Ben Casey

Season 1

Ben Casey is an American medical drama series which ran on ABC from 1961 to 1966. The show was known for its opening titles, which consisted of a hand drawing the symbols "♂, ♀, ✳, †, ∞" on a chalkboard, as cast member Sam Jaffe intoned, "Man, woman, birth, death, infinity." Neurosurgeon Joseph Ransohoff was a medical consultant for the show and may have influenced the personality of the title character.

Where to Watch Season 1

32 Episodes

To the Pure
E1
To the PureDr. Ben Casey is at odds with the medical board, particularly Dr. Zorba and Dr. Jensen, because of his manner toward interns. Under a reprimand, Casey tries to persuade the board to approve neurosurgery on nine-year-old Pete Salazar. After the first of three operations on the boy, Casey is accidentally jabbed with a needle while administering a rabies test to a female patient. During his thirty-day wait for a life-or-death prognosis, he is given permission to resume the surgery.
But Linda Only Smiled
E2
But Linda Only SmiledLittle Cathy Reed is brought to the hospital for emergency treatment after an auto accident. Casey prepares a blood transfusion, but her mother won't consent.
The Insolent Heart
E3
The Insolent HeartDr. Michael Waldman, a former professor of Casey's and a former colleague of Zorba's, comes to the hospital with a cardiovascular ailment diagnosed as fatal. Casey and Zorba want to try a new surgery on him, but the medical board is opposed.
I Remember a Lemon Tree
E4
I Remember a Lemon TreeDr. Karl Anders is a brilliant surgeon, and Zorba wants to keep him on at the hospital. But Anders is concerned with illnesses of his ownâ€”he's addicted to morphine, and suffers from leukemia.
An Expensive Glass of Water
E5
An Expensive Glass of WaterCasey has Walter Tyson for a patient, the president of a large corporation in difficulties, who makes treatment impossible by ordering him about. Zorba and Dr. Jensen try to dissuade him from withdrawing, because his patient is a big donor to the hospital.
The Sound of Laughter
E6
The Sound of LaughterTony Romano, a struggling nightclub comic, suffers a cranial seizure. Dr. Casey operates, but Tony is left a paraplegic.
A Few Brief Lines for Dave
E7
A Few Brief Lines for DaveDr. Dave Taylor returns to the hospital to do research, but Dr. Casey diagnoses him as a ""hospital bum"" afraid of competition, and also treats a woman's hypochondria.
Pavane for a Gentle Lady
E8
Pavane for a Gentle LadyBy degrees to the bare facts.
My Good Friend Krikor
E9
My Good Friend KrikorOrderly Nick Kanavaris' good friend Krikor Dakopian is committed by his family to the psychiatric ward. Dr. Casey, however, thinks the ailment is likely to be responsive to neurosurgery.
The Sweet Kiss of Madness
E10
The Sweet Kiss of MadnessDr. Alan Reynolds' mental state is not improved by constant pressure from his wife to be a successful neurosurgeon. The strain increases when he treats an abused 10-year-old boy. Dr. Casey forestalls an unnecessary operation, and tries to persuade Dr. Reynolds to receive treatment.
A Certain Time, a Certain Darkness
E11
A Certain Time, a Certain DarknessExpectant mother Ellen Parker loses her child after an auto accident. Casey examines her and finds that she is subject to chronic seizures, and these, not the accident, are responsible for the loss of her baby.
A Dark Night for Billy Harris
E12
A Dark Night for Billy HarrisDr. Casey operates on Billy Harris, a holdup man shot and paralyzed, but he's also concerned about the policeman, who may have been too keen and might be mentally hampered.
And If I Die
E13
And If I Die""The faith that looks through death."" (Wordsworth)
A Memory of Candy Stripes
E14
A Memory of Candy StripesRecollections.
Imagine a Long, Bright Corridor
E15
Imagine a Long, Bright CorridorA clean, well-lighted place.
A Story to Be Softly Told
E16
A Story to Be Softly ToldBetween you, me and the nurse's station.
The Big Trouble with Charlie
E17
The Big Trouble with CharlieHe's not quite himself, or is he?
Give My Hands an Epitaph
E18
Give My Hands an EpitaphPost-scriptum to a surgeon's operating life.
Victory Wears a Cruel Smile
E19
Victory Wears a Cruel SmileFrom another point of view.
Odyssey of a Proud Suitcase
E20
Odyssey of a Proud SuitcaseA piece of baggage.
Behold a Pale Horse
E21
Behold a Pale Horse""And his name that sat on him was Death.""
For the Ladybug, One Dozen Roses
E22
For the Ladybug, One Dozen RosesA decorated aviator with an alias goes into surgery.
To a Grand and Natural Finale
E23
To a Grand and Natural FinaleA consummation devoutly to be wished.
Monument to an Aged Hunter
E24
Monument to an Aged HunterSouvenirs and trophies.
All the Clocks are Ticking
E25
All the Clocks are TickingAs time goes by.
Among Others a Girl Named Abilene
E26
Among Others a Girl Named AbileneA Texas rose.
A Pleasant Thing for the Eyes
E27
A Pleasant Thing for the EyesA vision of loveliness.
And Eve Wore a Veil of Tears
E28
And Eve Wore a Veil of TearsSorrow and pity.
Preferably, the Less-Used Arm
E29
Preferably, the Less-Used ArmMight and main.
An Uncommonly Innocent Killing
E30
An Uncommonly Innocent KillingQualifications for the deed.
So Oft It Chances in Particular Men
E31
So Oft It Chances in Particular MenSo oft it chances in particular men That (for some vicious mole of nature in them, As in their birth, wherein they are not guilty, Since nature cannot choose his origin) By the o'ergrowth of some complexion, Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason, Or by some habit, that too much o'erleavens The form of plausive mannersâ€”that (these men, Carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect, Being nature's livery, or fortune's star) Their virtues else, be they as pure as grace, As infinite as man may undergo, Shall in the general censure take corruption From that particular fault. The dram of evil Doth all the noble substance of a doubt, To his own scandal. Hamlet
When You See an Evil Man
E32
When You See an Evil ManThe patient and the ill.