The term "classic television" usually refers to TV programs from the 1950s through the early 1980s. Viewers of classic TV usually have their favorite comedy, drama, variety, or western shows; the time period has become so popular, that current TV networks such as MeTV, TV Land and COZI TV broadcast fan favorites regularly.

Along with the standard favorites, old horror and sci-fi movies are not to be forgotten. Svengoolie (on MeTV) is one of the longest-running shows on the air, and is currently hosted by Ric Koz, who has an encyclopedic knowledge of each movie’s background and the actors.      

Every story, whether it's in a TV show or movie, is tied together by the combined writing and direction. As critical as that work is, you probably remember the actors, or even music, without knowing the names of the writer or director. 

One individual credited for many essential American television shows is Donald "Don" Brinkley (1921-2012), a multi-talented director, producer, and writer.

The Career of Don Brinkley

Brinkley honed his early writing skills in Chicago, scripting many radio shows including the Betty Grable and Harry James Show, and I Was a Communist for the FBI. In the 1950s, as radio's popularity began to wane, Brinkley would transition to a new career as a television screenwriter in Hollywood.

He wrote for dozens of shows, penning many of their pilot episosdes. Some of his most successful and popular shows were Bat Masterson, Ben Casey, The FBI, The Fugitive, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Medical Center (producer) and Trapper John, M.D. (with co-creator and writer, Frank Glicksman).

Brinkley and Frank Glickman challenged the norms with groundbreaking medical episodes, including, in 1975, Glicksman's “The Fourth Sex,” a two-part episode for Medical Center. The story was about a world-famous surgeon (played by Robert Reed) who fought successfully to have sex-reassignment surgery.

Trapper John, M.D. also examined serious and contentious medical issues. The episode “Deadly Exposure” (co-written with Jim Rogers) was about nuclear power workers not being adequately protected against radiation poisoning.

Brinkley also wrote episodes for sci-fi favorites Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (currently running on TV LAND) and The Invaders. The Invaders (not currently broadcast) is an underrated show starring Roy Thinnes as David Vincent, an architect who stumbles across an invasion from aliens planning to take over the world.

In addition to great acting, memorable shows have always required great directing and writing. Don Brinkley could do both. He died in 2012, survived by his children Christie and Gregory.

This post was inspired by the Donald Brinkley collection, located at The New York Public Library Theatre Division.