Nearly a one-man show, this rather skimpy story for Alcoa/Goodyear theatre benefits from Jack Lemmon as the lead, his so-familiar mannerisms bringing it to life. I only wish there had been more meat on these bones, as suspense director Robert Florey might have made a classic if the story had been more compelling.
It's a tale of paranoia, not given the fantastic treatment of a Rod Serling but a more prosaic telling. Basically, Lemmon is in a deep funk, still unable to cope with life six months after his wife's death. He can't even get up enough energy to take care of his cute daughter (played by Lana Wood disarmingly -her face and smile identical to the so differently ubersexy adult actress she would become 20 years later), who he leaves to her aunt to raise.
Lemmon's paranoia about a couple of men following him around suspiciously is illustrated by us seeing just that happen, and left to wonder if he's merely imagining it. There are not camera, editing or SPFX tricks involved, so the tangible visuals of the 2 guys reappearing is not very interesting.
The resolution of the mystery is disappointing, because it too is tangible, not fanciful at all. A story like this requires more danger and intrigue, and in this version is flat -just watching a guy be depressed.
