Storyline

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.

First Aired

1959-09-12
Last Aired

1960-06-11
Creator

Ivan Tors
Genre

Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure
Seasons

1
Episodes

36
Status

Ended
Language

English
Network

NBC

Keywords:

scientist

Stream and watch The Man and the Challenge

Season 1

1. The Sphere of No Return

In order to test human stamina at high altitudes, Barton and two other men go up in a balloon. When on...More

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.Less

30mins 1959-09-12

2. Maximum Capacity

Barton sends two men into the frozen north to test their endurance in extreme levels of cold and isola...More

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.Less

30mins 1959-09-19

3. Odds Against Survival

Less

30mins 1959-09-26

4. Sky Diving

To study the effects of gravity on potential astronauts, Barton goes to France to learn free fall para...More

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.Less

30mins 1959-10-03

5. Experiments in Terror

Less

30mins 1959-10-10

6. Invisible Force

In a hostile country, three Americans are being held captive. Barton is asked by a Washington official...More

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.Less

30mins 1959-10-17

7. Escape to Nepal

In order to test the U2-21 drug which supposedly increases a man's ability to retain oxygen at great h...More

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.Less

30mins 1959-10-24

8. Border to Border

Two antagonistic jet pilots are entered into a Mexican auto race to prove that a team can overcome obs...More

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.Less

30mins 1959-10-31

9. Trial by Fire

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

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

30mins 1959-11-07

10. White Out

Barton researches hypothermia in Antarctica by reducing the body temperature of two doctors. He hopes ...More

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.Less

30mins 1959-11-14

11. The Breaking Point

A volunteer is sealed in a cell for 30 days and is subjected to psychological torment in order to dete...More

A volunteer is sealed in a cell for 30 days and is subjected to psychological torment in order to determine his breaking point.Less

30mins 1959-11-28

12. Jungle Survival

Glenn Barton is sent on a dual mission: test survival techniques in the Amazon Basin and determine the...More

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

30mins 1959-12-05

13. I've Killed Seven Men

Less

30mins 1959-12-12

14. Man Without Fear

Barton uses a chemical names LSD-25 on a firefighter. The chemical removes fear, but raging forest fir...More

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.Less

30mins 1959-12-19

15. The Visitors

Less

30mins 1959-12-26

16. The Storm

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

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

30mins 1960-01-01

17. Killer River

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

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

30mins 1960-01-09

18. Rodeo

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

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

30mins 1960-01-23

19. The Windowless Room

A crack test pilot crashes his aircraft. After the crash he experiences a self-induced paralysis that ...More

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.Less

30mins 1960-01-30

20. Nightmare Crossing

Barton tests candidates for command positions in space.

Barton tests candidates for command positions in space.Less

30mins 1960-02-06

21. The Lure of Danger

Barton looks individuals that subconsciously want to destroy themselves. He wants to learn why some me...More

Barton looks individuals that subconsciously want to destroy themselves. He wants to learn why some men desire death.Less

30mins 1960-02-13

22. Recovery

Less

30mins 1960-02-20

23. Buried Alive

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

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

30mins 1960-02-27

24. Recondo

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

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

30mins 1960-03-03

25. Flying Lab

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

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

30mins 1960-03-12

26. Hurricane Mesa

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

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

30mins 1960-03-19

27. Astro Female

Barton puts four women against four men in order to prove that woman can equal and perhaps surpass mal...More

Barton puts four women against four men in order to prove that woman can equal and perhaps surpass males as astronauts.Less

30mins 1960-03-26

28. The Extra Sense

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

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

30mins 1960-04-02

29. Man in a Capsule

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

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

30mins 1960-04-09

30. The Dropper

Less

30mins 1960-04-23

31. High Dive

Less

30mins 1960-04-30

32. Daredevils

Barton puts the king of syut drivers through an incredibly dangerous test believing that the secret to...More

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

30mins 1960-05-07

33. Shooter McLaine

Barton almost dies when a scientist ignoring his own physical limits and Barton's warnings misreads im...More

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

30mins 1960-05-21

34. Early Warning

Less

30mins 1960-05-28

35. Breakoff

Less

30mins 1960-06-04

36. Highway to Danger

Barton researches highway hypnosis by subjecting himself to driving conditions that have killed five t...More

Barton researches highway hypnosis by subjecting himself to driving conditions that have killed five truck drivers.Less

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The Man and the Challenge

Storyline

Stream and watch The Man and the Challenge

1. The Sphere of No Return

30mins 1959-09-12

2. Maximum Capacity

30mins 1959-09-19

3. Odds Against Survival

30mins 1959-09-26

4. Sky Diving

30mins 1959-10-03

5. Experiments in Terror

30mins 1959-10-10

6. Invisible Force

30mins 1959-10-17

7. Escape to Nepal

30mins 1959-10-24

8. Border to Border

30mins 1959-10-31

9. Trial by Fire

30mins 1959-11-07

10. White Out

30mins 1959-11-14

11. The Breaking Point

30mins 1959-11-28

12. Jungle Survival

30mins 1959-12-05

13. I've Killed Seven Men

30mins 1959-12-12

14. Man Without Fear

30mins 1959-12-19

15. The Visitors

30mins 1959-12-26

16. The Storm

30mins 1960-01-01

17. Killer River

30mins 1960-01-09

18. Rodeo

30mins 1960-01-23

19. The Windowless Room

30mins 1960-01-30

20. Nightmare Crossing

30mins 1960-02-06

21. The Lure of Danger

30mins 1960-02-13

22. Recovery

30mins 1960-02-20

23. Buried Alive

30mins 1960-02-27

24. Recondo

30mins 1960-03-03

25. Flying Lab

30mins 1960-03-12

26. Hurricane Mesa

30mins 1960-03-19

27. Astro Female

30mins 1960-03-26

28. The Extra Sense

30mins 1960-04-02

29. Man in a Capsule

30mins 1960-04-09

30. The Dropper

30mins 1960-04-23

31. High Dive

30mins 1960-04-30

32. Daredevils

30mins 1960-05-07

33. Shooter McLaine

30mins 1960-05-21

34. Early Warning

30mins 1960-05-28

35. Breakoff

30mins 1960-06-04

36. Highway to Danger

30mins 1960-06-11