Ben Casey is an American medical drama series which ran on ABC from 1961 to 1966. The show was known for its opening titles, which consisted of a hand drawing the symbols "♂, ♀, ✳, †, ∞" on a chalkboard, as cast member Sam Jaffe intoned, "Man, woman, birth, death, infinity." Neurosurgeon Joseph Ransohoff was a medical consultant for the show and may have influenced the personality of the title character.
Showing Season 1 of 5
Season 1
1961
No overview available.
01. To the Pure
1961-10-02
Dr. Ben Casey is at odds with the medical board, particularly Dr. Zorba and Dr. Jensen, because of his manner toward interns. Under a reprimand, Casey tries to persuade the board to approve neurosurgery on nine-year-old Pete Salazar. After the first of three operations on the boy, Casey is accidentally jabbed with a needle while administering a rabies test to a female patient. During his thirty-day wait for a life-or-death prognosis, he is given permission to resume the surgery.
02. But Linda Only Smiled
1961-10-09
Little Cathy Reed is brought to the hospital for emergency treatment after an auto accident. Casey prepares a blood transfusion, but her mother won't consent.
03. The Insolent Heart
1961-10-16
Dr. Michael Waldman, a former professor of Casey's and a former colleague of Zorba's, comes to the hospital with a cardiovascular ailment diagnosed as fatal. Casey and Zorba want to try a new surgery on him, but the medical board is opposed.
04. I Remember a Lemon Tree
1961-10-23
Dr. Karl Anders is a brilliant surgeon, and Zorba wants to keep him on at the hospital. But Anders is concerned with illnesses of his own—he's addicted to morphine, and suffers from leukemia.
05. An Expensive Glass of Water
1961-10-30
Casey has Walter Tyson for a patient, the president of a large corporation in difficulties, who makes treatment impossible by ordering him about. Zorba and Dr. Jensen try to dissuade him from withdrawing, because his patient is a big donor to the hospital.
06. The Sound of Laughter
1961-11-06
Tony Romano, a struggling nightclub comic, suffers a cranial seizure. Dr. Casey operates, but Tony is left a paraplegic.
07. A Few Brief Lines for Dave
1961-11-13
Dr. Dave Taylor returns to the hospital to do research, but Dr. Casey diagnoses him as a ""hospital bum"" afraid of competition, and also treats a woman's hypochondria.
08. Pavane for a Gentle Lady
1961-11-20
By degrees to the bare facts.
09. My Good Friend Krikor
1961-11-27
Orderly Nick Kanavaris' good friend Krikor Dakopian is committed by his family to the psychiatric ward. Dr. Casey, however, thinks the ailment is likely to be responsive to neurosurgery.
10. The Sweet Kiss of Madness
1961-12-04
Dr. Alan Reynolds' mental state is not improved by constant pressure from his wife to be a successful neurosurgeon. The strain increases when he treats an abused 10-year-old boy. Dr. Casey forestalls an unnecessary operation, and tries to persuade Dr. Reynolds to receive treatment.
11. A Certain Time, a Certain Darkness
1961-12-11
Expectant mother Ellen Parker loses her child after an auto accident. Casey examines her and finds that she is subject to chronic seizures, and these, not the accident, are responsible for the loss of her baby.
12. A Dark Night for Billy Harris
1961-12-18
Dr. Casey operates on Billy Harris, a holdup man shot and paralyzed, but he's also concerned about the policeman, who may have been too keen and might be mentally hampered.
13. And If I Die
1962-01-01
""The faith that looks through death."" (Wordsworth)
14. A Memory of Candy Stripes
1962-01-08
Recollections.
15. Imagine a Long, Bright Corridor
1962-01-15
A clean, well-lighted place.
16. A Story to Be Softly Told
1962-01-22
Between you, me and the nurse's station.
17. The Big Trouble with Charlie
1962-01-29
He's not quite himself, or is he?
18. Give My Hands an Epitaph
1962-02-05
Post-scriptum to a surgeon's operating life.
19. Victory Wears a Cruel Smile
1962-02-12
From another point of view.
20. Odyssey of a Proud Suitcase
1962-02-19
A piece of baggage.
21. Behold a Pale Horse
1962-02-26
""And his name that sat on him was Death.""
22. For the Ladybug, One Dozen Roses
1962-03-05
A decorated aviator with an alias goes into surgery.
23. To a Grand and Natural Finale
1962-03-12
A consummation devoutly to be wished.
24. Monument to an Aged Hunter
1962-03-19
Souvenirs and trophies.
25. All the Clocks are Ticking
1962-03-26
As time goes by.
26. Among Others a Girl Named Abilene
1962-04-02
A Texas rose.
27. A Pleasant Thing for the Eyes
1962-04-16
A vision of loveliness.
28. And Eve Wore a Veil of Tears
1962-04-23
Sorrow and pity.
29. Preferably, the Less-Used Arm
1962-04-30
Might and main.
30. An Uncommonly Innocent Killing
1962-05-07
Qualifications for the deed.
31. So Oft It Chances in Particular Men
1962-05-21
So oft it chances in particular men That (for some vicious mole of nature in them, As in their birth, wherein they are not guilty, Since nature cannot choose his origin) By the o'ergrowth of some complexion, Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason, Or by some habit, that too much o'erleavens The form of plausive manners—that (these men, Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect, Being nature's livery, or fortune's star) Their virtues else, be they as pure as grace, As infinite as man may undergo, Shall in the general censure take corruption From that particular fault. The dram of evil Doth all the noble substance of a doubt, To his own scandal. Hamlet
32. When You See an Evil Man
1962-05-28
The patient and the ill.
