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Series · 1959–1960Ended

The Man and the Challenge

9.0·1 season·36 episodes·30 min avg.

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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01
The Sphere of No Return
The Sphere of No ReturnUp next
Sep 12, 1959

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.

02
Maximum Capacity
Maximum Capacity
Sep 19, 1959

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.

03
Odds Against Survival
Odds Against Survival
Sep 26, 1959
04
Sky Diving
Sky Diving
Oct 3, 1959

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.

05
Experiments in Terror
Experiments in Terror
Oct 10, 1959
06
Invisible Force
Invisible Force
Oct 17, 1959

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.

07
Escape to Nepal
Escape to Nepal
Oct 24, 1959

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.

08
Border to Border
Border to Border
Oct 31, 1959

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.

09
Trial by Fire
Trial by Fire
Nov 7, 1959

Barton enters an active volcano to test a new type of fire suit. He nearly loses his life in the experiment.

10
White Out
White Out
Nov 14, 1959

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.

11
The Breaking Point
The Breaking Point
Nov 28, 1959

A volunteer is sealed in a cell for 30 days and is subjected to psychological torment in order to determine his breaking point.

12
Jungle Survival
Jungle Survival
Dec 5, 1959

Glenn Barton is sent on a dual mission: test survival techniques in the Amazon Basin and determine the fate of four lost fliers.

13
I've Killed Seven Men
I've Killed Seven Men
Dec 12, 1959
14
Man Without Fear
Man Without Fear
Dec 19, 1959

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.

15
The Visitors
The Visitors
Dec 26, 1959
16
The Storm
The Storm
Jan 1, 1960

Glenn Barton is asked to clear the reputation of a man who died mysteriously.

17
Killer River
Killer River
Jan 9, 1960

On a cliff above the Colorado River, Barton rescues a parachuted pilot.

18
Rodeo
Rodeo
Jan 23, 1960

Barton investigates the effects of a new rocket belt at a rodeo.

19
The Windowless Room
The Windowless Room
Jan 30, 1960

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.

20
Nightmare Crossing
Nightmare Crossing
Feb 6, 1960

Barton tests candidates for command positions in space.

21
The Lure of Danger
The Lure of Danger
Feb 13, 1960

Barton looks individuals that subconsciously want to destroy themselves. He wants to learn why some men desire death.

22
Recovery
Recovery
Feb 20, 1960
23
Buried Alive
Buried Alive
Feb 27, 1960

Barton experiments with Yoga to show that it can be helpful in adverting tragedy.

24
Recondo
Recondo
Mar 3, 1960

A warden's daughter is held hostage by four escaped convicts.

25
Flying Lab
Flying Lab
Mar 12, 1960

Barton performs and experiment to show that ignorance and fear cause lack of efficiency.

26
Hurricane Mesa
Hurricane Mesa
Mar 19, 1960

Barton conducts a test on a pilot to prove that he can be switched successfully to a desk job.

27
Astro Female
Astro Female
Mar 26, 1960

Barton puts four women against four men in order to prove that woman can equal and perhaps surpass males as astronauts.

28
The Extra Sense
The Extra Sense
Apr 2, 1960

In order to prove that emotional stress promotes telepathy, Barton parachutes from a high precipice.

29
Man in a Capsule
Man in a Capsule
Apr 9, 1960

Barton conducts a survival test on the surface of the ocean.

30
The Dropper
The Dropper
Apr 23, 1960
31
High Dive
High Dive
Apr 30, 1960
32
Daredevils
Daredevils
May 7, 1960

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

33
Shooter McLaine
Shooter McLaine
May 21, 1960

Barton almost dies when a scientist ignoring his own physical limits and Barton's warnings misreads important test instruments.

34
Early Warning
Early Warning
May 28, 1960
35
Breakoff
Breakoff
Jun 4, 1960
36
Highway to Danger
Highway to Danger
Jun 11, 1960

Barton researches highway hypnosis by subjecting himself to driving conditions that have killed five truck drivers.

Cast

3 credited
Jack Ging
Dan Wright
Joyce Meadows
Lynn Allen
George Nader
Dr. Glenn Barton

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