The Man and the Challenge

1959
The Man and the Challenge

Seasons & Episodes

  • 1

EP1 The Sphere of No Return 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.

EP2 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.

EP3 Odds Against Survival Sep 26, 1959

Plot of this episode is not specified yet.
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EP4 Sky Diving Oct 03, 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.

EP5 Experiments in Terror Oct 10, 1959

Plot of this episode is not specified yet.
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EP6 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.

EP7 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.

EP8 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.

EP9 Trial by Fire Nov 07, 1959

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

EP10 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.

EP11 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.

EP12 Jungle Survival Dec 05, 1959

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

EP13 I've Killed Seven Men Dec 12, 1959

Plot of this episode is not specified yet.
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EP14 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.

EP15 The Visitors Dec 26, 1959

Plot of this episode is not specified yet.
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EP16 The Storm Jan 01, 1960

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

EP17 Killer River Jan 09, 1960

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

EP18 Rodeo Jan 23, 1960

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

EP19 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.

EP20 Nightmare Crossing Feb 06, 1960

Barton tests candidates for command positions in space.

EP21 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.

EP22 Recovery Feb 20, 1960

Plot of this episode is not specified yet.
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EP23 Buried Alive Feb 27, 1960

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

EP24 Recondo Mar 03, 1960

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

EP25 Flying Lab Mar 12, 1960

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

EP26 Hurricane Mesa Mar 19, 1960

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

EP27 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.

EP28 The Extra Sense Apr 02, 1960

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

EP29 Man in a Capsule Apr 09, 1960

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

EP30 The Dropper Apr 23, 1960

Plot of this episode is not specified yet.
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EP31 High Dive Apr 30, 1960

Plot of this episode is not specified yet.
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EP32 Daredevils May 07, 1960

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

EP33 Shooter McLaine May 21, 1960

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

EP34 Early Warning May 28, 1960

Plot of this episode is not specified yet.
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EP35 Breakoff Jun 04, 1960

Plot of this episode is not specified yet.
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EP36 Highway to Danger Jun 11, 1960

Barton researches highway hypnosis by subjecting himself to driving conditions that have killed five truck drivers.
8.5| 0h30m| en| More Info
Released: 12 September 1959 Ended
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Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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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.

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jcstumm Or released on DVD or screened on a cable channel like Amer. Life TV network. I have been watching another favorite, "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea", as well as "Lost in Space" and Land of Giants". They've been showing them forever but aren't receptive to suggestions for other shows. My father and I were big fans as I was already a big science/electronics nut, (still am) and my father was an old school chum of Nader. They both attended Oxy together. I still have memories of several of the episodes even though I was only 9. More so than any show that old. I think it was televised on Sat. after "Bonanza". Some of the episodes I recall are the one where he takes the experimental drug that slows down action. Or the one where he body surfs the big ones, (I did that too!) Or the one where there was a mine cave in and he conveys how to use mind control to have the trapped people slow their breathing by entering a trance-like state. That is the one show that I wish I could see again. I got my wish with the original "Outer Limits" and "Sci-Fi Theater...John
CLAY MARSTON With the death of GEORGE NADER, on 4 February 2002, I thought of this most interesting program, which even though it had only a short run, was a tremendous idea with good story lines throughout. Generally unseen for over 40+ years it would be worth viewing again. The opening credits showed many differing images, one of which was a snippit of COLONEL JOHN PAUL STAPP, riding his famed rocket sled, at the point where he was often referred to as "The Fastest Man Alive".
jmnordby I was in my late teens when this program aired and I watched it every week with my older brother. To me it was an inspiring series that seemed to show that man could go beyond his previous limitations and do what had theretofore been considered impossible. One incident comes to mind to serve as an example: The George Nader character is in an elevator with several other people when the elevator begins to fall out of control. Somehow they have to find a way to survive. Because of Nader's quick thinking and resourcefulness, they are able to transcend their human limitations and survive the fall, although in retrospect it stretches one's credibility. Even at that, though, it inspired me to strive to go beyond my own limitations and to try for seemingly impossible goals.
gmr-4 My precocious cousin and I were avid watchers of this Friday (?) night show. The space programme was in its enthusiastic first blush, and was undoubtedly the inspiration for the series. I believe that my cousin turned to a lot of physical self-punishment under the inspiration of THE MAN AND THE CHALLENGE (younger and reckless at 12) to show that he too could "take it." It was from the series that I learned the term "human factors research." I was going to be a scientist, then.Thinking back, however, I can see why the show was so short-lived. Some of the adventures were definitely contrived -- working from 40 years' memory -- and there were not enough interesting principals, even the hero. One could not delve TOO much into the science, and at bottom it had little mass appeal.