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Series · 1959 – 1960 · Sci-Fi & Fantasy

The Man and the Challenge

★9.0 1959 – 1960 1 Season Ivan Tors TV-MA

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.

Seasons & episodes

1 season · 36 episodes

The Sphere of No Return

Episode 01

The Sphere of No Return

Sep 12, 1959 · 30 min

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.

Maximum Capacity

Episode 02

Maximum Capacity

Sep 19, 1959 · 30 min

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.

Odds Against Survival

Episode 03

Odds Against Survival

Sep 26, 1959 · 30 min

No description available.

Sky Diving

Episode 04

Sky Diving

Oct 3, 1959 · 30 min

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.

Experiments in Terror

Episode 05

Experiments in Terror

Oct 10, 1959 · 30 min

No description available.

Invisible Force

Episode 06

Invisible Force

Oct 17, 1959 · 30 min

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.

Escape to Nepal

Episode 07

Escape to Nepal

Oct 24, 1959 · 30 min

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.

Border to Border

Episode 08

Border to Border

Oct 31, 1959 · 30 min

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.

Trial by Fire

Episode 09

Trial by Fire

Nov 7, 1959 · 30 min

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

White Out

Episode 10

White Out

Nov 14, 1959 · 30 min

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.

The Breaking Point

Episode 11

The Breaking Point

Nov 28, 1959 · 30 min

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

Jungle Survival

Episode 12

Jungle Survival

Dec 5, 1959 · 30 min

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

I've Killed Seven Men

Episode 13

I've Killed Seven Men

Dec 12, 1959 · 30 min

No description available.

Man Without Fear

Episode 14

Man Without Fear

Dec 19, 1959 · 30 min

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.

The Visitors

Episode 15

The Visitors

Dec 26, 1959 · 30 min

No description available.

The Storm

Episode 16

The Storm

Jan 1, 1960 · 30 min

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

Killer River

Episode 17

Killer River

Jan 9, 1960 · 30 min

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

Rodeo

Episode 18

Rodeo

Jan 23, 1960 · 30 min

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

The Windowless Room

Episode 19

The Windowless Room

Jan 30, 1960 · 30 min

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.

Nightmare Crossing

Episode 20

Nightmare Crossing

Feb 6, 1960 · 30 min

Barton tests candidates for command positions in space.

The Lure of Danger

Episode 21

The Lure of Danger

Feb 13, 1960 · 30 min

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

Recovery

Episode 22

Recovery

Feb 20, 1960 · 30 min

No description available.

Buried Alive

Episode 23

Buried Alive

Feb 27, 1960 · 30 min

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

Recondo

Episode 24

Recondo

Mar 3, 1960 · 30 min

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

Flying Lab

Episode 25

Flying Lab

Mar 12, 1960 · 30 min

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

Hurricane Mesa

Episode 26

Hurricane Mesa

Mar 19, 1960 · 30 min

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

Astro Female

Episode 27

Astro Female

Mar 26, 1960 · 30 min

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

The Extra Sense

Episode 28

The Extra Sense

Apr 2, 1960 · 30 min

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

Man in a Capsule

Episode 29

Man in a Capsule

Apr 9, 1960 · 30 min

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

The Dropper

Episode 30

The Dropper

Apr 23, 1960 · 30 min

No description available.

High Dive

Episode 31

High Dive

Apr 30, 1960 · 30 min

No description available.

Daredevils

Episode 32

Daredevils

May 7, 1960 · 30 min

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

Shooter McLaine

Episode 33

Shooter McLaine

May 21, 1960 · 30 min

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

Early Warning

Episode 34

Early Warning

May 28, 1960 · 30 min

No description available.

Breakoff

Episode 35

Breakoff

Jun 4, 1960 · 30 min

No description available.

Highway to Danger

Episode 36

Highway to Danger

Jun 11, 1960 · 30 min

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

About the series

The Man and the Challenge poster
Audience score
★ 9.0 /10

based on 1 votes

Synopsis

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.

Sci-Fi & FantasyAction & Adventure

Cast

3 principal cast

Jack Ging

Jack Ging

Dan Wright

Joyce Meadows

Joyce Meadows

Lynn Allen

George Nader

George Nader

Dr. Glenn Barton

Where to watch The Man and the Challenge

The Man and the Challenge is available to stream on Flicksy via 6 verified sources, aggregated from publicly available embed providers. The sci-fi & fantasy from Ivan Tors has 1 season and 36 total episodes, rated 9.0/10 by 1 viewers.

Frequently asked

How many seasons does The Man and the Challenge have?

The Man and the Challenge has 1 season with 36 episodes in total.

Is The Man and the Challenge still on the air?

The Man and the Challenge has ended and is no longer in production.

What network airs The Man and the Challenge?

The Man and the Challenge airs on NBC.

When did The Man and the Challenge first air?

The Man and the Challenge first aired on September 12, 1959.

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