Mr. Novak

The series follows John Novak, an idealistic first-year English teacher at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles, who often gets involved in the lives of his students and fellow teachers. Principal Albert Vane was played by Oscar-winning film actor Dean Jagger; he was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1964 and 1965 for his performance. Jagger left the series in 1964 after forty-four episodes, and it was explained that his character was elected California Superintendent of Public Instruction; Burgess Meredith played the new principal, Martin Woodridge, for the remaining seventeen episodes.

Jeanne Bal portrayed Assistant Vice Principal Jean Pagano during the 1963–64 season. Initially, plans called for increasing her role for the 1964–65 season, promoting her to second billing on the show, but the producer instead cut the number of episodes in which she was to appear, and she left the program.{{cite journal|last1=Harter|first1=Chuck|title=Mr. Novak: A Landmark of Dramatic Television|journal=Classic Images|date=April 2018|issue=514|pages=62–68}}

The series showcased many popular actors of the time, including Martin Landau, Walter Koenig, Beau Bridges, Tony Dow, Ed Asner, June Lockhart, Sherry Jackson. This trendsetting show was the first to depict both teachers and students in a dramatic and realistic manner and was very influential on the educational community.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} Many cutting-edge themes were showcased, including racial discrimination, cheating on exams, anti-Semitism, alcoholism, dropouts, drug abuse, and political extremism.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} In its two-year run, the program won over 47 awards from various educational institutions, including the National Education Association, and was the recipient of a prestigious Peabody Award for excellence.Harter, Chuck. Mr. Novak an Acclaimed Television Series. Bear Manor Media, 2017.

• James Franciscus as John Novak
• Dean Jagger as Albert Vane (episodes 1-51)
• Burgess Meredith as Principal Martin Woodridge (episodes 52–60)

• Vince Howard as Mr. Peter Butler
• Marian Collier as Marilyn Scott
• Jeanne Bal as Jean Pagano
• Andre Philippe as Mr. Everett Johns
• Kathleen Ellis as Ann Floyd
• Larry Thor as Jim Hendricks
• Phyllis Avery as Ruth Wilkinson
• Stephen Roberts as Mr. Stan Peeples
• Steve Franken as Jerry Allen
• Charles Briles as Ken
• Bill Zuckert as Mr. Arthur Bradwell
• Marion Ross as Miss Bromfield
• Ann Loos as Mrs. Danfield
• David Saber as Toby

• Claude Akins, as Lou Myerson in "One Monday Afternoon" (1964)
• Eddie Albert, as Charlie O'Rourke in "Visions of Sugar Plums" (1964)
• Frank Albertson, as Jim O'Neal in "The Death of a Teacher" (1964)
• Edward Andrews, in "The Song of Songs" (1964)
• Tige Andrews, as Lt. Charles Green in "A Single Isolated Incident" (1963)
• Ed Asner, twice as Harmon Stern and Paul Berg
• Frankie Avalon, as David Muller in "A Thousand Voices" (1963)
• Phyllis Avery, three episodes as Mrs. Ruth Wilkinson
• Diane Baker, as Mrs. Chase in "A Feeling for Friday" (1963)
• Jeanne Bal, two episodes as assistant vice-principal Jean Pagano
• Don "Red" Barry, as Anthony Gallo in "First Year, First Day" (series premiere, 1963)
• Toni Basil as Randy in "One Way to Say Goodbye" (1964)
• Herschel Bernardi, as Mr. Otis in "I Don't Even Live Here" (1963)
• Tony Bill, as Chris Herrod in "An Elephant Is Like a Tree" (1965)
• Whit Bissell, as Karl Bellini in "May Day, May Day" (1965)
• Shirley Bonne, as Susan Hotchkiss in "Sparrow on the Wire" (1964)
• Peter Breck, as Dr. Ted Dietrich in "A Feeling for Friday" (1963)
• Beau Bridges, three episodes, 1963–1965
• Geraldine Brooks, as Claire Andreas in "Love Among the Grown-Ups" (1964)
• Brooke Bundy, three episodes in different roles, including as Patrice Morgan in "X Is the Unknown Factor" (1963)
• Macdonald Carey, as Mr. Edwards in "Pay the Two Dollars" (1963)
• Virginia Christine, as Mrs. Payne in "The Exile" (1964)
• Jeanne Cooper, as Louise Sargent in "The Boy Without a Country" (1963)
• Noreen Corcoran, as Cathy Williams in "Fair The Well" (1964)
• Johnny Crawford, two episodes, as JoJo Rizzo in "Let's Dig a Little Grammar" (1964) and as a delegate from the Soviet Union in "The Tender Twigs" (1965)
• Robert L. Crawford Jr., brother of Johnny Crawford, as a Cuban delegate in "The Tender Twigs" (1965)
• Pat Crowley, as Ariel Wilder in "Love in the Wrong Decision" (1963)
• Robert Culp, as Frank Menlo in "The Tender Twigs" (1965)
• Royal Dano, as Mr. Metcalfe in "To Break a Camel's Back" (1963)
• Kim Darby, two episodes, one as Judy Wheeler (1965)
• Bobby Diamond, as Gus in "Visions of Sugar Plums" (1964)
• Micky Dolenz, as Ed in "Born of Kings and Angels" (1964)
• Tony Dow was cast five times from 1963 to 1965, three as George.
• Howard Duff, as Joe Stillman in "Mountains to Climb" (1965)
• Leo Durocher, as himself in "Boy Under Glass" (1964)
• Ross Elliott, two episodes (1963–1964)
• Richard Eyer, as Jeff in "Day in the Year" (1964)
• Shelley Fabares, two episodes as Dani Cooper (1964–1965)
• Norman Fell, as Barney Sanders in "And Then I Wrote ..." (1965)
• Frank Ferguson, as Stanley Novak in "Moonlighting" (1964)
• James Flavin, as Fire Chief Hawkins in "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt" (1964)
• Steven Franken, twice as Jerry Allen (1963)
• Bonnie Franklin, as Sally in "How Does Your Garden Grow?" and in "The People Doll: You Wind It Up, and It Makes Mistakes" (both 1964)
• Arthur Franz, two episodes as Det. Sgt. Sol Moss (1964)
• Teri Garr, as Lisa in "How Does Your Garden Grow?" (1964)
• Kathy Garver, in "Sparrow on the Wire" (1964)
• Lillian Gish, as Maude Phipps in "Hello, Miss Phipps" (1963)
• Don Grady, as Joey Carter (1964) and as Hank Nelby in "Once a Clown" (1965 series finale)
• Pat Harrington Jr., as Thomas Kelly in "There's a Penguin in My Garden" (1965)
• Joey Heatherton, as Holly Metcalfe in "To Break a Camel's Back" (1963)
• Peter Helm appeared three times, including the lead guest-star role in "The Private Life of Douglas Morgan Jr." (1964)
• Cheryl Holdridge, as Betty in "The Private Life of Douglas Morgan Jr." (1964)
• Celeste Holm, as Rose Herrod in "An Elephant Is Like a Tree" (1965)
• Sherry Jackson, as Cathy Ferguson in "The Risk" (1963)
• Arch Johnson, two episodes, once as Coach Brewer (1964)
• Zalman King in "An Elephant Is Like a Tree (1965) as Troubled Youth
• Tommy Kirk, as Tod Seaton in "Love in the Wrong Season" (1963)
• Walter Koenig Appeared in Three Episodes
• Diane Ladd, as Mrs. Otis in "I Don't Really Live Here" (1963)
• Martin Landau, two episodes as Victor Rand (1963) and as Robert Coolidge in "Enter a Strange Animal" (1965)
• Cloris Leachman, as Dorothy Hummer in the two-part episode "Faculty Follies" (1965)
• Harvey Lembeck, as Vic Rizzo in "Let's Dig a Little Grammar" (1964)
• Peggy Lipton, as Selma in "And Then I Wrote ..." (1965)
• June Lockhart, as Mrs. Nelby, mother of the Don Grady character, in "Once a Clown" (1965)
• Robert Logan, as Jerry Hendricks in "Johnny Ride the Pony: One, Two, Three" (1964)
• Claudine Longet, as Sharhri Javid in "The Silent Dissauders" (1965)
• Frank Maxwell, two episodes (1964–1965)
• Kevin McCarthy, as Mr. Williams in "Fair the Well" (1964)
• Tim McIntire, two episodes (1963–1964)
• Vera Miles, as Sister Gervaise in "There's a Penguin in My Garden" (1965)
• Patricia Morrow, four episodes as different characters
• Edward Mulhare, as Rand Hardy in "He Who Can Does" (1963)
• Lois Nettleton, as Jean Corcoran in "Where Is There to Go, Billie, But Up?" (1965)
• Simon Oakland, as Carl Green in "With a Hammer in His Hand, Lord, Lord!" (1964)
• Nehemiah Persoff, as Henry Selkirk in "Enter a Strange Animal" (1965)
• Michael J. Pollard, as Go-Go Reader in "Honor--and All That" (1965)
• Denver Pyle, as Brill in "Johnny Ride the Pony: One, Two, Three" (1964)
• Robert Random, three episodes (1964–1965)
• Tommy Rettig, as Frank in "The Firebrand" (1965)
• Katharine Ross, as Mrs. Bellway in "Faculty Follies, Part II" (1965)
• Marion Ross, as Nurse Bromfield in "Fair the Well" (1964)
• Tommy Sands, two episodes (1964–1965)
• Brenda Scott, as Sue Johnson in "Fear Is a Handful of Dust"(1964)
• Alexander Scourby, two episodes (1963–1964)
• Frank Silvera, as Andy Towner in "Boy Under Glass" (1964)
• Mark Slade, three episodes (1964–1965)
• Julie Sommars, as Ellen Cable in "The Firebrand" (1965)
• Tisha Sterling, as Myra in "The Firebrand" (1965)
• Harold J. Stone as Joe Garvin in "Beat the Plowshares, Edge the Sword" (1965)
• Maxine Stuart, as Angie (1963) and Miss Gardner (1964)
• Karl Swenson, as Mr. Haskell in "Love Among the Grown-Ups" (1964)
• George Takei, as Walter in "A Feeling for Friday" (1963)
• Buck Taylor, three episodes (1964–1965)
• Malachi Throne, four episodes (1964–1965)
• Joan Tompkins, as Mrs. Douglas Morgan Sr., in "The Private Life of Douglas Morgan Jr." (1964)
• Harry Townes, two episodes, including the role of Frank Dever in "The Death of a Teacher" (1964)
• Lurene Tuttle, as Mrs. Grange in "The Risk" (1963)
• Susan Tyrrell, in her first acting role as Phyllis Freuchen in "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt" (1964)
• Joyce Van Patten, as Avis Brown in "From the Brow of Zeus" (1965)
• June Vincent, as Mrs. Wilder in "Love in the Wrong Season" (1963)
• Beverly Washburn, two episodes (1964–1965)
• Michael Winkelman, three episodes (1963)

{{Episode table|background= |overall=|season= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 1

| EpisodeNumber2 = 1

| Title = First Year, First Day

| DirectedBy = Boris Sagal

| WrittenBy = E. Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Joseph Stafano

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1963|9|24}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 2

| EpisodeNumber2 = 2

| Title = To Lodge and Dislodge

| DirectedBy = Boris Sagal

| WrittenBy = E. Jack Neuman Boris Sagal

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1963|10|1}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 3

| EpisodeNumber2 = 3

| Title = I Don't Even Live Here

| DirectedBy = Abner Biberman

| WrittenBy = E. Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Milt Rosen

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1963|10|8}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 4

| EpisodeNumber2 = 4

| Title = X is the Known Factor

| DirectedBy = Richard Donner

| WrittenBy = E. Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Preston Wood

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1963|10|15}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 5

| EpisodeNumber2 = 5

| Title = A Single, Isolated Incident

| DirectedBy = Abner Biberman

| WrittenBy = E. Jack Neuman

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1963|10|22}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 6

| EpisodeNumber2 = 6

| Title = The Risk

| DirectedBy = Michael O'Herlihy

| WrittenBy = E. Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Theodore Apstein

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1963|10|29}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 7

| EpisodeNumber2 = 7

| Title = Hello, Miss Phipps

| DirectedBy = Don Medford

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal John T. Dugan

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1963|11|5}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 8

| EpisodeNumber2 = 8

| Title = To Break a Camel's Back

| DirectedBy = Michael O'Herlihy

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Meyer Dolinsky

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1963|11|12}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 9

| EpisodeNumber2 = 9

| Title = A Feeling for Friday

| DirectedBy = Michael O'Herlihy

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1963|11|19}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 10

| EpisodeNumber2 = 10

| Title = Pay the Two Dollars

| DirectedBy = Walter Doniger

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Milt Rosen

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1963|11|26}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 11

| EpisodeNumber2 = 11

| Title = Love in the Wrong Seasons

| DirectedBy = Ida Lupino

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Richard De Roy

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1963|12|3}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 12

| EpisodeNumber2 = 12

| Title = The Boy Without a Country

| DirectedBy = Michael O'Herlihy

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Richard De Roy

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1963|12|10}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 13

| EpisodeNumber2 = 13

| Title = A Thousand Voices

| DirectedBy = Richard Donner

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Anthony Wilson

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1963|12|17}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 14

| EpisodeNumber2 = 14

| Title = My Name is Not Legion

| DirectedBy = Bernard Girard

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Robert E. Thompson

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1963|12|24}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 15

| EpisodeNumber2 = 15

| Title = He Who Can Does

| DirectedBy = Irving Lerner

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Roland Wopert

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1963|12|31}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 16

| EpisodeNumber2 = 16

| Title = Song of Songs

| DirectedBy = David Alexander

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal James Menzies

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|1|7}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 17

| EpisodeNumber2 = 17

| Title = The Exile

| DirectedBy = Michael O'Herlihy

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|1|14}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 18

| EpisodeNumber2 = 18

| Title = Sparrow on the Wire

| DirectedBy = Mark Rydell

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal James Menzies

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|1|21}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 19

| EpisodeNumber2 = 19

| Title = The Private Life of Douglas Morgan Jr.

| DirectedBy = Richard Donner

| WrittenBy = Margaret and Paul Schneider

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|1|28}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 20

| EpisodeNumber2 = 20

| Title = Death of a Teacher

| DirectedBy = Richard Donner

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|2|4}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 21

| EpisodeNumber2 = 21

| Title = I'm on the Outside

| DirectedBy = Abner Biberman

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Boris Ingster

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|2|11}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 22

| EpisodeNumber2 = 22

| Title = Chin Up, Mr. Novak

| DirectedBy = Michael O'Herlihy

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Joseph Calvelli

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|2|18}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 23

| EpisodeNumber2 = 23

| Title = Fear is a Handful of Dust

| DirectedBy = Abner Biberman

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Carol Sobieski

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|2|25}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 24

| EpisodeNumber2 = 24

| Title = How Does Your Garden Grow?

| DirectedBy = Michael O'Herlihy

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Joseph Calvelli

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|3|3}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 25

| EpisodeNumber2 = 25

| Title = The Tower

| DirectedBy = Michael O'Herlihy

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal James Menzies

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|3|10}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 26

| EpisodeNumber2 = 26

| Title = One Way to Say Goodbye

| DirectedBy = Richard Donner

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|3|17}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 27

| EpisodeNumber2 = 27

| Title = Day in the Year

| DirectedBy = Ida Lupino

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Sidney Marshall

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|3|24}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 28

| EpisodeNumber2 = 28

| Title = Moment Without Armor

| DirectedBy = Michael O'Herlihy

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Margaret Armen

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|3|31}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 29

| EpisodeNumber2 = 29

| Title = Fare Thee Well

| DirectedBy = Abner Biberman

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Carol Sobieski

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|4|7}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 30

| EpisodeNumber2 = 30

| Title = The Senior Prom

| DirectedBy = Michael O'Herlihy

| WrittenBy = E.Jack Neuman Boris Sagal Sidney Marshall

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|4|14}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

}}

{{Episode table|background= |overall=|season= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 31

| EpisodeNumber2 = 1

| Title = Moonlighting

| DirectedBy = Richard Donner

| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s= John Ryan|t= Meyer Dolinsky}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|9|22}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 32

| EpisodeNumber2 = 2

| Title = With a Hammer in His Hand, Lord, Lord!

| DirectedBy = Allen Reisner

| WrittenBy = John D.F. Black

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|9|29}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 33

| EpisodeNumber2 = 3

| Title = Visions of Sugar Plums

| DirectedBy = Paul Wendkos

| WrittenBy = Joseph Calvelli

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|10|6}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 34

| EpisodeNumber2 = 4

| Title = Little Girl Lost

| DirectedBy = Paul Wendkos

| WrittenBy = Betty Ulius

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|10|20}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 35

| EpisodeNumber2 = 5

| Title = One Monday Afternoon

| DirectedBy = Paul Wendkos

| WrittenBy = Mel Goldberg & Herman Groves

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|10|27}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 36

| EpisodeNumber2 = 6

| Title = Let's Dig a Little Grammar

| DirectedBy = Joseph Sargent

| WrittenBy = Mel Goldberg

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|11|10}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 37

| EpisodeNumber2 = 7

| Title = The People Doll: You Wind It Up and It Makes Mistakes

| DirectedBy = Herschel Daughterty

| WrittenBy = John D.F.Black

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|11|17}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 38

| EpisodeNumber2 = 8

| Title = Boy Under Glass

| DirectedBy = Allen Reisner

| WrittenBy = Mel Goldberg

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|11|24}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 39

| EpisodeNumber2 = 9

| Title = Born of Kings and Angels

| DirectedBy = Paul Wendkos

| WrittenBy = George Clayton Johnson

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|12|1}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 40

| EpisodeNumber2 = 10

| Title = A as in Anxiety

| DirectedBy = Allen Reisner

| WrittenBy = Betty Ulius

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|12|8}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 41

| EpisodeNumber2 = 11

| Title = Johnny Ride the Pony

| DirectedBy = Allen H. Miner

| WrittenBy = David P. Hartman

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|12|15}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 42

| EpisodeNumber2 = 12

| Title = Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

| DirectedBy = Richard Donner

| WrittenBy = Martha Wilkerson

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|12|22}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 43

| EpisodeNumber2 = 13

| Title = Love Among the Grown-Ups

| DirectedBy = Abner Biberman

| WrittenBy = Harold Gast

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1964|12|29}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 44

| EpisodeNumber2 = 14

| Title = From the Brow of Zeus

| DirectedBy = Ron Winston

| WrittenBy = Mel Goldberg

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1965|1|5}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 45

| EpisodeNumber2 = 15

| Title = An Elephant is Like a Tree

| DirectedBy = Abner Biberman

| WrittenBy = John D.F. Black

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1965|1|12}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 46

| EpisodeNumber2 = 16

| Title = Enter a Strange Animal

| DirectedBy = Alvin Ganzer

| WrittenBy = Alvin Sargent

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1965|1|19}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 47

| EpisodeNumber2 = 17

| Title = Beat the Plowshares, Edge the Sword

| DirectedBy = Alvin Ganzer

| WrittenBy = Gilbert Ralston

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1965|1|26}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 48

| EpisodeNumber2 = 18

| Title = Faculty Follies: Part 1

| DirectedBy = Joseph Sargent

| WrittenBy = Meyer Dolinsky

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1965|2|2}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 49

| EpisodeNumber2 = 19

| Title = Faculty Follies: Part 2

| DirectedBy = Joseph Sargent

| WrittenBy = Meyer Dolinsky

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1965|2|9}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 50

| EpisodeNumber2 = 20

| Title = The Silent Dissauders

| DirectedBy = Allen Reisner

| WrittenBy = Betty Ulius

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1965|2|16}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 51

| EpisodeNumber2 = 21

| Title = Mountains to Climb

| DirectedBy = Paul Wendkos

| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s= Roland Wolpert|t= Roland Wolpert & John D.F. Black}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1965|2|23}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 52

| EpisodeNumber2 = 22

| Title = May Day, May Day

| DirectedBy = Ida Lupino

| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s= John D.F. Black & Donald Michael Platt|t= John D.F. Black}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1965|3|2}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 53

| EpisodeNumber2 = 23

| Title = Where is There to Go, Billie, But Up?

| DirectedBy = Abner Biberman

| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s= Herman Groves & Mel Goldberg |t= Mel Goldberg}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1965|3|9}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 54

| EpisodeNumber2 = 24

| Title = The Tender Twigs

| DirectedBy = Joseph Sargent

| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s= Robert Presnell Jr.|t= Robert Presnell Jr. & Mel Goldberg}}

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1965|3|16}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 55

| EpisodeNumber2 = 25

| Title = Honor and All That

| DirectedBy = Paul Wendkos

| WrittenBy = Jerry McNeely

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1965|3|23}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 56

| EpisodeNumber2 = 26

| Title = The Student Who Never Was

| DirectedBy = Paul Wendkos

| WrittenBy = Meyer Dolinsky

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1965|3|30}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 57

| EpisodeNumber2 = 27

| Title = There's a Penguin in My Garden

| DirectedBy = Alvin Ganzer

| WrittenBy = John D.F. Black

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1965|4|6}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 58

| EpisodeNumber2 = 28

| Title = The Firebrand

| DirectedBy = Michael O'Herlihy

| WrittenBy = Howard Gast

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1965|4|13}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 59

| EpisodeNumber2 = 29

| Title = And Then I Wrote...

| DirectedBy = Abner Biberman

| WrittenBy = Joseph Calvelli

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1965|4|20}}

| ShortSummary =

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}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 60

| EpisodeNumber2 = 30

| Title = Once a Clown

| DirectedBy = Abner Biberman

| WrittenBy = Mel Goldberg

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1965|4|27}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor =

}}

}}

The series was created by producer/writer E. Jack Neuman and director Boris Sagal and featured top directors such as Richard Donner.

In his autobiography, Franciscus' Yale classmate, Dick Cavett, opined that Franciscus needed a stunt man for any scenes at the classroom blackboard due to a reputation for atrocious spelling.Cavett by Dick Cavett and Christopher Porterfield

The school seen in Mr. Novak duplicated Los Angeles' John Marshall High School "complete to walks, shrubs, and parking."{{cite journal|title=Dillar a dollar, an NBC Scholar|journal=Sponsor |date=June 17, 1963|volume=17|issue=24|page=59|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/Archive-Sponsor-Magazine-IDX/IDX/1960s/1963/Sponsor-1963-06-3-OCR-Page-0059.pdf|access-date=February 27, 2015}} After using the school itself for the pilot, the duplicate was built at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, the "largest permanent set to be constructed [there] in a number of years." The complete set filled an acre at the studio. Other construction on the MGM sound stages included duplicates of corridors and classrooms.

Exteriors for the fictional Jefferson High School were filmed at both John Marshall High School and Hamilton High School near Culver City.

The Warner Archive Collection released Season 1 of the series on DVD on November 6, 2018. Prints were made from the original 35mm camera negatives.

A soundtrack music album was released on MGM Records (E/SE-4222) in 1964, under the direction of Nick Venet.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}

Mr. Novak: An Acclaimed Television Series, by Chuck Harter, was published by bearmanormedia.com in October 2017 and is a comprehensive examination of the show.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Mr. Novak}}

• {{IMDb title|id=0056774|title=Mr. Novak}}
• [https://mrnovakbook.com Mr. Novak an Acclaimed Television Series]
• [https://vimeo.com/270299886/description Remembering Mr. Novak] with Chuck Harter, Tony Dow and Walter Koenig

{{WritersGuildofAmericaEpisodicDramaScreenplay}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mister Novak}}

Category:1963 American television series debuts

Category:1965 American television series endings

Category:1960s American workplace drama television series

Category:1960s American high school television series

Category:Black-and-white American television shows

Category:American English-language television shows

Novak, Mister

Category:Peabody Award–winning television programs

Category:Television series about educators

Category:Television series by MGM Television

Category:Television shows set in Los Angeles

Category:NBC television dramas