User Reviews

This is the original Episode One, Season One that was not broadcast until the last few years. Exteriors for this episode were filmed in East Irvine, CA (Irvine Ranch in Orange County, California) during summer of 1965. Original title was "Will The Real Traitor Please Stand Up". The controversy was cover story of Nov 20-26 TV Guide. Until this series came into recent syndication in the last two years, this episode was likely never broadcast. It was not broadcast during the original 1965 season nor do I believe subsequent seasons. It is available as the last episode of Season One on DVD and called "The HIdden Place" versus "The Hiding Place" on the DVD disk. Strong story line and apparently close enough to a real case that the Japanese American community raised concerns at the time it was filmed. I do not believe it aired in 1966 as indicated in some records. This would have been a very strong start to The F.B.I. series had it been the premiere episode as intended.

Nice episode dealing with how rumor and innuendo can cast suspicion on friends and neighbors. But what struck me the most were the end credits. Lynn Loring is credited in the final end credits yet this supposedly is the final episode of season one. Loring was written out of the show after the initial 13 episodes. I wonder if this was produced earlier in the season and then held back for whatever reason. interestingly for the first time in quite a few episodes, mention is made of Erskine's late wife.

Loved this episode. The fact it had a Japanese theme is somewhat irrelevant. Take out the politics and it is a wonderful character study. The real issue is how rumor and innuendo can cause fear and distrust among friends and neighbors within a community. Similar theme to the 1960 Twilight Zone Episode, The Monsters are Due on Maple Street. You could take this theme and place it anywhere at any point in time and it would still be relevant.

I also loved the fact it had 4 veterans of the old Charlie Chan movies: Philip Ahn from 1938's Charlie Chan in Honolulu; Key Luke, who was son Lee Chan in the 1930's; Benson Fong, who was son Tommy Chan in the 1940's, and Victor Sen Yung, who was son Jimmy Chan in the 1940's. It was wonderful seeing them all together.