The Great Adventure (1963)
A landmark CBS historical anthology series bringing famous Americans and defining moments of U.S. history to life each week.
The Great Adventure - Series Information
- Original Title: The Great Adventure
- First Air Year: 1963
- Last Air Year: 1964
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (52 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: CBS
The Great Adventure - Plot
The Great Adventure is a historical anthology series that appeared on CBS for the 1963-1964 television season. The series, narrated each week by Van Heflin, and featuring theme music by Richard Rodgers, presented a weekly one-hour dramatization of the lives of famous Americans and important historical events in American History.
The Great Adventure - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Kent Smith
- Russell Johnson
- Ian Wolfe
- Ricardo Montalban
- James Dunn
- Noah Beery Jr.
- Andrew Duggan
- David McCallum
- Rodolfo Acosta
- Peggy McCay
The Great Adventure - FAQs
What is The Great Adventure about?
The Great Adventure is a historical anthology series that aired on CBS during the 1963-1964 television season. Narrated by Van Heflin with theme music by Richard Rodgers, each episode offered a one-hour dramatization of notable Americans and pivotal events throughout United States history.
When did The Great Adventure first air?
The Great Adventure premiered during the 1963-1964 television season on CBS. The series ran for a single season, concluding in 1964 after 26 episodes that each spotlighted a different chapter of American historical life.
Who are the main actors in The Great Adventure?
As an anthology series, The Great Adventure featured a rotating guest cast each week. Notable performers across the season included Kent Smith, Russell Johnson, Ian Wolfe, Ricardo Montalban, James Dunn, Noah Beery Jr., Andrew Duggan, David McCallum, Rodolfo Acosta, and Peggy McCay.
How many episodes does The Great Adventure have?
The Great Adventure consists of 26 episodes, all contained within its single season. Each episode ran approximately 52 minutes and presented a self-contained dramatization of a different figure or event from American history.
Is The Great Adventure based on true stories?
Yes. Every episode of The Great Adventure was grounded in real American history. The series dramatized the lives of genuine historical figures and actual events, aiming to bring pivotal moments from the American past to life for a 1960s television audience.
Who narrated The Great Adventure on CBS?
Veteran Hollywood actor Van Heflin served as the weekly narrator of The Great Adventure, lending the series a sense of gravitas and authority. The show's distinctive theme music was composed by Richard Rodgers, adding further prestige to the production.
What network aired The Great Adventure?
The Great Adventure aired on CBS. It was part of the network's 1963-1964 primetime lineup and represented an ambitious effort to bring American historical drama to a broad national television audience through the anthology format.
What are similar shows to The Great Adventure?
Viewers who enjoyed The Great Adventure may also appreciate other anthology series of the era such as Night Gallery (1970) and The Evil Touch (1973), as well as Appointment with Adventure (1955) and Easy (2016), which share the anthology format's tradition of self-contained dramatic storytelling.
More About The Great Adventure
Explore further details about this classic CBS historical anthology series through these authoritative resources.