50th Anniversary of Coronet Blue

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Today marks the 50th anniversary of Coronet Blue. The short-lived CBS drama premiered on May 29th, 1967–nearly two years after it went into production. Frank Converse starred as an amnesiac searching for his identity. The only thing he can remember is the phrase “coronet blue” but he doesn’t know what it means. Taking the name Michael Alden, the man embarks on a journey filled with danger and intrigue.

CBS initially planned to air Coronet Blue during the 1965-1966 season. Instead, it kept the series on the shelf for more than a year-and-a-half before finally burning it off during the summer of 1967.

Joe Silver had a recurring role as Alden’s friend Max Spier. Brian Bedford appeared in a handful of episodes as Brother Anthony, a monk who befriends Alden. Guest stars included Dick Clark, Candice Bergen, Jack Cassidy, Susan Hampshire, Lynda Day George, Hal Holbrook, Alan Alda, Patrick O’Neal, Sally Kellerman, David Carradine, and Roy Scheider.

CBS only aired 11 of the 13 episodes produced. At some point during the 1990s, TV Land showed several episodes. Otherwise, the show has been unavailable since it went off the air almost five decades ago. Kino Lorber will release the series on DVD on July 18th, making Coronet Blue‘s small cult following very happy.

You can find my in-depth article about Coronet Blue here.


Did you watch Coronet Blue on CBS in 1967? Have you already pre-ordered the series on DVD? Are you worried it won’t hold up after five decades? Hit the comments with your thoughts.


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3 Replies to “50th Anniversary of Coronet Blue”

  1. In this world of growing number of remakes CORONET BLUE is high on my list of series that could work as a remake (T.H.E. CAT is my top choice). CORONET BLUE used a form not popular until recently and it has a mystery that hooked the audience even in the 60s.

    1. I suspect TV Land had shown all the episodes since there have been TV copies floating about. With these shows it’s often later TV airings that get recorded. That seems to be the case with many older TV shows that first aired before VCRs.

      They might have been planning to release this on DVD for a while but hoped the 50th anniversary would boost sales, however after 50 years there wouldn’t be much of a market from those who initially saw it so I don’t know if waiting would do all that much good.

  2. CBS held onto the series for nearly two years. Interesting, to me, since “A Man Called Shenandoah” (starring Robert Horton) aired in 1965. Similar concept … an amnesiac man, “doomed to wander” the old west, searches for clues to his identity and, subsequently, the reason he was left for dead. Perhaps ABC beat them to the punch, with the concept, so “Coronet Blue” was put on hold.

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