The Dividing Wall

Catch that opening hook that sets the stage for what follows. Poor Terry (Robinson) is going blurry-eyed nutzoid with four walls closing around him. Good thing he's not back in prison. It's a highly suspenseful entry, with an especially strong turn by James Gregory as the gang leader who really makes you believe it. I like the way the script fills in important details as it goes along. That adds to interest.

So what is the heist gang going to do with that odd-looking cylinder they stole along with the money. Worse, why is gangster Al's (Fell) hand burning now that he's fooled with it. It's a good imaginative gimmick— (catch Vince Edwards in City of Fear {1959} for similar gripping gimmick). The relationship Terry has with next-door sweetie Carol (Ross) figures nicely into the main plot, and is not just an eye-appealing add-on. Still, the ending is more Hollywood than Hitchcock, and should have been part of Hitch's wrap-up. In my little book, it compromises too much of the tough tone that's gone before. Nonetheless, this is a compelling little suspenser not to be missed.

Three guys have robbed a safe...taking both a company's payroll AND a container containing radioactive Cobalt. The three have no idea what they've got....nor how deadly it is...especially since they opened the container!! There's a lot of back story and I could mention it, but frankly it all seemed like padding....the important thing is the heist and the danger to the public. Can the authorities find the cobalt in time? And, do any of the three care about the danger they're exposing everyone to in this neighborhood?

While the episode stars James Gregory and Norman Fell, two familiar TV actors of the era, the most interesting actor was Katherine Ross...who was very young and looked quite different from her 1970s look.

So is it any good? Well, as I mentioned above, it is heavily padded...which is a minus. But on the other hand, it is entertaining and despite the padding it all worked reasonably well and is worth seeing.

Two interesting things here, first, the two kids playing at the beginning with the same kinds of masks which the robbers will use later in the story. And second, since the beginning too of the episode, you already know that the young mechanic is claustrophobic, see the scene in the emptying pit. A sequence that you'll have at the end. Two classical tricks often used in big screen features. besides this, this story looks like a long length film for the big screen. No twist or surprise ending. Jim Gregory steals the show as a rough gang leader;

"The Dividing Wall" is reminiscent of the first season's "Diagnosis:Danger," this time centering on a daring payroll robbery committed by three ex-cons using their skills as mechanics to steal a safe full of money. What they don't know is, the safe also contains a cobalt isotope which could spread deadly radioactivity throughout the entire city if unleashed. The three thieves are played by James Gregory, Chris Robinson, and Norman Fell, while 23 year old Katharine Ross makes just her fourth TV appearance. Future "Count Yorga" director Bob Kelljan also plays one of his less frequent acting roles, 8 in all. Chris Robinson went on to star in the cult horror film "Stanley," in 1972, bravely working with dangerous rattlesnakes.

Every few episodes, Hitch's hour series would revert back to a cops and robbers theme. The master of suspense probably watched 77 SUNSET STRIP and HAWAIIN EYE, and this episode has that feel, but beware of a trick or two.

I agree with the last reviewer; If you're a movie buff, the story is strikingly similar to the cult film, CITY OF FEAR, starring Vince Edwards. Edwards played a thief who lifts a cylinder filled with a radioactive substance. Here, James Gregory, Chris Robinson and Norman Fell steal a cylinder --they think is filled with jewelry or cash-- ALSO radiactive. What a horrible fate, especially when Fell's character is the first to be exposed to an isotope of deadly cobalt.

An excellent character study above everything else, human nature at its worst. Case in point, Gregory's role, the ruthless leader of the trio who will stop at nothing to score a big heist. Additionally, a very early appearance of beautiful Katherine Ross, who gets mixed up with Chris Robinson, the youngest of the thieves and most vulnerable. Ross would make her film debut in about a year, fame soon to follow.

Look for Simon Scott as Durrell, who yes, made several appearances on 77 SUNSET STRIP. Written by series regular Joel Murcott, who also wrote for M SQUAD, without too much surprise. Bernard Girard directed, doing a great job with this cast, particularly James Gregory, in one of his best tv roles.

The ending will stick with you.

SEASON 2. Classic 8 dvd box set. According to Amazon, the set was produced in Europe and may not play on American made dvd players, same case with Season 1. Best to check with the seller.