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  • It's a Man's World Chicago Gains a Number (Season 1, Episode 11)
  • TV Episode | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

It's a Man's World

Chicago Gains a Number (Season 1, Episode 11)
TV Episode | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

Tom-Tom is expelled from college for failing to take makeup exams. Frustrated by the bureaucracy, during which we're given a prescient tech babble about flowcharts and computers, somebody was doing their homework, he quits school to head ...See moreTom-Tom is expelled from college for failing to take makeup exams. Frustrated by the bureaucracy, during which we're given a prescient tech babble about flowcharts and computers, somebody was doing their homework, he quits school to head back home to Chicago. By this point in the series it was becoming apparent that Ted Bessell was stealing the show. Certainly, Glenn Corbett had all the classic leading man requisites, which he would display to good effect in the next decade, but Bessell was clearly the guy who could charm the camera. Dawn Wells shows up again, this time sans her paratrooper boyfriend and is working at the college registrar's office as a key punch operator (remember those) rather than the local newspaper. This one is a showcase for Bessell, who puts on a virtual one man show as he explores his life and we learn about his wealthy, disconnected family. He even does some rare breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the camera. Again, this is a major departure from the typical show, if such a thing existed. We come to understand who Tom-Tom is, that he's not just a goof off, that he's trying desperately not to become his father and get buried alive in a soul killing job. We understand finally, that he wants to be a writer. It's good, but not the rollicking fun of something like Molly Pitcher and the Green Eyed Monster or Driving Over to Exeter. A sad, introspective outing. The show truly was an anthology, which is always a hard sell with a television audience. Written by The Mystic Hedgehog See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Writer
Elliot L. Sims (as Elliott Simms)
Producer
Composer
Jack Marshall (music score)
Cinematographer
Status
Edit Released
Updated Dec 3, 1962

Release date
Dec 3, 1962 (United States)
Awards
Series awards
2 nominations

Contacts

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Cast

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20 cast members
Name Known for
Glenn Corbett
Wes Macauley Wes Macauley   See fewer
Ted Bessell
Thomas A. 'Tom-Tom' DeWitt Thomas A. 'Tom-Tom' DeWitt   See fewer
Michael Burns
Howie Macauley Howie Macauley   See fewer
Randy Boone
Vern Hodges Vern Hodges   See fewer
Harry Harvey
Houghton Stott (as Harry Harvey Sr.) Houghton Stott (as Harry Harvey Sr.)   See fewer
Karl Swenson
Mr. DeWitt Mr. DeWitt   See fewer
Kathryn Givney
Mrs. DeWitt Mrs. DeWitt   See fewer
Anne Anderson
Marilyn Marilyn   See fewer
Dawn Wells
Molly Molly   See fewer
Jeanine Cashell
Alma Jean Dobson Alma Jean Dobson   See fewer
Scott White
Mr. Dobson Mr. Dobson   See fewer
Betsy Jones-Moreland
Miss Dugan (as Betsy Jones Moreland) Miss Dugan (as Betsy Jones Moreland)   See fewer
Chet Stratton
Frank DeWitt Frank DeWitt   See fewer
Meg Wyllie
Mrs. Kling Mrs. Kling   See fewer
Elisabeth Talbot-Martin
Mrs. Ryder (as Elizabeth Talbot Martin) Mrs. Ryder (as Elizabeth Talbot Martin)   See fewer
Alexander Lockwood
Will Ryder Will Ryder   See fewer
Elizabeth Harrower
Mrs. Overhill Mrs. Overhill   See fewer
Mary Lee Dearring
Miranda Overhill Miranda Overhill   See fewer
Elsie Baker
Mrs. Prescott Mrs. Prescott   See fewer
Howard Hoffman
Winters Winters   See fewer
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