This is an excellent re-working of SO LONG AT THE FAIR (1950), starring Jean Simmons, whose brother vanishes at a fashionable hotel. A classic mystery that dates back well over 100 years.
Series writer Marian Cockrell dusted it off a bit, and instead of a missing brother, now it's a missing mother, Mrs. Winthrop (played by Mary Forbes), whose frantic daughter, Diana (Patricia Hitchcock) can't find her. The people managing the hotel paint her into a corner, making it appear she's just plain nuts!
This may be Pat Hitchcock's finest appearance on her father's show, and you really feel sorry for her. She is absolutely convincing. I think her best work ever was in STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, a few years earlier.
Unless you have seen the movie or read the age-old story, you will never guess the outcome. That's the best part, and what Hitch assurredly wanted. A supreme cast backs this up with Alan Napier (BATMAN) playing Sir Everett, also British actor Geoffrey Toone, who would soon appear in THE KING AND I. Mary Forbes was popular in several classic films, such as the PICTURE OF DORAN GRAY and JANE EYRE, usually playing distinguished elder women. I'm sure Hitch was one of her fans.
If you are a movie buff among buffs, this story was also redone in 1933 as MIDNIGHT WARNING, starring Claudia Dell. The writers put a macabre slant on it, but nevertheless fascinating to watch play out. This film is also out on dvd for collectors.
One of the best early episodes. SEASON 1 EPISODE 6 remastered Universal dvd box set. 2005. 4 disc set.
Series writer Marian Cockrell dusted it off a bit, and instead of a missing brother, now it's a missing mother, Mrs. Winthrop (played by Mary Forbes), whose frantic daughter, Diana (Patricia Hitchcock) can't find her. The people managing the hotel paint her into a corner, making it appear she's just plain nuts!
This may be Pat Hitchcock's finest appearance on her father's show, and you really feel sorry for her. She is absolutely convincing. I think her best work ever was in STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, a few years earlier.
Unless you have seen the movie or read the age-old story, you will never guess the outcome. That's the best part, and what Hitch assurredly wanted. A supreme cast backs this up with Alan Napier (BATMAN) playing Sir Everett, also British actor Geoffrey Toone, who would soon appear in THE KING AND I. Mary Forbes was popular in several classic films, such as the PICTURE OF DORAN GRAY and JANE EYRE, usually playing distinguished elder women. I'm sure Hitch was one of her fans.
If you are a movie buff among buffs, this story was also redone in 1933 as MIDNIGHT WARNING, starring Claudia Dell. The writers put a macabre slant on it, but nevertheless fascinating to watch play out. This film is also out on dvd for collectors.
One of the best early episodes. SEASON 1 EPISODE 6 remastered Universal dvd box set. 2005. 4 disc set.