Episode 42, Ben Hur, aired April 1, 1947 starring John Beal (born James Alexander Bliedung, August 13, 1909 – April 26, 1997) was an American actor.  Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ is a novel by Lew Wallace, published by Harper and Brothers on November 12, 1880, and considered "the most influential Christian book of the nineteenth century".