The Man and the Challenge
★ 9.0·1959·1 seasons · 36 episodes·Series
Sci-Fi & FantasyAction & Adventure
Synopsis
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.
Episodes
Season 11E1The 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.30m2E2Maximum 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.30m3E3Odds Against Survival30m4E4Sky 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.30m5E5Experiments in Terror30m6E6Invisible 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.30m7E7Escape 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.30m8E8Border 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.30m9E9Trial by FireBarton enters an active volcano to test a new type of fire suit. He nearly loses his life in the experiment.30m10E10White 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.30m11E11The Breaking PointA volunteer is sealed in a cell for 30 days and is subjected to psychological torment in order to determine his breaking point.30m12E12Jungle SurvivalGlenn Barton is sent on a dual mission: test survival techniques in the Amazon Basin and determine the fate of four lost fliers.30m13E13I've Killed Seven Men30m14E14Man 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.30m15E15The Visitors30m16E16The StormGlenn Barton is asked to clear the reputation of a man who died mysteriously.30m17E17Killer RiverOn a cliff above the Colorado River, Barton rescues a parachuted pilot.30m18E18RodeoBarton investigates the effects of a new rocket belt at a rodeo.30m19E19The 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.30m20E20Nightmare CrossingBarton tests candidates for command positions in space.30m21E21The Lure of DangerBarton looks individuals that subconsciously want to destroy themselves. He wants to learn why some men desire death.30m22E22Recovery30m23E23Buried AliveBarton experiments with Yoga to show that it can be helpful in adverting tragedy.30m24E24RecondoA warden's daughter is held hostage by four escaped convicts.30m25E25Flying LabBarton performs and experiment to show that ignorance and fear cause lack of efficiency.30m26E26Hurricane MesaBarton conducts a test on a pilot to prove that he can be switched successfully to a desk job.30m27E27Astro FemaleBarton puts four women against four men in order to prove that woman can equal and perhaps surpass males as astronauts.30m28E28The Extra SenseIn order to prove that emotional stress promotes telepathy, Barton parachutes from a high precipice.30m29E29Man in a CapsuleBarton conducts a survival test on the surface of the ocean.30m30E30The Dropper30m31E31High Dive30m32E32DaredevilsBarton puts the king of syut drivers through an incredibly dangerous test believing that the secret to survival lies in body chemical reactions.30m33E33Shooter McLaineBarton almost dies when a scientist ignoring his own physical limits and Barton's warnings misreads important test instruments.30m34E34Early Warning30m35E35Breakoff30m36E36Highway to DangerBarton researches highway hypnosis by subjecting himself to driving conditions that have killed five truck drivers.30m
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