Eddie Colt, a self made designer, gets an eagerly awaited vacation to spend with his family in a cabin near Los Angeles, where he lives. His young son Duncan is boy that does not spend too much time in a rural setting such as the area where he is staying. Eddie wants to teach him a way to catch rabbits that run wild all over the place without being cruel.
Unfortunately, Eddie's boss, Mr. Spellman, is a workaholic who demands his secretary to summon him back to work as the firm is facing an impending contract and the work is piling up. Never mind Eddie has not taken a paid vacation for quite some time, while others in the company have been promoted because of their education and gotten to enjoy time off with pay.
Most disappointed of all is Eddie's wife, Abby, who had looked forward the possibility of conceiving the girl she had always wanted and the relaxed atmosphere in the camp. Eddie is visibly disappointed but he goes back because of his sense of duty and the fact that a job like his is hard to get. After all, that was the reality of the time he was living. Reasoning with Spellman proves to be a futile endeavor.
In leaving in such haste, Duncan realizes the rabbit trap is still set, leaving the possibility of a trapped animal might die inside. Eddie decides to take a stand, after the disappointment he sees in his wife and son. Everything backfires as Spellman takes a different approach with his employee, giving Eddie a promotion and a raise. Going home to celebrate with Abby and Duncan comes with the realization that his son had tried to run away back to the camp to release the rabbit that might have been trapped. The fact Duncan lies to him makes Eddie realize that even though he depends on the job and the salary, the happiness of his family is more important to him.
"The Rabbit Trap" is a remake of the same original one presented in the Goodyear Playhouse and directed by Delbert Mann. The update uses the same script written by J.P. Miller under the direction by Philip Leacock. This small film, seldom seen these days, presents and intriguing premise: loyalty to a job and a selfish boss against his family's quality of life. Eddie has come from nothing and through his work he has risen because of what he is able to produce. Spellman has clearly shown he does appreciate Eddie, but he does not play fair with the man that has given him him his best without asking for anything. Spellman has no qualms bypassing him while giving breaks to the other men he employs because of their scholastic backgrounds.
Ernest Borgnine, not exactly a matinée idol, heads the cast in this enjoyable film that at 72 minutes running time turns out to be a rare achievement. As Eddie, Mr. Borgnine makes a case for the character he is playing with conviction. A young Bethel Leslie does a remarkable job as Abby. David Brian, usually playing heavies, is seen as Spellman. A young Don Rickles has a small part in the film.
Unfortunately, Eddie's boss, Mr. Spellman, is a workaholic who demands his secretary to summon him back to work as the firm is facing an impending contract and the work is piling up. Never mind Eddie has not taken a paid vacation for quite some time, while others in the company have been promoted because of their education and gotten to enjoy time off with pay.
Most disappointed of all is Eddie's wife, Abby, who had looked forward the possibility of conceiving the girl she had always wanted and the relaxed atmosphere in the camp. Eddie is visibly disappointed but he goes back because of his sense of duty and the fact that a job like his is hard to get. After all, that was the reality of the time he was living. Reasoning with Spellman proves to be a futile endeavor.
In leaving in such haste, Duncan realizes the rabbit trap is still set, leaving the possibility of a trapped animal might die inside. Eddie decides to take a stand, after the disappointment he sees in his wife and son. Everything backfires as Spellman takes a different approach with his employee, giving Eddie a promotion and a raise. Going home to celebrate with Abby and Duncan comes with the realization that his son had tried to run away back to the camp to release the rabbit that might have been trapped. The fact Duncan lies to him makes Eddie realize that even though he depends on the job and the salary, the happiness of his family is more important to him.
"The Rabbit Trap" is a remake of the same original one presented in the Goodyear Playhouse and directed by Delbert Mann. The update uses the same script written by J.P. Miller under the direction by Philip Leacock. This small film, seldom seen these days, presents and intriguing premise: loyalty to a job and a selfish boss against his family's quality of life. Eddie has come from nothing and through his work he has risen because of what he is able to produce. Spellman has clearly shown he does appreciate Eddie, but he does not play fair with the man that has given him him his best without asking for anything. Spellman has no qualms bypassing him while giving breaks to the other men he employs because of their scholastic backgrounds.
Ernest Borgnine, not exactly a matinée idol, heads the cast in this enjoyable film that at 72 minutes running time turns out to be a rare achievement. As Eddie, Mr. Borgnine makes a case for the character he is playing with conviction. A young Bethel Leslie does a remarkable job as Abby. David Brian, usually playing heavies, is seen as Spellman. A young Don Rickles has a small part in the film.