The Man and the Challenge

The Man and the Challenge

Ended First aired 12/Sep/1959 United States English 1 season(s) 36 episode(s)
Sci-Fi & FantasyAction & Adventure
The Man and the Challenge is a 36-segment half-hour television adventure/science fiction series which ran new episodes on NBC from September 12, 1959, to June 11, 1960. It starred George Nader as Dr. Glenn Barton, a research scientist for the Institute of Human Factors, an agency that conducted experiments designed to measure human endurance for the United States government. The series was produced by Ivan Tors.

Nader's costars included Jack Ging as Dan Wright, Michael Masters as Bill Locke, the Canadian-born Joyce Meadows as Lynn Allen, and Michael Keith as Matt Adams. The episodes focused on various individuals setting world records of strength, endurance, and mastery of various difficult skills.

The program also featured appearances by Bethel Leslie as Eleanor Beck in "The Early Warning", Ted Knight, as Dr. Herter in the episode "Daredevils", and Raymond Bailey, in the role of Dr. Kramer on the series opener "The Sphere of No Return". Joining Knight in that segment was Paul Burke.
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TimeScore 33% Skip It
Binge Meter 48% Slow Burn
Episode Pulse Quiet 40% activity score
Drop Rate 0% Very Low

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Seasons & Episodes

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Season 1 · Season 1
36 episode(s) · Air date: 12/Sep/1959
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Season Overview

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S1E32
Daredevils
Air date: 07/May/1960 · Runtime: 30 min
Summary

Barton puts the king of syut drivers through an incredibly dangerous test believing that the secret to survival lies in body chemical reactions.

Summary

Barton puts the king of syut drivers through an incredibly dangerous test believing that the secret to survival lies in body chemical reactions.

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S1E19
The Windowless Room
Air date: 30/Jan/1960 · Runtime: 30 min
Summary

A crack test pilot crashes his aircraft. After the crash he experiences a self-induced paralysis that slowly destroys his career and marriage. Barton restores the pilot's confidence by using hypnotic techniques.

Summary

A crack test pilot crashes his aircraft. After the crash he experiences a self-induced paralysis that slowly destroys his career and marriage. Barton restores the pilot's confidence by using hypnotic techniques.

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S1E14
Man Without Fear
Air date: 19/Dec/1959 · Runtime: 30 min
Summary

Barton uses a chemical names LSD-25 on a firefighter. The chemical removes fear, but raging forest fires prove that fear is a necessary part of courage.

Summary

Barton uses a chemical names LSD-25 on a firefighter. The chemical removes fear, but raging forest fires prove that fear is a necessary part of courage.

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S1E10
White Out
Air date: 14/Nov/1959 · Runtime: 30 min
Summary

Barton researches hypothermia in Antarctica by reducing the body temperature of two doctors. He hopes the experiment will lead to an understanding of how to freeze astronauts to withstand certain aspects of interplanetary flight.

Summary

Barton researches hypothermia in Antarctica by reducing the body temperature of two doctors. He hopes the experiment will lead to an understanding of how to freeze astronauts to withstand certain aspects of interplanetary flight.

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S1E8
Border to Border
Air date: 31/Oct/1959 · Runtime: 30 min
Summary

Two antagonistic jet pilots are entered into a Mexican auto race to prove that a team can overcome obstacles better than any single person could.

Summary

Two antagonistic jet pilots are entered into a Mexican auto race to prove that a team can overcome obstacles better than any single person could.

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S1E7
Escape to Nepal
Air date: 24/Oct/1959 · Runtime: 30 min
Summary

In order to test the U2-21 drug which supposedly increases a man's ability to retain oxygen at great heights, Barton puts a group of mountaineers through a rigorous test in the Rockies before sending them to the Himalayas for a final test.

Summary

In order to test the U2-21 drug which supposedly increases a man's ability to retain oxygen at great heights, Barton puts a group of mountaineers through a rigorous test in the Rockies before sending them to the Himalayas for a final test.

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S1E6
Invisible Force
Air date: 17/Oct/1959 · Runtime: 30 min
Summary

In a hostile country, three Americans are being held captive. Barton is asked by a Washington official to form a clandestine athletic unit to free them.

Summary

In a hostile country, three Americans are being held captive. Barton is asked by a Washington official to form a clandestine athletic unit to free them.

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S1E4
Sky Diving
Air date: 03/Oct/1959 · Runtime: 30 min
Summary

To study the effects of gravity on potential astronauts, Barton goes to France to learn free fall parachuting from a brother-and-sister team of skydivers: Suzanne and Georges Bolet.

Summary

To study the effects of gravity on potential astronauts, Barton goes to France to learn free fall parachuting from a brother-and-sister team of skydivers: Suzanne and Georges Bolet.

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S1E2
Maximum Capacity
Air date: 19/Sep/1959 · Runtime: 30 min
Summary

Barton sends two men into the frozen north to test their endurance in extreme levels of cold and isolation. He wants to determine the best way to train men for high security jobs in the Arctic.

Summary

Barton sends two men into the frozen north to test their endurance in extreme levels of cold and isolation. He wants to determine the best way to train men for high security jobs in the Arctic.

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S1E1
The Sphere of No Return
Air date: 12/Sep/1959 · Runtime: 30 min
Summary

In order to test human stamina at high altitudes, Barton and two other men go up in a balloon. When one panics and fails the required standards he is replaced by a woman which draws a hostile response from the remaining pilot.

Summary

In order to test human stamina at high altitudes, Barton and two other men go up in a balloon. When one panics and fails the required standards he is replaced by a woman which draws a hostile response from the remaining pilot.

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Cast

Main cast members.

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Jack Ging
Jack Ging
Dan Wright
Joyce Meadows
Joyce Meadows
Lynn Allen
George Nader
George Nader
Dr. Glenn Barton
Raymond Bailey
Raymond Bailey
James Best
James Best
Darryl Hickman
Darryl Hickman
William Conrad
William Conrad
Robert Conrad
Robert Conrad
Jack Harris
Jack Harris
Warden tanner

Crew

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Andrew Marton
Andrew Marton
Director
No Photo
Otto Lang
Director
Richard Carlson
Richard Carlson
Director
Tom Gries
Tom Gries
Director
Ivan Tors
Ivan Tors
Producer

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