Thunder in a Forgotten Town (5 Mar. 1963)
"The Dick Powell Show" Thunder in a Forgotten Town (original title)

After ten years in a Red Chinese POW camp, John Reardon returns home.

Director:

Bernard L. Kowalski

Writers:

Richard Carr (teleplay), Irving J. McCarthy (story),

Stars:

David Niven, Jackie Cooper, Dewey Martin

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
David Niven	...	Himself - Host
Jackie Cooper	...	John Reardon
Dewey Martin	...	Sheriff Baird
Susan Oliver	...	Ann Williams
Robert Emhardt	...	Ad Wiley
Edie Adams	...	Model
Milton Berle	...	Blackjack Dealer
Joey Bishop	...	Walter
David Janssen	...	Kenneth 'Ken' Morgan
Pat O'Brien	...	Clerk
Jackie Coogan	...	Shopkeeper
Gary Crosby	...	Politician's Aide
Alan Reed
William Schallert
Ellen Corby

Storyline

After ten years in a Red Chinese POW camp, John Reardon returns home.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 March 1963 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Four Star Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Interesting idea, badly done.

The idea of the story, basically, is that a man has returned to a small town after many years and finds his old friend is the mayor. Said Mayor suddenly is killed by a burglar, though the hero (Cooper) uncovers that the friend (Janssen) suicided because of corrupt politics. All well and good, but all kinds of non sequitirs and red herrings are larded on for no benefit to the story. In fact it confuses it. Really interesting possible points are tossed in and then vanish forever. Like that he's supposedly been mysteriously reported dead in Korea ten years ago, or that he's really overly sensitive to bare light bulbs. Why? we can guess, but so what? The story never picks up on it at all. He's been accused of colluding with the Red Chinese- but who cares if he did or didn't- it's never developed either. The worst part is the pointless gang of cameos. Joey Bishop,Edie Adams, Pat O'Brien...- Milton Berle even cameos reprising his role as the craps table man from "Doyle against the House" for no reason. It's a waste of Jackie Cooper's talents and what could have been a much better drama.