Crack of Doom

As usually the master Hitch appears to insert the main subject in the episode "gambling "exposing some cards, due the show was shot in black & white then the color of cards disappears on this diffuse format, so misleading the audience concerning the what coming next over a nocturne train from New York toward Chicago where the travelers ought to spending their time on gambling over so extensive journey.

One of them Mr. Mason Bridges (Robert Horton) a successful business man is ostensible against the poker suggested by his friend on board, so he explains what did happen with him is pastime that which led him dropped out this menacing game, it has connecting with color of the cards, it's an interesting story exploited by the poker face Hitchcock.

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First watch: 2025 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.5.

A no-limit game of poker brings a real estate man to the brink of ruin. That man is played by Wagon Train's Robert Horton and he captures his character's desperation quite well. The poker playing scenes are suspenseful, however the ending lacked a twist.

So why doesn't Mason Bridges (Horton) play poker any more, not even a friendly game in the railway club car. The suspense doesn't really kick in until the last 5 minutes, but then it's sweaty-palms time in spades. A lot depends on that excellent actor Robert Middleton making Sam Klinker (apt name) rather dislikable. That way we can believe a prudent businessman like Bridges would risk ruin just to wipe the smile off Klinker's smug face. The revealing tale is told appropriately in flashback, and reviewer Hitchcoc is right—it's a strong entry, though there is a key development that remains something of a stretch. The hunky Robert Horton was in a number of these early episodes before joining the cast of the super-popular Wagon Train series. After abruptly quitting that series, he tried to make the jump into movies, but apparently it didn't work out. Too bad, he was an excellent actor as this 30 minutes shows. Anyway, I enjoyed Crack of Doom as a boy and am glad to return the favor, even 50 years later.

This is an excellent tale of suspense. It is told in flashback by Robert Horton to a fellow traveler. It has to do with his gambling addiction. Horton has the gambling disease and finds himself in a game he cannot afford to be in. Unfortunately, he has access to money that doesn't belong to him. It's one of those winner-take-all situations. The beauty of the episode is that the camera and the director do a masterful job of pacing the thing and leading us to the inevitable conclusion. Horton, who I think was a cowboy star at one time, does a nice job as the tired, driven, frightened man, who has to throw it out there. There is also a subplot concerning his wife, who has been gambling with oil stocks, hoping to get rich. He finds himself in an untenable situation. This is one of the best of the "Presents" episodes.

I guess STRANGERS ON A TRAIN inspired, at least the first scenes of this episode which the plot has nothing to do with the famous Alfred Hitchcock's film. This is a gambler tale, poker game actually. I know nothing bout poker, so, I was more than confused by this plot. However, I got that it also was a story about gambling addiction. That's all I got; now, for the rest, I could not enjoy as much as if I was a poker player myself. Bob Middleton is the only actor I knew here. Not bad, but, again, I am not the best reviewer to give a helpful comment. Not the best I have ever seen so far in the show.