On this day in television history - M Squad (1958):

M Squad

Season 2. Episode 5.
Episode entitled: The Trap.
Released October 24, 1958.
Directed by Don Medford.
Written by Don Sanford.
Music by John Williams.

Cast:

Lee Marvin, Paul Newlan, Betty Lynn, Robert Fuller, Virginia Gregg, Harry Landers, Percy Helton, Edwin Jerome.

Recommended reading - The Gutter and the Grave (1958).

The Gutter and the Grave

By Ed McBain.

Published by Hard Case Crime.

First published 1958.

Complete and Unabridged.

ISBN-10: 0857683675

ISBN-13: 978-0857683670

Description:

Detective Matt Cordell was happily married once, and gainfully employed, and sober. But that was before he caught his wife cheating on him with one of his operatives and took it out on the man with the butt end of a .45.

Now Matt makes his home on the streets of New York and his only companions are the city’s bartenders. But trouble still knows how to find him, and when Johnny Bridges shows up from the old neighborhood, begging for Matt’s help, Cordell finds himself drawn into a case full of beautiful women and bloody murder. It’s just like the old days – only this time, when the beatings come, he may wind up on the receiving end...

On this day in television history - M Squad (1958):

M Squad

Season 2. Episode 4.

Episode entitled: The Refugee.

Released October 10, 1958.

Directed by James Neilson.

Written by Barry Trivers.

Music by Herman Stein.

Cast:

Lee Marvin, Paul Newlan, Judith Braun, Mark Neiman, Don Nagel, Jean Del Val, Ben Morris, Rush Williams, Allen Pinson.

On this day in television history - M Squad (1958):

M Squad

Season 2. Episode 3.
Episode entitled: The Missing Claimant.
Released October 3, 1958.
Directed by Allen H. Miner.
Written by Jack Laird and Wilton Schiller.
Music by Alexander Courage.

Cast:

Lee Marvin, Paul Newlan, Joan Vohs, Harry Lauter, Theodore Newton, Rebecca Welles, Sydney Smith, Dick Wilson, Robert Busch.

On this day in television history - Naked City (1958):

Naked City

Season 1. Episode 1.

Episode entitled: Meridian.

Released September 30, 1958.

Directed by Jerry Hopper.

Written by Stirling Silliphant.

Inspired by the movie The Naked City, a.k.a. Naked City (1948), directed by Jules Dassin, written by Albert Maltz and Malvin Wald.

Narrated by Herbert (Bert) B. Leonard.

Theme music: This is the Naked City by George Duning, Somewhere in the Night by Billy May, and The Naked City Theme by Nelson Riddle.

There are eight million stories in the naked city. This has been one of them.

– Narrator.

Cast:

John McIntire, James Franciscus, Suzanne Storrs, Alison Marshall, Joseph Walsh, Pat DeSimone, Harry Kadison, Bill Zuckert, Al Hodge, Frank Downing, Barbara Banks, Miriam Acevedo, Herbert B. Leonard.

On this day in television history - M Squad (1958):

M Squad

Season 2. Episode 2.

Episode entitled: Dead or Alive.

Released September 26, 1958.

Directed by Don Taylor.

Written by Don Sanford.

Music by Gerald Fried.

Cast:

Lee Marvin, Paul Newlan, Tom Pittman, Judi Meredith, Ralph Gamble, Jean Allison, Michael Pataki, Bill Erwin, Frank Marlowe, Robert Nash, Lyn Guild, Alice Backes, William Kerwin.

On this day in television history - Peter Gunn (1958 - 1961):

Peter Gunn

was released on September 22, 1958,

and ran for three seasons until September 18, 1961.

Cast:

Craig Stevens, Lola Albright, Herschel Bernardi, Hope Emerson, Minerva Urecal, Byron Kane, Bill Chadney, Billy Barty, Herbert Ellis, Capri Candela, Morris Erby, James Lanphier, Robert Gist.

On this day in television history - M Squad (1958):

M Squad

Season 2. Episode 1.
Episode entitled: More Deadly.
Released September 19, 1958.
Directed by Don Medford.
Written by Sidney Marshall.
Music by Ernest Gold.

Cast:

Lee Marvin, Lee Marvin, Paul Newlan, Ruta Lee, Voorheis J. Ardoin, Dorothea Lord, Paul Maxwell, Thea Ruckert, John Mitchum.

Born on this day – Wendie Jo Sperber:

Wendie Jo Sperber

Actress

September 15, 1958 – November 29, 2005

Credits:

12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2006); 8 Simple Rules (2003–2005); 1941 (1979); A Package for Me (2002); ABC Afterschool Specials (1979); American Dad! (2006); Babes (1990–1991); Bachelor Party (1984); Back to the Future (1985); Back to the Future Part III (1990); Bette (2001); Big Packages (1996); Bosom Buddies (1980–1982); Brothers (1985); Corvette Summer (1978); Delta Fever (1987); Designing Women (1989); Desperate But Not Serious (1999); Dinosaurs (1992); Entertainment Tonight (1990); Fortune Hunter (1994); Grease (1978); Grounded for Life (2005); Harry and the Hendersons (1991); Hearts Afire (1992–1993); History of the Sitcom (2021); Home Improvement (1999); I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978); Imps* / Segment: Rock Video (1983); JAG (2003); Kirk (1995); Knots Landing (1981); Looking Back at the Future (2006); Love Affair (1994); Marblehead Manor (1987); Married... with Children (1991); Moving Violations (1985); Mr. Payback: An Interactive Movie (1995); Mr. Write (1994); Murphy Brown (1988); My Dinner with Jimi (2003); Noel's House Party (1996); Parker Lewis Can't Lose (1992); Partners in Life (1990); Pissed (2000); Private Benjamin (1982–1983); Showbiz Today (1998); Sorority Boys (2002); Special Collector's Edition (2011); Stewardess School (1986); Take 22: Behind the Scenes of Sequestered (2010); The First Time (1981); The Image (1990); The Importance of Being Funny in America (1987); The Return of Hunter: Everyone Walks in L.A. (1995); The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1998–1999); The Stockard Channing Show (1980); Touched by an Angel (2003); Unhappily Ever After (1999); Used Cars (1980); Who's the Boss? (1990); Will & Grace (1999); Women in Prison (1987–1988); You Wish (1997).

On this day in movie history - The Blob (1958):

The Blob

directed by Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr. and Russell S. Doughten Jr.,

written by Theodore Simonson and Kay Linaker,

based on an idea by Irvine H. Millgate,

was released in the United States on September 10, 1958.
Music by Ralph Carmichael.

Cast:

Steve McQueen, Aneta Corsaut, Earl Rowe, Olin Howland, Stephen Chase, John Benson, George Karas, Lee Payton, Elbert Smith, Hugh Graham, Vincent Barbi, Audrey Metcalf, Jasper Deeter, Tom Ogden, Elinor Hammer, Pamela Curran, Ralph Roseman, Charlie Overdorff, David Metcalf, Josh Randolph, George Gerbereck, Julie Cousins, Keith Almoney, Eugene Sabel, Robert Fields, James Bonnet, Tony Franke, Molly Ann Bourne, Diane Tabben, Russ Conway, Howard Fishlove, Jack H. Harris, Vincent J. Mastrangelo, Theodore Simonson.

Born on this day – L.J. Smith:

L.J. Smith

Writer

September 4, 1958 – March 8, 2025

Credits:

Books:

Black Dawn (1997); Bloodlust (2011); Dark Angel (1996); Dark Reunion (1992); Daughters of Darkness (1996); Destiny Rising / aka The Vampire Diaries: Volume 10 (2012); Heart of Valor (1990); Huntress (1997); Midnight (2011); Moonsong / aka The Vampire Diaries: Volume 9 (2012); Night World 1 (2008); Night World 2 (2008); Night World 3 (2009); Nightfall (2009); Origins (2010); Phantom / aka The Vampire Diaries: Volume 8 (2011); Secret Vampire / aka Night World (1996); Shadow Souls (2010); Soulmate (1997); Spellbinder (1996); Strange Fate (2010); The Asylum (2012); The Awakening (1991); The Captive (1992); The Chase (1994); The Chosen (1997); The Compelled (2012); The Craving (2011); The Divide (2012); The Fury (1991); The Hunt (2012); The Hunter (1994); The Initiation (1992); The Kill (1994); The Night of the Solstice (1987); The Night World Collection (2017); The Night World Series Books 1 -6 Collection Box Set (2023); The Passion (1995); The Possessed (1995); The Power (1992); The Ripper (2011); The Strange Power (1994); The Struggle (1991); The Temptation (2013); The Ultimate Fan Guide (2009); The Vampire Diaries: The Return & The Hunters Collection (2014); Unmasked (2012); Unseen (2013); Unspoken (2013); Witchlight (1998); Your Very Own Vampire Diary 2011 (2010).

Movies and television:

Legacies (2018–2022); The Originals (2013–2018); The Secret Circle (2011–2012); The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017); The Vampire Diaries / Video Game (1996).

Recommended reading - The Doomsters (1958):

The Doomsters

By Ross Macdonald.

ASIN: 0307279049

First published 1958.

Published by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 9780307279040

ISBN-13: 978-0307279040

Description:

“Most mystery writers merely write about crime. Ross Macdonald writes about sin.” – The Atlantic Monthly.

“Ross Macdonald should not be limited in audience to connoisseurs of mystery fiction. He is one of a handful of writers in the genre whose worth and quality surpass the limitations of the form.” – Los Angeles Times.

Hired by Carl Hallman, the desperate-eyed junkie scion of an obscenely wealthy political dynasty, detective Lew Archer investigates the suspicious deaths of Hallman’s parents, Senator Hallman and his wife Alicia. Arriving in the sleepy town of Purissima, Archer discovers that orange groves may be where the Hallmans made their mint, but they’ve has been investing heavily in political intimidation and police brutality to shore up their rancid riches. However, after years of dastardly double-crossing and low down dirty-dealing, the family seem to be on the receiving end of a karmic death-blow. With two dead already and another consigned to the nuthouse, Archer races to crack the secret before another Hallman lands on the slab.

Murder, madness and greed grace The Doomsters, where a tony façade masks the rot and corruption within.

“Ross Macdonald is one of the best writers of the whipcord thriller.” – The Bookman.

On this day in movie history - The Big Country (1958):

The Big Country

directed by William Wyler,

written by James R. Webb, Sy Bartlett and Robert Wilder,

based on the novel Ambush at Blanco Canyon by Donald Hamilton,

was released in the United States on August 13, 1958.
Music by Jerome Moross.

Cast:

Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Charlton Heston, Burl Ives, Charles Bickford, Alfonso Bedoya, Chuck Connors, Chuck Hayward, Buff Brady, Jim Burk, Dorothy Adams, Chuck Roberson, Bob Morgan, John McKee, Slim Talbot, Richard Alexander, Rudy Bowman, Harry Cheshire, Chuck Hamilton, George Huggins, Jay W. Jensen, Donald Kerr, Burt Mustin, Carey Paul Peck, Jonathan Peck, Stephen Peck, Ralph Sanford, Scott Seaton.

Born on this day – David Steven Cohen:

David Steven Cohen

Writer

Producer

August 5, 1958 – March 17, 2025

Credits:

A Cool Like That Christmas (1993); ALF (1989); ALF Tales (1988); Arthur (2009–2015); Balto (1995); Cartoon Cartoon Fridays (2000–2001); Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004); Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999–2002); Fast Times (1986); George Burns Comedy Week (1985); Homeroom (1989); Kenny the Shark / Segment: Goodbye Ol' Chum (2004); Kirk (1995–1996); Little People (2016–2018); Living Single (1993–1995); Mr. President (1987); Parker Lewis Can't Lose (1991–1993); Pee-wee's Playhouse (1990); Peg+Cat (2014–2015); Phil of the Future (2006); Space Racers (2014–2017); Space Racers (2014–2017); Strangers with Candy (1999); The Ellen Burstyn Show (1986–1987); The Wickedest Witch (1989); The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss (1996–1997); Tiny Toon Adventures / Segment: Working Pig (1990); Treasure Trekkers (2019); Viva Piñata (2006–2007); Weird Science (1994).

Recommended reading - Shooting Star / Terror in the Night, by Robert Bloch (1958):

Shooting Star / Terror in the Night

By Robert Bloch.

ASIN: B000HWBAFU
Published by Ace Books, Inc.
Published 1958.

Two novels in one volume from the author of Psycho.

Born on this day – Barbara Rudnik:

Barbara Rudnik

Actress

July 27, 1958 – May 23, 2009

On this day in music history - The Blues, by B.B. King (1958):

The Blues

Album by B.B. King,

released June 23, 1958.

Track list:

Why Do Things Happen to Me; Ruby Lee; When My Heart Beats Like a Hammer; Past Day; Boogie Woogie Woman; Early Every Morning; I Want to Get Married; That Ain’t the Way to Do It; Troubles, Troubles, Troubles; Don’t You Want a Man Like Me; You Know I Go For You; What Can I Do.

On this day in television history - M Squad (1958):

M Squad

Season 1. Episode 38.
Episode entitled: Accusation.
Released June 13, 1958.
Directed by Don Taylor.
Written by Harry W. Junkin.
Music by Stanley Wilson.

Cast:

Lee Marvin, Fay Spain, Ken Clark, Paul Newlan, Larry J. Blake, Dan Riss, George Eldredge, Cindy Ames.

Born on this day – Barry Michael Cooper:

Barry Michael Cooper

Producer

Writer

Director

June 12, 1958 – January 21, 2025

Credits:

Above the Rim (1994); American Gangster (2006–2008); Blood on the Wall$ (2005); Bloomberg Game Changers (2010); Classic Albums (2007); Grand Daddy I.U.: Something New (1990); Guilt... (2019); Inside the Label (2016); It's Good to Be... (2003); NBA 2K16 (2015); New Jack City (1991); Planet Rock: The Story of Hip-Hop and the Crack Generation (2011); Private Times (1991); She's Gotta Have It (2017–2019); Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music (2005); Sugar Hill (1993); Tevin Campbell: For Your Love (1999).

On this day in television history - M Squad (1958):

M Squad

Season 1. Episode 37.
Episode entitled: The Woman from Paris.
Released June 6, 1958.
Directed by John Brahm.
Written by Oscar Millard.
Music by Stanley Wilson.

Cast:

Lee Marvin, Paula Raymond, Philip Ober, Paul Newlan, Jennifer Lea, Gine De Bard, Russ Bender, Paul Maxwell, Dan West.