The Man Called X (TV series)

The Man Called X is an American syndicated television spy drama that debuted in 1956.[1] It was also broadcast in Australia, Mexico, and Venezuela.

Overview

Adapted from the radio series of the same name, 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]

Production

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]

Other countries

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]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Erickson, Hal (1989). Syndicated Television: The First Forty Years, 1947-1987'. McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 35. ISBN 0-7864-1198-8.
  2. ^ "Sullivan Hopes To Become Writer". The Pittsburgh Press. August 12, 1956. p. TV Page 5. Retrieved October 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b "Barry Is 'The Man Called X': Sullivan Stars In Intrigue Series". Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph. p. 32. Retrieved October 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 513. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
  5. ^ Terrace, Vincent (21 October 2022). From Radio to Television: Programs That Made the Transition, 1929-2021. McFarland. p. 144. ISBN 978-1-4766-4693-0. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  6. ^ "'Man Called X' Prepped by Ziv-TV". Billboard. July 30, 1955. p. 5. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  7. ^ "'X' Indicates Ziv Is Sticking To Steady Release Pattern". Billboard. December 10, 1955. p. 11. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  8. ^ "13 Ohio Oil Marts To Get 'Annapolis'". Billboard. November 24, 1956. p. 8. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  9. ^ "Ohio Oil Co. Buys 'X' For Regional Deal". Billboard. December 24, 1955. p. 5. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  10. ^ "More Beers Buy 'Man X'". Billboard. March 24, 1956. p. 8. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  11. ^ "Ziv Sells 'X' to Blatz in Second Regional Deal". Billboard. January 14, 1956. p. 6. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  12. ^ Humphrey, Hal (June 2, 1956). "Viewing Television". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. p. 16. Retrieved October 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Godabout, Oscar (April 30, 1956). "'Jubilee' TV Show Renewed by Ford: 90-Minute C.B.S. Series to End Current Season With a Musical 'Bell For Adano' Ziv Films to Australia". The New York Times. p. 37. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  14. ^ "P & G Signs for Ziv Intl. Shows" (PDF). Broadcasting. January 14, 1957. p. 108. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  15. ^ "Film Sales" (PDF). Broadcasting. June 23, 1958. p. 46. Retrieved October 19, 2024.