Playhouse 90 Season 2, Episode 26: The Last Clear Chance

The Death of Manolete

The last hours in the life of Spain's most celebrated matador.

90 min

The Dark Side of the Earth

A drama set in 1956, during the unsuccessful Hungarian uprising against the Russians

90 min

Topaze

A mild-mannered schoolteacher gradually abandons all his principles - and finds the success which has always hitherto eluded him.

90 min

A Sound of Different Drummers

In a dystopian society, reading is forbidden.

90 min

The Playroom

When a mother wins an award, she finds out a few things about her three grown-up children.

90 min

Around the World in 90 Minutes

October 17, 1957, the CBS Television Network diverted from its typical format of live dramatic presentations for "Playhouse 90" to cover Michael Todd's gigantic party commemorating the one-year anniversary of the release of his film "Around The World In 80 Days". Todd invited 18-thousand people to the gala in New York City's Madison Square Garden though the number probably was far greater because of party-crashers. Walter Cronkite hosted the coverage with future ABC Sports ace Jim McKay and news veteran Bill Leonard handling the interviewing of numerous celebrity party guests. During the broadcast, Garry Moore hosted occasional comedy vignettes of how Todd came to create his Academy award-winning movie.

90 min

The Mystery of Thirteen

The story of William Palmer, one of the most notorious poisoners in Victorian England - or was he?

90 min

The Edge of Innocence

A lawyer's new brother-in-law disapproves of his specialty of defending murderers. But when he finds himself accused of murder, he asks for his help.

90 min

The Clouded Image

90 min

The Jet-Propelled Couch

Based on a case history in psychologist Dr. Robert Linder's book "The 50-Minute Hour." Unbeknownst to his friends and colleagues, the outwardly sane and secure atomic physicist Dr. Kirk Allen has for many years been embarking upon imaginary visits to another planet. At first this mental abnormality harms no one, but when Allen begins acting strangely on the job, the Pentagon begins to suspect that he is a security risk. Under psychological counseling, Allen reveals his "secret life" and provides surprisingly accurate extraterrestrial charts as "proof" that he is truly out of this world.

90 min

The Troublemakers

90 min

Panic Button

A Civil Aeronautics Board investigation determines that the reason a plane crashed, killing all aboard except one of the pilots, is that either the dead pilot or the survivor became panic-stricken and pushed the wrong button, but the investigators aren't sure which one was at fault.

90 min

Galvanized Yankee

In a Northern prisoner-of-war camp during the Civil War, a crippled Yankee commander has a rebellious Rebel executed. The dead man's brother, also a prisoner, vows vengeance. He volunteers to accompany the commander on a mission, planning to murder him along the way but changes his mind and escapes instead, deciding the commander is "already dead." The commander, a changed man, covers up for the escapees and himself faces court martial.

90 min

The Thundering Wave

Middle-aged actress Victoria Maxwell comes to terms with her destructive lifestyle as she struggles with the lead role in a Broadway-bound play. Matters are complicated by the fact that she is co-starring opposite her estranged husband, Allen Grant, whom she never stopped loving.

90 min

For I Have Loved Strangers

90 min

The Lone Woman

90 min

Reunion

A reunion party for old army buddies turns inexorably into something darker and more sinister.

90 min

The Last Man

90 min

The 80 Yard Run

Long ago, Christian made a run of 80 yards to make the winning touchdown in a football game. It was the greatest moment of his life. Or was it the beginning of his decline?

90 min

Before I Die

An innocent man, doomed to die for the murder of a cop that he didn't commit, is rushed from prison to the county hospital for an emergency operation. The surgeon becomes convinced of the man's innocence when he mumbles a girl's name under anesthesia. The surgeon seeks the help of a psychiatrist to penetrate his patient's subconscious.

90 min

The Gentleman from Seventh Avenue

Mr. Golden wonders if he has wasted his life; but the news that he is to become a grandfather cheers him.

90 min

The Violent Heart

Photographer Paul is invited to a French estate to take pictures but a romance develops with the lady of the house. A sudden death creates a suspicion of murder.

90 min

No Time at All

An airliner flying nonstop at night from Miami to New York fails to check in, then disappears from radar. We see how its disappearance affects people on the ground. The Episode was directed by David Swift, who also collaborated with Charles Einstein with the screenplay. Charles Einstein is also credited with writing the story. Guests include William Lundigan, Betsy Palmer, Jane Greer, Buster Keaton, Chico Marx, Frank Wilcox & Charles Bronson. The Production Company was CBS Television Network and was distributed in the USA by CBS.

90 min

Point of No Return

Waiting to find out if he's obtained a valuable promotion, a banker returns to the small town he grew up in.

90 min

Portrait of a Murderer

Based on a true story, Donald Bashor robs and bludgeons two women to their deaths. While committing the crimes he maintains a normal existence with his girlfriend Florry.

90 min

The Male Animal

The trustees of Midwestern University have forced three teachers out of their jobs for being suspected communists. Trustee Ed Keller has also threatened mild mannered English Professor Tommy Turner, because he plans to read a controversial piece of prose in class.

90 min

The Right Hand Man

The story of a struggle for control of a Hollywood talent agency.

90 min

Turn Left at Mount Everest

90 min

The Dungeon

90 min

Verdict of Three

A murder trial is followed through different jurors and their reactions.

90 min

Rumors of Evening

90 min

Not the Glory

90 min

Nightmare at Ground Zero

After the first atom bomb test, scientists realize the bomb was more powerful than they expected - which may have terrible results.

90 min

Bomber's Moon

A hard-hearted Colonel loses many men in his group's bombing missions over World War II Germany, but keeps on going and won't tolerate a young lieutenant losing his nerve under the strain, who refuses to continue.

90 min

Natchez

A Civil War veteran returns home to find his father has become a social pariah.

90 min

The Innocent Sleep

When a rich man marries a much younger wife and his ailing health gets rather worse, the housekeeper suspects a murder attempt is looming.

90 min

A Town Has Turned to Dust

A weakling sheriff is unable to prevent a lynching. Can he redeem himself by preventing a second one?

90 min

The Great Gatsby

A Midwesterner becomes fascinated with his wealthy neighbor, who obsesses over his lost love.

90 min

Bitter Heritage

The James boys, being framed for a bank heist, are saved by the banker's daughter.

90 min