STEVE CANYON
LIST OF EPISODES,
1958-1959
NOTE: This document is a work in progress by
John R. Ellis
Steve Canyon® is a Registered Trademark of the Milton Caniff Estate.
Steve Canyon® is the intellectual property of and Copyright ©2007 by The Milton Caniff Estate.
All rights reserved.
Numbers after names indicate the number of
episodes participated in
Regular Series Cast
Lt. Colonel Stevenson Burton Canyon
Dean Fredericks (all)
Major Willie Williston
Jerry Paris (10)
Airman Featherstone
Abel Fernandez (7)
Police Chief Hagedorn
Ted de Corsia (5)
Sgt. Walsh (Tower Operator)
Robert Sampson (5)
Major Karl Richmond (Flight Surgeon)
William Schallert (3)
Master Sgt. Charlie Berger
Robert Hoy (3)
Ingrid (Steve’s secretary)
Ingrid Goude (3)
Sgt. Gerke (Crew Chief)
Sid Clute (4)
Announcer
Jackson Beck (all)
Narrator/various voices
Paul Frees
Production Credits
Producer
David Haft
Executive Producer
Michael Meshekoff
Based on Characters Created by Milton Caniff
Directors
Don Taylor (10)
Lamont Johnson (10)
Walter Grauman (7)
Arthur Marks (3)
Andrew McCullough (2)
Arthur Hiller (1)
Ted Post (pilot)
Production Manager
Ralph W. Nelson
James W. Lane (pilot)
Technical Advisor
Lt. Col. Frank P. Ball
Assistant Technical Advisors
Dr. Bernard Joffe, Capt., U.S.A.F. (2)
Roy D. Adcock, Capt., U.S.A.F.
Ira S. Epstein, 1st Lt., U.S.A.F.
George Partin, Major, U.S.A.F. (2)
O’Dale Cook, Major, U.S.A.F.
Jack A. Weyant, Major, U.S.A.F.
Damon Eckles, Capt., U.S.A.F.
T/S Robert N. Floyd
S/S Richard D. Shupp
Music Composed by Walter Schumann (Shows
1-6)
Music Composed and Conducted by Nathan Scott
(Shows 7-34)
Music Conducted and Orchestrated by Nathan Scott
(Shows 1-6)
Music Orchestrated by David Tamkin (Shows
7-34)
Theme
(Steve Canyon Space March) by Walter Schumann
Story Editor
Sidney Carroll
Writers
Sidney Carroll (9)
William Spier (7)
John Hawkins (5)
David Haft (4)
Joseph Landon (3)
Richard Tregaskis
Charles Beaumont
Melvin Levy
Tony Barrett
Ray Bradbury
Norman Katkov
Robert L. Green
Michael Meshekoff
Shelly Colbert
Raphael Hayes
Casting Director
Gene Reynolds
Directors of Photography
Arthur E. Arling, A.S.C. (16)
Philip Lathrop (11)
Kenneth Peach, A.S.C. (3)
Maury Gertsman, A.S.C. (2)
Paul Ivano, A.S.C. (pilot)
Russell Metty, A.S.C. (1)
Art Direction
Alex Golitzen
Philip Barber
William Ferrari (pilot)
Set Decorations
Russell A. Gausman
H. Web Arrowsmith
Rudy Butler (pilot)
Sound
Leslie I. Carey
Corson Jowett
Don D. Rush (1)
Joe Lapis
Robert Pritchard
Paul Neal
Lyle E. Willey
Producer’s Assistant
Robert Sallin (13)
Frank K. Benedict (18)
Supervising Film Editor
Bill Mosher
Film Editors
Edward Curtiss, A.C.E. (9)
Fred R. Feitshans Jr, A.C.E. (7)
Floyd Knudtson (3)
Sherman Todd, A.C.E.
Kenneth Marstella
Mike Pozen
Bruce Shoengarth (pilot)
Sound Editor
Joseph G. Sorokin
Makeup
Bud Westmore
Hair Stylist
Larry Germain
Assistant Director
Gordon McLean
Bruce Fowler, Jr. (pilot)
Production
Company Pegasus Productions, Inc.
Series
produced with cooperation of the Air Force.
Interior scenes at
Universal-International Studios
Exteriors at various Air
Force bases and aircraft companies.
Pilot
Produced at The Hal Roach Studios
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LIST OF EPISODES
(Show # indicates order of completion)
1. OPERATION TOWLINE
Show #1
Production #9201
NBC Premiere Saturday September 13, 1958
NBC Rerun Tuesday July 21, 1959
ABC Summer Rerun Thursday September 1, 1960
Photographed: Jan 30-31 Feb 3-4, 1958
Directed by Ted Post
Written by Joseph Landon and Shelly Colbert
Based on an original story by Milton Caniff. (Pilot
version different from aired)
Steve is working on a dangerous mission to develop an
anti-missile system of towing Convair F-102 jet fighters
from a "mother" KB-50 tanker. The
"chick" saves fuel for the vital business of intercepting the enemy
missile.
Cast:
Dean Fredericks ... Lt. Col. Stevenson B. Canyon
Harry Townes ... Brigadier General Towne
Susan Alexander ... Nurse Jeets
Paul Frees ... Major Durkel, RAF
Morgan Woodward ... Maj. Tex Berry
Sidney Clute ... Crew Chief Sgt. Gerke
Dan Barton ... Capt. Bullet McVay
Ray Montgomery ... Colonel Frye
Fred Ford ... Co-Pilot
Nancy Valentine ... Nurse Cluney
Charlotte Austin ... WAF
Pat Colby ... Ben
Ken Mayer ... Clerk
“This film is dedicated to the North American Air
Defense Command’s 327th Fighter Interceptor Squadron,
whose motto is: The mission of this squadron is to
fly and fight - don’t you ever forget it!”
2. OPERATION
THUNDERBIRDS
Show #3
Production #9203
NBC First Run Saturday September 20, 1958
NBC Rerun Tuesday June 23, 1959
ABC Summer Rerun Thursday June 9, 1960
Photographed: July 22-23-24, 1958
Directed by Don Taylor
Teleplay by Norman Katkov
Story by Sidney Carroll
Steve takes charge of re-educating a "hot
shot" team of devil-may-care flyboys to basic
Air Force principles. Canyon brings the flamboyant
playboys back to proper perspective.
Cast:
Dean Fredericks ... Lt. Col. Stevenson B. (Steve) Canyon
Larry Pennell ... Lt. Hawk Cameron
Ronnie Knox ... Lt. Skippy Edwards
Burt Metcalfe ... Lt. Buck Buckley
Ken Hardison ... Capt. Jonesy Jones
Michael Ferrall ... General Prentiss
Joe Di Reda ... Lt. Johnson
Barry McGuire ... Lt. Angus
Gail Land ... Martha
Jo Ann Wade ... Jane
Barbara Wilson ... Doris
Gloria Robertson ... Beautiful Girl
Marian Collier ... Secretary
(Paul Frees Narration) “This film is dedicated to the
Tactical Air Command’s 4520th Air Demonstration Flight, known as the
Thunderbirds?
(Text) “In cooperation with the 1352nd
Motion Picture Squadron, Lookout Mountain Air Force Station, California”
3. OPERATION ZERO LAUNCH
Show #2
Production #9205
NBC First Run Saturday September 27, 1958
ABC Summer Rerun Thursday August 4, 1960
Photographed: July 14-15-16, 1958
Directed by Don Taylor
Written by Sidney Carroll
Steve is assigned to aid his friend, a test pilot, in
a hazardous project to launch F-100 Super Sabres from mobile platforms
with rocket boosters. When the man is injured. Steve
agrees to fly the plane so that the experiments can continue.
Cast:
Dean Fredericks ... Lt. Col. Stevenson B. (Steve) Canyon
Ward Wood ... Brad Bradshaw
Marion Ross ... Rita Bradshaw
Doro Merande ... Mrs. Turton
Nelson Leigh ... General Black
Doug Wilson ... Crocker
Mike McCoy ... Sid.
(Paul Frees narration) “The zero elevation launching
of fully armed supersonic aircraft
is an accomplished fact and is now being placed in
use by the United States Air Force.
This film is dedicated to the management and
employees of North American Aviation Inc. who developed this capability.”
(text) In cooperation the Air Research and
Development Command of the United States Air Force
NOTE: October 18, 1958 PRE-EMPTED by The Jerry
Lewis COLOR Special
4. PROJECT HEARTBEAT
Show #4
Production #9202
NBC First Run Saturday October 4, 1958
ABC Summer Rerun Thursday August 18, 1960
Photographed: July 30-31 Aug 1, 1958
Directed by Don Taylor.
Teleplay by Robert L. Green
Story by Sidney Carroll.
Steve and his friend Major Pitch Hammer prepare for an
around the world flight in jet fighters.
The planes have been outfitted to transmit
electronically the brain waves and heart reactions of the two pilots.
Cast:
Dean Fredericks ... Lt. Col. Stevenson B. 'Steve' Canyon
Russell Johnson ... Major Pitch Hammer
Jacqueline Scott ... Pat Hammer
John Doucette ... Colonel Dorrance
Jason Wingreen ... Major Siegel
Cindy Robbins ... Secretary
Morris D. Erby ... Crew Chief
“This film is dedicated to the United States Air
Force School of Aviation Medicine, Randolph Air Force Base Texas”
5. OPERATION JETTISON
Show #6
Production #9207
NBC First Run Saturday October 11, 1958
Photographed: Aug 15-18-19, 1958
Directed by Andrew McCullough
Written by Sidney Carroll
There’s king size trouble for Steve when his
passengers become
hysterical after the plane develops engine trouble.
Cast:
Dean Fredericks ... Lt. Col. Stevenson B. (Steve) Canyon
Tige Andrews ... Sgt. Bagdasarian
John Hoyt ... Atterbury
Sue Randall ... Sgt. Addie Malone
Michael Galloway ... Sgt. Kiefer
Paul Comi ... Lt. Castle
William Ching ... Lt. Roebling
John Ward ... Lt. Evans
DeForest Kelley ... Radar Major
Rayford Barnes ... Radar Sgt.
Norman Alden ... Radar Enlisted Man
“This film is dedicated to the Tactical Air Command’s
773rd Troop Carrier Squadron
Whose Motto is: “The Blue Eagle Squadron – First
Where Action Calls”
6. OPERATION SURVIVAL
Show #10
Production #9209
NBC First Run Saturday October 25, 1958
NBC Rerun Tuesday June 9, 1959
Photographed: Sept 9-10-11, 1958
Directed by Don Taylor
Written by Richard Tregaskis
Story by Sidney Carroll
Canyon is accidentally thrown from a plane while
observing a training jump by Air Force paramedics.
While he parachutes to safety, the drill master bails
out in an effort to help him and fractures his leg on landing.
The two men find themselves in wild mountain country
miles from civilization.
Cast:
Dean Fredericks ... Lt. Col. Stevenson B. 'Steve' Canyon
Eddie Firestone ... Sergeant Harry Triver
Frank Gerstle ... General Hall
Anthony Eisley ... Captain Milt Newberry (as Fred Eisley)
Buck Young ... Lieutenant Kress
Max Slaten ... Airman Dolbin
Peter Peterson ... Air Rescue Pilot (as Pete Peterson)
“This film is dedicated to the United States Air
Force 6511th Test Group (Parachute) El Centro, Calif.”
7. FEAR OF FLYING
Show #5
Production #9208
NBC First Run Saturday November 1, 1958
ABC Summer Rerun Thursday June 23, 1960
Photographed: Aug 7-8-11, 1958
Directed by Andrew McCullough
Written by Joseph Landon
A pilot who had received many commendations during his
time in service is court martialed
for reckless flying and negligence. The pilot asks
for Canyon to defend him.
Cast:
Dean Fredericks ... Lt. Col. Stevenson B. 'Steve' Canyon
Philip Abbott ... Captain Peterson
Robert Brubaker ... Court President
Donald Freed ... Trial Counsel
Tom Middleton ... Lieutenant Hardiman
Robert DeCost ... Major Elfingstone
Richard Benedict ... Bartender
Morgan Jones ... Tower Operator
Billy Lechner ... Airdrome Officer
Ike Gibson ... Crew Chief
Dorsey Keaton ... Girl
“This film is dedicated to the Uniform Code of
military justice upon which is based
upon the high tradition of the Court Martial
procedure in the United States Air Force”
8. OPERATION MOBY DICK
Show #9
Production #9206
NBC First Run Saturday November 8, 1958
NBC Rerun Tuesday June 16, 1959
ABC Summer Rerun Thursday June 30, 1960
Photographed: Sept 4-5, 1958
Directed by Don Taylor
Teleplay by Raphael Hayes, Story by Sidney Carroll
Canyon has to transport the first Atlas missile to Cape
Canaveral for launching.
Cast:
Dean Fredericks ... Lt. Col. Stevenson B. 'Steve' Canyon
Barry Atwater ... Dr. Francis Arnold
Karl Lukas ... Dave Newman
Frank Bella ... Air Policeman
Kenneth Becker ... Snooper
Ernest Brown ... Range Safety Officer
Jacqueline Ravell ... Girl
Susanne Sidney ... Girl
Barry Cahill ... Billy
(Paul Frees narration) “This film is dedicated to the
Convair Division of General Dynamics Corporation,
and to the many agencies who contributed to the
successful development of the Atlas missile”
(Text) “In cooperation with the Air Research and
Development Command of the United States Air Force”
9. OPERATION B-52
Show #13
Production #9212
NBC First Run Saturday November 15, 1958
NBC Rerun Tuesday June 30, 1959
Photographed: Oct 3-6-7, 1958
Directed by Arthur Hiller
Written by Charles Beaumont
Canyon and crew attempt to set a new around the world
non-stop speed record in a B-52.
When the plane takes off from Morocco, Ben Radin, a
newsman who hates flyboys, is aboard.
Cast:
Dean Fredericks ... Lt. Col. Stevenson B. Canyon
Richard Anderson ... Ben Radin
John Compton ... Capt. Woody Buckler
Tom Greenway ... Gen. Waybright
Gene Miller ... Mixmaster Col.
Bill Idelson ... Mixmaster Capt.
Sylvia Lewis ... Macayo
Roxane Berard ... Lucette
Peter Nelson ... Navigator
Jeff DeBenning ... SAC Delta
Stephen Roberts ... SAC Bravo
“This film is dedicated to the Strategic Air Command
92nd Bomb Wing, Castle Air Force Base, California”
NOTE: November 22, 1958 PRE-EMPTED by the repeat
of Bell Telephone’s
THE STRANGE CASE OF THE COSMIC RAYS
(Project U.F.O. (Show #7) was scheduled
but did not air, presumably due to content objections from the Air Force) It
finally aired on May 19, 1959 as the 3rd from last episode of the
series).
10. OPERATION MUSHROOM
Show #15
Production #9213
NBC First Run Saturday November 29, 1958
NBC Rerun Thursday February 12, 1959
ABC Summer Rerun Thursday May 12, 1960
Photographed: Oct 21, 1958
Directed by Don Taylor
Written by Sidney Carroll
Steve is assigned to pilot a plane that drops a test
big one.
Cast:
Dean Fredericks ... Lt. Col. Stevenson B. Canyon
Grandon Rhodes ... General Hanson
Sam Edwards ... Major David
Larry Thor ... Army Colonel
Vernon Rich ... Navy Captain
Norman Sturgis ... Scientist
Frank Harding ... Air Force General
“In cooperation with the 1352nd Motion
Picture Squadron, Lookout Mountain Air Force Station, California”
11. OPERATION CRASH
LANDING
Show #14
Production #9218
NBC First Run Saturday December 6, 1958
ABC Premiere (Summer Reruns begin) Thursday April 7,
1960
Photographed: Oct 10-13-14, 1958
Directed by Lamont Johnson
Written by Sidney Carroll
While a jet bomber travels from Brazil to California,
one of Canyon’s crew becomes ill.
A doctor says the illness is spinal meningitis and
tells Canyon the sick man must be treated immediately.
But Steve has some trouble with the landing gear and
hesitates to crash the jet.
Cast:
Dean Fredericks ... Lt. Col. Stevenson B. Canyon
Nick Adams ... Sgt. Kor