The Verdict Is Yours was an American courtroom drama that aired on CBS Daytime from September 2, 1957, to September 28, 1962,[1] and in primetime from July 3 to September 25, 1958.[2]
| The Verdict Is Yours | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Dramatized court show |
| Written by | Peter Wildeblood |
| Presented by | Jim McKay (1958–60) Bill Stout (1960–62) |
| Starring | David Ensor Robert Rietty |
| Narrated by | Jim McKay (1958–60) Bill Stout (1960–62) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| Original release | September 2, 1957 (1957-09-02) – September 28, 1962 (1962-09-28) |
The Verdict Is Yours premiered on September 2, 1957. It was a part of the daytime lineup of CBS. Unscripted, it featured actual lawyers playing the lawyers and judge. Likewise, the defendants and witnesses on the program were professional actors who, although they were given a general outline of what they were supposed to say, ad-libbed their actual dialogue.[3] Sportscaster Jim McKay was the original reporter, providing commentary on the trials. He was succeeded in 1960 by newsman Bill Stout. The program aired weekly on CBS’ nighttime schedule in July 1958. The studio audience served as the jury.[1][4]
The cases all took place in Overlook, a fictional town.[5]
The British Crown Court (TV series), though scripted, had a Jury composed of real members of the public, who reached their own verdicts.
According to Christopher Schemering in The Soap Opera Encyclopedia, "Legal groups across the country applauded the program's realism. TV Guide found it 'contrived' but 'fascinating.'"[6]