The Duke (TV, 1954)

The Duke was an NBC series with an unusual plot: an artistic boxer suddenly leaves the ring to open up a nightclub[?]. This summer show was run from July 2nd - September 10th, 1954, starring television newcomer Paul Gilbert as the creative boxer, Duke Zenlee.

Cast

• Paul Gilbert as Duke Zenlee
• Allen Jenkins[?] as Johnny; Johnny was Zenlee trainer when he boxed.
• Phyllis Coates[?] as Gloria, his girlfriend; Coates later had her claim to fame, co-starring in Superman.
• Rudy Cromwell[?] as Claude Stroud; Stroud partnered with Zenlee in managing the club.

This show is not related to the 1979 NBC mini-series of the same name, nor The Dukes, an animated direct spin-off of The Dukes of Hazzard.