EDITOR’S NOTE: The Story of Mankind was on the CBS Late Movie on August 15, 1974.

Hendrik Willem van Loon, a Dutch-American historian, wrote and illustrated The Story of Mankind in 1921. The book is a unique exploration of the history of Western civilization, told through a series of brief chapters. Van Loon’s narrative style is characterized by his constant questioning of the pivotal role of certain individuals or events in shaping the course of history. He often asks, ‘Did the person or event in question perform an act without which the entire history of civilization would have been different?‘

Thirty years later, former publicist Irwin Allen, in a bold move, chose the book as his first non-documentary film. He directed, wrote, and produced the movie, initially planning for only an actor and actress to appear in the film. However, he then decided to take a page out of the recent box office hit Around the World In 80 Days and assembled a cast of nearly fifty stars to tell the story. This unique approach, along with the use of lots of repurposed B-roll from other movies and stock footage, makes The Story of Mankind a truly one-of-a-kind cinematic experience.

Ronald Colman is The Spirit of Man, and Vincent Price is Mr. Scratch. They’re testifying in front of a tribunal that will decide the fate of mankind, who has created a Super H-Bomb, and the powers that run the universe will determine whether they stop the bomb or allow it to destroy the human race. That leads to a cavalcade of stardom, with Hedy Lamarr as Joan of Arc,  Virginia Mayo as Cleopatra, Agnes Moorehead as Queen Elizabeth I, Peter Lorre as Nero, Charles Coburn as Hippocrates, along with all three Marx Brothers in their last film together.

But wait — there’s more. Cesar Romero! John Carradine! Dennis Hopper as Napoleon!  Francis X. Bushman as Moses! Jim Ameche, taking over the role his brother made famous, Alexander Graham Bell!

They are all on sets that seem made for TV, with dialogue made for the grade school stage. Yes, The Story of Mankind certainly is something else. Everyone in this showed up for one day to film their part and was all paid pretty well. The movie’s odd presentation, resembling a religious epic with no religion, adds an intriguing element to the viewing experience.

When asked if the film was based on a book, Colman replied, “Yes. But they are using only the notes on the dust jacket.”

There was a comic book, though. Dell released an adaption written by Gaylord Du Bois and illustrated by Bob Jenney.