The Doubtful Doctor

The plot from "It's a Wonderful Life" has been liberally 'borrowed' over the years, both in films and television. Again and again, I've seen shows where a person goes back in time and sees what life would be like if they could do it over again. "The Doubtful Doctor" clearly is based on this concept.

Ralph Jones (Dick York) visits a psychiatrist and tells him about his problem. It seems that one day, he awakened and found himself living two years earlier. He was not married, his career was far less successful and he is at first confused. What's next? See the show...or not, as you kinda know where it's going next.

As I already mentioned, the story idea is very familiar...too familiar. It's pleasant otherwise but just wasn't very original.

As Dick York (of Bewitched fame) works his way through a world where he sees the same characters but everything has changed (including his wife), he can only come to one conclusion. This is very Twilight Zone like and is very predictable. We need to ponder the ending, but what else is new?

Yes, having seen this episode for decades, there's a connection to the fantasy, ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE, only with Hitch in mind. Never forget that. More over, the script was written by Jerry Sohl, who later wrote for TWILIGHT ZONE and the OUTER LIMITS.

Dick York returns to the series, and perfectly cast, as a gentleman with a problem. He seeks the help of a psychiatrist, played by John Zaremba, to sort things out. York claims he's living an eternal nightmare, set two years earlier(?), where he was not particularly successful or even married. He meets Lucille (Gene Rowlands), who supposedly will become his future wife, but she ain't thinking marriage!

In short, his whole world has collapsed, and will he get the chance to return to the life he once knew.

If this doesn't sound like TZ material, let alone ONE STEP BEYOND. Nevertheless, it's fascinating and will keep you wondering how this frightmare will end. Trying to figure out Hitch is not EZ, but always fun.

Applause to both Dick York and Gena Rowlands (who we lost in 2024), who reminded me a bit of Angie Dickinson at times. They get the job done here. Good supporting role for Zaremba, who appeared in many cult films, later a regular on DALLAS. Catch Michael Burns as Sidney, soon to join the cast on WAGON TRAIN.

SEASON 6 EPISODE 2 remastered Universal dvd box set. The classic yellow box, still with Hitch frowning the frown we all love.

Except without all of the singing and angels.

Either that, or someone mixed up the film cans and we got an episode of the Twilight Zone.

Would you believe that this was the inspiration for the first episode of season 10 of "Dallas"?

OK, this was a fun little episode, mostly for Dick York and Gena Rowlands.

I know of Dick York mostly from 'Bewitched', but I am also now seeing him in the episodes of AHP, and also the two TZ episodes.

In this one he is closer to what we normally see of him compared to his first three AHP episodes, although there is no real comedic events here.

The twist at the end is rather predictable, if you have seen enough of these types of shows, but still well done by Mr. York.

One observation that is sadly ironic - at the opening scene in the doctor's office, Dick York is chain smoking. In real life, he died too young, from emphysema.

Ralph Jones (Dick York) visits a psychiatrist regarding his problem. It seems that one day, he awakened and found himself living two years earlier. Then he was not married, his career was far less successful and he is at first baffled. And when he tries to woo woman who is now his wife, she's not interested.

This is a weaker episode, I found it mildly diverting with a good performance by Dick York. Gena Rowlands is wonderful to look at. The twist at the end is just ok, though it did manage to perplex the psychologist.