Who better to play the part of a famous, though aging and desperate actor than Barry Sullivan. Here, his money is starting to run out and he's dabbling in some illegal activities. Another actress, who it seems also needs dough, accidentally stumbles onto his second "job" and dies.
The question here is whether it really was murder, though Sullivan made the lady's death appear to be an accident. What now?
Robert Day, one of the most popular directors in Hollywood, handled this story, the man behind the AVENGERS tv series. So you know this is going to be clever stuff, and a bit like a COLUMBO episode.
Shiryl Hendrix wrote this mystery, also a master at spinning some good detective stories for such shows as MOD SQUAD. There is also a very creepy slant to this one, sort of in the tradition of NIGHT GALLERY. Day had this one covered as he also directed two of Boris Karloff's chillers in the late 50s.
The actress (who knows too much) is briefly played by Carol Ohmart, with dark wig and sunglasses, best known for her role as Vincent Price's wife in the original HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (1959). Carol was quite popular on tv, having also appeared on MANNIX. The question always asked her if she would ever pair up again with Vincent Price. They made a terrific couple, which is now part of cult movie history.
For travel fans, Barnaby meets Betty at Mel's Diner on Sunset Boulevard, not that far from his office, and it's still around after all these years. Barnaby's office building is about a block from Hollywood and Vine, and sometimes you will see brief shots of it with Cannon's Lincoln parked out front (from the debut episode). Watch carefully.
Recommended from SEASON 1, EPISODE 12 remastered CBS dvd box set.