Lost TV Classics: The Jim Backus Show

Jim Backus, Thurston Howell III on Gilligan's Island and the voice of Mr. Magoo, stars in this rarely-seen sitcom! The beloved actor plays Mike O'Toole, editor and owner of the Headline Press Service, whose circulation numbers would go up if he could get his employees to actually do anything. Backus was coming off a successful three-year run as Joan Davis's husband on the popular NBC series I Married Joan (1952-1955) in addition to playing James Dean's father in the classic Rebel Without a Cause (1955). Nita Talbot plays Dora, his sexy secretary, with whom O'Toole enjoys a hands-on/hands-off relationship. The actress later received an Emmy nomination for her role as Russian spy Marya on Hogan's Heroes (1965-1971). She also made a memorable appearance as a stripper in the Elvis Presley picture Girl Happy (1965). The Jim Backus Show aired in syndication, and was known as Hot Off the Wire in some markets.

THE WOMAN'S TOUCH: Mike and Dora switch places when she is made auxiliary editor for a week.

SOUTH HAMPTON STORY: After Mike humiliates an obnoxious movie starlet, she turns the tables on him with a phony wedding proposal.

OLD ARMY GAME: Mike puts on his military uniform to go prowling for girls with an old army buddy.

NO HELP WANTED: The Headline Press Service launches a campaign to revive the fortunes of an aging actress after Mike mistakenly believes she is working as a cleaning woman.