Crack of Doom

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.

One of Hitch's famous "addiction" tales of tales, keenly written by Robert C. Dennis, as always. I've often wondered if Dennis was a card player himself?

Robert Horton (known for WAGON TRAIN), a favorite of Hitch, plays Mason, your everyday guy who likes to play a game of cards every now and then. The difference is there came a game where he got in TOO deep, relating the tale of "doom" to a friend. It happened many years ago, however to him, it was just like yesterday and all coming down to the flip of a card.

Mason jumped into a game with a slick gent named Klinker (love that name), played by screen villain par excellence Robert Middleton. Even with a suit and tie, he had the look of a not too pleasant chap. The game begins in earnest (for a few minutes...), building and building to the point where Mason could lose his shirt. He apparently has an ace in the hole, some additional money in the bank? Is it still there? Are you laughing yet?

Now everythings on the table, and what a Hitch predicament. If you're thinking the CINCINNATTI KID, this story a possible inspiration to the classic film, with far less frills, though the kid versus the old timer angle hits the bullseye.

One of those scenarios that can go either way, and even if you've seen it, worth a second and third viewing for the endgame. Both stars shine, Robert Middleton a bonafide scene stealer and deservedly so. Remembered for the DESPERATE HOURS, perhaps the reason Hitch cast him here. Look for Gavin Gordon as one of the players.

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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.

Absolutely loved the title and the premise sounded intriguing, actually one of the more interesting ones of Season 2 up to this point. Adding further to the intrigue is that "Crack of Doom" is the fourth 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' epidode directed by regular James Neilson (a relative regular for good reason). All his three previous outings ("Help Wanted", "The Orderly World of Mr Appleby" and "The Legacy") are worth watching, while neither being season or show high points.

So is "Crack of Doom". As far as Season 2 goes, it's somewhere firmly in the middle. Not one of the best or one of the worst, and doesn't fare too badly compared to the relatively mixed bag of episodes before it (where only "Conversation With a Corpse" was above very good). It doesn't quite live up to its great title but as far as the premise goes, it is more or less what was expected or maybe just a little bit less. Not a waste of potential by all means.

"Crack of Doom" has a lot of good. It is a slick looking episode and Neilson directs more than competently, with a mostly assured pace and a sense that he knew what he was doing. Hitchcock's bookending is as enjoyable and drolly ironic as ever, not coming as out of place. The main theme for the series has lost none of its memorability.

The script is thought provoking while not taking itself too seriously or coming over as verbose, it's also fun. The story does grip generally, it is straightforward but it isn't too simple while with nothing that is too challenging. Ray Collins carries the episode with confidence.

It's not a perfect episode by any stretch. There are no real surprises, with the ending being very predictable this time.

Wouldn't have said no to more suspense, this was a premise that was crying out for it and there wasn't enough of it in the final quarter. Also thought that it slackened towards the end in energy when the story struggles to reach the duration limit.

Overall, not great but pretty good. 7/10.

A group of men get together a nickel and dime poker game on a train. One man refuses to play, and the bulk of the story tells the reason why in flashback. Flashbacks are quite useful in 26 minute episodes, but they also let us know that the protagonist will be OK (although we've seen in the series where that isn't the case).

Actor Robert Horton pretty much has to carry the episode (BTW, I like that he has a mustache in the present that he didn't have in the past; This shows a little effort). The poker part is pretty tense and its not obvious where it is going. We get two surprises near the end.

Season 2 has been weak so far, but this episode may turn it around.