Terrific offbeat episode, a character study on steroids, written by Robert J. Shaw, later to write endless episodes for soaps, like GENERAL HOSPITAL.
Stu has a particularly strange case that involves the matriarch of a crime family. Character actress Katherine Givney plays Mrs. Carmichael, sort of a sophisticated "Ma Barker," whose family earned their wealth as criminals. She even shows her sons vintage movies (for entertainment) of family members robbing trains!
Mrs. Carmichael is still in the mood for commiting a robbery, even though she's very wealthy, which poses one heck of a problem for Stu. Great support from veteran Robert Cornthwaite as her eldest son, and William Windom as her youngest son, called Cuthbert.
None other than Nancy Kulp appears as the family maid, Eloise, who at the time was also appearing on the BEVERLY HILLBILLIES. Nancy has some memorable scenes (including a drunk bit) with Roscoe. Yes, she and Roscoe make an interesting couple, and it's a shame they didn't do more episodes together.
The closing shootout with spry Mrs. Carmichael is a 77SS classic, like a clip from an old movie. Katherine Givney should have gotten an Emmy nod for this role. Best remembered for playing Katie's grandmother on MY THREE SONS.
Top notch direction from our hero, George waGGner (the famous two G's), who just let the camera roll. If George directed, it's worth your while. Not to be missed, if for all the classy actors.
SEASON 5 EPISODE 35 remastered. Thank you again METV for running this classic show Sunday nights. Note, some of the episodes were remastered in Europe on dvd and may not play on American made dvd players. Best to check with the seller.
