Atavism of John Tom Little Bear, The O. Henry Playhouse

Volume 1 Episodes:

Volume 2 Episodes:

Volume 3 Episodes:

Scenes from THE ATAVISM OF JOHN TOM LITTLE BEAR
Starring Simon Oakland, Alan Aaronson, Raymond Hatton

O. Henry revisits a Texas town where he had lived some years earlier and runs into new characters with a dramatic story! An educated Cherokee Indian meets a runaway boy while traveling with a medicine show. When he returns the boy to his mother, they strike up a close friendship that is agreeable to all ... except
to the lady's estranged husband!

"The O. Henry Playhouse" is a 1957 single season, 39-episode TV series. O. Henry (William Sydney Porter) is considered one of America's greatest writers of short stories. His writings are laced with humor and irony and often end with a sly twist ending. Veteran character actor Thomas Mitchell stars in each episode as writer O. Henry himself as he relates his stories to his publisher, his housekeeper, a barber, a bartender, or the cop on the beat. In some episodes, O. Henry meets his characters as he discovers firsthand the story he will later write. This unique storytelling method gives great insight into the famous author's creative process.

You can read the original literary version of "The Atavism of John Tom Little Bear" HERE and compare it with the many changes in the film adaptation. "The Atavism of John Tom Little Bear" is one of 13 episodes in Vol. 2 of "The O. Henry Playhouse." The films have been beautifully restored on DVD by the
home video label ClassicFlix!

The O. Henry Playhouse: THE ATAVISM OF JOHN PAUL LITTLE JOHN
With appreciation to CTVA

Producer Donald Hyde
Written for TV by Irving Cooper
From a story by O. Henry
Written and Directed by George Waggner
Hosted and Narrated by Thomas Mitchell
Guest stars:
Simon Oakland, Alan Aaronson, Raymond Hatton
Synopsis:
A well-educated Cherokee is forced to earn his way traveling with a medicine show. Then a runaway boy changes
his life.

O henry and
Thoma Mitchell