The Only Way Out

No one at the busy police station pays much attention to the small boy whose father has not arrived home at the promised time. Except Kojak. And his routine check on a missing person uncovers a trail that leads to intrigue and murder. I don't usually like children featured in cop shows, but the actor playing the son of a lawyer is really a highlight, is quite well spoken and intelligent. This is an involving story with some neat detective works in.

One of the best episodes of Kojak I remember seeing when it was first out was this one concerning a widower father and his son played respectively by Joshua Bryant and Lee Harcourt Montgomery. When Bryant who said he was working late doesn't show up at all, young Montgomery goes down to Manhattan South and talks to the detectives. One Theo Kojak is intrigued by his story.

Even though it's not technically the 48 hours required for a missing person's report, Kojak has Stavros take one anyway. This is a person of regular habits who is always there for his kid. A little investigation shows that Bryant who is a small time attorney with a practice in real estate law manages some property for a man who is a notorious swindler and fugitive.

The swindler's bigtime criminal attorney John Hillerman is planning to doublecross his boss who is flying back to the states to give himself up and name some names. Bryant is being used essentially as a Judas Goat so the fugitive feels he's among friends and then they're to be killed.

Highlight of the episode is Lee Harcourt Montgomery. He comes across as a real kid as opposed to some Hollywood type kid. His performance is poignant and touching. It makes this one of the best Kojak episodes.

The story begins with a father calling his son...telling him he will be home a bit late for work. However, the guy doesn't show and the boy (Lee Harcourt Montgomery) soon arrives at the police station to file a missing person report. However, it's only been a day and the detectives try to shoo the kid off...though when Kojak sees this, he takes action and promises to investigate. After all, though the course of season one, you can see that Kojak is tough...but he has a heart of gold. Unfortunately for the missing man, he's being held captive and his days are numbered unless the police locate him quickly.

This is a pretty exciting and enjoyable episode. What I really appreciate is Lee Harcourt Montgomery's acting. While one book listed him among the worst child actors in history, he was just fine here. Additionally, the story is engaging and interesting...a nice way to end a very good first season.