It is rare that we get the combination of high drama and suspense combined with heartfelt emotion. This episode, just released on DVD, gives us a good helping of each, combined with location filming in the Reno of 1963. To anyone who loves Reno history, as I do, this episode is like finding a buried time capsule. Remember, this is the Reno just before I-80, when highway 40 was carried on 2nd and 4th streets. The great writing, acting, and directing are all enhanced by the location filming.
We see Janssen standing on a downtown bridge over the Truckee River. If we zoom in, one can just make out the North-Alt. U.S. 395 sign, so this in all likelihood is Center St., which carried Alt 395. (Virgina Street was designated U.S. 395). There are several more shots of Reno.
Telly Savalas and Johanna Frank are the antagonists to Kimball, but each are suspicious and distrustful of the other, with Savalas the controlling and authoritative Casino Boss father, and Ms. Frank his promiscuous and spoiled daughter. Savalas, one of the truly great actors, is at the top of his game here. Ms. Frank also is fine and
very believable. Indeed, this high talent makes us feel that we are watching real people and not actors. Frank becomes involved with Kimball, but the larger story is a secret that Savalas harbors from the daughter. It is the root of their dysfunction, and it is a well-kept surprise. It is because of the actions of Kimball, that the truth comes out, and father and daughter find one another again.
It is in the epilogue that the screenwriter reinforces the role of fate in Life. The fate which has made Kimball a fugitive is masterfully compared to a fate which had played on Savalas's character. With the Reno airport as the backdrop, and United Airlines DC-6's in the foreground, the final poignant scene plays out. Savalas has enabled Kimball to take a flight to L.A. Father and Daughter are wistful at his departure, but even Salvalas seems to almost choke up. Frank turns to Savalas and says, "Daddy, he(Kimball) told me he knows all about running"--Savalas the controller in the beginning of the story is resigned to fate--"Well, sometimes the dice just turn up that way-too bad, waste of a good life"-but then Frank almost tries to console him with some hope, and possibly some intuition-"No not entirely, it is not entirely a waste of a good life." Savalas emotionally puts his arm around his daughter, as we switch to the DC-6 with Kimball on board, completing its take-off roll on Runway 34, becoming airborne, soaring, and the dramatic voice-over by Conrad. As the DC-6 gains altitude, we switch to the final shot of Kimball peering out the window looking generally west at the mountains and airport area south of Reno. A tremendous shot by the director, Kimball looking out the window back at the airport reminds us that he too has had some of his own emotions concerning Chris (Ms.Frank), and his time in Reno. Watching this was very intense and evocative. This episode is a masterpiece and a tribute to everyone involved in the production.
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