User Reviews

Have you ever watched a TV show or movie where the first half really piqued your interest and the rest of the program just turned out to be a lot of rubbish? Such is the case with "An Error in Chemistry"--a really bad episode of "Climax".

The show begins with a carnival coming to town and a fast-talking film-flam man ingratiating himself to the locals. How? He gives EVERYONE playing his gave something free and wonderful! You know he must have some ulterior motives, as no game of chance can have so many winners! Soon, inexplicably, the guy (Edmond O'Brien) announces he's quitting the carnival and moving to this little town. And, soon as you know it, he's marrying a local lady!! This guy really moves fast. However, when shortly after his marriage he coolly murders this new wife, I know I was left totally baffled and wanted to know the show's secret. Unfortunately, the secret turned out to be total rubbish. And, in addition to a really stupid plot twist, how exactly the Sheriff discovers the truth is JUST PLAIN STUPID!!! Don't believe me...see it for yourself! Bad writing, some atrocious over-acting by O'Brien and a HORRIBLE ending--this one will feel like a waste of time by the time it's finished. I promise...it's bad!

This 7th episode of CLIMAX! "An Error in Chemistry" from Dec 2 1954, was a faithful adaptation of the 1946 William Faulkner story, suffering mostly from the same kind of difficulties inherent in primitive, early live television, particularly over the top acting and flubbed lines (James Bell most frequently guilty of the latter). Edmond O'Brien stars as con man Joel Flint, who gives up his wheel of fortune carnival act once he learns about Old Man Pritchel (Lon Chaney), and his valuable $75,000 property, quickly proposing marriage to Pritchel's naively trusting daughter (Margaret Field, mother of Sally). As his father-in-law rails against Flint, vowing never to allow him to get his hands on his money or his land, the honeymoon swiftly results in the newlywed bride's murder, her husband quick to confess. The sheriff (James Bell) is dumbfounded as to why he would murder his own wife ("well she was my wife and she was close at hand!"), then calmly phone the police and await their arrival, but Flint's sudden disappearance from his cell overnight precipitates another murder and an impersonation. Others may scoff at the climax of this CLIMAX! but it came straight from Faulkner's story; judge for yourself. Margaret Field (1951's "The Man from Planet X") continued a busy television career for another 20 years, while dependable veterans like Douglas Kennedy, William Schallert, John Dierkes, and Dick Elliott lend good support. Edmond O'Brien is tough to take but that's the part he's playing, while Lon Chaney's gruff 70 year old character is stubborn and adamant, undeserving of any sympathy; he would have many better opportunities to shine on the small screen.