1960s Timeline

Jan. 1, 1962 - Tonight on “The Rifleman,” when Mark goes missing during a hunting trip, Lucas tries to get help to look for his missing...

Dec. 30, 1961 - Tonight on “Gunsmoke,” a band of outlaws offers to pay Matt to make himself scarce while they rob the bank. If he...

Dec. 30, 1961 - Tonight on “The Defenders,” Lawrence agrees to defend a racketeer charged with the murder of a rival. With Martin Balsam....

Dec. 25, 1961 - Alfred Hitchcock will dish out a double dose of mystery Sunday evenings on CBS-TV next season. The purveyor of filmed...

Dec. 25, 1961 - Tonight on “The Andy Griffith Show,” when Barney is offered the sheriff’s position in a nearby town, he and Andy trade...

Dec. 24, 1961 - Tonight on “Bonanza,” the Cartwrights take in a young orphaned blind girl (Diane Mountford, pictured right with Dan...

Dec. 23, 1961 - Tonight on “Gunsmoke,” an ill-mannered young mountain man (Don Dubbins, right) is told by his father that it's time he...

Dec. 23, 1961 - Tonight on “The Defenders,” rich Mr. Gideon, after marrying for the sixth time, has invited all his slightly flaky...

Dec. 19, 1961 - Tonight on “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” a wounded cop-killer rushes to get his prescription for a painkiller filled. With...

Dec. 13, 1961 - Tonight on “Naked City,” George Bick (Mickey Rooney, pictured) is a 40-year-old who never grew up. Fed up with his...

Dec. 4, 1961 - Tonight on “The Rifleman,” Lucas and Mark meet writer Mark Twain (Kevin McCarthy). Later they find out that he has a sad...

Dec. 4, 1961 - Efrem Zimbalist Jr. (pictured), star of television’s “77 Sunset Strip,” was divorced today by Mrs. Stephanie Zimbalist....

Dec. 4, 1961 - Tonight on “The Andy Griffith Show,” handyman Henry Wheeler (Edgar Buchanan, left) enters the Taylors' life, and Aunt Bee...

Dec. 4, 1961 - Many television stations affiliated with ABC canceled Sunday evening’s episode of the show “Bus Stop” because they...