Perhaps the character played by Joseph Schildkraut needs a big time out to realize what a narcissist he is, arrogant about being considered obselelete at his job, braying that he can do a better job at making tools than people half his age. He's not very well liked because of that, and an attack on a rival coworker gets him into hot water. There's the issue of ageism on both sides as he's disrespected right back and insulted by other coworkers who find him uncooperative and self-involved, overly prideful and out of place. Being referred to as "old timer" over and over doesn't make matters any better, and daughter Joan Freeman is tired of his grasping at her as if she was still his little girl. Wife Josephine Hutchinson (who co-starred with Schildkraut in "The Life of Emile Zola") is concerned for his health, both mental and physical, and when he attacks the machinery for not doing what he wants it to do, it is obvious who has to go. Coworker Paul Comi ends up dead, and there's only one suspect for the brutal murder.
This starts off awkwardly as the script is very technical in explaining what Schildkraut does, but when the plot gets going, it becomes quite intense. The audience doesn't see Schildkraut commit the crime, but as with what happens in real life, assumptions that the most obvious suspect is the guilty one makes him instantly suspicious. Gazzara, who questioned him in regards to the first attack, offers sage advice to the circle of life being complete, shows up as his breakdown seems almost complete, and it's him melting in the light, not MacArthur Park in the dark where he is found. Schildkraut gives a strong performance, and while his character is extremely dislikeable, he's mesmerizing, reminding the audience of his warm performance in "The Diary of Anne Frank". The issue of ageism and the psychology of his emotional state truly reveals some very important issues, and Schildkraut becomes one of the most memorable guests in the series.
This starts off awkwardly as the script is very technical in explaining what Schildkraut does, but when the plot gets going, it becomes quite intense. The audience doesn't see Schildkraut commit the crime, but as with what happens in real life, assumptions that the most obvious suspect is the guilty one makes him instantly suspicious. Gazzara, who questioned him in regards to the first attack, offers sage advice to the circle of life being complete, shows up as his breakdown seems almost complete, and it's him melting in the light, not MacArthur Park in the dark where he is found. Schildkraut gives a strong performance, and while his character is extremely dislikeable, he's mesmerizing, reminding the audience of his warm performance in "The Diary of Anne Frank". The issue of ageism and the psychology of his emotional state truly reveals some very important issues, and Schildkraut becomes one of the most memorable guests in the series.