If you are wondering about the strange title, "A Fury Slinging Flame", of this episode from the first season of "Route 66", it is part of a Tennyson poem quoted by guest star Leslie Nielson's character. Specifically it is from "In Memoriam A.H.H.", a Tennyson friend who died at age 22. "And Time, a maniac scattering dust, And Life, a Fury slinging flame".
Dr. Mark Christopher (Nielson) is a famous scientist who believes from his Russian friend's cryptic message that the USSR will initiate a New Year's Day nuclear attack on the United States. The episode was originally broadcast on December 30, 1960. One of the most interesting things about the series is the many episodes reflecting subjects about which 1960's viewers were especially concerned.
Christopher has been unable to convince his associates to act on this information and is under orders from the government to not disclose it, as doing so would create a panic. So along with his son and a small band of followers, he takes shelter deep inside Carlsbad Caverns (where the episode was actually filmed) much to the annoyance of the National Park Service (action star James Brown plays the Supervising Park Ranger). Tod and Buz assist Paula Shay (Fay Spain), a beautiful newspaper reporter who wants to interview Dr. Christopher.
Tod and Buz are pretty ancillary to the whole story. You know this not just because of their lack of screen time but because this is one of the few episodes where Buz does "not" punch out somebody.
Dr. Mark Christopher (Nielson) is a famous scientist who believes from his Russian friend's cryptic message that the USSR will initiate a New Year's Day nuclear attack on the United States. The episode was originally broadcast on December 30, 1960. One of the most interesting things about the series is the many episodes reflecting subjects about which 1960's viewers were especially concerned.
Christopher has been unable to convince his associates to act on this information and is under orders from the government to not disclose it, as doing so would create a panic. So along with his son and a small band of followers, he takes shelter deep inside Carlsbad Caverns (where the episode was actually filmed) much to the annoyance of the National Park Service (action star James Brown plays the Supervising Park Ranger). Tod and Buz assist Paula Shay (Fay Spain), a beautiful newspaper reporter who wants to interview Dr. Christopher.
Tod and Buz are pretty ancillary to the whole story. You know this not just because of their lack of screen time but because this is one of the few episodes where Buz does "not" punch out somebody.