FOUR STAR PLAYHOUSE –Welcome Home -1952
This is an episode from "Four Star Playhouse". This anthology series ran for 130 episodes between 1952 and 1956. The series was produced by, Dick Powell, David Niven, Ida Lupino and Charles Boyer. It was a popular series that drew many well-known Hollywood types as guest stars. This is the 5th episode of the series.
This particular episode stars Dick Powell. Powell is a gangster on the run for killing a man. He decides to pay a last visit to the small country town he grew up in. He had left the burg 15 years before and never looked back. He was going to be a big wheel in the big city.
He takes a room in the only hotel in town intending hide out till the cops finally catch up. Then it will be the big exit in a hail of bullets. The teen aged boy, David Holt, of the hotel owner recognizes Powell as the wanted gunman. He says nothing.
Powell heads to the town bar for a late night beer. The woman running the place, Claire Carleton, also recognizes Powell. She recalls Powell as the boy who defended her honour on the schoolyard from a bully. They talk about old times before Powell asks if his parents are still around. Carleton says they are and wishes him luck.
Powell pays a visit to the folks for a last goodbye. His mother, Maudie Prickett wants nothing to do with Powell. His father just tells him that the Police have been stopping daily looking for him. With these chores out of the way, Powell returns to the hotel.
On the way he notices he is being tailed by the kid, Holt. He grabs the lad and asks what he wants. Holt wants Powell to take him along when he splits town. "I want to be a big man like you!" Powell tells the kid to blow and hits his room.
Some quiet time though is not to be had. Several carloads of heavily armed State Police are soon surrounding the hotel. The old "Come out with your hands up or else!" comes blasting over a bullhorn. Powell pulls his piece and checks it is loaded as he walks down the stairs to the hotel entrance.
Waiting in the lobby is the lad, Holt. Holt tells Powell he has grabbed his father's pistol and wants to go out against the Police with Powell. "That will make me famous here." Powell realizes that Holt is a copy of himself 15 years before. He tells the kid to grab a brain and grow up. There is plenty to live for he tells Holt. Powell tosses his gun down and goes out the door to surrender. "Maybe I'll get life instead of the rope." He says to himself.
This is very well done bit of television with everyone in front, and behind the camera shining.
The story and screenplay is by future "Pink Panther" director, Blake Edwards. Handling the direction is one time big screen man, Robert Florey. Florey is known to fans of film noir as the helmsman on, DANGER SIGNAL, DANGEROUSLY THEY LIVE, THE FACE BEHIND THE MASK, ROGUES' REGIMENT and the excellent, THE CROOKED WAY.
The d of p on this sharp looking episode is another big screen veteran, William E Snyder. Snyder's film work includes, THE PRINCESS AND THE PIRATE, RENEGADES, THE MAN FROM Colorado, THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET, FLYING LEATHERNECKS, NEW Mexico, BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT and THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON.
This is an episode from "Four Star Playhouse". This anthology series ran for 130 episodes between 1952 and 1956. The series was produced by, Dick Powell, David Niven, Ida Lupino and Charles Boyer. It was a popular series that drew many well-known Hollywood types as guest stars. This is the 5th episode of the series.
This particular episode stars Dick Powell. Powell is a gangster on the run for killing a man. He decides to pay a last visit to the small country town he grew up in. He had left the burg 15 years before and never looked back. He was going to be a big wheel in the big city.
He takes a room in the only hotel in town intending hide out till the cops finally catch up. Then it will be the big exit in a hail of bullets. The teen aged boy, David Holt, of the hotel owner recognizes Powell as the wanted gunman. He says nothing.
Powell heads to the town bar for a late night beer. The woman running the place, Claire Carleton, also recognizes Powell. She recalls Powell as the boy who defended her honour on the schoolyard from a bully. They talk about old times before Powell asks if his parents are still around. Carleton says they are and wishes him luck.
Powell pays a visit to the folks for a last goodbye. His mother, Maudie Prickett wants nothing to do with Powell. His father just tells him that the Police have been stopping daily looking for him. With these chores out of the way, Powell returns to the hotel.
On the way he notices he is being tailed by the kid, Holt. He grabs the lad and asks what he wants. Holt wants Powell to take him along when he splits town. "I want to be a big man like you!" Powell tells the kid to blow and hits his room.
Some quiet time though is not to be had. Several carloads of heavily armed State Police are soon surrounding the hotel. The old "Come out with your hands up or else!" comes blasting over a bullhorn. Powell pulls his piece and checks it is loaded as he walks down the stairs to the hotel entrance.
Waiting in the lobby is the lad, Holt. Holt tells Powell he has grabbed his father's pistol and wants to go out against the Police with Powell. "That will make me famous here." Powell realizes that Holt is a copy of himself 15 years before. He tells the kid to grab a brain and grow up. There is plenty to live for he tells Holt. Powell tosses his gun down and goes out the door to surrender. "Maybe I'll get life instead of the rope." He says to himself.
This is very well done bit of television with everyone in front, and behind the camera shining.
The story and screenplay is by future "Pink Panther" director, Blake Edwards. Handling the direction is one time big screen man, Robert Florey. Florey is known to fans of film noir as the helmsman on, DANGER SIGNAL, DANGEROUSLY THEY LIVE, THE FACE BEHIND THE MASK, ROGUES' REGIMENT and the excellent, THE CROOKED WAY.
The d of p on this sharp looking episode is another big screen veteran, William E Snyder. Snyder's film work includes, THE PRINCESS AND THE PIRATE, RENEGADES, THE MAN FROM Colorado, THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET, FLYING LEATHERNECKS, NEW Mexico, BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT and THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON.