Reviews

This short documentary looks at the unknown side of mid sixties London and clearly benefits alot from the presence and narration of James Mason - even if he gets a few facts incorrect (the fault of the script writer not Mason of course)

• indeed a shorter edited version concentrating purely on Mason's contribution would, for me, make for a much better film as these are both fascinating and compelling as Mason wanders across the fast changing landscape then with remnants of a long bygone era ranging from the derelict Bedford Theater Camden, to the pre music venue Roundhouse and even the scene of a Jack the Ripper murder....and makes observations of the changing nature of the city...

....however the portions of the film where Mason is absent rather wanders off into a 'Trippy' style observation of people with buskers, egg breakers, strange songs about death, wriggling eels, and close ups of locals eating and the sad sight of the lower class unfortunates drinking their lives away....

the film seems disjointed and uneven during the periods Mason is absent only notably picking up upon his return to the screen - it always felt to me as if the film makers couldn't afford him full time !

I rate it 7 out of 10 purely for the James Mason features...

Quite an accurate useful review - one of the shows 'missing' episodes; 'The Innocent Man' has recently been found !

The BBC thriller/drama show ran for three seasons from 1966 to 1968, in the final season actor Neil McCallum ('Angelo James') left the show, James was shot (unseen on camera) and while he recovered dropped out of the fight against the Mafia - American Lawyer 'Mike Hammond' (played by Keiron Moore) took over from James for the final season teaming with Danny Scipio (Stelio Candelli).

BBC held just six out of 36 episodes prior to 'The innocent Man' being re- discovered. Hopefully a DVD release of all surviving episodes will follow in due course (?)

'The Naked City' (1958-59): - Season one consisted of 30 minute episodes very much based on the same style as Jules Dassien's classic 1948 Movie with John McIntire (later of 'Wagon Train' & 'The Virginian') starring as a more 'Americanised' version of Barry Fitzgerald's film Lt. Dan Muldoon Irish/American cop, a more experienced, more accessible, if 'world weary' upstanding version of the diminutive figure of Muldoon than the film version.

James Franciscus (later star of 'Longstreet') plays young Detective Jimmy Halloran well, with Suzanne Storrs as his wife Janet.

The Muldoon/Halloran partnership of veteran Det. & young partner set against a famous city backdrop of location filming no doubt inspired the similar Karl Malden/Mike Douglas team later in 'The Streets of San Francisco'

Harry Bellaver was supporting character Det. Frank Acaro from episode two and is the main continuity link for the show remaining throughout, The team were based at the 65th precinct

Horace MacMahon appears early on in episode; 'Stakeout' billed as 'Chief', later he is crusty Lt. Mike Parker, whose 'bark' was worse than his 'bite', replacing McIntire's character (killed off in episode 25 'The Bumper' at the actor's request) the first season almost divides into two versions with Det. Halloran, Lt. Parker & Det. Acaro the team for the initial season latter episodes.

The 30 minute episodes featured more action based tales than what followed.

'Naked City' (1960-63): - The show had ended in 1959 but returned as just; 'Naked City' in 1960, for seasons two to four with an expanded and revised format still set on the 65th precinct. These were hour long episodes starring Paul Burke (who rather resembled Franciscus) as the idealistic sharp young Det.Adam Flint, with his supportive aspiring actress fiancé Libby (Nancy Malone) plus Parker & Acaro continued in their established roles.

This team investigated the deeper 'human drama' episodes, with famous guest stars, some just starting out on their acting careers (young actors such as; Dustin Hoffman, Jon Voight, Christopher Walken, etc appeared in supporting roles) plus a few lighter comedic episodes were included and some very complex/intense 'character driven' tales which featured many strong compelling acting performances often in rather 'offbeat' stories.

The show stands as the template for many TV Cop shows and dramas that followed with the city of New York itself being very much a featured 'star' of the show.

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Gene Barry' Segment Episode

The series dips straight into real life history here following the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968...

Glenn Howard (Gene Barry) is one of many influential people on a train speeding through the Czechoslovakian countryside as the course of the Russian invasion unfolds....

They visit Mikhail Orlov (Boris Karloff - in his final acting role very shortly before his death). Orlov appears to be the helpless victim of a massive stroke, confined to a wheelchair, unable to speak, and with hands shaking, however this later proves to be all an act as, later in secret, a sprightly and sharp minded Orlov then rises up, speaks freely , and hands to Glenn Howard a copy of his manuscript of 'The White Birch' - his own autobiographical tale of his life under the Soviet rule pulling no punches...disguised as a copy of 'Tom Sawyer'...!

As Orlov resumes his 'stroke victim' act, Glenn Howard resolves to get the manuscript home and have it printed....however certain other suspicious parties have an eye on him...including 'Emilio Fazio' (Jean-Pierre Aumont), Russians such as 'Tartiana' (Susan Oliver) and other vested interested people such as 'Philip Saxon' (Roddy McDowall) and 'Ghernin' (Pete Duel)

With an all star guest cast including Roddy McDowall, Pete Duel, and Susan Oliver...plus Hollywood Legend Boris Karloff in his swansong acting appearance....together with it's actual historical setting, this episode is one of the strongest and most memorable of the entire series.

Susan Saint James appears as Research assistant 'Peggy Maxwell' once again crossing over into her overall Boss Glenn Howard's activities in this powerful Gene Barry segment episode.

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Tony Franciosa' Segment Episode

Howard Publications Star Reporter for 'People' Magazine Jeff Dillon (Tony Franciosa) and his key Research Assistant 'Peggy Maxwell' (Susan Saint James) here for once share the Lead spotlight ....

...with Susan Saint James (future co-star of 'McMillan And Wife', 'Kate And Allie' etc ) receiving her first ever major Television series co-star billing in this second season episode.

The story is unusually credited as: Tony Franciosa...and Susan Saint James as Peggy Maxwell in...'The King of Denmark'.

When 'People' Magazine's Jeff Dillon decides to do a feature on major plays through the ages...from Shakespeare to 'Hair' ...he gets his trusty 'Girl Friday' Peggy Maxwell to start digging for him...

In the course of her research Peggy is lead to an most unusual household...and talk of a possible 'lost' Shakespeare manuscript for a play titled: 'The King of Denmark'...which if proved true would be the most astounding literary discovery for centuries...

but is Peggy putting her life in danger by visiting the old house...?

Jeff Dillon later follows Peggy to the house looking for her, but where is she...? The people at the strange house all seem decidedly odd....even sinister.

Top supporting guest cast include Joseph Cotton as 'Henry Worthington-Rayner', and Noel Harrison as 'Stephen Talbot' plus Louise Latham as 'Miss. Digby'

This episode concentrates largely on featuring the award winning Susan Saint James as 'Peggy Maxwell' - her biggest on screen role in the entire series - Jeff Dillon is seen initially assigning Peggy to dig up what information she can for his story....and then Peggy carries the lead role for about 40 minutes...

Tony Franciosa's 'Jeff Dillon' then turning up later on looking for her, and then Dillon and Peggy jointly investigate for the final 30 minutes or so of this unusual and interesting tale.

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Robert Stack' Segment Episode

Howard Publications 'CRIME' Magazine Editor Dan Farrell (Robert Stack) rushes to the scene of a stand off at a rural Prison farm where prisoners holding hostages wish to issue their demands directly to the Ex-F.B.I. man turned Reporter...

However Dan Farrell later discovers the hostage situation has all been a front as cover for a daring prison breakout by three inmates, who have a special 'job' in mind, involving stealing used banknotes....

Dan Farrell on learning of his being 'used' resolves to capture the escapees.....the episode builds to an action packed conclusion with Dan Farrell aiming a truck at the convicts car as they try to flee...

A fine guest cast features Barry Nelson as 'Frank Sandler', Arthur O'Connell as 'Charlie Sherwin' and Lorraine Gary as 'Carla Frazer'.

A young Future 'Alias Smith And Jones' star Ben Murphy appears as Dan Farrell's assistant Joseph Sample.

Susan Saint James is also featured as Research Assistant 'Peggy Maxwell' making one of her occasional series crossovers into a 'Dan Farrell' story.

Barry Nelson's character 'Frank Sandler' appears with the headline: 'The Old Paper Caper' on the cover of 'CRIME' Magazine at the end of this episode.

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Robert Stack' Segment Episode

Howard Publications 'CRIME' Magazine Editor Dan Farrell (Robert Stack) becomes involved when three teenagers 'high' under the influence of drugs have a shootout with the Police, and one of the youngsters is killed....

A café frequented by the teenagers and also transport drivers comes under suspicion as a possible drug supply centre...?

Dan Farrell goes undercover and gets a job as a Truck driver with the firm that transports pharmaceuticals in order to watch the café.....but Farrell puts his life on the line as his Truck is run off the road...

Dan Farrell discovers even the friendliest of co workers might not be all they appear to be...

Good guest cast support notably featuring Van Johnson as 'Sullivan', June Allyson as 'Joanne Robins', and Broderick Crawford as 'Harry Ricco'.

Plus a young future 'Alias Smith And Jones' star Ben Murphy features as Dan Farrell's assistant Joseph Sample.

This episode includes a very surreal 'drug trip' sequence...

Van Johnson's character 'Sullivan' ends up on the latest issue of 'CRIME' Magazine cover at the end of this episode....

Series Note: Gene Barry makes one brief cameo appearance 'as Glenn Howard', pausing for a quick talk with Dan Farrell, then about to set off to a meeting with the Prime Minister...in this 'Robert Stack' segment episode.

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Gene Barry' Segment Episode

Once again Millionaire Publisher Glenn Howard (Gene Barry) heads across the Atlantic to the United Kingdom when he learns that his old friend Madeline Grey (Janice Rule), the wealthy daughter of Max Reddington (Laurence Naismith) has recently married a rather dubious power hungry British Politician David Windom (Nigel Davenport) - rumoured in some influential circles to be a potential future British Prime Minister - but who is deeply disliked by Howard's longtime friend Reddington....

The sudden and unexpected marriage after Madeline's first husband has only been dead for a very short time arouses Glenn Howard's suspicions... ...is the vulnerable Madeline being 'used' by the ambitious politician...?

Susan Saint James' regular supporting character Peggy Maxwell again accompanies her overall boss on this visit to England.

A strong British guest cast including Laurence Naismith, Nigel Davenport, and James Robertson Justice (as Detective Fitzwilliams) enhance this change of location Glenn Howard segment instalment.

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Tony Franciosa' Segment Episode

English Hollywood hopeful actress Jenny Wilde (Pamela Franklin) meets 'People' Magazine's Star Investigative reporter Jeff Dillon (Tony Franciosa) in a club and attempts to get him to further her career.....

Dillon is initially uninterested but then decides to run a story on the plight of the 'would be' stars, with a particular emphasis on those who don't make it big....

Jeff Dillon is friendly with Radio Disc Jockey Billy Howell (Frank Gorshin - of 'Batman' fame as 'The Riddler'), Howell uses his Radio show to help young actors.

Dillon saves Jenny from the clutches of an 'Adult' movie producer, and gets her a trial for a 'proper' acting role on TV which she fails to obtain due to her nervousness and inexperience...

Howell then contacts Dillon as Jenny has rung his Radio show threatening to commit suicide as the countdown to her birthday nears....Dillon takes over at the Radio station to try to talk Jenny out of her decision...she repeatedly phones him, and at the end appears to have taken an overdose....

MAJOR SPOILER !!

...when in fact all the while it's ALL been a big act...just to gain her instant publicity, a massive radio audience, and as a bemused Dillon observes, no doubt the acting job offers will then come flooding in for her...

In the final twist, as a disbelieving Dillon leaves the Radio station...a young unknown 'wanna be' actress steps forward from out of the shadows , she hands him a bottle of sleeping tablets she HAD intended taking that night...only because of her listening to Jeff Dillon's attempts on the radio to talk Jenny Wilde out of committing suicide, the young girl duly changed her mind and decided it was better to live after all...

Jeff Dillon thus HAD saved a girl's life that night...

A strong guest cast, plus Susan Saint James regular supporting character 'Peggy Maxwell' make this an engrossing episode, possibly influenced by the famous 'Peg Entwistle' (also a British girl who came from Wales) Hollywood suicide case...the girl who jumped off the big 'H' letter in the 'Hollywood' sign on the hillside.

This episode also depicts the power of live Radio 'phone in' shows.

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Tony Franciosa' Segment Episode

When Pete Fowler discovers that wealthy and powerfully influential farmer Jesse Gil McRae (Darren McGavin), a seemingly charming and charismatic character of high public profile and good repute... is secretly involved in a major financial conspiracy, he is then shot to death....

....however his death is mysteriously then just recorded by the local Police as a 'suicide'...

Howard Publications 'People' Magazine Star Investigative Reporter Jeff Dillon (Tony Franciosa) is convinced Fowler would never have taken his own life...and begins checking into the death, aided by his faithful Research Assistant Peggy Maxwell (Susan Saint James)....

Jeff Dillon comes to realise just how powerful Jesse Gil McRae really is, with the law apparently in his pocket...

Good supporting cast includes Gary Collins as Sheriff Beal, and the famous Gypsy Rose Lee as Rosetta.

Series Note: Gene Barry makes a few brief cameo appearances 'as Glenn Howard' in this 'Tony Franciosa' Segment Episode.

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Gene Barry' Segment Episode

Millionaire Publisher Glenn Howard (Gene Barry) flies out to Rome together with his Research Assistant Peggy Maxwell (Susan Saint James) to investigate the death of a known to him 'Playgirl' friend of a notorious American gangster...

In the course of his enquiries Glenn Howard discovers that a beautiful Contessa and an old friend of his are both deeply involved in the crime....

A Strong supporting guest cast includes Dana Wynter as 'Francesca', Ed Begley as 'Gene Sobel', Cesare Danova as 'Alfieri' and special guest star Louis Jourdan as 'Mario Leopardi'.

Semi Regular supporting cast of both Cliff Potts (credited as 'Potter') as Howard's assistant 'Andrew Hill' and Susan Saint James 'Peggy Maxwell' (again crossing over into her overall boss story) provide solid back up for Gene Barry's impeccable Lead character in this involved tale.

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Robert Stack' Segment Episode

Howard Publications 'CRIME' Magazine Editor Dan Farrell (Robert Stack) becomes involved in the crusading activities of Father Bernard Torres (Ricardo Montalban) who is out to expose the corrupt landlord Milton Spencer (Edward Andrews) who is forcing local poor and immigrant workers to live in ghastly unsafe tenement housing conditions....

When Dan Farrell and his assistant Joseph Sample (Ben Murphy) are shown around the dilapidated buildings by Father Torres they find unsafe stairs, rats, leaky roofs, and black germ infested water pouring from the taps...!

Dan Farrell observes as Father Torres accepts a large bottle from the local children...then on them visiting Landlord Milton Spencer's lavish office to complain with the concerned Priest receiving a stern rebuttal, Father Torres opens the bottle...and lets out a flood of cockroaches on Spencer's Executive desk in order to let him have a taste of the dreadful living conditions his poor tenants are being forced to endure....

Father Torres ceaseless crusading and his continued drawing of public attention to the housing issue later duly leads to his contracted murder, arranged by Spencer and Dan Farrell then digs deep to expose the guilty party.....

Strong support includes John Kerr as Father Billy Keaton and David Sheiner as Lt. Martinez, in this sadly all too topical - then and now - social comment story of oppressed poor and wealthy landlords making a fortune.

The crusading Father Torres face is depicted on the cover of the latest issue of 'CRIME' Magazine at the end of this episode.

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Gene Barry' Segment Episode

When Millionaire Publisher Glenn Howard (Gene Barry) travels 'across the pond' to London and is hosting an exclusive lavish party....

...it is suddenly gatecrashed by the formidable ultra sharp British female lawyer Bethany Cromwell (Honor Blackman, of 'Goldfinger' and 'The Avengers' fame), who duly serves Howard among others present at the party....

....with a British High Court summons on a Libel charge !

The calculating and razor sharp Ms.Cromwell is representing racing driver Anthony Malcolm (Brian Bedford) in a fraud case.

Maurice Evans guests as 'Harold Wyler', in this fascinating legal 'game of chess' that Glenn Howard finds himself embroiled in while visiting his British branch of Howard Publications.

Susan Saint James' award winning character of Research Assistant 'Peggy Maxwell' once again is featured in a 'Gene Barry' segment of the show, as Peggy accompanies her overall Boss on his visit to the United Kingdom.

A strong performance by both Honor Blackman and Maurice Evans enhance this compelling tale which sees Gene Barry on impeccable top form.

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Tony Franciosa' Segment Episode

After Bill Fletcher dies a rich man....no one is sure as to just how he made his money...?

Howard Publications 'People' Magazine Star Investigative Reporter Jeff Dillon (Tony Franciosa) becomes intrigued by Fletcher's life and sets out to retrace his life story and rise to vast wealth, and in doing so encounters some prompting from U.S.Government officials who are keenly watching his every move....

Jeff Dillon's dogged determined uncovering of the truth duly exhumes a fascinating historical footnote regarding a loose affiliation of powerful wealthy people who unwisely backed the WRONG side in World War Two...following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Lee Meriwether guests as 'Bridget' with Yvonne De Carlo (of 'The Munsters' fame) as 'Mrs.Levene'.

Susan Saint James appears in her award winning supporting role as Dillon's faithful 'Girl Friday' Research assistant 'Peggy Maxwell'

This intriguing episode poses an interesting angle regarding those in 'priviliged' positions of power and influence who choose to back countries in wars...as some people grow rich through wars, while others lose everything...

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Robert Stack' Segment Episode

Who protects the 'forgotten prisoners' if the guards are corrupt....?

Howard Publications 'CRIME' Magazine Editor Dan Farrell (Robert Stack) becomes suspicious regarding claims that the inmates of a small rural State Prison are being secretly used as 'Slave Labour' by the ruthless staff who are selling their services to the local farmers.

Going undercover Dan Farrell therefore takes a job as a prison guard to see what information and proof he can uncover.....but is he putting his own life in danger...from both prisoners and his fellow guards ?

Pernell Roberts (of 'Bonanza' and 'Trapper John' fame) Guest Stars as 'Hank' giving a powerful performance as the main adversary, with a strong supporting guest cast including Dorothy Lamour as 'Stella Fisher' and Steve Ihnat as 'Captain Oliver', plus Jay C. Flippen as 'Zack Whitten'.

A young Ben Murphy (later of 'Alias Smith And Jones' fame) co-stars as Dan Farrell's assistant Joseph Sample.

Pernell Roberts' character prison guard 'Hank' is the face depicted on the cover of the latest issue of 'CRIME' Magazine at the end of this episode.

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Robert Stack' Segment Episode

Howard Publications' 'CRIME' Magazine Editor Dan Farrell (Robert Stack) begins an investigation into charity fund raising...

But when his ongoing enquiries lead him into the direction of Walter Grayson (Dennis Weaver,of 'Gunsmoke', 'Gentle Ben' the film 'Duel', and of course 'McCloud' fame) suddenly strange things then start to occur in Farrell's own apartment... ...including a 'screeching' deafening tone put on his telephone, etc, all manner of unpleasant instances designed to unnerve the journalist and duly 'warn him off'...

Dan Farrell becomes aware that Grayson is already embittered concerning his brother Albert who has earlier been convicted of embezzling charity funds...

This episode is unusual in that for once we see Dan Farrell's home apartment and the 'CRIME' Magazine Editor himself comes under a very personal attack in a clear 'war of nerves'....

A young Ben Murphy (of later 'Alias Smith And Jones' fame) appears in his semi regular role as Dan Farrell's assistant Joseph Sample.

Dennis Weaver gives his normal professional performance...seemingly quite charming, yet with an underlying hint of real menace, and there is fine support from other Guest Stars including Larry Storch (as 'Norman Turley'), Diane Baker (as 'Elaine Brennan') and Karen Black (as 'Monica Garrison')

This is quite a gripping episode as Dan Farrell faces a very real attack on his nerves....

Suffice to say it's Dennis Weaver's character who ends up depicted on the cover of the next issue of 'CRIME' Magazine at the end of the episode.

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Tony Franciosa' Segment Episode.

Howard Publications' Star Investigative Reporter for 'People' Magazine Jeff Dillon (Tony Franciosa) uncovers industrial espionage while he is otherwise investigating a mysterious explosion at a large chemical plant....

Famous Guest Stars Leslie Neilsen ( as 'David Bell' - here playing it totally 'straight' and strong in the earlier days before he automatically Lampooned his characters) and his fellow future 'Bold Ones' series star Joseph Campanella (as 'Ben Fisher') plus Ed Begley (as 'Leo McVey') and Edward Andrews (as 'Joe Storm') plus Jeanette Nolan (of 'The Virginian' Western TV Series) compliment this intriguing story that in light of subsequent later real life Disasters involving chemical plants and offshore oil rigs etc has become a lot more relevant since...

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Gene Barry' Segment Episode

Some presumably Sci Fi fans now claim this story to be the GREATEST ever episode of the entire series...But I can't agree.

First 'The Name of The Game' was NEVER ever a Sci Fi series - For this story could far more easily be a 'Twilight Zone' episode (similarly you might just as easily have had one of the three 'Name of The Game' Lead characters featured in Dennis Weaver's famous role having the scary 'cat & mouse' freeway experience in the Spielberg TV movie 'Duel' which was at least set in the same time period - yes ?)

Thus it's perhaps uneasily 'shoehorned' into the Seventies contemporary series by the 'to be expected' means of a groan inducing (and in truth quite predictable) explanation ending in order to then get 'back to series Reality'...

Second, In my view, it's not only NOT the best 'Name of The Game' story ever...but also not really the best of the 'Gene Barry' segment tales either...being relatively untypical of his normal style shows, (bar a handful of 'offbeat' styled episodes), in which he excelled.

That said I'm certainly NOT belittling it either I hasten to add...for it IS a very powerful thought provoking episode asking: 'what if...?' and 'Where are we going as a Society ?' ....chillingly it IS more relevant now than way back in 1971, so it Does carry a punch, tho' the colourful late sixties/early seventies Production style rather dates it now....

It's a bit OTT but the points it makes re a bleak future pollution ruined Earth, underground society...most amusingly 'Dinosaur Rock Bands' etc...are all valid and quite possibly very accurate predictions of things that do indeed lay up ahead...

It's one of the small but very memorable group of more 'offbeat' Gene Barry segment stories (like: 'Love-in At Ground Zero', 'Tarot', 'One of the Girls in Research', 'The Showdown',etc) and it stands out as the show at it's most artistic, arty, and ambitious...

....but then again perhaps is not Gene Barry at his strongest or most comfortable - his more conventional battle of wits 'chess games' with powerful business or political opponents probably see his finest acting performances ( - for example anyone could have been the young scientist guy in 'War of The Worlds'...but Gene Barry deftly made 'Bat Masterson', 'Capt.Amos Burke', and here Publisher 'Glenn Howard' totally his own)

The tale shows an uneasy and weary Glenn Howard driving back from a conference to discuss growing World pollution problems...very topical for 1971...Howard's car swerves and crashes (guess the ending ?)...

...He 'awakens' to find himself suddenly now in 2017 A.D. - in a crazy world gone all wrong....society driven underground due to world pollution..with overpopulation problems (clear shades of 'H.G.Wells' nightmarish visions of the future...)

A good support cast make this a fascinating and indeed memorable 'one off' futuristic Sci Fi flavoured episode of a contemporary set TV show that is really well directed by the young Steven Spielberg, with a most compelling musical score.

Now perhaps it's become a little over rated by Sci Fi fans somewhat (?)

...but it's nevertheless a great offbeat memorable if perhaps uncharacteristic 'The Name of the Game' episode !

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Tony Franciosa' Segment Episode.

There is one face permanently fixed in the mind of Blinded Ex-Police Officer Art Traeger (Jack Klugman of 'Quincy M.E.' fame)...the face of the 'Grinning' man at his door who threw acid in his face permanently blinding him....he now 'sees' with his hearing,(Even detecting someone's presence by the distinctive sound of their footsteps on his squeaky floorboards !)

Traeger is determined to undergo a new operation to restore his sight...so that he can identify the assailant, and those behind ordering the attack, to bring them to justice.

Traeger's family however fear the attacker will first strike again in oder to silence him permanently...

Howard Publication's Star investigative Reproter for 'People' magazine Jeff Dillon (Tony Franciosa) knowing Traeger of old becomes interested in the potential restoration of his sight....and the possible ramifications to the underworld - notably Gangster Wolf Lang (Broderick Crawford making a few notable cameo appearances) who is now on an 'Iron Lung' machine in hospital, but still running things in the underworld...

The episode has a twist ending....after Dillon has outsmarted Wolf Lang's aims...as not all regarding the sight restoration is what it first appears to be...

Guest Star Jack Klugman excels in this 'human affairs' sided story to a crime rooted drama, while Broderick Crawford gives his expected powerful performance in a minor but crucial role.

The acid attack by the 'Grinning man' is depicted as seen through Klugman's characters eyes in a flashback scene.

Tony Franciosa is again on top form as the likable, but cunning and doggedly persistent Jeff Dillon.

At the episode's conclusion as Dillon quietly steps to Traeger's doorway....the 'squeak' of his footsteps tell Traeger he's leaving... ..he says Goodbye to Dillon...who smiles back and replies.

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Robert Stack' Segment Episode.

Howard Publications' 'CRIME' Magazine Editor the normally 'Resolute' Dan Farrell (Robert Stack) unexpectedly becomes romantically involved....and then finds himself totally 'out of his depth' when he falls for a Wild sexy Rock & Blues singer named Jesse Boone (brilliantly played by Sharon Farrell - clearly a character firmly set in the 'Janis Joplin' vein) while he is investigating a story on corruption in the Pop music business....

The sudden death of her entrepreneur creates unexpected tensions as Farrell finds himself unable to approach the investigation with his normal detachment and ice cold investigative reasoning due to his Romantic involvement with Jesse...

A powerful episode with a show stealing performance by Sharon Farrell, plus notable support from Michael Anderson, Russ Tamblyn, and Norman Fell among others...this story lifts the lid on the darker side of the Rock music industry...

Many subsequent real life Pop and Rock music business tragedies since this episode was filmed now set the tale in a sobering and far more realistic light.

Significant perhaps that Jesse Boone herself ends up on the cover of 'CRIME' Magazine at the episode's conclusion...?

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Gene Barry' Segment Episode.

When Red Chinese diplomats suddenly walk out on an International Conference being held in Paris, diplomats prevail upon the visiting influential Millionaire Publisher Glenn Howard (Gene Barry) to use his influence to try to persuade them to return to the conference....

But is there more going on here than Howard is initially made aware of by his own side....?

A strong International Guest Cast including French film star Charles Boyer (as Henri Jarnoux) plus American Craig Stevens as Lang Roberts and Ivan Tchenko as Mikhail Knutskov give this partly filmed on location in Paris episode a authentic feel, as the show makes one of it's occasional and always well depicted forays away from it's home setting of the USA and notably California.

Series Notes: Susan Saint James appears as (this time) her character's overall boss Glenn Howard's Research Assistant 'Peggy Maxwell' in one of her occasional excursions over into the 'Gene Barry' segments of the series.

While Gene Barry has an uncharacteristic 'close cropped' hairstyle for this one episode !

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Tony Franciosa' Segment Episode.

In one of his last (and certainly his best script in the show's final third season) portrayals of charismatic yet determined 'People' Magazine Star Investigative Reporter 'Jeff Dillon' Tony Franciosa appears in a poignant episode for his character, who for once leaves sunny California and his job at Howard Publications and heads back to New York to visit his surviving family on vacation...

The story has a striking opening where Jeff Dillon looks out the plane's window which transforms into a portal showing his memories of his childhood in New York...

However on returning Dillon is then shocked to discover just how much has changed since those carefree days, almost entirely for the worst....as he discovers his own brother Angie (Guest Star Martin Balsam) is now a hopeless drug addict...and a puppet for the drug pushers...

At the end Dillon has an agonising decision to make...should he turn his own 'junkie' brother into the Police..?

The episode features a memorable Narration by Orson Welles.

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Robert Stack' Segment Episode.

An episode No doubt influenced by the real life Charlie Starkweather 'spree killers' case in Lincoln, Nebraska in the late fifties, this sixties fictional episode puts a differing slant on such a case....

'Crime' Magazine's Editor Dan Farrell (Robert Stack) becomes involved in the pursuit of Bobby Currier (Brandon De Wilde) & his young girlfriend - who is the Sheriff's terrified daughter - who embark on a 'spree killing' of complete strangers apparently at random...

With The embittered local Sheriff A.G.Ward (Steve Forrest), the girl's father, duly determined to bring Currier in...Dead or possibly even alive !

During this memorable episode we learn something of why Bobby Currier is now so 'alienated' from society...

Dan Farrell is later kidnapped by Currier, but then attempts to get Bobby Currier's story first hand...before he decides to add Farrell to his list of victims...

Fine supporting performances from both Anne Baxter as Bobby's mother Betty-Jean Currier, and Julie Harris as Verna Ward.

A chilling and all too familiar tale....this storyline goes a bit deeper into such killer's possible motives, and examines the 'Respectable Society members' who might themselves really be Bobby Currier's true accomplices in his killing spree...(?)

Series Note: Gene Barry makes one brief cameo appearance 'as Glenn Howard' having a telephone conversation with Dan Farrell.

Spoiler Alert !

A 'Tony Franciosa' Segment Episode.

As (then in 1969) the Vietnam war rages on...'People' Magazine's Star Reporter Jeff Dillon (Tony Franciosa) learns from an Army Deserter of an 'all too realistic' Army training camp which is supposed to prepare Soldiers for possible P.O.W. Torture techniques at the hands of the enemy, as a part of their training, but at this specific camp have things gone too far...?

Dillon is initially sceptical of the Deserter's claims, thinking such things just could NOT happen....but then agrees to go undercover posing as a U.S.Soldier to experience the camp first hand...with unexpected results !

Dillon is shocked to find that the camp IS being run as if it were a REAL P.O.W. camp with a iron fisted Base Commander Col. Royce (superbly played by Guest Star Steve Forrest) - Col. Royce is himself a highly decorated Korean War veteran having been captured and tortured in that earlier conflict...we duly learn he is not quite the 'enemy' we are built up to expect him to be, but is genuinely trying to prepare the men under his command for the worst...

...while of course SOME of those under his Command take FULL advantage of the 'position of power' they enjoy....

Dillon finally manages to convince the Colonel there MUST always be a difference between preparing soldiers for the horrors of war and imprisonment ....and the real thing.

A powerful and disturbing episode, with 'flashback' scenes of Steve Forrest's character being tortured by his Korean War captors....this episode, in light of modern day tales of possible wartime prisoner mistreatment (on all sides) and the mental damage done to such victims, is both moving and thought provoking....

Can such places still secretly exist in the world today we find ourselves asking at the end... ?