How much you enjoy "The Rise and Fall of Eddie Carew" really depends on whether you want a funny episode of "Kraft Suspense Theatre" or not. I loved this old series and love the suspenseful episodes...so for me, this one was a bit of a disappointment but it's still worth your time.
In a bizarre bit of casting, Dean Jones plays Eddie Carew, a career criminal and safe cracker. At the time, this casting must not have seen as strange, as it immediately preceded his career in a variety of (mostly forgettable) Disney flicks. But when seen today, you are surprised to see him playing a criminal!
The story begins with a rather daft old man (Ian Wolfe) wandering into a bank vault and getting locked inside. No, they bank didn't just let him walk in...he is the bank president...but also a very scatterbrained guy! The problem is that they cannot open the vault for three days as it's on a time lock...and there's not enough air inside to have him survive these three days. And, since he's such a well-connected old gent and friend of the governor, folks start springing into action to extricate this man.
The problem is that apparently no one can crack this safe and the only guy who could is Eddie...which seems pretty contrived. But Eddie is in prison and doesn't want to do the job because he says he's trying to reform....and his dippy psychiatrist insist he NOT crack the safe as it will set back his recovery(?). Eventually, however, he agrees...and is soon on his way to the bank. But, since these sorts of shows require a twist, there certainly are a few.
I think the best thing about the show is Ian Wolfe. While he looked older than a man who grew up in the Ice Age, Wolfe was actually quite lucid and must have enjoyed playing such a daft old man. Incidentally, while appearing ancient, Wolfe lived another 27 years AFTER this appearance!!
Overall, a clever show but one which is mostly for laughs and the twists, though interesting, are not particularly thrilling.