The Door Without a Key

Formulaic little morality play. We have Claude Reins, one of our premie classic actors, showing up at a police station having lost his memory. Shortly after, a little boy played by Billy Mumy comes in, abandoned by his father. The problem is that the world doesn't always work out so nicely as this one does. Still, it does promote kindness.

A bit of a change for Hitch, leaning more to dramatics and the fact that a good friend of his, Claude Rains (NOTORIOUS) was available for the role. Could have also been written exclusively for him. Either way this is a gem.

Rains play Mr. Eldridge, an elder gentleman who wanders into a police station one night, unaware of who he is. John Larch, who always looked like a cop, has his hands full as the sergeant, now having to figure out this strange guy's angle, and in fact, is he really telling the truth? Young Billy Mumy is also a visitor, the victim of a broken home, cast aside by his father and left on his own. In a way, both Eldridge and Mickey (Mumy) have a lot in common.

I agree with the last reviewer, veteran actress Connie Gilchrist (Maggie), tweeks the gloomy mood, playing a neighborhood drunk and adding some dark comedy bits. Gilchirst, like Claude Rains, was cast in some memorable roles for decades, and this may be one of her finest parts for tv.

On the other side, you also have to see it through the eyes of Sgt. Shaw (Larch), and his observations as to just who walked through the door this night, putting the pieces together. Some special people stopped by who could use a friend indeed.

Written by producer Irving Elman, writer for SEARCH FOR TOMORROW. Small role for Susan Hart (Marti), who gained fame in the DR. GOLDFOOT cult comedy flicks.

Recommended for acting students. Acting 101 in all departments. Thank you, Hitch.

SEASON 7 EPISODE 15 remastered Universal dvd box set. 16 hrs running time. The entire series is now on dvd in a single box set. 35 dvds total. Released 2022.

Everyone's alone--the well-dressed gentleman played by consumate actor Claude Rains who doesn't know (or want to know) who he is; the adorable child, Billy Mumy, who tells an all-to-common story of rejection; and poor ole sad sack drunk (reliable character actress, Connie Gilchrist) who provides pathos and comic relief.

Everyone has a sad story. But as in life, when the opportunity presents itself--the secret of Life is revealed: We all need each other. A great story, economically told by master actors.