USA
/ NBC / x15m-e / March 12, 1951
-December 28, 1951
(Broadcast: Mon-Fri. 3-3:15
p.m.) black and white
The
first NBC TV series to originate
from Philadelphia, Miss Susan
was a tearjerker about a lawyer
with paralyzed legs who returned
to her hometown of Marrinsville,
Ohio, with her nurse and
companion in tow. When they
arrived, they learned that
Laura, the family housekeeper,
had been charged with theft.
"Laura can't be a
thief—or can she?" the
narrator dramatically intoned at
the end of the debut. Few
viewers seemed to care, nor were
they much interested in the
prime story line—Susan's
dealing with her love for
Bill Carter while considering
how her condition would affect
their relationship.
There
has been some doubt over whether
low ratings actually prompted
this show's cancellation.
Billboard reported in September
1951 that Peters, an actual
paraplegic since 1945, was in
poor health (the actress died in
1952 at age 31 due to pneumonia
and chronic kidney problems).
However, its sponsor Colgate
said the reason it dropped the
show for The Big Payoff wsls
because it felt game shows were
more in demand on daytime
television. Whatever the reason
for the cancellation, not many
people felt the
show's disappearance was a big
loss for television.
Cast
Susan
Martin.......................
Susan Peters
Bill
Carter............................
Mark Roberts
Laura the housekeeper..........
Helen Ray
Mrs.
Peck............................
Kathryn Grill
Also with; Gerry Lock, Jon
Lormer, Robert McQueeney,
Natalie
Priest
