In the previous season of "US Steel Hour", Cliff Robertson played a mentally challenged man named Charly who wanted to be just like normal folks and got his wife, briefly, following surgery. Here in "Man on the Mountain Top" he plays sort of an anti-Charly...a guy who is a super-genius but who wants an anonymous life and an anonymous career. Why this is the case is what you learn through the course of the show and it is certainly interesting and well done...though far from perfect. Much of it is because the show presents a severely damaged person...and by the end of the show, he's still damaged and there's no change in sight...only some idea why he's so angry and isolated. Certainly NOT a feel-good show, but still well made and worth your time.
By the way, this same teleplay was also done in 1954 and starred Steven Hill. I assume, like most teleplays of the era, this one is no longer available.
By the way, this same teleplay was also done in 1954 and starred Steven Hill. I assume, like most teleplays of the era, this one is no longer available.
