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GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER - Memory in White

Air Date/Released Sunday, January 8, 1961
Station/Studio CBS / Revue Studios
Featuring Joe Besser (Solo)

Half-hour anthology series with emphasis on simple dramas and diversionary entertainment, mostly original scripts, not adaptations. Its common-denominator approach generated viewer popularity and an 8-year run, but still, it never compromised the quality of its production, casting and writing.

Former lightweight boxer Pancho Villa (Sammy Davis Jr.) is addle-brained by one too many fights, and now makes his way as a towel boy at Gibbs Gym. His remaining ambition is to become a fight announcer. Contender Soldier Conlon (Charles Bronson), with help from his trainer (Joe Besser), makes Villa the target of sadistic teasing and bullying, but will soon regret his cruelty.


According to Joe Besser's autobiography, he was cast in "Memory in White" as a favor to Davis, who learned of Besser's unemployment situation when Joe visited the soundstage of the Rat-Pack's SERGEANTS 3 (1961).

Comedians Lou Costello and Bud Abbott also appeared on GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER, but not together. Lou appeared in a 1959 comedy with Jonathan Harris (LOST IN SPACE), while Bud guested in a 1961 drama with Lee Marvin. The Marx Brothers made their final on-film appearance in the episode "The Incredible Jewel Robbery," a silent farce starring Harpo and Chico; Groucho made a fadeout cameo.

Cast: Sammy Davis Jr. (Pancho "Punchy" Villa III), Charles Bronson (Soldier Conlon), Joe Besser (Conlon's trainer), Bert Freed (Eddie Gibbs), Art Aragon (Nick Dorso), John Harmon (Jerry), Frank Jenks (Pawn shop clerk)

Crew: Allen Reisner (Director), Budd Schulberg (Original Story and Teleplay), Stuart Schulberg (Producer), Stanley Rubin (Exec. Producer)
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