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Flashing Spikes

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"Flashing Spikes"
Alcoa Premiere episode
Episode no.Season 2
Episode 1
Directed byJohn Ford
Written byJameson Brewer
Story byFrank O'Rourke (novel)
Presented byFred Astaire
Featured musicJohn Williams
Cinematography byWilliam H. Clothier
Editing byRichard Belding
Tony Martinelli
Original air dateOctober 4, 1962 (1962-10-04)
Running time52 min.
Guest appearances


*pseudonym for John Wayne
Episode chronology
← Previous
"The Time of the Tonsils"
Next →
"Guest in the House"

"Flashing Spikes" is a 1962 television play directed by John Ford and starring James Stewart, with a lengthy surprise appearance by John Wayne, billed in the credits as "Michael Morris" (apparently based on Wayne's birth name "Marion Michael Morrison"). The hour-long drama revolving around a disgraced ex-baseball player (Stewart) was broadcast as an episode of the anthology series Alcoa Premiere hosted by Fred Astaire.

The script was based upon a novel by Frank O'Rourke and the supporting cast includes Jack Warden, Tige Andrews, Patrick Wayne, Don Drysdale, Vin Scully, Harry Carey, Jr., and Edgar Buchanan. The Director of Photography was William H. Clothier.

This show's director John Ford, actors James Stewart and John Wayne, and cinematographer William H. Clothier also filmed The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance together the same year.

Flashing Spikes remains available for public viewing at the Paley Center for Media in New York City and Los Angeles.