Straightaway

Straightaway
John Ashley as Clipper Hamilton in "A Moment in the Sun" episode of Straightaway (1962)
Starring	John Ashley Brian Kelly
Theme music composer	Maynard Ferguson
Country of origin	United States
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	26
Production
Running time	30 minutes
Release
Original network	ABC
Picture format	Black-and-white
Original release	October 6, 1961 – April 4, 1962

Straightaway is a 26-week half-hour adventure/drama television series which aired on ABC during the 1961–1962 season – the story of two young men who operate a garage and engage in auto racing.John Ashley and Brian Kelly played race car designers Clipper Hamilton and Scott Ross, respectively. Scott designs the vehicles, and Clipper is the mechanic. Asa Maynor was cast in four episodes as Dixie. Most episodes center on the clients who bring a race car to the Straightaway Garage. The series was originally planned to be named “The Racers”, but the title had to be altered because of sponsor problems.

Straightaway ran at 7:30 Eastern on Fridays opposite CBS’s Rawhide with Clint Eastwood and Eric Fleming.Straightaway was moved to Wednesdays effective January 10, 1962, for the remainder of its brief run.

The premiere episode, “The Leather Dollar”, aired on October 6, 1961; in the story line, Scott and Clipper agree to sponsor a young boxer, but the manager is betting against his client. New episodes ended on April 4, but ABC re-ran the program until July 4.

Other segments include:

“The Tin Caesar” on October 13 - Clipper picks ups a hitchhiker and drops him off at a gasoline station. The next day the sheriff (Neville Brand) arrests Clipper for the murder of the station owner who described Clipper’s car with his dying words.

“Die Laughing” on November 3 - Night-club comedian Buddy Conway (Jack Klugman) is accused by son Les (Scott Marlowe) of being responsible for the death of Les’ mother.