Ben Casey

Ben Casey was a medical drama series which ran on ABC from 1961 to 1966. The show was known for its iconic opening titles, which consisted of a hand drawing symbols on a chalkboard, as cast member Sam Jaffe intoned, "Man, woman, birth, death, infinity."

Related Topics:
Series - ABC - 1961 - 1966 - Sam Jaffe

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It starred Vince Edwards as Doctor Ben Casey, a young, idealistic surgeon. His mentor was Doctor David Zorba, played by Sam Jaffe. At the beginning of the 1965 season, Zorba left the show, and Franchot Tone came in as the new Chief of Surgery, Doctor Daniel Niles Freeland. The show began running multi-episode stories, and Casey developed a romantic relationship with Jane Hancock (Stella Stevens), who had just emerged from a coma after thirteen years.

Related Topics:
Vince Edwards - Surgeon - 1965 - Franchot Tone - Stella Stevens - Coma

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Ben Casey was seen as a rival to the contemporary medical series, Doctor Kildare.

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In 1988, a television movie, The Return of Ben Casey aired, also starring Vince Edwards.

Related Topics:
1988 - The Return of Ben Casey

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There was also a comic strip based on the tv series, written and drawn by Neal Adams. The daily strip began on 26 November 1962, the Sunday strip on 20 September 1964, and both ended on the last day of July, 1966 (a Sunday). The half page format was the best Sunday format, and one effect by Neal Adams can only be appreciated in the half page -- a globe in one panel is a continuation of Ben Casey's head in a lower panel. The daily strip was reprinted in Menomonee Falls Gazette.

Related Topics:
Comic strip - Neal Adams - Daily strip - 26 November - 1962 - Sunday strip - 20 September - 1964 - Half page - Menomonee Falls Gazette

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