Ben Casey
Season 1
1961 • 32 Episodes
Episodes
1. To the Pure
October 2, 1961
Dr. Ben Casey is at odds with the medical board, particularly Dr. Zorba and Dr. Jensen, because of his manner toward interns. Under a reprimand, Casey tries to persuade the board to approve neurosurgery on nine-year-old Pete Salazar. After the first of three operations on the boy, Casey is accidentally jabbed with a needle while administering a rabies test to a female patient. During his thirty-day wait for a life-or-death prognosis, he is given permission to resume the surgery.
2. But Linda Only Smiled
October 9, 1961
Little Cathy Reed is brought to the hospital for emergency treatment after an auto accident. Casey prepares a blood transfusion, but her mother won't consent.
3. The Insolent Heart
October 16, 1961
Dr. Michael Waldman, a former professor of Casey's and a former colleague of Zorba's, comes to the hospital with a cardiovascular ailment diagnosed as fatal. Casey and Zorba want to try a new surgery on him, but the medical board is opposed.
4. I Remember a Lemon Tree
October 23, 1961
Dr. Karl Anders is a brilliant surgeon, and Zorba wants to keep him on at the hospital. But Anders is concerned with illnesses of his own—he's addicted to morphine, and suffers from leukemia.
5. An Expensive Glass of Water
October 30, 1961
Casey has Walter Tyson for a patient, the president of a large corporation in difficulties, who makes treatment impossible by ordering him about. Zorba and Dr. Jensen try to dissuade him from withdrawing, because his patient is a big donor to the hospital.
6. The Sound of Laughter
November 6, 1961
Tony Romano, a struggling nightclub comic, suffers a cranial seizure. Dr. Casey operates, but Tony is left a paraplegic.
7. A Few Brief Lines for Dave
November 13, 1961
Dr. Dave Taylor returns to the hospital to do research, but Dr. Casey diagnoses him as a ""hospital bum"" afraid of competition, and also treats a woman's hypochondria.
8. Pavane for a Gentle Lady
November 20, 1961
By degrees to the bare facts.
9. My Good Friend Krikor
November 27, 1961
Orderly Nick Kanavaris' good friend Krikor Dakopian is committed by his family to the psychiatric ward. Dr. Casey, however, thinks the ailment is likely to be responsive to neurosurgery.
10. The Sweet Kiss of Madness
December 4, 1961
Dr. Alan Reynolds' mental state is not improved by constant pressure from his wife to be a successful neurosurgeon. The strain increases when he treats an abused 10-year-old boy. Dr. Casey forestalls an unnecessary operation, and tries to persuade Dr. Reynolds to receive treatment.
11. A Certain Time, a Certain Darkness
December 11, 1961
Expectant mother Ellen Parker loses her child after an auto accident. Casey examines her and finds that she is subject to chronic seizures, and these, not the accident, are responsible for the loss of her baby.
12. A Dark Night for Billy Harris
December 18, 1961
Dr. Casey operates on Billy Harris, a holdup man shot and paralyzed, but he's also concerned about the policeman, who may have been too keen and might be mentally hampered.
13. And If I Die
January 1, 1962
""The faith that looks through death."" (Wordsworth)
14. A Memory of Candy Stripes
January 8, 1962
Recollections.
15. Imagine a Long, Bright Corridor
January 15, 1962
A clean, well-lighted place.
16. A Story to Be Softly Told
January 22, 1962
Between you, me and the nurse's station.
17. The Big Trouble with Charlie
January 29, 1962
He's not quite himself, or is he?
18. Give My Hands an Epitaph
February 5, 1962
Post-scriptum to a surgeon's operating life.
19. Victory Wears a Cruel Smile
February 12, 1962
From another point of view.
20. Odyssey of a Proud Suitcase
February 19, 1962
A piece of baggage.
21. Behold a Pale Horse
February 26, 1962
""And his name that sat on him was Death.""
22. For the Ladybug, One Dozen Roses
March 5, 1962
A decorated aviator with an alias goes into surgery.
23. To a Grand and Natural Finale
March 12, 1962
A consummation devoutly to be wished.
24. Monument to an Aged Hunter
March 19, 1962
Souvenirs and trophies.
25. All the Clocks are Ticking
March 26, 1962
As time goes by.
26. Among Others a Girl Named Abilene
April 2, 1962
A Texas rose.
27. A Pleasant Thing for the Eyes
April 16, 1962
A vision of loveliness.
28. And Eve Wore a Veil of Tears
April 23, 1962
Sorrow and pity.
29. Preferably, the Less-Used Arm
April 30, 1962
Might and main.
30. An Uncommonly Innocent Killing
May 7, 1962
Qualifications for the deed.
31. So Oft It Chances in Particular Men
May 21, 1962
So oft it chances in particular men That (for some vicious mole of nature in them, As in their birth, wherein they are not guilty, Since nature cannot choose his origin) By the o'ergrowth of some complexion, Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason, Or by some habit, that too much o'erleavens The form of plausive manners—that (these men, Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect, Being nature's livery, or fortune's star) Their virtues else, be they as pure as grace, As infinite as man may undergo, Shall in the general censure take corruption From that particular fault. The dram of evil Doth all the noble substance of a doubt, To his own scandal. Hamlet
32. When You See an Evil Man
May 28, 1962
The patient and the ill.