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
GenreDramatized court show
Written byPeter Wildeblood
Presented byJim McKay (1958–60)
Bill Stout (1960–62)
StarringDavid Ensor
Robert Rietty
Narrated byJim McKay (1958–60)
Bill Stout (1960–62)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
Production
Running time30 minutes
Release
Original networkCBS
Original releaseSeptember 2, 1957 (1957-09-02) –
September 28, 1962 (1962-09-28)

Overview

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]

Cast
  • 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

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
  1. "TV Courtroom Shows Proliferate in the Late 1950s". www.metnews.com. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  2. Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, The Encyclopedia of Prime Time Television Shows, 2000
  3. Lackmann, Ron (1976). Soap Opera Almanac. Berkley Publishing Corporation, New York. p. 173.
  5. Hyatt, Wesley (1997). The Encyclopedia of Daytime Television. Watson-Guptill Publications. pp. 452–453. ISBN 978-0823083152. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  6. Schemering, Christopher (1987). The Soap Opera Encyclopedia (2nd ed.). Ballantine Books. pp. 233–234. ISBN 0-345-35344-7.
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