This is an episode of the Hitchcock produced anthology series, "Suspicion". The series ran for 40 episodes between 1957 and 59.
Macdonald Carey is a lawyer who is about to experience a couple of stressful days.
It is his 1st wedding anniversary. He kisses the wife, Dorothy Green, goodbye and heads off to work. In a beat up car parked across the street, a man sits watching. After Carey drives off, the man, Andrew Duggan, knocks on the house door. When Green answers, Duggan pushes his way in and gags her.
Later in the day, Carey drops by Private Detective Roy Markham's office for a drink. Markham, played by Ray Milland, is a friend he sometimes uses on cases. Carey had made arrangements with wife Green to meet at Milland's for a round of cocktails.
When Green does not show at the agreed time, Carey calls home. Not getting an answer, he then calls his office to see if she might have went there. No joy there, but his receptionist informs Carey that a man has called several times about his wife. He will be calling again in 20 minutes.
Carey tells Milland he needs to return to his office and speeds off. 20 minutes later the phone rings and Carey answers. It is Duggan. He tells Carey he has kidnapped his wife. He wants no money. It seems Carey had helped Duggan's wife, Kathleen Crowley, to secure a divorce from him. He is less than amused and wanted Crowley back. He will be calling back in a few hours.
Carey calls Milland and the pair rush to Carey's house. Duggan calls and tells Carey he has 24 hours to arrange a swap and not to involve the Police.
Milland agrees to help. First thing he does is call in the Police. He gets them to hunt down Crowley so he can talk to her. Crowley tells him Duggan is crazy and just wants to kill her. No way is she getting involved.
Milland convinces her they just want her to talk to Duggan the next time he calls. Agree to whatever he says while they trace the call Milland tells her. The next morning, when Duggan calls, Crowley answers. She agrees to his request to come back. Carey and Duggan then arrange the details for the swap.
Milland now talks Crowley into helping further. They will place a homing device in Carey's car. Once Carey and Crowley reach the exchange, Milland and the boys in blue will swoop in.
Needless to say this does not go to plan as Dugan has them switch cars. Milland does some quick thinking on what he would do if he were Duggan. Into the car and off he goes.
Carey and Crowley have reached the waterfront dive swap site. Waiting there is Duggan and Green. Duggan waves around a .38 as he grabs a terrified Crowley. He forces the three down the pier towards a small boat. A trip out on the water for an unplanned dip seems to be their fate.
Milland now pops out from behind some crates and shouts at Duggan. Duggan pops off several rounds which Milland returns in kind. Duggan is the loser in the exchange. There is now one less idiot in the world.
Milland would return to the role of Markham for a 59 episode run in 1959-60.
The episode was directed by veteran television director, Jules Bricken. The D of P was 6 time Oscar nominated and 2 time winner, Ray Rennahan.
Screenplay was by John Kneubuhl and James Brewer from the novel, AN EYE FOR AN EYE by Leigh Brackett.
The episode title listed on IMDb is AN EYE FOR AN EYE, but the print I watched has EYE FOR EYE.
Quite an entertaining way to kill a hour.
Macdonald Carey is a lawyer who is about to experience a couple of stressful days.
It is his 1st wedding anniversary. He kisses the wife, Dorothy Green, goodbye and heads off to work. In a beat up car parked across the street, a man sits watching. After Carey drives off, the man, Andrew Duggan, knocks on the house door. When Green answers, Duggan pushes his way in and gags her.
Later in the day, Carey drops by Private Detective Roy Markham's office for a drink. Markham, played by Ray Milland, is a friend he sometimes uses on cases. Carey had made arrangements with wife Green to meet at Milland's for a round of cocktails.
When Green does not show at the agreed time, Carey calls home. Not getting an answer, he then calls his office to see if she might have went there. No joy there, but his receptionist informs Carey that a man has called several times about his wife. He will be calling again in 20 minutes.
Carey tells Milland he needs to return to his office and speeds off. 20 minutes later the phone rings and Carey answers. It is Duggan. He tells Carey he has kidnapped his wife. He wants no money. It seems Carey had helped Duggan's wife, Kathleen Crowley, to secure a divorce from him. He is less than amused and wanted Crowley back. He will be calling back in a few hours.
Carey calls Milland and the pair rush to Carey's house. Duggan calls and tells Carey he has 24 hours to arrange a swap and not to involve the Police.
Milland agrees to help. First thing he does is call in the Police. He gets them to hunt down Crowley so he can talk to her. Crowley tells him Duggan is crazy and just wants to kill her. No way is she getting involved.
Milland convinces her they just want her to talk to Duggan the next time he calls. Agree to whatever he says while they trace the call Milland tells her. The next morning, when Duggan calls, Crowley answers. She agrees to his request to come back. Carey and Duggan then arrange the details for the swap.
Milland now talks Crowley into helping further. They will place a homing device in Carey's car. Once Carey and Crowley reach the exchange, Milland and the boys in blue will swoop in.
Needless to say this does not go to plan as Dugan has them switch cars. Milland does some quick thinking on what he would do if he were Duggan. Into the car and off he goes.
Carey and Crowley have reached the waterfront dive swap site. Waiting there is Duggan and Green. Duggan waves around a .38 as he grabs a terrified Crowley. He forces the three down the pier towards a small boat. A trip out on the water for an unplanned dip seems to be their fate.
Milland now pops out from behind some crates and shouts at Duggan. Duggan pops off several rounds which Milland returns in kind. Duggan is the loser in the exchange. There is now one less idiot in the world.
Milland would return to the role of Markham for a 59 episode run in 1959-60.
The episode was directed by veteran television director, Jules Bricken. The D of P was 6 time Oscar nominated and 2 time winner, Ray Rennahan.
Screenplay was by John Kneubuhl and James Brewer from the novel, AN EYE FOR AN EYE by Leigh Brackett.
The episode title listed on IMDb is AN EYE FOR AN EYE, but the print I watched has EYE FOR EYE.
Quite an entertaining way to kill a hour.
