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
Season 1 · 35 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 Death Runs Wild Sep 17, 1960
- E2 Interrupted Honeymoon Sep 24, 1960
- E3 The Cyanide Touch Oct 1, 1960
- E4 Lady on the Brink Oct 15, 1960
- E5 Face in the Window Oct 22, 1960
- E6 Runaway Oct 29, 1960
- E7 Target: Tycoon Nov 5, 1960
- E8 The Deadly Shadow Nov 12, 1960
- E9 The Dark Divide Nov 19, 1960
- E10 Moment of Truth Nov 26, 1960
- E11 The Mask of Vengeance Dec 3, 1960
- E12 The Murder Game Dec 17, 1960
- E13 The Princess in the Tower Dec 31, 1960
- E14 The Terror from the East Jan 7, 1961
- E15 The Human Touch Jan 14, 1961
- E16 Hour of Execution Jan 21, 1961
- E17 Don't Believe a Word She Says Jan 28, 1961
- E18 Laugh Till I Die Feb 4, 1961
- E19 Between Two Guns Feb 11, 1961
- E20 A Matter of Conscience Feb 18, 1961
- E21 Melody for Murder Feb 25, 1961
- E22 Phantom Lover Mar 4, 1961
- E23 The Gift Mar 11, 1961
- E24 One for the Book Mar 18, 1961
- E25 The Paper Killer Mar 25, 1961
- E26 Jungle Castle Apr 1, 1961
- E27 The Deadly Silence Apr 8, 1961
- E28 Goodbye Griff Apr 15, 1961
- E30 Voyage Into Fear May 6, 1961
- E31 Tight As a Drum May 13, 1961
- E32 Death by Design May 20, 1961
- E33 The Thrill Seeker May 27, 1961
- E34 Hot Wind in a Cold Town Jun 10, 1961
- E35 A Slight Touch of Venom Jun 17, 1961
- E36 State of Shock Jun 24, 1961
Season 2 · 34 episodes
- E1 Portrait of a Man Running Oct 4, 1961
- E2 The Button Down Break Oct 11, 1961
- E3 The Heat of Passion Oct 18, 1961
- E4 Waiting for Jocko Oct 25, 1961
- E5 Through a Dark Glass Nov 1, 1961
- E6 Juan Moreno's Body Nov 8, 1961
- E7 Kill the Sound Nov 15, 1961
- E8 The Crimson Pool Nov 22, 1961
- E9 The Two of Us Nov 29, 1961
- E10 Nice Guys Finish Last Dec 13, 1961
- E11 To the Best of My Recollection Dec 27, 1961
- E12 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Game Jan 3, 1962
- E13 The Star System Jan 10, 1962
- E14 The Renaissance of Gussie Hill Jan 17, 1962
- E15 A Very Rough Sketch Jan 24, 1962
- E16 The Yacht Club Gang Jan 31, 1962
- E17 Death Beyond Recall Feb 7, 1962
- E18 The Sound of Nervous Laughter Feb 14, 1962
- E19 An Assassin Arrives, Andante Feb 21, 1962
- E20 Remembrance of Crimes Past Feb 28, 1962
- E21 Heart Is a Handout Mar 7, 1962
- E22 A Brooding Fixation Mar 14, 1962
- E23 A Chant of Silence Mar 21, 1962
- E24 Trial by Midnight Mar 28, 1962
- E25 Ride a Wild Horse Apr 4, 1962
- E26 So Beats My Plastic Heart Apr 11, 1962
- E27 In a Foreign Quarter Apr 18, 1962
- E28 Referendum on Murder Apr 25, 1962
- E29 The Someday Man May 2, 1962
- E30 Rendezvous in Washington May 9, 1962
- E31 The Bold and the Tough May 16, 1962
- E32 Will the Real Killer Please Stand Up? May 23, 1962
- E33 Down the Gardenia Path Jun 6, 1962
- E34 Side by Side 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.