''Crossroads'' is an American television

anthology series An anthology series is a radio, television, video game or film series that spans different genres and presents a different story and a different set of characters in each different episode, season, segment, or short. These usually have a dif ...

based on the activities of

clergy Clergy are formal leaders within established religions. Their roles and functions vary in different religious traditions, but usually involve presiding over specific rituals and teaching their religion's doctrines and practices. Some of the ter ...

from different denominations. It aired from October 1955 to June 1956 on ABC. The series' second season aired from October 1956 to June 1957 in syndication. It was retitled The Way of Life during syndication. Story technical advisers were credited as Fr. George Barry Ford, USN Captain Maurice M. Witherspoon Presbyterian Minister, Vice-President of the Military Chaplains Association and Rabbi William Franklin Rosenblum. The entire series is preserved at the UCLA Film & Television Archive in Los Angeles, California.

Overview

The episodes, which often had deep spiritual themes, were usually set in the 1950s, but some were framed for an earlier era. The series featured numerous guest stars, many of whom appeared in several episodes throughout the series' run.

James Dean James Byron Dean (February 8, 1931September 30, 1955) was an American actor. He is remembered as a cultural icon of teenage disillusionment and social estrangement, as expressed in the title of his most celebrated film, '' Rebel Without a Caus ...

appeared in a 1955 episode, "Broadway Trust", along with Lloyd Bridges and Mary Treen. The episode aired five weeks after Dean died in an automobile crash in September 1955. Victor Jory was cast in the 1957 episode "Lone Star Preacher", a dramatization of the

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Baptist Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only ( believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul c ...

pastor George Washington Truett, with Barbara Eiler as his wife, Jo Truett. Other guest stars include: * Suzanne Alexander * Hugh Beaumont *

Noah Beery, Jr. Noah Lindsey Beery (August 10, 1913 – November 1, 1994) was an American actor often specializing in warm, friendly character roles similar to many portrayed by his Oscar-winning uncle, Wallace Beery. Unlike his more famous uncle, however, ...

* Edgar Buchanan * Chuck Connors * Jeanne Cooper * Johnny Crawford * Donald Crisp * Richard Deacon * Don DeFore * Elinor Donahue *

Brian Donlevy Waldo Brian Donlevy (February 9, 1901 – April 6, 1972) was an American actor, noted for playing dangerous tough guys from the 1930s to the 1960s. He usually appeared in supporting roles. Among his best-known films are ''Beau Geste'' (193 ...

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* Barbara Eden * Stuart Erwin * Yvonne Lime Fedderson *

Arthur Franz Arthur Sofield Franz (February 29, 1920 – June 17, 2006) was an American actor whose most notable feature film role was as Lieutenant, Junior Grade, H. Paynter Jr. in ''The Caine Mutiny'' (1954). Early life Franz was born in Perth Amboy, ...

* Virginia Gregg * Barbara Hale * Taylor Holmes * Vivi Janiss * Russell Johnson *

Michael Landon Michael Landon (born Eugene Maurice Orowitz; October 31, 1936 – July 1, 1991) was an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for his roles as Little Joe Cartwright in '' Bonanza'' (1959–1973), Charles Ingalls in '' Little House on the P ...

* Gene Lockhart * Jimmy Lydon * Barton MacLane * Hugh Marlowe * Strother Martin * Kevin McCarthy * Charles McGraw * Eve Miller * Martin Milner * Gerald Mohr * J. Carrol Naish * Jeanette Nolan * Susan Oliver *

Maureen O'Sullivan Maureen O'Sullivan (17 May 1911 – 23 June 1998) was an Irish-American actress, who played Jane in the ''Tarzan'' series of films during the era of Johnny Weissmuller. She performed with such actors as Laurence Olivier, Greta Garbo, William ...

* Jerry Paris * Leo Penn * Vincent Price * Roy Roberts * Lyle Talbot * Regis Toomey * Lee Van Cleef * Bobs Watson * Will J. White *

James Whitmore James Allen Whitmore Jr. (October 1, 1921 – February 6, 2009) was an American actor. He received numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, a Grammy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Theatre World Award, and a Tony Award, plus two ...

* Grant Withers

Broadcast history

In its first season on ABC, ''Crossroads'' followed the long-running sitcom ''

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'' on the Friday evening schedule. It was scheduled opposite '' Our Miss Brooks'' on CBS and '' The Life of Riley'' on NBC. ABC canceled ''Crossroads'' after one season. The series was then picked up for a second season, airing in syndication from October 1956 to June 1957, for a total of 78 episodes. Sample episodes: * "A Bell for O'Donnell" – A reverend ( Edmund Lowe) learns a lesson in forgiveness when he is swindled by a fast-talking con man. * "Call for Help" – A priest ( Richard Carlson) works with troubled youths when a gang fight leads to a fatal shooting. * "Cleanup" – A pastor ( Vincent Price) exhorts his parishioners to take back their city from the gangsters and corrupt politicians who have taken it over. * "Dig or Die, Brother Hyde" – A new preacher ( Hugh Marlowe) on the harsh Dakota frontier is severely tested. * "God's Healing" – Vincent Price plays a Pennsylvania Priest named Alfred Price, who heals an old woman's embittered heart. * "The Good Thief" – A US Army chaplain (

) is tortured by Red Chinese captors for ministering to his fellow prisoners of war. * "The Judge" –

does double duty in a lawless town as a preacher and a judge. * "Mother O'Brien" – A police detective is torn between family and duty when his younger brother is involved in a petty crime.

References

External links

*
''Crossroads'' at CVTA, with episode list
{{DEFAULTSORT:Crossroads (1955 Tv Series) 1955 American television series debuts 1957 American television series endings 1950s American anthology television series American Broadcasting Company original programming 1950s American drama television series Black-and-white American television shows English-language television shows First-run syndicated television programs in the United States American television series revived after cancellation American religious television series

Overview

Broadcast history

See also

References

External links