Checkmate (1960)
A stylish CBS crime drama set in San Francisco, featuring a detective agency and an unforgettable parade of Hollywood guest stars.
Checkmate - Series Information
- Original Title: Checkmate
- First Air Year: 1960
- Last Air Year: 1962
- Created by: Eric Ambler
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 69
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 17, 1960 (United States - TV-PG)
- Networks: CBS
- Production Companies: Jamco Productions, Revue Studios
Checkmate - Plot
Checkmate is an American detective television series starring Anthony George, Sebastian Cabot, and Doug McClure. The show aired on CBS Television from 1960 to 1962 for a total of 70 episodes and was produced by Jack Benny's production company, "JaMco Productions" in co-operation with Revue Studios. Guest stars included Charles Laughton, Peter Lorre, and Lee Marvin, among many other commensurately prominent performers.
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Checkmate - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Eric Ambler
Main Cast
- Sebastian Cabot
- Doug McClure
- Anthony George
- Julie Adams
- Charles Seel
- Ed Nelson
- Barney Phillips
- Bethel Leslie
- Dorothy Green
- Milton Selzer
Writers
- James Gunn
- Lewis Reed
- Mark Rodgers
- Leigh Brackett
- Harold Jack Bloom
Checkmate - FAQs
What is Checkmate about?
Checkmate follows a San Francisco-based detective agency whose team — a criminologist, a young operative, and a seasoned investigator — takes on high-stakes cases involving crime, mystery, and danger. The show blended sharp procedural storytelling with an impressive roster of guest stars from Hollywood's golden era.
Who are the main actors in Checkmate?
The series stars Sebastian Cabot as Dr. Carl Hyatt, Doug McClure as Jed Sills, and Anthony George as Don Corey. Supporting cast includes Julie Adams, Charles Seel, Ed Nelson, Barney Phillips, Bethel Leslie, Dorothy Green, and Milton Selzer.
Which famous guest stars appeared on Checkmate?
Checkmate attracted some of Hollywood's biggest names as guest stars, including Charles Laughton, Peter Lorre, Lee Marvin, Ricardo Montalban, Anne Baxter, Angie Dickinson, and Keir Dullea. This parade of talent made the show a must-watch event for audiences of the early 1960s.
When did Checkmate first air on CBS?
Checkmate premiered on CBS on September 17, 1960. The series ran for two seasons, concluding in 1962, with a total of 69 episodes across its run.
Who created the TV series Checkmate?
Checkmate was created by Eric Ambler, the acclaimed British novelist best known for his influential spy and thriller fiction. Ambler also contributed directly as a writer on the series, lending the show a sophisticated literary sensibility that set it apart from typical crime procedurals of the era.
How many seasons and episodes does Checkmate have?
Checkmate ran for two seasons on CBS. Season 1 contained 35 episodes and Season 2 featured 34 episodes, bringing the total to 69 episodes across the series' two-year run from 1960 to 1962.
What production company made Checkmate?
Checkmate was produced by JaMco Productions — the production company of comedian Jack Benny — in cooperation with Revue Studios. This Hollywood pedigree helped attract the show's remarkable lineup of high-profile guest performers throughout its run.
What are shows similar to Checkmate?
Fans of Checkmate may enjoy Simon & Simon, My Friend Tony, and The Outsider for their classic detective agency dynamics. For modern crime drama with a similar investigative spirit, Bosch: Legacy, CSI: Vegas, and Vigil offer compelling contemporary alternatives worth exploring.
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