

The Man and the Challenge
1959 · 1 season · 36 episodes · Ended · NBC
Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure
TMDB 9.0 · 1 votes
The Man and the Challenge is a 36-segment half-hour television adventure/science fiction series which ran new episodes on NBC from September 12, 1959, to June 11, 1960. It starred George Nader as Dr. Glenn Barton, a research scientist for the Institute of Human Factors, an agency that conducted experiments designed to measure human endurance for the United States government. The series was produced by Ivan Tors. Nader's costars included Jack Ging as Dan Wright, Michael Masters as Bill Locke, the Canadian-born Joyce Meadows as Lynn Allen, and Michael Keith as Matt Adams. The episodes focused on various individuals setting world records of strength, endurance, and mastery of various difficult skills. The program also featured appearances by Bethel Leslie as Eleanor Beck in "The Early Warning", Ted Knight, as Dr. Herter in the episode "Daredevils", and Raymond Bailey, in the role of Dr. Kramer on the series opener "The Sphere of No Return". Joining Knight in that segment was Paul Burke.
Episodes
- S01E01The Sphere of No Return1959-09-1230m
In order to test human stamina at high altitudes, Barton and two other men go up in a balloon. When one panics and fails the required standards he is replaced by a woman which draws a hostile response from the remaining pilot.
- S01E02Maximum Capacity1959-09-1930m
Barton sends two men into the frozen north to test their endurance in extreme levels of cold and isolation. He wants to determine the best way to train men for high security jobs in the Arctic.
- S01E03Odds Against Survival1959-09-2630m
- S01E04Sky Diving1959-10-0330m
To study the effects of gravity on potential astronauts, Barton goes to France to learn free fall parachuting from a brother-and-sister team of skydivers: Suzanne and Georges Bolet.
- S01E05Experiments in Terror1959-10-1030m
- S01E06Invisible Force1959-10-1730m
In a hostile country, three Americans are being held captive. Barton is asked by a Washington official to form a clandestine athletic unit to free them.
- S01E07Escape to Nepal1959-10-2430m
In order to test the U2-21 drug which supposedly increases a man's ability to retain oxygen at great heights, Barton puts a group of mountaineers through a rigorous test in the Rockies before sending them to the Himalayas for a final test.
- S01E08Border to Border1959-10-3130m
Two antagonistic jet pilots are entered into a Mexican auto race to prove that a team can overcome obstacles better than any single person could.
- S01E09Trial by Fire1959-11-0730m
Barton enters an active volcano to test a new type of fire suit. He nearly loses his life in the experiment.
- S01E10White Out1959-11-1430m
Barton researches hypothermia in Antarctica by reducing the body temperature of two doctors. He hopes the experiment will lead to an understanding of how to freeze astronauts to withstand certain aspects of interplanetary flight.
- S01E11The Breaking Point1959-11-2830m
A volunteer is sealed in a cell for 30 days and is subjected to psychological torment in order to determine his breaking point.
- S01E12Jungle Survival1959-12-0530m
Glenn Barton is sent on a dual mission: test survival techniques in the Amazon Basin and determine the fate of four lost fliers.
- S01E13I've Killed Seven Men1959-12-1230m
- S01E14Man Without Fear1959-12-1930m
Barton uses a chemical names LSD-25 on a firefighter. The chemical removes fear, but raging forest fires prove that fear is a necessary part of courage.
- S01E15The Visitors1959-12-2630m
- S01E16The Storm1960-01-0130m
Glenn Barton is asked to clear the reputation of a man who died mysteriously.
- S01E17Killer River1960-01-0930m
On a cliff above the Colorado River, Barton rescues a parachuted pilot.
- S01E18Rodeo1960-01-2330m
Barton investigates the effects of a new rocket belt at a rodeo.
- S01E19The Windowless Room1960-01-3030m
A crack test pilot crashes his aircraft. After the crash he experiences a self-induced paralysis that slowly destroys his career and marriage. Barton restores the pilot's confidence by using hypnotic techniques.
- S01E20Nightmare Crossing1960-02-0630m
Barton tests candidates for command positions in space.
- S01E21The Lure of Danger1960-02-1330m
Barton looks individuals that subconsciously want to destroy themselves. He wants to learn why some men desire death.
- S01E22Recovery1960-02-2030m
- S01E23Buried Alive1960-02-2730m
Barton experiments with Yoga to show that it can be helpful in adverting tragedy.
- S01E24Recondo1960-03-0330m
A warden's daughter is held hostage by four escaped convicts.
- S01E25Flying Lab1960-03-1230m
Barton performs and experiment to show that ignorance and fear cause lack of efficiency.
- S01E26Hurricane Mesa1960-03-1930m
Barton conducts a test on a pilot to prove that he can be switched successfully to a desk job.
- S01E27Astro Female1960-03-2630m
Barton puts four women against four men in order to prove that woman can equal and perhaps surpass males as astronauts.
- S01E28The Extra Sense1960-04-0230m
In order to prove that emotional stress promotes telepathy, Barton parachutes from a high precipice.
- S01E29Man in a Capsule1960-04-0930m
Barton conducts a survival test on the surface of the ocean.
- S01E30The Dropper1960-04-2330m
- S01E31High Dive1960-04-3030m
- S01E32Daredevils1960-05-0730m
Barton puts the king of syut drivers through an incredibly dangerous test believing that the secret to survival lies in body chemical reactions.
- S01E33Shooter McLaine1960-05-2130m
Barton almost dies when a scientist ignoring his own physical limits and Barton's warnings misreads important test instruments.
- S01E34Early Warning1960-05-2830m
- S01E35Breakoff1960-06-0430m
- S01E36Highway to Danger1960-06-1130m
Barton researches highway hypnosis by subjecting himself to driving conditions that have killed five truck drivers.








