Mister Roberts (TV series)

Mister Roberts
Roger Smith and Richard X. Slattery.
GenreSitcom
Written byRichard Baer
Bob Barbash
Bobby Bell
Robert C. Dennis
Herman Groves
Thomas Heggen
Ed Jurist
Bill Lee
Lee Loeb
Douglas Morrow
James O'Hanlon
Ken Pettus
Don Tait
Directed byJames Komack
Allen Baron
Robert Butler
Lawrence Dobkin
Richard Kinon
Leslie H. Martinson
Gene Reynolds
Seymour Robbie
William Wiard
StarringRoger Smith
Richard X. Slattery
Steve Harmon
George Ives
Ray Reese
Richard Sinatra
Theme music composerFrank Perkins
and Stan Kenton
ComposersJohnny Mandel
Gordon Bau (make-up)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes30 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerWilliam T. Orr
ProducerJames Komack
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companyWarner Bros. Television Division
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseSeptember 17, 1965 (1965-09-17) –
September 2, 1966 (1966-09-02)
Related
Mister Roberts (novel)
Mister Roberts (play)
Mister Roberts (1955 film)

Mister Roberts is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from September 17, 1965 to September 2, 1966. Based on the best selling 1946 novel, 1948 play, and the 1955 film of the same name, the series stars Roger Smith in the title role and Richard X. Slattery as the ship's captain.[1]

Synopsis

Set during World War II, the series chronicled the adventures of the crew of the USS Reluctant AK-601 cargo ship. Produced by Warner Bros. Television, Mister Roberts was executive produced by William T. Orr. The series' theme song was composed by Frank Perkins.

Lieutenant Roberts found life on a cargo ship monotonous, and he wanted to get transferred to another ship so he could participate more fully in the war effort. Ensign Pulver was constantly trying to liven up the ship's routine, and most of the crew were looking for ways to drive stern Captain Morton out of his mind.[1]

Featuring a cast of Warner Bros. Television stars and unknowns, the series aired on Fridays at 9:30 and was canceled after its first season due to low ratings.[2]

Cast

  • Roger Smith as Lieutenant Douglas Roberts
  • Steve Harmon as Ensign Frank Pulver
  • George Ives as Doc
  • Ray Reese as Seaman Reber
  • Richard Sinatra as Seaman D'Angelo
  • Richard X. Slattery as Captain John Morton
  • Ronald Starr as Seaman Mannion

Episodes

Season One (1965-66)

Episode # Episode title Directed by Written by Original airdate
1-1 "Bookser's Honeymoon" Fielder Cook James O'Hanlon September 17, 1965
1–2 "Liberty" James Komack Ed Jurist September 24, 1965
1–3 "Physician, Heal Thyself" Robert Butler Lee Loeb & Ken Pettus October 1, 1965
1–4 "The Conspiracy" TBA Herman Groves October 8, 1965
1–5 "Old Rustysides" Lawrence Dobkin Don Tait October 15, 1965
1–6 "Lover, Come Forward" Gene Reynolds James O'Hanlon October 22, 1965
1–7 "The Captain's Party" TBA Earl Barret & Robert C. Dennis October 29, 1965
1–8 "Happy Birthday, To Who?" Richard Kinon Bob Barbash November 5, 1965
1–9 "Love at 78 RPM" Seymour Robbie Ken Pettus & Leo Rifkin November 12, 1965
1–10 "Don't Look Now, But Isn't That the War?" Robert Butler Douglas Morrow November 19, 1965
1–11 "Which Way Did the War Go?" Robert Butler Douglas Morrow November 26, 1965
1–12 "Getting There Is Half the Fun" Robert Butler Douglas Morrow December 3, 1965
1–13 "Dear Mom" William Wiard Lee Loeb December 10, 1965
1–14 "The Reluctant Mutiny" Seymour Robbie Ken Pettus and Arnold & Lois Peyser December 17, 1965
1–15 "Rock-A-Bye Reluctant" TBA Story by: Lee Orgel & Sam Ross, Teleplay by: Ken Pettus December 24, 1965
1–16 "Carry Me Back to Cocoa Island" Lawrence Dobkin Richard Baer & Don Tait December 31, 1965
1–17 "The Replacement" William Wiard Story by: James Komack,
Teleplay by: Ken Pettus
January 7, 1966
1–18 "Black and Blue Market" William Wiard Ken Pettus January 14, 1966
1–19 "The World's Greatest Lover" Seymour Robbie Herman Groves & Ken Pettus January 21, 1966
1–20 "Eight In Every Port" Leslie H. Martinson Don Tait January 28, 1966
1–21 "The Super Chief" Seymour Robbie Ken Pettus February 4, 1966
1–22 "The Doctor's Dilemma" Allen Baron Douglas Morrow February 11, 1966
1–23 "The Reluctant Draggin'" Seymour Robbie Douglas Morrow February 18, 1966
1–24 "#*@% the Torpedoes!" Seymour Robbie Herman Groves & Ken Pettus February 25, 1966
1–25 "A Turn For the Nurse" Leslie H. Martinson Douglas Morrow March 4, 1966
1–26 "Son of 'Eight In Every Port'" William Wiard Phil Leslie & Ken Pettus March 11, 1966
1–27 "Unwelcome Aboard" Seymour Robbie Story by: James Komack,
Teleplay by: Bobby Bell & Bill Lee
March 18, 1966
1–28 "Undercover Cook" Seymour Robbie Story by: Roger Smith,
Telelplay by: Ken Pettus
March 25, 1966
1–29 "In Love and War" Leslie H. Martinson Don Tait April 1, 1966
1–30 "Captain, My—Captain?" Lesie H. Martinson Ken Pettus April 8, 1966

References

  1. ^ a b Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows 1946 – Present (first edition), pages 409-410, Ballantine, 1979
  2. ^ Holsinger, M. Paul (1999). War and American Popular Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 285–286. ISBN 0-313-29908-0.