Although James Dean is a major cult star, I've never really understood why. After all, he only starred in three films before his early death at age 24--and two of these films came out after he was dead. However, a lot of people don't realize that most of his work was on early television--appearing in many live teleplays. Several were very nice--a few were truly awful. Now I am NOT saying it's Dean's fault-- sometimes he just had awful material. Fortunately, in this installment of "G.E. Theater" he has a decent script.
Like so many of the "G.E. Theater" episodes, it's not only introduced by Ronald Reagan but he stars in it as a doctor. His night is interrupted rudely when a couple beatnik criminals (one of which is Dean and he talks like a real hep cat) break in to his home and hold the Doc and his wife hostage. It seems one was shot and the Doctor is going to fix him up...or else! Well, being a doctor, he agrees to help. Plus, if he doesn't he and his wife could get their head blown off as Dean's character seems like a hot head. What's next? See the show.
This episode seems very much like the excellent film "The Desperate Hours" with Humphrey Bogart and Frederic March. Tense, well acted and worth seeing. If you do watch it, see what you think of the wife...I really HATED her! Well worth your time.