Checkmate 1960
What is Checkmate?
Checkmate is an American detective television series created by Eric Ambler that aired on CBS Television from 1960 to 1962. The program ran for a total of 70 episodes and was produced by JaMco Productions, the company owned by Jack Benny, in cooperation with Revue Studios.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1960
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 69
- Runtime
- 60 minutes
- First aired
- Sep 17, 1960
- Last aired
- Jun 20, 1962
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- CBS
- Genres
- Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Updated
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 69 episodes and an average 60-minute runtime.
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Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
Checkmate is an American detective television series created by Eric Ambler that aired on CBS Television from 1960 to 1962. The program ran for a total of 70 episodes and was produced by JaMco Productions, the company owned by Jack Benny, in cooperation with Revue Studios. The series features actors Anthony George, Sebastian Cabot, and Doug McClure in the lead roles, with Ken Lynch also appearing in the cast. The narrative centers on Don Corey and Jed Sills, who operate a high-priced detective agency in San Francisco called Checkmate, Inc. They are assisted in protecting their clients by Carl Hyatt, a British criminologist and former Oxford professor. Throughout its two-year run, the series featured numerous guest stars, including prominent performers such as Charles Laughton, Peter Lorre, and Lee Marvin. The show follows the investigations conducted by the agency as they work to ensure the safety of those who hire them. The production remains noted for its inclusion of various high-profile guest actors who appeared alongside the core cast during its broadcast history.
Should you watch it?
“Three private investigators solve complex cases in 1960s Los Angeles.”
- Strong ensemble cast with notable guest stars
- Well-crafted mystery episodes
- Historic television production values
- Dated pacing by modern standards
- Limited episode availability
You enjoy vintage detective procedurals with sophisticated storytelling.
Suitable for classic TV mystery fans, contains period-appropriate themes.
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Cast
Episode guide
Spoiler-Safe Browsing Progress
Season 1 · 35 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →- E1 Death Runs Wild Mytharc Sep 17, 1960
- E2 Interrupted Honeymoon Core Sep 24, 1960
- E3 The Cyanide Touch Core Oct 1, 1960
- E4 Lady on the Brink Core Oct 15, 1960
- E5 Face in the Window Core Oct 22, 1960
- E6 Runaway Core Oct 29, 1960
- E7 Target: Tycoon Core Nov 5, 1960
- E8 The Deadly Shadow Core Nov 12, 1960
- E9 The Dark Divide Core Nov 19, 1960
- E10 Moment of Truth Core Nov 26, 1960
- E11 The Mask of Vengeance Core Dec 3, 1960
- E12 The Murder Game Core Dec 17, 1960
- E13 The Princess in the Tower Core Dec 31, 1960
- E14 The Terror from the East Core Jan 7, 1961
- E15 The Human Touch Mytharc Jan 14, 1961
- E16 Hour of Execution Core Jan 21, 1961
- E17 Don't Believe a Word She Says Core Jan 28, 1961
- E18 Laugh Till I Die Core Feb 4, 1961
- E19 Between Two Guns Core Feb 11, 1961
- E20 A Matter of Conscience Core Feb 18, 1961
- E21 Melody for Murder Core Feb 25, 1961
- E22 Phantom Lover Core Mar 4, 1961
- E23 The Gift Core Mar 11, 1961
- E24 One for the Book Core Mar 18, 1961
- E25 The Paper Killer Core Mar 25, 1961
- E26 Jungle Castle Core Apr 1, 1961
- E27 The Deadly Silence Core Apr 8, 1961
- E28 Goodbye Griff Core Apr 15, 1961
- E30 Voyage Into Fear Core May 6, 1961
- E31 Tight As a Drum Core May 13, 1961
- E32 Death by Design Core May 20, 1961
- E33 The Thrill Seeker Core May 27, 1961
- E34 Hot Wind in a Cold Town Core Jun 10, 1961
- E35 A Slight Touch of Venom Mytharc Jun 17, 1961
- E36 State of Shock Mytharc Jun 24, 1961
Season 2 · 34 episodes
- E1 Portrait of a Man Running Mytharc Oct 4, 1961
- E2 The Button Down Break Core Oct 11, 1961
- E3 The Heat of Passion Core Oct 18, 1961
- E4 Waiting for Jocko Core Oct 25, 1961
- E5 Through a Dark Glass Core Nov 1, 1961
- E6 Juan Moreno's Body Mytharc Nov 8, 1961
- E7 Kill the Sound Core Nov 15, 1961
- E8 The Crimson Pool Core Nov 22, 1961
- E9 The Two of Us Core Nov 29, 1961
- E10 Nice Guys Finish Last Core Dec 13, 1961
- E11 To the Best of My Recollection Core Dec 27, 1961
- E12 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Game Core Jan 3, 1962
- E13 The Star System Core Jan 10, 1962
- E14 The Renaissance of Gussie Hill Core Jan 17, 1962
- E15 A Very Rough Sketch Core Jan 24, 1962
- E16 The Yacht Club Gang Core Jan 31, 1962
- E17 Death Beyond Recall Mytharc Feb 7, 1962
- E18 The Sound of Nervous Laughter Core Feb 14, 1962
- E19 An Assassin Arrives, Andante Mytharc Feb 21, 1962
- E20 Remembrance of Crimes Past Core Feb 28, 1962
- E21 Heart Is a Handout Core Mar 7, 1962
- E22 A Brooding Fixation Core Mar 14, 1962
- E23 A Chant of Silence Core Mar 21, 1962
- E24 Trial by Midnight Core Mar 28, 1962
- E25 Ride a Wild Horse Core Apr 4, 1962
- E26 So Beats My Plastic Heart Core Apr 11, 1962
- E27 In a Foreign Quarter Mytharc Apr 18, 1962
- E28 Referendum on Murder Core Apr 25, 1962
- E29 The Someday Man Mytharc May 2, 1962
- E30 Rendezvous in Washington Core May 9, 1962
- E31 The Bold and the Tough Core May 16, 1962
- E32 Will the Real Killer Please Stand Up? Mytharc May 23, 1962
- E33 Down the Gardenia Path Mytharc Jun 6, 1962
- E34 Side by Side Mytharc Jun 20, 1962
Frequently asked questions
Who stars in Checkmate?
The main cast includes Anthony George, Sebastian Cabot, and Doug McClure as private investigators.
When did Checkmate air?
The series ran on CBS from 1960 to 1962.
How many episodes were made?
The show produced a total of 70 episodes across its run.
Who produced Checkmate?
It was produced by Jack Benny's JaMco Productions in association with Revue Studios.
Are there any famous guest stars?
Yes, the series featured prominent guest performers including Charles Laughton, Peter Lorre, and Lee Marvin.
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