Confidence Game (22 Dec. 1958)

A con man assaults the elderly victim of a $5,000 swindle as a "warning", but his female partner becomes fearful of a murder charge when the old man dies of a heart attack immediately after the assault.

Director:

Walter Doniger

Writers:

Richard Adam (teleplay and story), Hendrik Vollaerts (teleplay)

Stars:

Broderick Crawford, William Boyett, Pamela Duncan

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Broderick Crawford	...	Chief Dan Mathews
William Boyett	...	Sergeant Ken Williams
Pamela Duncan	...	Mattie
Richard Benedict	...	Paul Gayle
Joe McGuinn	...	Mike Purdum
Frank Roberts	...	Coroner
Thomas E. Jackson	...	Gus Fields
Art Gilmore	...	Narrator (voice)

Storyline

Elderly Gus Fields is assaulted when he asks for his money back from swindler Paul Gayle. The assault causes Fields to suffer a fatal heart attack, and Gayle's accomplice Mattie worries that they will face a murder charge. Her worries intensify when handyman Mike Purdum tells her of his determination to find Fields' killer. Dan Mathews and Sergeant Williams subsequently visit Mattie's roadside diner and question her at length about Fields' death. She believes that Gayle has abandoned her, but he subsequently returns to the diner and attempts to use her as a hostage. Dan Mathews and Sergeant Williams know that they have only a brief opportunity to break the tense standoff and prevent Gayle's escape.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 1958 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

ZIV Television Programs

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Series star Broderick Crawford was apparently experiencing a foot disorder when this episode was filmed. He wears his usual tailored business suit throughout, but in one longer shot it is quite clear that he is wearing casual canvas shoes.

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Goofs

At one point while conversing with Mike Purdum, Mattie addresses him as "Gus".

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Quotes

Mattie: Paul, you're not gonna go on with this racket?
Paul Gayle: Of course! Look, this is a good racket. The investors are really comin' to me now!
Mattie: But how long are you gonna be able to give them a hundred percent on their investments?
Paul Gayle: As long a new suckers keep givin' me money to pay the others off! When we get a couple of hundred grand, we'll pull out and leave the state!

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