Mr. Novak

Mr. Novak

1963
Mr. Novak
Mr. Novak

Mr. Novak

7.5 | en | Drama

Mr. Novak is an American dramatic series starring James Franciscus in the title role, which aired on NBC for two seasons, from 1963 to 1965.

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Seasons & Episodes

2
1
EP30  Once a Clown
Apr. 27,1965
Once a Clown

Hank Nelby is more interested in making his fellow students laugh than getting good grades. After his mother Mrs. Nelby is notified about his failing, the prominent attorney blames the school and threatens legal action.

EP29  And Then I Wrote
Apr. 20,1965
And Then I Wrote

When a charismatic student receives a scholarship to a space academy, his rosy future takes a turn when he realizes his father's unattainable dreams are more important than his own.

EP28  The Firebrand
Apr. 13,1965
The Firebrand

Paul Ryder, a member of the debate squad, decides to take a side in a school bond issue. He becomes passionate in his advocacy and galvanizes the other students to action.

EP27  There's a Penguin in my Garden
Apr. 06,1965
There's a Penguin in my Garden

The school clock is ticking: Sister Gervais has three months to solve a multi-million dollar under-age problem, a dilemma that can't be accomplished from her convent.

EP26  The Student Who Never Was
Mar. 30,1965
The Student Who Never Was

As a prank student Dick Sullivan invents the perfect student. The faculty all rave about the non-existent teenager giving the kids,a good laugh on their elders.

EP25  Honor - and All That
Mar. 23,1965
Honor - and All That

A student gets carried away with the traditional rivalry with a neighboring school. A violent riot results at a basketball game.

EP24  The Tender Twigs
Mar. 16,1965
The Tender Twigs

Social Studies teacher Frank Menlow and Novak join forces to conduct a student model United Nations. What started as a learning experience becomes divisive as the instructors are accused of promoting communism.

EP23  Where is There to go but up,Billie?
Mar. 09,1965
Where is There to go but up,Billie?

Novak develops a romantic interest in Jean Corcoran, the new substitute teacher. But to his dismay Jean seems more invested in her new hobby of skydiving.

EP22  May Day,May Day
Mar. 02,1965
May Day,May Day

The teacher evaluations are due and most instructors are eager to keep their jobs by getting a good report. Bud Walker is the exception as he goes about his business already sure he'll be terminated at school's end.

EP21  Mountains to Climb
Feb. 23,1965
Mountains to Climb

Administrator Albert Vane learns that Joe Stillman is running for state superintendent. Believing him ill suited for the job Vane resigns his position at Jefferson and runs against Stillman, not knowing how ruthless his opponent can be.

EP20  The Silent Dissuaders
Feb. 16,1965
The Silent Dissuaders

Exchange instructor Javid arrives from Iran and is excited to work with American students to prepare them for college. To her dismay some of her brightest pupils would rather drop out to get married.

EP19  Faculty Follies (2)
Feb. 09,1965
Faculty Follies (2)

Despite the controversy of putting on the teacher's variety show Novak perseveres. The dedicated, instructor is determined to stage the best show possible.

EP18  Faculty Follies (1)
Feb. 02,1965
Faculty Follies (1)

Novak is assigned to direct the year's edition of the faculty variety show. He expects smooth going until an instructor objects, considering the show unbecoming for Jefferson Highs teachers.

EP17  Beat the Plowshares,Edge the Sword
Jan. 26,1965
Beat the Plowshares,Edge the Sword

When Mr. Novak uncovers a tight knit group of four male students secretly living together in an unusual arrangement, he must also take on the person enabling the minors.

EP16  Enter a Strange Animal
Jan. 19,1965
Enter a Strange Animal

We don't have an overview of this episode, please check back later.

EP15  An Elephant is Like a Tree
Jan. 12,1965
An Elephant is Like a Tree

Chris Herrod, a student blind for a year as the result of an accident, tries to return to his studies but finds the strain too great.

EP14  From the Brow of Zeus
Jan. 05,1965
From the Brow of Zeus

Pre-teen Michael Brown is academically ready for high school but lacks the social skills of his fellow students. His classmates haze him including running his pants up the flag pole. Novak tries to help Michael's adjustment.

EP13  Love Among the Growns Ups
Dec. 29,1964
Love Among the Growns Ups

Anonymous letters are sent to the school administrators accusing Novak of having an affair with Ellen Westfall, a married teacher. Novak must find the perpetrator of the unsigned notes and have them repudiated.

EP12  Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
Dec. 22,1964
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

It's discovered that a young girl who has just transferred to Jefferson High was tried and acquitted of killing her parents. The other students ostracize her and she becomes the subject of a whispering campaign, even among some of the teachers.

EP11  Johnny Ride the Pony
Dec. 15,1964
Johnny Ride the Pony

Novak steps in as advisor to an off campus boys club. But Novak is unprepared for the teen's rowdy behavior leading to a showdown with the young men.

EP10  'A' Is for Anxiety
Dec. 08,1964
'A' Is for Anxiety

Karen Parker is a brilliant student with a promising future. When Karen is up for a scholarship the pressure her parents put on their daughter becomes too much forcing Novak to intervene.

EP9  Born of Kings and Angels
Dec. 01,1964
Born of Kings and Angels

The big debate tournament is out of town and advisor Novak is along for the trip. The team captain Verne is normally overconfident of his abilities but becomes withdrawn. Novak must learn why before the event.

EP8  Boy Under Glass
Nov. 24,1964
Boy Under Glass

Wayne Brice is a promising pitcher on the school team with a future as a professional. But Wayne is flunking Novak's class and he won't play unless his grade improves. Despite pressure Novak holds firm on an education's value.

EP7  The People Doll
Nov. 17,1964
The People Doll

One of Novak's promising students plans on dropping out and get married. The teacher does his best to change a few minds

EP6  Let`s Dig a Little Grammar
Nov. 10,1964
Let`s Dig a Little Grammar

JoJo and Ray are students who seemed to have vastly different futures. Novak decides to get involved and help both teenagers realize their potential.

EP5  One Monday Afternoon
Oct. 27,1964
One Monday Afternoon

Young Donan has a promising future as the quarterback of Jefferson's football team. When the teen dies after an intense scrimmage his parents blames the rigorous workouts of the coach Lou Meyer.

EP4  Little Girl Lost
Oct. 20,1964
Little Girl Lost

Troubled co-ed Edie transfers to Jefferson and her rebellious attitude soon turns off her teachers. But Novak detects a spark of interest from her in drama and manages to change Edie's attitude.

EP3  Visions of Sugar Plums
Oct. 06,1964
Visions of Sugar Plums

Musical vagabond Charlie O'Rourke decides to settle down after fifteen years of roaming and begins teaching. But his unorthodox ways bring consternation to the administrators of Jefferson High. Novak steps in to broker a compromise.

EP2  With a Hammer in his Hand,Lord,Lord!
Sep. 29,1964
With a Hammer in his Hand,Lord,Lord!

Industrial arts teacher Carl Green conducts classes like a shop foreman, which provokes student Lee Darragh into taking violent action.

EP1  Moonlightning
Sep. 22,1964
Moonlightning

After Mr. Vane arranges for Mr. Novak to suddenly fly to Pennsylvania to visit his ailing father, the good, but completely broke son returns with a pile of hospital bills to be paid off, somehow.

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7.5 | en | Drama | More Info
Released: 1963-09-24 | Released Producted By: MGM Television , Country: United States of America Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website:
Synopsis

Mr. Novak is an American dramatic series starring James Franciscus in the title role, which aired on NBC for two seasons, from 1963 to 1965.

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The tv show is currently not available onine

Cast

James Franciscus , Dean Jagger , Bill Zuckert

Director

E. Jack Neuman

Producted By

MGM Television ,

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Reviews

SurfCityGuy It's hard to overstate how impressive this series was for those of us seeing it for the first time. As the first reviewer here noted, its positive theme was very impressive for the day, coming on the heels of dramas that were either saccharine or "tough" or of certain tried and true genres, such as the western, the medical or doctor story, and others of the day.Franciscus was impressive for his acting skills, obvious from the first episode, and the entire cast was well-chosen, especially Dean Jagger, who had a chance in this series to get his career off to a new start, and did a good job of convincing us of his position and authority. A long gone actor of great skill; compare his performance as the town drunk in "Bad Day at Black Rock."I highly recommend this series.
schappe1 This was the best "teacher" show ever on TV. It was intelligent, thoughtful presented real problems facing high school students and their teachers and concentrate don education and it's role in people's lives. Later shows tended to idealize the attitudes of students, showing them getting involved in political campaigns and the like. Here, as in reality, they are more concerned with their own lives.James Franciscus was the first choice to play Dr. Kildare but had to bow out due to a scheduling conflict. this was his consolation prize. the show is basically Kildare in a high school instead of a hospital, with Dean Jagger playing principal Albert Vane, who mentors Novak the way Gillespie mentors Kildare. Franciscus, who looked enough like Richard Chamberlain to have been his older brother, is like Chamberlain, a thoughtful, restrained actor who is easy for the audience to identify with. Jagger's manor is totally different from the imperious Gillespie but he is just as impressive in his own way, as his surface nervousness resolves itself into a steely moral rectitude. Also impressive is Jeanne Bal, who plays a businesslike but knowing assistant principal. She is not only a talented actress but ask yourself if you have ever seen a more beautiful woman.Like Kildare, Novak is a symbol of the earnest optimism of the early 60's and his handsomeness and youthful idealism suggest President Kennedy, at least as we chose to remember him. Kennedy was assassinated during the first year of this show and Mr. Novak did a show that was an obvious tribute to him, called "Death of a Teacher". A popular teacher dies suddenly at school and each character has to deal with sudden grief in their own way, as we were all having to do at that time. It's an especially touching episode of a special show.