The Man Called X (TV series)

The Man Called X is an American syndicated television spy drama adapted from the radio series of the same name.^[1] Debuting in 1956, it was also broadcast in Australia, Mexico, and Venezuela.

As with the radio version, The Man Called X related the adventures of secret agent Ken Thurston. Barry Sullivan portrayed Thurston, who regularly used disguises and was inclined to action.^[1] Settings varied from episode to episode. Sullivan said, "One week we're in Vienna, another in Honduras. The whole wide world is our background."^[2] Stories depicted in the series were taken from "the formerly closest guarded secrets of the world's most famous international intelligence agents".^[3] Actresses who appeared on The Man Called X included Joan Vohs.^[3]

The Ziv Company produced The Man Called X on film. Ladislas Farago, a former intelligence officer, was the technical adviser.^[1] Eddie Davis was the director.^[4] Producers included Davis, Herbert L. Strock, Maurice Unger, and Frederick W. Ziv.^[5] Writers included Les Crutchfield.^[6] Production began in November 1955.^[7]

The major regional sponsor for The Man Called X was Ohio Oil,^[8] which sponsored it in 13 Midwestern markets.^[9] In many other markets the program was sponsored by breweries, with beer brands accounting for about 25 percent of overall sponsorship.^[10] Among those was Blatz Beer, with sponsorship in eight markets.^[11]

Although the series was sold in more than 100 TV markets^[12] and made a profit for Ziv, increasing costs of production led the company to end the series after 39 episodes.^[1]

The Man Called X was one of six programs that Ziv sold to Amalgamated Television Services for broadcast in Australia.^[13] Procter & Gamble sponsored broadcasts of the series in Venezuela^[14] and Mexico.^[15]