Tribute to Barbara Rush, who passed in 2024 at age 97.
One of the best tv writers in the biz, Gerald Sanford, wrote this terrific yarn. Sanford was also writing for BARNABY JONES at the time, later for CHIPS.
This was Barbara Rush's only appearance on the series, and she shines. She recently guest starred on IRONSIDE, THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO and MANNIX. Rush plays Linda Merrick, a woman of means, who witnesses a killing. The catch is her new boyfriend did it. Now what happens to her?
Linda checks herself into a sanitarium, where she had been treated for a drug problem, and is promptly held prisoner by a sinister group. Of course her having lots of money may be a reason.
Tall and dark Barry Atwater is perfectly cast as the mysterious head doctor. Atwater's claim to fame was as the blood thirsty vampire in one of the great tv thrillers, THE NIGHT STALKER a few years earlier.
Russell Johnson (GILLIGANS ISLAND), makes another series appearance, playing Rush's estranged husband, Paul. They share a very poignant scene at the end, well directed by George McCowan. In fact,
George got some very good performances from the entire cast.
Can you spot all the familiar faces in this episode? A kewpie doll if can name everybody.
Partly filmed in Sherman Oaks, California, along busy Ventura Boulevard. The motel in one of the scenes was torn down a few years later to make way for Chase Bank, which is still there today. The crew frequently filmed along Ventura Boulevard in Studio City also, and not that far from the famous BRADY BUNCH house and Beverly Garland's hotel.
Recommended 10 stars, especially for Barbara Rush.
SEASON 4, EPISODE 21 remastered color CBS dvd box set. Released 2016.