Cavalcade of America

- Season 4

(1955)

The Nancy Merki story tells of how she prevailed over polio to become an Olympic swimmer.

Late nineteenth century Texas ranger, J. L. Armstrong, captures John Wesley Hardin on a train in Florida and thwarts his efforts to escape during the long train journey from Florida to Texas.

Biographical story of Ralph Bunche, first African American appointed as Ambassador to the United Nations, was awarded Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the negotiations that led to the cease fire in the Arab Israeli war of 1948. I was cast as the 12 year old Ralph Bunche. At the time this series was recorded in 1954 I was 13 years old.

A Civil Air Patrol pilot in California risks his life to fly doctors and emergency supplies into a canyon community seriously damaged by an earthquake.

General Francis Marion must hold back the British Army and at the same time fight mutiny in his own Revolutionary troops.

A Polish seaman seeks US citizenship.

Accurate account of early friendship between Alcoholics Anonymous Co-Founders Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in June 1935.

In Paris Benjamin Franklin must negotiate a treaty.

A med student stricken with polio battles his way through medical school and overcomes the obstacles of practicing medicine despite his handicaps.

A docudrama about life in a German prison camp. In 1944, when GIs pool their resources in order to hold a Christmas Mass, the prison commandant not only permits the service but, with the guards, joins the prisoners in their worship.

Two postal inspectors expose the civilian supervisor of a prison mail room as an extortionist who has been using the mails to defraud the parents of servicemen reported missing during the Korean War.

A Korean youngster dreams of becoming an American citizen.

An actress, whose boyfriend is killed in Korea, suffers a breakdown and is sent to prison for writing bad checks. After she's released from prison, her parole officer tries to help her get life back together.

The true story of a Union City, N.J., policeman who comes to the rescue of an old woman and her young granddaughter who are being evicted.

The story of Joe Swedie, a child-therapist who helps bedridden children in hospitals retain an interest in life.

Kotaro Suto, a Japanese immigrant, goes to work for Carl Fisher, father of Miami Beach, as his gardener. Together, they become legends in Miami Beach.

A couple who are both blind and deaf have a baby. They take the baby home and all seems good and well until CPS takes an interest in the case.

A California high school athlete with an incurable disease is determined to set the world's record for the shot-put.

A judge introduces the parents of an unhappy child to a toy loan library.

Junior High Coach Ralph Kerchum takes troubled teen Jackie Jensen under his wing.

In a primitive country in southeastern Asia, the American consul nervously awaits an upcoming election that may be disrupted by a local strongman/war lord type. A plane carrying two U.S. businessmen makes an emergency landing nearby, and awaits simple repairs. Some village children appear to be on the verge of a polio outbreak, so the consul appropriates the plane to take the kids to a hospital.

Mountain man is liked by the forest ranger but not so much by the townsmen. So when a forest fire breaks out, the town is eager to blame the mountain man. It will up to the ranger to prove his friend's innocence.

A quick-thinking reporter becomes an important factor in the rescue of hundreds of Union troops during the Civil War.

A young boy accidentally kills a playmate.

Just after D-Day, the Americans are hemmed in by German forces and hedgerow-choked fields outside of St. Lo. Setting up for a breakout, Major Howie has promised his company will be first in the town, though orders from his superiors and death complicate things.