Seasons & episodes

Story of Josiah Wedgwood.

The story of Boston dentist William Thomas Green Morton, who developed the use of ether as an anesthetic.

The life of Sir Walter Scott, including family, literary career, bankruptcy, and the death of his wife.

The story of Boston dentist William Thomas Green Morton, who developed the use of ether as an anesthetic.

An incident in the life of naturalist artist John James Audubon; set in New Orleans in 1824.

A woman poses as an agent in the East.

Adaptation of Thomas Wolfe's "Of Time and the River", the deathbed scene.

This is the biographical drama of Catherine Parr, one of the wives of Henry VIII.

The story of Joseph Geiting McCoy, American pioneer cattleman.

The story highlights the early career of "T.R." until the time he became President. It shows how, during those years, Roosevelt was a colorful, forceful, imaginative man who overcame many obstacles, both personal and political, on his rise to the Presidency.

Moliere's rollicking satire tells the story of a wealthy fop, Argan, who fancies himself the victim of dozens of ailments. He accordingly becomes the dupe of the absurd 17th Century doctors, who fill him with worthless medicine and extract valuable fees in return. Argan's saucy maid Toinette, realizing the ridiculous situation of her gullible master, devises a plan that makes him come to his senses.

The moving story of John C. Fremont, one of the great American explorers of the last century is dramatized. Fremont whose explorations helped open a large part of the far West, played a conspicuous part in the winning of California territory from Mexico. An army lieutenant-colonel at the time, he was later court-martialed for insubordination to his superior officer. Disillusioned by this occurance, in which he felt himself blameless, he resigned his commission and once again headed West. After many trying experiences, during which the bulwark of his faith was the enduring love of his wife, Jessie, Fremont struck gold and remade his fortune. He eventually became the first Senator from California.

The story takes place during the hours just before Gant's demise. The remarkable man and his family are the long suffering wife who finds joy in hearing a compliment about her cooking; Gant's daughter who wants freedom from her father's overwhelming personality and young Eugene Gant who seeks the true meaning og the father-son relationship. The old man, laughing in the face of death, towers about all in what has been acclaimed as a great modern American novel.

The struggles of the early Pilgrims at Plymouth rock is dramatized. Beset by illness, food shortage and Indian marauders, the colonists relied almost on courage alone in the realization of a haven that promised them freedom they had long sought. Against this background unfolded the love story of Priscilla and John Alden, including the famous line "Speak for yourself, John" which occurs when Alden asks the maid to give her hand to his friend, Captain Miles Standish.

The story of Benjamin Franklin's famous trip to Paris during the Revolutionary War and its importance for the American cause is dramatized. In Paris Franklin meets the beautiful Mme. Brillon who helps him establish important acquaintances. But he faced opposition from his fellow American hot-tempered Arthur Lee, and had to use the utmost patience and tact to resolve a most dangerous situation.

Slave and story teller Aesop is smitten with slave girl Rhodope.

Amahl, a crippled boy, and his poor mother are visited by the Three Wise Men, who stay the night, and are entertained by the villagers. During the night, Amahl's mother tries to steal their jewels, but is caught by the page. Amahl begs for her release, and is rewarded for his pains by being healed. He then leaves with the Three Wise Men.

About the mid-seventeenth century John Milton used his fiery pen to espouse the cause of Oliver Cromwell against the throne, since he believed that Cromwell would make England the World's first true democracy. Milton worked hard in this cause and though he was warned that continued eye-strain might cause him to lose his sight. Cromwell's advent to power plunged England into a strict dictatorship to Milton's disillusionment. Milton once again took up the pen to denounce Cromwell and, before long, overwork led to the poet's, total blindness. His personal star continued in descent when Charles II, after his restoration, had the poet imprisoned as a traitor. Despite these overwhelming setbacks, Milton lived to write the immortal "Paradise Lost."

The story of Chief Justice John Marshall and his dignity and impartiality during the trial of Aaron Burr, the man who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel.

James Edward Oglethorpe fought a single-handed battle against the debtor prisons of England. In 1732, Oglethorpe fights a losing battle for the freedom of all unfortunate Englishmen rotting in jail because they owe money. Oglethorpe conceives a plan of starting a colony, to be made up of freed debtors, in the new world. Eventually, a boatload of debtors arrives at what Is later to become Georgia, but warlike Indians imperil the beleaguered band. When his fiancee, Anne Dabney, is murdered by the Indians, Oglethorpe swears vengeance. However, calmer advice prevails, the colony is rebuilt and Oglethorpe becomes Georgia's first governor, outlawing jail terms for men in debt.

Jane Grey Swisshelm, pioneer newspaper woman, who in 1857 heeded her boss Horace Greeley's advice and headed Westward to the town of St. Cloud, Minnesota, where she attempted to expose the local boss. Her presses were destroyed and she almost lost her life.

The story of the King who believed he ruled by divine right and was completely heedless of his personal responsibility to his people and his Kingdom. Deposed by insurgent nobles who rebelled at his excesses, Richard ultimately found dignity and true nobility in the tragedy of his ultimate ruin.

Houston goes to Mexican Territory at the suggestion of his friend, President Andrew Jackson. He soon becomes involved in the cause of Texas independence, but in opposition to Stephen Austin, who believes Texas can gain autonomy under Mexican rule. After Austin is imprisoned by the Mexicans, Houston is appointed commander-in-chief of the Texas forces in their fight for freedom. When Houston's orders are ignored, the Alamo falls. However, he rallies his forces and engages a much larger Mexican force under the wily Santa Ana, in a battle in which he employs brilliant military strategy.

Clara Weick's father strongly objected to her marrying a penniless young composer named Schumann. The law in Vienna then permitted fathers to choose their daughters' mates, and Clara felt obliged to sue in the courts to Rain the right to marry the man of her choice. After a lengthy and humiliating public trial, Clara was victorious and soon married Schumann. They made a triumphal tour of Europe—Schumann composing and Clara playing the concert piano.