Most every one of the sequences in this episode involve threat or a chase of one type of another. The main conflict between bomber and psychiatrist--played well by Lou Jacobi in a nice serious role for a change, could have been developed more to make this drama rather than just good twisty storytelling. There are probably too many characters involved to pay off emotionally.
The lead character and his frustrated artist rant and anti-society angle was certainly topical and maybe even a little ahead of its time when the show aired. By the end of the 1960s movies would be full of out right loner villains who were portrayed as heroes just because they were going against society. This character is from that mold, you do find his ways of beating the police enticing.
It is a pretty unique mad bomber story from professional short story writer Jack Ritchie whose work is sadly overlooked, probably because he wrote short fiction not novels, but he contributed frequently to Hithcock's books and magazines and had a long busy career.
One of the best scenes is between a female police woman undercover and the bomber. It's well written and acted.
There are some nice overhead angles from director Alf Kelijan. It's all really good and the twists are quite good too though a couple strain credibility they don't break it. One of these will be a shock too because all of a sudden you'll see David Caradine pop up out of nowhere.
These twists could have been cleaned up easily but, again they don't ruin it by any means and it does keep you guessing.
If it had only been a little deeper on a character level, or I supposed if this had been a half hour episode (because there you wouldn't miss the extra character depth), this would be great instead of really good. It's tracked rather than scored with existing music, more and an original score, could have helped propel some of the action.
Funny social commentary opening intro with Hitch talking about modern newspapers.
The lead character and his frustrated artist rant and anti-society angle was certainly topical and maybe even a little ahead of its time when the show aired. By the end of the 1960s movies would be full of out right loner villains who were portrayed as heroes just because they were going against society. This character is from that mold, you do find his ways of beating the police enticing.
It is a pretty unique mad bomber story from professional short story writer Jack Ritchie whose work is sadly overlooked, probably because he wrote short fiction not novels, but he contributed frequently to Hithcock's books and magazines and had a long busy career.
One of the best scenes is between a female police woman undercover and the bomber. It's well written and acted.
There are some nice overhead angles from director Alf Kelijan. It's all really good and the twists are quite good too though a couple strain credibility they don't break it. One of these will be a shock too because all of a sudden you'll see David Caradine pop up out of nowhere.
These twists could have been cleaned up easily but, again they don't ruin it by any means and it does keep you guessing.
If it had only been a little deeper on a character level, or I supposed if this had been a half hour episode (because there you wouldn't miss the extra character depth), this would be great instead of really good. It's tracked rather than scored with existing music, more and an original score, could have helped propel some of the action.
Funny social commentary opening intro with Hitch talking about modern newspapers.
