Category: TV Series

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The Man Called X

1956-1957

Maria appeared in a single episode of the first season of this espionage drama in 1956. Before being adapted for television the series was quite well established as a radio drama that aired on CBS and NBC stations from 1944 to 1952. Maria played her part opposite Barry Sullivan in the lead role of agent Ken Thurston a.k.a. “Mr. X”, an American intelligence agent who takes on dangerous cases in exotic locations.

The Series was originally created by Jay Richard Kennedy who also adapted it for the small screen on behalf of Ziv Television Programs. 39 episodes were produced and broadcast from 1956 to 1957.

Episodes

S01 E10 – Local Hero (1956)

Maria plays “Sou Hei”, a member of a group of refugees desperately trying to escape from China. Will agent Ken Thurston, the man called “X”, be able to root out the traitor among them and help the cross the border alive?
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The New Adventures of China Smith

The New Adventures of China Smith Title Card

1954-1955

The New Adventures of China Smith Title Card

Maria appeared in various roles alongside Dan Duryea in this 1950s television adventure series about “China Smith”, a soldier of fortune wearing a white suit and a panama hat living in Singapore, who would face new dangers and excitement every week. The series was made with a two-year gap between “China Smith”, shot in 1952 in Mexico and Los Angeles, and “The New Adventures of China Smith”, shot in 1954 and 1955 in San Francisco.

Dan Duryea as “China Smith”

We have identified Maria in two episodes so far, playing as “Jade Flower” in “The Night the Dragon Walked” (s02 e14) and as “Miss Giong” in “The Tidewalker” (s02 e24). However, according to a copy of a credit list by agent Bessie Loo found in Maria’s estate she may have appears in other episodes as “Li Mei”, “Gin Len” and possibly 5 more characters. We have yet to identify these episodes but, rest assured, if we should find them we will make posts for them on this site.

Episodes

S02 E24 – The Tidewalker (1954)

Maria plays the role of “Miss Giong”, sharp-tongued and not easily intimated secretary of Mr. Norodam , whom China Smith has business with regarding the planting of contraband on a tramp steamer.
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Maria McClay