Reserved for Mr. Bailey

That sweet loving voice in this episode who was Stu's girlfriend was none other than Kathleen Crowley, one of my all time favorite actresses who sadly just passed away on 23 April. This was always one of my favorite episodes of 77 and it reminds me of the one where Jeff was tied up in the barn which was similar to this episode with Stu. This show was way ahead of its time with brilliant writing and production.

This campy episode may have inspired episodes of later cop shows, like MANNIX. The reason I bring up Mannix, because Joe met up with some really weird characters in the middle of the desert.

This is Stu's show all the way... He's knocked unconscious and awakens in the creepy desert town called "Roctown", home of god fearing men and women! Stu enters the cobwebbed hotel, only to check the dusty directory and discover that among the guests is Billy the Kid?

Comes a voice from a speaker, and its Mr. Van Nuys (played by veteran actor Robert Douglas).

It turns out his invisible host is setting him up for revenge, AND some fun and games. It all kind of plays out like an old movie serial; Stu drops through a trap door and is caught in a giant vat of rising water.... all as mysterious Mr. Van Nuys has a few chuckles.

CREEPY stuff. And more to come.

Excellent direction and writing from Montgomery Pittman, who directed as many classic episodes for the series as he wrote. Pittman was also associated with the TWILIGHT ZONE, and yes, this does take on a similar eerie feel. A bit different than previous episodes.

Robert Douglas, who played villains in many classic movies, is perfect for this story. He later turned to directing for tv, and very succesfully.

Some great desert shots, and the Warner Brothers old west town. Efrem Zimbalist, Jr does a fine job in this one man show, and has a neat closing line.

SEASON 4 EPISODE 12 remastered WB box set. Some episodes are sold separately, remastered in Europe and may not play on American dvd players. Check with the seller. Thanks to METV Plus for running these golden oldies.

If you think that this episode of 77 Sunset Strip looks more like a Twilight Zone episode you'd be right. Efrem Zimbalist appears alone in this story the only dialog consists of Stu Bailey talking on the telephone, talking to the unseen perpetrator who does answer back and to himself.

After coming home from an assignment Zimbalist is lured to his office in the wee small hours of the morning. Knocked out he finds himself out in the desert on the road to a deserted ghost town.

Which his kidnapper/tormentor has supplied with a lot of little booby traps. Bailey will need all his old OSS training to keep alive.

The tormentor is a genius, but also clearly nuts. He's conceived a grudge against Zimbalist and reason is beyond him.

Efrem Zimbalist does great in one of the most acclaimed episodes of the series.