1956 to 1962, the show's head writer was Sherwood Schwartz, who... See full summary »
Stars: Red Skelton, David Rose and His Orchestra, Art Gilmore, Tom Hansen Dancers
Votes: 1,391
45. The Rifleman (1958–1963)
TV-PG | 30 min | Family, Western
The adventures of a Wild West rancher, wielding a customized rapid-fire Winchester rifle, and his son.
Stars: Chuck Connors, Johnny Crawford, Paul Fix, Joe Benson
Votes: 5,005
46. The Roy Rogers Show (1951–1957)
30 min | Family, Western
The Double R Ranch featured "The King of the Cowboys" Roy, his "Smartest Horse in the Movies" Trigger, "Queen of the West" Dale, her horse Buttermilk, their dog Bullet, and even Pat's jeep, Nellybelle.
Stars: Dale Evans, Roy Rogers, Trigger, Pat Brady
Votes: 742
47. The Twilight Zone (1959–1964)
TV-PG | 51 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Ordinary people find themselves in extraordinarily astounding situations, which they each try to solve in a remarkable manner.
Stars: Rod Serling, Robert McCord, Jay Overholts, James Turley
Votes: 93,098
48. The Magical World of Disney (1954–1997)
TV-G | 120 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
A Disney-produced anthology covering many different genres.
Stars: Walt Disney, Paul Frees, Clarence Nash, Slim Pickens
Votes: 2,291
49.
The Sheriff of Cochise (1956–1959)
Episode:
Wyatt Earp
(1956)
30 min | Crime, Drama, Western
Stars: John Bromfield, Roy Engel, Alexander Lockwood, Ainslie Pryor
50. Wagon Train (1957–1965)
TV-PG | 75 min | Western
Stories of the journeys of a wagon train as it leaves post-Civil War Missouri on its way to California through the plains, deserts, and Rocky Mountains.
Stars: Frank McGrath, Terry Wilson, Robert Horton, John McIntire
Votes: 3,750
51. You Bet Your Life (1950–1961)
30 min | Comedy, Family, Game-Show
Groucho Marx hosts a quiz show which features a series of competitive questions and a great deal of humourous conversation.
Stars: Groucho Marx, George Fenneman, Melinda Marx, Tuulikki Woods
Votes: 745
52. The Life of Riley (1948–1950)
30 min | Comedy
Riley worked in an aircraft plant in California, but viewers usually saw him at home, cheerfully disrupting life with his malapropisms and ill timed intervention into minor problems. His ... See full summary »
Stars: Rosemary DeCamp, Jackie Gleason, Lanny Rees, Sid Tomack
Votes: 134
53. The Howdy Doody Show (1947–1960)
TV-G | 30 min | Family
The first nationally televised American children's TV program and a prototype for what followed. Buffalo Bob Smith hosts while the puppet, Howdy Doody, stars.
Stars: Bob Smith, Robert Keeshan, Bill LeCornec, Dayton Allen
Votes: 264
54. Candid Camera (1948–1952)
30 min | Comedy, Family, Reality-TV
Unsuspecting people are placed in confusing, impossible, embarrassing, ridiculous, and hilarious positions, while their reactions are recorded on a hidden camera.
Stars: Allen Funt, Ken Roberts, John Garfield
Votes: 158
55. The Ed Sullivan Show (1948–1971)
TV-G | 60 min | Music, Talk-Show
The classic prime time variety show most famous for its vaudeville acts and rock music performances.
Stars: Ed Sullivan, The Ray Bloch Orchestra, Ray Bloch, Johnny Wayne
Votes: 1,561
56. The Lone Ranger (1949–1957)
TV-G | 30 min | Western
The adventures of the masked hero and his Native American partner.
Stars: Jay Silverheels, Clayton Moore, John Hart, Bill Ward
Votes: 2,870
57. Gunsmoke (1955–1975)
TV-PG | 60 min | Western
Marshal Matt Dillon keeps the peace in rough-and-tumble Dodge City.
Stars: James Arness, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Ken Curtis
Votes: 8,742
58. The Magical World of Disney (1954–1997)
TV-G | 120 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
A Disney-produced anthology covering many different genres.
Stars: Walt Disney, Paul Frees, Clarence Nash, Slim Pickens
Votes: 2,291
59. Bonanza (1959–1973)
TV-PG | 49 min | Western
The Wild West adventures of Ben Cartwright and his sons as they run and defend their Nevada ranch while helping the surrounding community.
Stars: Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker, Pernell Roberts
Votes: 10,990
60. Perry Mason (1957–1966)
TV-PG | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The trials of a master criminal defense attorney handling the most difficult cases in support of the innocent.
Stars: Raymond Burr, Barbara Hale, William Hopper, Ray Collins
Votes: 11,818
61. The Rifleman (1958–1963)
TV-PG | 30 min | Family, Western
The adventures of a Wild West rancher, wielding a customized rapid-fire Winchester rifle, and his son.
Stars: Chuck Connors, Johnny Crawford, Paul Fix, Joe Benson
Votes: 5,005
62. The Untouchables (1959–1963)
50 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Special Agent Eliot Ness and his elite team of incorruptable agents battle organized crime in 1930s Chicago.
Stars: Robert Stack, Walter Winchell, Nicholas Georgiade, Paul Picerni
Votes: 3,074
63. Zorro (1957–1959)
TV-G | 30 min | Adventure, Family, Western
Don Diego de la Vega opposes the corrupt tyrants of Spanish California as the masked swordsman, Zorro.
Stars: Guy Williams, Gene Sheldon, Henry Calvin, Don Diamond
Votes: 4,153
64. Rawhide (1959–1965)
TV-PG | 50 min | Western
Gil Favor is trail boss of a continuous cattle drive. He is assisted by Rowdy Yates. The crew runs into characters and adventures along the way.
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Paul Brinegar, Steve Raines, Eric Fleming
Votes: 4,607
65. Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955–1962)
TV-14 | 25 min | Drama, Mystery
Series of unrelated short stories covering elements of crime, horror, drama, and comedy about people of different backgrounds committing murders, suicides, thefts, and other sorts of crime caused by certain motivations, perceived or not.
Stars: Alfred Hitchcock, Harry Tyler, John Williams, Patricia Hitchcock
Votes: 19,320
66. Zane Grey Theatre (1956–1961)
TV-PG | 25 min | Western
An anthology based (earlier more so than later) on the novels and stories of Zane Grey. Dick Powell was often the star, as well as the host.
Stars: Dick Powell, Walter Sande, Denver Pyle, Bill Erwin
Votes: 582
67. Annie Oakley (1954–1957)
30 min | Western
A fictionalized account of the life of legendary Wild West sharpshooter Annie Oakley.
Stars: Gail Davis, Brad Johnson, Jimmy Hawkins, Bob Woodward
Votes: 379
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