Medic (TV series)
| Medic | |
|---|---|
Richard Boone as Konrad Styner, 1955. | |
| Genre | Medical drama |
| Created by | James E. Moser |
| Directed by | John Brahm George M. Cahan Bernard Girard Worthington Miner James E. Moser Ralph Francis Murphy Lonnie D'Orsa Ted Post Richard Wilson |
| Starring | Richard Boone |
| Narrated by | Richard Boone |
| Theme music composer | Victor Young Edward Heyman |
| Opening theme | "Blue Star" |
| Composer | Victor Young |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 59 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Worthington Miner |
| Producer | Frank LaTourette |
| Cinematography | William A. Sickner Lester Shorr |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production company | Medic TV Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | September 13, 1954 – August 27, 1956 |
Medic is an American medical drama television series that aired on NBC from September 13, 1954, to November 19, 1956.[1] It was television's first doctor drama to focus attention on medical procedures.
Created by James Moser,[1] Medic tried to create realism (City Hospital and The Doctor had not), which would typify subsequent medical shows. Moser had previously written for the radio shows Dragnet and Dr. Kildare.
Synopsis
Medic episodes were introduced and narrated by Richard Boone, playing Dr. Konrad Styner, who sometimes also appeared in the stories.[2] Fifty-nine segments aired from September 1954 to November 1956.
The series was introduced each week by theme music written by Victor Young. Eventually, with lyrics added by Edward Heyman, the song became popular under the title "Blue Star."[2]
Episodes
| Season | Episodes | Originally released | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First released | Last released | |||
| 1 | 28 | September 13, 1954 | June 13, 1955 | |
| 2 | 31 | September 5, 1955 | August 27, 1956 | |
Production
Worthington Miner was the producer.[1] The series was broadcast on Mondays from 9 to 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time.[2]
Episodes were based on case histories from the Los Angeles County Medical Association. Filming was done at actual clinics and hospitals, often with real-life doctors and nurses as part of the cast.[2]
Home media
On November 15, 2011, Timeless Media Group released Medic- The Groundbreaking Hospital Series on DVD in Region 1 for the first time.[3] The six-disc set features 44 of the 59 episodes of the series, as these are the only episodes for which Timeless was able to obtain the rights. This is believed to be due to only 44 of the prints being salvageable.
Guest stars
Notable guest stars included:
- Claude Akins
- Corey Allen[4]
- Charles Bronson
- Charles Cane[4]
- Cindy Carol
- Lee J. Cobb
- Richard Crenna
- Bobby Driscoll
- Jean Engstrom (three episodes - all in 1955)
- Beverly Garland
- Sam Gilman[4]
- Dennis Hopper[1] (his acting debut)
- Lee Marvin
- Vera Miles
- Ainslie Pryor (two episodes - both in 1956)
- Denver Pyle
- Dick Sargent
- John Saxon[1]
- Robert F. Simon
- Robert Vaughn[1]
- Michael Winkelman
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Recipient | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Emmy Award | Nominated | Best Written Dramatic Material | James E. Moser | For episode "White Is the Color" |
| Nominated | Best Television Film Editing | Jodie Copelan | For episode "White Is the Color" | ||
| Nominated | Best Original Music Composed for TV | Victor Young | -
| ||
| Nominated | Best Individual Program of the Year | - |
For episode "White Is the Color" | ||
| Nominated | Best Dramatic Series | - |
-
| ||
| Nominated | Best Actress in a Single Performance | Beverly Garland | -
| ||
| Nominated | Best Actor Starring in a Regular Series | Richard Boone | -
| ||
| Won | Best Direction of Photography | Lester Shorr | For episode "I Climb the Stairs" | ||
| 1956 | Nominated | Best Producer - Film Series | Frank La Tourette | -
| |
| Won | Best Cinematography for Television | William A. Sickner | For episode "Black Friday" | ||
| 1957 | Nominated | Best Musical Contribution for Television | Sidney Fine | For orchestration of Victor Young's music | |
| 1956 | Directors Guild of America Award | Nominated | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television | Ted Post | For episode "Mercy Wears an Apron" |
References
- ^ a b c d e f McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 538. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
- ^ a b c d Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (1999). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present (7th ed.). New York: The Ballentine Publishing Group. p. 649. ISBN 0-345-42923-0.
- ^ "Medic - Corrected Episode Count for TMG's Release, And Why It's Not 'Complete'". Archived from the original on December 10, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
- ^ a b c Luban, Milton (December 8, 1954). "TV Review: Medic ('The Wild Intruder')". The Hollywood Reporter. p. 14. ProQuest 2322742259.
Miss Miles turns in a superb portrayal, demonstrating anew that she is a remarkably talented actress. Allen was outstanding as the young groom-to-be, with James Logan as the operating surgeon, Sam Gilman as the legless ex-surgeon, and Charles Cain as Miss Miles' father, all excellent.