User Reviews

Dick Powell plays a test pilot in this episode but most of it concerns his sick daughter, Chris. At first neither parent is all that concerned, but when her playmate is diagnosed with Polio the parents rightfully are scared to death. At the same time, he needs to stay focused. After all, his job requires him to do some dangerous stuff--and if he's worried about his kid, he obviously isn't focused.

This isn't a particularly distinguished episode of "Four Star Playhouse". The problem is that the two threads in the story really aren't interwoven that well and it isn't all that interesting except from a historical point of view. Back in the days before the Polio vaccine, it was a truly horrifying fear for parents and, oddly, despite this fear and how widespread Polio was, this is one of the very few times I've seen it mentioned in a program from that scary time period.

Dan (Dick Powell) is the test pilot due to test a new military plane. He needs to be clear headed and level headed to put the plane to its limits.

Only in the morning his daughter Chris is ill. The family fear it could be Polio. Someone who Chris came into contact with has recently been diagnosed with Polio.

Dan and his wonder if he should go to work that day. Polio was dangerous then as there was no vaccine at the time.

He does go to work but Dan racks his brains as to what could be wrong with his daughter. Even asking questions back at base as he flies the plane. Maybe it is Measles.

There is not much of a drama here. Maybe you have to be aware of the fact that there were no vaccines for some diseases such as Polio in those days. The consequences of getting Polio would be very serious.

Of course nowadays it is fashionable to be an anti vaxxer!