Solid episode with good NYC locations-- snowy roadsides along a river, a city skyline from atop a high rise, and a big-finned car emblematic of the upscale time.
Casey goes undercover as an addict to bust a drug ring after a young woman addict is murdered. Drug themes were novel for TV of the time, only breaking through in the movies in 1955 with Man with the Golden Arm. For fans of Davalos, who unfortunately sort of disappeared after his big East of Eden role (1954), there's a ton of close-ups along with a central role. Also look for the perennial Ed Asner in an early role, as a plain-clothes cop-- oh my, he's almost handsome.
Unusual for the time, Garland breaks the so-called 3rd wall at the end by talking to the audience while still in costume. I'm not sure this was a good idea when the emphasis with locales is on realism. Nonetheless, the entry's a solid dramatic half-hour from a series that needs rediscovery.
Casey goes undercover as an addict to bust a drug ring after a young woman addict is murdered. Drug themes were novel for TV of the time, only breaking through in the movies in 1955 with Man with the Golden Arm. For fans of Davalos, who unfortunately sort of disappeared after his big East of Eden role (1954), there's a ton of close-ups along with a central role. Also look for the perennial Ed Asner in an early role, as a plain-clothes cop-- oh my, he's almost handsome.
Unusual for the time, Garland breaks the so-called 3rd wall at the end by talking to the audience while still in costume. I'm not sure this was a good idea when the emphasis with locales is on realism. Nonetheless, the entry's a solid dramatic half-hour from a series that needs rediscovery.