First Aired: October 1st, 1952
Status: Ended
Genre: Drama
Network: ABC
Summary: Cavalcade of America is an anthology drama series that was sponsored by the DuPont Company, although it occasionally presented a musical, such as an adaptation of Show Boat, and condensed biographies of popular composers. It was initially broadcast on radio from 1935 to 1953, and later on television from 1952 to 1957. Originally on CBS, the series pioneered the use of anthology drama for company audio advertising. Cavalcade of America documented historical events using stories of individual courage, initiative and achievement, often with feel-good dramatizations of the human spirit's triumph against all odds. This was consistent with DuPont's overall conservative philosophy and legacy as an American company dating back to 1802. The company's motto, "Maker of better things for better living through chemistry," was read at the beginning of each program, and the dramas emphasized humanitarian progress, particularly improvements in the lives of women, often through technological innovation.
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# of Episodes: 131
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Season 3
Episode 1: The Great Gamble
Air Date: October 12nd, 1954
Summary: A dramatization about Cyrus Field, who after several unsuccessful attempts, realized his dream of laying a cable across the Atlantic from Newfoundland to Ireland.
The story of the great faith and fortitude of Cyrus Field in his attempt to lay the first telegraphy cable beneath the Atlantic Ocean. Field was labeled a swindler when his first try failed, but he continued his work.
Episode 2: The Forge
Air Date: October 26th, 1954
Summary: The events in the life of Eliphalet Remington leading to the development of his famous rifle which played an important part in American history because it gave to the pioneers a cheap and superior substitute for European-made weapons.
Eliphalet Remington builds his own rifle on his father's forge. He then enters a shooting match in an attempt to prove that American-made goods offer worthy competition for the more expensive European-made items.
Episode 4: The Gentle Conqueror
Air Date: November 9th, 1954
Summary: A drama about Father Junipero Serra, an 18th century Spanish missionary who devoted his life to establishing missions up and down the coast of California. Depicts incidents connected with the Portola Expedition to San Diego in 1769 and portrays the role of Father Serra in civilizing the Indians there.
Episode 5: Mountain Man
Air Date: November 16th, 1954
Summary: Relates the story of James Ohio Pattie, the first American to write an account of a visit to California. Reenacts his arrival in San Diego, the Mexican provincial capital, in 1828, and portrays his role in averting a smallpox epidemic, thus winning the friendship of the Mexicans and freedom for the Americans whom they held in captivity.
Episode 8: Night Call
Air Date: December 7th, 1954
Summary: A dramatization of a typical twenty-four-hour period in a doctor's life. Follows his activities during his night calls, his work at a hospital, his office appointments, and his efforts to save the life of a young stranger who is the victim of a rare disease.
Episode 13: Petticoat Doctor
Air Date: January 25th, 1955
Summary: A biographical account of the career of Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman doctor to practice in America, who, with the assistance of her younger sister, managed the New York Infirmary for Women and Children. Dr.Elizabeth Blackwell is befriended by New York newspaperman Horace Greeley in her struggle to obtain recognition and respect for professional women.
Episode 15: Decision for Justice
Air Date: February 15th, 1955
Summary: Dramatizes an episode in the life of Chief Justice John Marshall, showing how his decision in the case of Marbury vs. Madison resulted in the recognition of the Supreme Court as the final authority in the interpretation of the Constitution.
Episode 16: The Hostage
Air Date: February 22nd, 1955
Summary: The heroic activities of Captain Robert Stobo,of the Virginia Militia, who, as a prisoner of the French during the French and Indian War, procured for the British the plans of Forts Duquesne and Quebec and made possible an important British victory.
Episode 22: Stay On, Stranger!
Air Date: May 3rd, 1955
Summary: Tells how Mrs. Alice Lloyd, a forty-year-old Bostonian, started a school in the mountain town of Caney, Kentucky, in 1916 and gradually overcame local opposition to education by showing that her students could use their education to help their own community.
Episode 23: Sunrise on a Dirty Face
Air Date: May 10th, 1955
Summary: Dramatizes the campaign waged by James E. West and Theodore Dreiser to establish the first juvenile court in the District of Columbia.
Half a century ago a young attorney named James E. West became interested in juvenile delinquents. His fight for more humane treatment of mistreated youngster led to a great improvement in the laws.
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