The Verdict Is Yours
The Verdict Is Yours was an American courtroom drama that aired on CBS Daytime from September 2, 1957, to September 28, 1962,[1] and in primetime from July 3 to September 25, 1958.[2]
| The Verdict Is Yours | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Dramatized court show |
| Written by | Peter Wildeblood |
| Presented by | Jim McKay (1958–60) Bill Stout (1960–62) |
| Starring | David Ensor Robert Rietty |
| Narrated by | Jim McKay (1958–60) Bill Stout (1960–62) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| Original release | September 2, 1957 – September 28, 1962 |
Overview Edit
The Verdict Is Yours premiered on September 2, 1957. It was a part of the daytime lineup of CBS. Unscripted, it featured actual lawyers playing the lawyers and judge. Likewise, the defendants and witnesses on the program were professional actors who, although they were given a general outline of what they were supposed to say, ad-libbed their actual dialogue.[3] Sportscaster Jim McKay was the original reporter, providing commentary on the trials. He was succeeded in 1960 by newsman Bill Stout. The program aired weekly on CBS’ nighttime schedule in July 1958. The studio audience served as the jury.[1][4]
The cases all took place in Overlook, a fictional town.[5]
The British Crown Court (TV series), though scripted, had a Jury composed of real members of the public, who reached their own verdicts.
Cast Edit
- David Ensor served as the judge on most episodes.
- Robert Rietty served as an attorney on most episodes.
- Madeline Large served as an attorney on most episodes.
Reception Edit
According to Christopher Schemering in The Soap Opera Encyclopedia, "Legal groups across the country applauded the program's realism. TV Guide found it 'contrived' but 'fascinating.'"[6]
References Edit
- ^ a b "TV Courtroom Shows Proliferate in the Late 1950s". www.metnews.com. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
- ^ Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, The Encyclopedia of Prime Time Television Shows, 2000
- ^ Lackmann, Ron (1976). Soap Opera Almanac. Berkley Publishing Corporation, New York. p. 173.
- ^
- "The Verdict is Yours (1957-)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
- "The Verdict Is Yours TV Show". www.tvguide.com. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
- ^ Hyatt, Wesley (1997). The Encyclopedia of Daytime Television. Watson-Guptill Publications. pp. 452–453. ISBN 978-0823083152. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ^ Schemering, Christopher (1987). The Soap Opera Encyclopedia (2nd ed.). Ballantine Books. pp. 233–234. ISBN 0-345-35344-7.
External links Edit
- The Verdict Is Yours at IMDb