"Ben Casey" Debuts 50 Years Ago Today

One of viewers' favorite flavors during the 1961-62 television season was the medical drama.  Dr. Kildare debuted on September 28th, five days before the premiere episode of  Ben Casey, starring Vince Edwards, aired.  During its 5-year run -- same on Kildare, coincidentally -- the show was among the Top 25 during its first two seasons:  #18 in 1961-62 and tied for #7 (with The Danny Thomas Show) in 1962-63.

Like Richard Chamberlain, the star of Dr. Kildare, Edwards had an extremely mediocre side career as a recording artist.  His two singles ("Why Did You Leave Me?" and "Don't Worry 'Bout Me"), both released in 1962, spent a total of 8 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

The show also resulted in a clothing fad:  "Ben Casey" shirts, a blouse, actually, as it was worn only by girls.  At least that was the case in Warren, Pennsylvania.  In Mr. DiMino's 6th-grade class at Jefferson Elementary School, Mary Lauffenberger was the first to sport one.