HONG KONG – Nine Lives - 1960
Rod Taylor headlines this 1960-61 series as a newsman stationed in Hong Kong. Taylor is constantly in trouble with various shady types who are always involving him in their troubles. It usually takes several round of fisticuffs, a dead body or two and a gun battle before things get settled. This is the eleventh episode.
Taylor is returning to Hong Kong from a trip to Singapore. He took a cruise ship back so he could take some time and rest. He is sitting in the bar having drinks and watching a poker game. One man, Norman Alden, is losing quite badly. He says to winner Alan Baxter that he thinks the man was cheating. He then grabs his wallet and leaves. Terence De Marney takes Alden's spot and the game continues.
When the game breaks up for the night, it seems that De Marney is broke. He cannot pay Baxter. Baxter grabs the man and is about to clobber De Marney when Baxter's "niece", Patricia Barry, stops him. De Marney tells them he can make good his losses once they dock in Hong Kong. He is going to pick up 5000 pounds cash.
Baxter and Barry are card sharps and cons who work the cruise ship circuit. Pickings are not so good this trip, and the thought of a 5000 pound payday sounds great. They discuss the matter in De Marney's cabin. De Marney it seems intends to blackmail a Hong Kong Newspaper owner. The man, Harry Townes, had been in the same Japanese prisoner of war camp as De Marney. De Marney knows that Townes had helped out the Japanese with info etc. Now that Townes is worth some coin, De Marney intends to cash in.
Baxter and Barry were the last people De Marney should have told of his plan. A gun is pulled and De Marney shot. His body and luggage are dropped overboard just has the ship drops anchor in Hong Kong. The next day the two plan a little blackmail of their own.
Taylor of course becomes involved in the whole sordid deal. He just happens to be pals with Townes and his new wife, Cathleen Cordell. Baxter and Barry phone Townes and demand the cash for their silence. Townes wonders what he should do.
Red herrings abound as bodies start to pile up. Baxter and Barry are soon found dead with several unneeded bullet holes between their eyes. Now Alden, the card player Baxter cleaned out on the ship shows. The Police grab him, and what do they find but a pistol in his pocket. Was the killing of Baxter and Barry payback for the card game loss? Off to the jail for some heavy questioning.
Needless to say that would be too simple. It turns out that De Marney has survived being shot and then dumped in the harbour. He had knocked off Baxter and Barry for stealing his blackmail scheme. Taylor is with Townes when De Marney comes a calling with gun in hand. Shots and fists are exchanged before De Marney manages to escape in a car. The escape is rather short lived as he misses a curve and crashes in a huge fireball.
Townes comes clean with Taylor and the Police about his wartime collaboration with the Japanese. He will do his time.
Plenty of left turns and right twists in this episode.
Rod Taylor headlines this 1960-61 series as a newsman stationed in Hong Kong. Taylor is constantly in trouble with various shady types who are always involving him in their troubles. It usually takes several round of fisticuffs, a dead body or two and a gun battle before things get settled. This is the eleventh episode.
Taylor is returning to Hong Kong from a trip to Singapore. He took a cruise ship back so he could take some time and rest. He is sitting in the bar having drinks and watching a poker game. One man, Norman Alden, is losing quite badly. He says to winner Alan Baxter that he thinks the man was cheating. He then grabs his wallet and leaves. Terence De Marney takes Alden's spot and the game continues.
When the game breaks up for the night, it seems that De Marney is broke. He cannot pay Baxter. Baxter grabs the man and is about to clobber De Marney when Baxter's "niece", Patricia Barry, stops him. De Marney tells them he can make good his losses once they dock in Hong Kong. He is going to pick up 5000 pounds cash.
Baxter and Barry are card sharps and cons who work the cruise ship circuit. Pickings are not so good this trip, and the thought of a 5000 pound payday sounds great. They discuss the matter in De Marney's cabin. De Marney it seems intends to blackmail a Hong Kong Newspaper owner. The man, Harry Townes, had been in the same Japanese prisoner of war camp as De Marney. De Marney knows that Townes had helped out the Japanese with info etc. Now that Townes is worth some coin, De Marney intends to cash in.
Baxter and Barry were the last people De Marney should have told of his plan. A gun is pulled and De Marney shot. His body and luggage are dropped overboard just has the ship drops anchor in Hong Kong. The next day the two plan a little blackmail of their own.
Taylor of course becomes involved in the whole sordid deal. He just happens to be pals with Townes and his new wife, Cathleen Cordell. Baxter and Barry phone Townes and demand the cash for their silence. Townes wonders what he should do.
Red herrings abound as bodies start to pile up. Baxter and Barry are soon found dead with several unneeded bullet holes between their eyes. Now Alden, the card player Baxter cleaned out on the ship shows. The Police grab him, and what do they find but a pistol in his pocket. Was the killing of Baxter and Barry payback for the card game loss? Off to the jail for some heavy questioning.
Needless to say that would be too simple. It turns out that De Marney has survived being shot and then dumped in the harbour. He had knocked off Baxter and Barry for stealing his blackmail scheme. Taylor is with Townes when De Marney comes a calling with gun in hand. Shots and fists are exchanged before De Marney manages to escape in a car. The escape is rather short lived as he misses a curve and crashes in a huge fireball.
Townes comes clean with Taylor and the Police about his wartime collaboration with the Japanese. He will do his time.
Plenty of left turns and right twists in this episode.
