PREMIERE - ’THE DAY THE EMPIRE STOOD STILL, ' MODERN DRAMA OP HUGE RANCH HIT BY STRIKE, IS OPENING STORY OP ’EMPIRE' COLOR HOUR
A walkout by ranchhands -- who refuse to work with a man cleared of a murder charge -- threatens to ruin the 500,000-acre Garret Ranch in "The Day the Empire Stood Still," premiere "Empire," episode of NBC-TV full-hour color series, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 1962 (8:30-9:30 p.m. NYT). The modern Western series stars Richard Egan, Terry Moore, Anne Seymour and Ryan O'Neal. Moreno (guest star Charles Bronson) is accused of killing the daughter of another ranchhand, Tom Rawlings (Denver Pyle). Jim Redigo (Egan), foreman of the vast Garret holdings, believes Moreno innocent and hires a lawyer, who successfully defends the accused. Redigo keeps Moreno on the ranch but the other ranchhands, led by Rawlings, harass the man and agitate for his dismissal. When this fails, they walk off the job, jeopardizing the Garret holdings. Miss Seymour portrays Lucia Garret, owner and matriarch of the ranch. Miss Moore, her daughter, Connie, and O'Neal plays Connie's brother, Tal. The guest cast includes Oliver McGowan as Harvey Welk, Vic Perrin as Matt Webster and Paul Tripp as Thayer Wilson. Arthur Hiller directed the teleplay by Frank Nugent. William Sackheim is executive producer of the series, sponsored by Chrysler Corporation, American Tobacco and General Mills Inc.
Written by TVgy1960wXc on Nov 12, 2025