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THANK U to TCM for running this mini classic, no relation to the famous tv sitcom, and no light moments in this eerie tale either. Strictly business for Arch Oboler.

Writer and director with 100-plus imagination, perhaps an inspiration to Rod Serling (food for thought), he created some genuinely original cult material. Senior writer for the legendary radio suspense program LIGHTS OUT, Oboler had innumerable fascinating scripts at his disposal, possibilities for movies and tv. This is one.

Phyllis Thaxter, in an early and compelling role, plays a young woman named Joan with a split personality. Stark similarities to the THREE FACES OF EVE, though based on a true story about a decade later. Oboler, to his credit, taking a serious look at schizophrenia, rare, protent material for film producers at the time. A female version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the horror element versus hypnosis, eventually separating both personalities, one homicidal.

Oboler carefully selected this cast, Thaxter to be congratulated for her powerful performance. Edmund Gwenn in a fine dramatic role as the psychiatrist while Henry H. Daniels, Jr plays the young man who Joan's alter ego would like to steal away into her mad world. Veteran Francis Pierlot (who played many physicians), returning as yet another and notably June Lockhart's mother, Kathleen. Will Wright has an early role.

Released through MGM, and note the short running time at 65 minutes, a borderline B film, worth seeing again. The film received excellent reviews.

On remastered dvd for ultimate Oboler fans, who followed this with STRANGE HOLIDAY.

Based on a story by Andrew Solt, an established Hollywood writer, who may have originally intended this as an outline for a film. A fascinating character study as you will see.

I agree, about as solemn as you can get for Hitch; a soldier (Jacques Bergerac) returns home from the French-Algerian War in North Africa with his good friend and comrade, Corporal Marchand (Marcel Dalio). He phones his wealthy parents and asks if they would like some company at their estate, a hero who lost a leg in battle? The answer is not what he expects... setting the table for this sobering drama. Joining the duo is a young woman named Therese (Susan Kohner), a new friend Sergeant Doniere (Bergerac) may need more than anything else.

Minus the macabre, however a story just as powerful, definitely Hitch's clever intention here. Worthy for an Emmy nod.

The cast is outstanding, lead by Jacques Bergerac, soon to be an international star and Susan Kohner, shortly to be nominated for an Oscar in IMMITATION OF LIFE. Several distinguished film veterans; Marcel Dalio (TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT), Vladimir Sokoloff (FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS) and master of dialects Luis Van Rooten (DETECTIVE STORY).

Stirling Silliphant, soon to create NAKED CITY and ROUTE 66, co-wrote the script with Solt. He had the coolest name, a prolific writer himself. Make no mistake, Hitch surround himself with some fine talent here, that alone worth the price of admission.

SEASON 3 EPISODE 22 remastered CBS dvd box set. All seven seasons are now on dvd in a single box. Released 2022.

At last, Raymond Burr returned to the series, on the mend for several weeks due to an arm injury while visiting troops. The perfect OFF offbeat story for Perry Mason, written exclusively for Burr, joined by a dog. Man's best friend or a lawyer's BFF? Very interesting.

For western fans, yes, there's some notable faces here from tv and movies. It starts with meaner than mean Amos Keller (memorably played by Arthur Hunnicutt), a war veteran and the owner of quite a bit of property. His grand daughter, Sandra (Natalie Trundy) agrees to sell part of it to a land developer called Thornton (Arch Johnson), then Amos backs out of the deal, putting Thornton is big financial trouble.

Bizarre twist -- Thornton is the one who gets shot and killed, while most of us would have thought it would be Amos. Not so. Comes a second surprise when he isn't charged for the crime, rather Sandra? THEN there's the question of old man Keller's dog, called "Heartack," who also figures prominently in the case. Add this all up, and it's one surperb mystery for buffs.

Thank you to Jonathan Latimer, senior writer for the series, again earning his stripes.

Arthur Hunnicutt, known for playing grizzled old timers, runs away with the part. In a few years he would play Butch Cassidy in CAT BALLOU. Unusual casting for Arch Johnson, this time as the victim. You would have thought he'd be the guilty party. Good roles for both Erin O'Brien, often seen in tv westerns and Lee Van Cleef, a few years before fame in THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY. Natalie Trundy went onto appear in the Planet of the Ape movie series. Vic Perrin (DRAGNET) plays the assistant DA.

PS; Heartack the dog was not credited, though likely raised by Frank Inn, Hollywood's famous animal trainer. He surely brought back some fond memories for Erle Stanley Gardner, who wrote "The Case of the Howling Dog" thirty years earlier.

Did you spot him? Eddie Baker, one of the original Keystone Cops, plays the bailiff. Producers used him quite a bit for old times sake, a nice thing to do for senior actors who had little opportunity. The show had some very thoughtful folks working behind the scenes.

Tag this 10 Stars. SEASON 6 EPISODE 20 remastered CBS dvd box set. Volumes 1 and 2. 4 dvds each. Released 2011. Thanks much to METV for running these oldies twice daily.