User reviews

Having not seen this episode before, but being a fan and quite familiar with the show, I was pleasantly surprised by the slow build-up of the story line and the convincing performance by Zimbalist. The other players were quality actors, making for a balanced thriller / mystery atmosphere and a satisfying ending. To me this is one of the better episodes, the writing a cut above usual, a great performance by Zimbalist - the best actor on the show - and a host of excellent supporting players.

In this 77 Sunset Strip story Efrem Zimbalist goes full Ray Milland turning into an alcoholic. It seems as he was tried but acquitted of sedition in losing some government documents. But the state of California gave him the Black Sox treatment. He's been stripped of his PI license and is now hanging around some of Hollywood's exclusive bars where this PI to the stars meets among other people Hollywood columnist James Baker and fellow Warner Brothers star James Garner.

But Stu Bailey was with the OSS in the late World War and has more than a few contacts in the espionage world. Among others is John Van Dreelan from those years and Zimbalist also meets up with Dorothy Provine as well.

Zimbalist's drunk act is on the order of Ray Milland's from The Lost Weekend. Unfortunately it's tied to a less convincing espionage story.

Did you really think Stu Bailey was a traitor?