The Long Shot

Peter Lawford stars as a ne'er-do-well gambler who is bound to get his legs broken, or worse, if he doesn't get out of town. He owes someone a lot of money...so he accepts the job of a traveling companion....so he can go from New York to San Francisco, and out of harm's way. Along the drive, his traveling companion (John Williams) turns out to be a bore...and he seems to talk nonstop about life in London. What's next? See the show.

The acting and writing are very good here. As I mentioned in the summary, the twist at the end isn't completely surprising...but it is satisfying and enjoyable. Well worth seeing.

I like this episode very much. I think it has: Great acting, twist and a good interesting story. I was very surprised by the twist in this episode. I liked the twist, but i will not say when it happens in the episode.

As you may know, frequently cast in Hitchcock's films and this TV-series, it stars the British actor John Williams. Who was in at least 10 episodes of this series. I like him as an actor. I think he is great. He doesn't disappoint me in this episode. I also think Peter Lawford did well. One could think that it was Alfred Hitchcock who directed this. I mean by the interesting story and twist. So, i recommend this episode very much.

The main problem with compulsive gamblers certainly is about to be blinded by the greedy and easy money which they suppose comes along, it was the case of the English Charlie Raymond (Peter Lawford) who reply a newspaper advertisement about a job, a fellow countryman Walker Hendricks (Williams) needs as companion to long journey between New York to San Francisco, he fills all requires, the payment is enough good, they starts a tiresome trip, somehow in the middle of the way he figure out that his new friend is actually a heir of 200.000 dollars from an already died uncle who never meet before, he willing to rid of Hendricks and replaced him as the real one, his knowledge over London and has all papers in your hands he thinks this bet could work, he kill Hendricks on the desert and drives foward to Frisco to receive the money, a really high stake to a compulsive gambler!!

Resume:

First watch: 2019 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 8

I've seen so many plots where a man finds out about an inheritance that is being held for someone. Many B movies use this plot. If they can get rid of this person, they can swoop in and grab the money. One need only think for a moment how incredibly hard this would be. All it takes is one eye witness. What about a photograph? We are talking big money here. Peter Lawford is a small time gambler, in trouble with his bookie. He becomes the unwitting accomplice to his rival, a man who will talk about nothing but London. Given the opportunity, he will off this guy and move in. The guy is an utter bore. Being a Hitchcock episode, there are some surprises along the way. It's just that the plot is so far fetched we just know something is going to screw it up.

The first of 10 episodes veteran actor John Williams would appear in for his friend, Hitch. No secret he and Williams were old buds, having guested in three of his films, notably DIAL M FOR MURDER. A standout performance. If you needed a dapper British gentleman, John Williams was your choice.

He plays just that here, a chap called Walker Hendricks who is joined in a cross country trip from New York to San Francisco by out of luck gambler Charlie, slickly played by Peter Lawford. These two super actors make a memorable team in more ways than one, and you know there's trouble brewing. For one thing, Walker talks too much and there's inheritence money waiting to be collected?

I agree with the last reviewer, money waiting for "someone" to claim was the theme for many B films, particularly noir movies, however writer Harold Swanton gives it a good shot. He wrote many other top stories for Hitch's tv show. Charlie proves to be a desperate character, that much we can tell you, however the ending is totally unexpected and you may even chuckle when all is said and done. I'm sure Hitch did.

Director Robert Stevenson (known for MARY POPPINS) does a fine job with this two man show of shows. Another Hitch alum, Gertrude Hoffman plays Margaret, who appeared in FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT and SUSPICION. Frank Gerstle plays the police sergeant, a role he mastered on tv for years.

Definitely owes up to its title, a Long Shot if ever there was. SEASON 1 EPISODE 9 remastered CBS dvd box set. Released 2005. Artsy green box cover with deadpan Hitch.