Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (TV Series) Echo of Evil (1964) User Reviews

What a genuine noir atmosphere

[searchanddestroy-1 · 11 June 2015]

I don't know the actor playing the police officer who, in the first scene, investigates about the suicide of a young woman. Just after that he takes his car and drives to a fancy mansion, where a wealthy old man - played by Barry Sullivan - organizes a big anniversary party or his friend and family. The two men finally meet, outside the mansion and the audience understand that the cop accuses Sullivan to be responsible of the young girl's suicide. Even not in a direct way. Sullivan is an important man for a big organization, big syndicate, and also a big guy whom the District Attorney is interested in. Among several reasons, including the mysterious suicide of the young woman. Barry Sullivan is rather touching here, even with also an ambivalent character. Especially when he tries to help another young woman of his family to succeed in life. You never guess who he really is: good or evil. Half big scale criminal, half generous honest man. His associates worry, and also wonder why the cop was so interested in him so closely. It's not a gangster story, but only a philosophical tale, pure drama. His associates ask him to fly away, forget his all life, renounce, give up everything which he fought for. John Saxon is here a sort of hired gun. Superb noir story with an outstanding performance by Barry Sullivan. And as usual in this TV series, you have a bittersweet ending.