Thanks for a great review and for getting this thread back on its intended topic. Just remember it’s Spencer.Episode Commentary
'Reserved For Mr. Bailey' (S4Ep12)
This is one of the very few 77 SS episodes I remember actually seeing as a kid when it was first aired. It rates as one of my top 10. Written and directed by Montgomery Pittman, it is a true tour de force for Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. as the only visible actor in the story.
We begin with Stu coming home after a long business trip at 3:00 a.m. to his apartment in Sunset DeVille, indicated at being located at 6107 Atoll Ave. (Google maps show this actual address as a single family home, across from the Los Angeles Valley College at Fulton and Oxnard in Van Nuys--not an apartment complex off the Strip as indicated in the episode.) More about that in a bit.
Stu plops down on his couch to accomplish two things, answer a call from his girlfriend Melody (uncredited voice of Kathleen Crowley) and open a telegram that's been shoved under his door. The latter is the trigger for the whole story.
Bailey plopped on his couch at 3:00 a.m. and a damn fine still of my favorite angle the office locale
After a little soft core innuendo-swapping with Melody, Bailey pops open the telegram which instructs him to call the office immediately. At this hour of the day, Stu is skeptical of anyone answering, only to be surprised that an unknown someone does. Off he races to the office to check, initially finding a van parked in front. Investigating its cargo, he discovers a glut of mannequin parts bunched together like an arterial clot. This is a forewarning of what he's about to encounter later. Continuing his search of the office, it's empty as expected. Almost. As he peeps into Jeff Spenser's space, a mighty whack on his head is administered for his inquisitiveness.
Stu wakes up in a desolate field, stripped of money, ID and dignity. Spotting a remote town in the distance, he shambles to it--Rockton, population 2073. As of Stu's arrival, the population stands at one plus him. The main drag looks like an 1850's Western street that could have been patrolled by Marshall Dillon. Buildings look as if a single cat fart would knock them down. Stu wisely heads for the empty saloon. Pouring a drink, he commences a one-on-one heartfelt discussion with a female mannequin who listens intently in a rather bland- face way without responding. Discouraged with her lack of interaction, Stu leaves to explore the hotel (also empty except for more mannequins), then returns to the saloon for a few more cocktails, which is exactly what I would do in such a situation. Miss Mannequin is still about as responsive as a turnip.
Suddenly a voice (uncredited Robert Douglas) booms over hidden speakers, identifying himself as Walter Van Nuys, maker of wax figures.
Walter is despondent at losing his lover Lazette DeVille--for which he blames Stu. "You will die before morning", he intones. Stu is promptly dropped through a trap door into a deep empty waste tank that begins to fill with water. Death by drowning is imminent save for his quick thinking in using his belt as a lasso to pull himself out of the tank. Walter is incensed, but so it Stu--who goes after the creep's hiding place.
In the end, the building in which Walter is hiding catches fire. Stu bails, Walter broils--so we never see actually see him. Walking away from the whole ugly mess while sopping wet and sooty from smoke, Stu breaks the fourth wall by looking directly at the camera--"Such a nice day for a walk", he chirps. The End.
This is a consummate episode, so much so that I can hardly find room to insert my usual droll asides. Playing it mostly straight is not my normal course to steer in these commentaries. But this is a prime example of why so many of the series' best shows involve the efforts of Montgomery Pittman--and there's no reason for me to defile it with too much of my snarkiness.
NOTE: There are some Pittmanisms in here that I'm not sure were intentional or not. For example, Walter's last name--Van Nuys, is the actual area in which Bailey's fake address is indicated on the Western Union telegram. Also, Lazette DeVille, is (in part) Stu's apartment's address.
One other unusual characteristic: EZ is the only actor's credit offered (at the opening scene), with the closing only listing the crew.
Arrrghhh!!! I’m not even going to correct it—a reminder to myself to pay attention. And I always have you, Gary, to gently point it out.
I forgot to mention the lithe athleticism of EZ in this episode. The scenes of him attempting to escape from the depths of the waste tank, and his precarious descent from the roof of a burning building could easily have been handled by stunt doubles--but EZ accomplished it like a pro. Considering he would have been about 42 years old at the time, quite impressive.
Yep--such a thing exists...
https://www.amazon.com/Montgomery-Pittman-Property-Love-Shirt/dp/B077S6F7X9
Sorry--I'm generally opposed to posting enlarged pictures on the thread. This one got away from me.
Ahhh...great minds...
And I’m sure you’ve noticed Edd Byrnes does all his own stunts.
