Crossroads | |
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Jean Willes and Dennis Morgan in Crossroads (1955)
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Genre | Anthology |
Directed by |
Justus Addiss Nathan Juran Richard Kinon Paul Landres Leslie H. Martinson Ralph Murphy Ralph Nelson George Waggner |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
No. of seasons | 2 |
No. of episodes | 78 |
Production | |
Executive producer(s) | Harry Joe Brown |
Producer(s) | Harry Joe Brown Bernard Schubert |
Editor(s) |
Roy V. Livingston James E. Smith |
Camera setup | Single-camera |
Running time | 25 mins. |
Production company(s) | Federal Telefilms Sterling Films (IV) |
Release | |
Original network |
ABC Syndication |
Picture format | Black-and-white |
Audio format | Monaural |
Original release | October 7, 1955 | – June 6, 1957
Crossroads is an American television anthology series based on the activities of clergy from different denominations. It aired from October 1955 to June 1956 on ABC. The series' second season aired from October 1956 to June 1957 in syndication.
The episodes, which often had deep spiritual themes, were usually set in the 1950s, but some were framed for an earlier era. The series featured numerous guest stars, many of whom appeared in several episodes throughout the series' run. James Dean appeared in a 1955 episode, "Broadway Trust", along with Lloyd Bridges and Mary Treen. The episode aired five weeks after Dean died in an automobile crash in September 1955.
Victor Jory was cast in the 1957 episode "Lone Star Preacher", a dramatization of the Texas Baptist pastor George Washington Truett, with Barbara Eiler as his wife, Jo Truett.
Other guest stars include:
In its first season on ABC, Crossroads followed the long-running sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet on the Friday evening schedule. It was scheduled opposite Our Miss Brooks on CBS and The Life of Riley on NBC. ABC canceled the series after one season. The series was picked up for a second season where it aired in syndication from October 1956 to June 1957, for a total of 78 episodes.
Sample Episodes:
A Bell for O'Donnell – A reverend (Edmund Lowe) learns a lesson in forgiveness when he is swindled by a fast-talking con man.
Cleanup – A pastor (Vincent Price) exhorts his parishioners to take back their city from the gangsters and corrupt politicians who have taken it over.