***SPOILERS*** Pretty good. an imperious old bat runs a family with an iron fist. when first presented, she comes across as a sophisticated matriarch who is head of an old-money clan that she is used to being the undisputed arbiter in all decisions. All this is true, as a matter of fact, and in a very neat role-reversal, she is also completely crooked, and proud of it, and her family's deep heritage in crime. It is very amusing to hear her recite the villainous nature of their history, and bemoan the fact that her son had been arrested and sent to prison for stealing a twenty five cent pen from a post office, and NOT trying to shoot his way out of it. Both of her grandsons are cowed by her control of the financial windfall they hoped to participate in, but they are also working against each other. This is where the character of Cuthbert involves Stu in a set-up to establish his creds, and gain his granny's favor. Naturally, it all blows up, and everyone scrambles to fix thing before they go to jail. It's funny. Nancy Kulp plays the maid "Eloise" with her usual high talent, and Louis Quinn has a good part trying to worm information out of her as they get drunker and drunker. The entire production is a turn-about on family values, and is very well done. I'm giving it an 8.
2 Reviews
THE OLD LADY WITH THE MONEY AND THE GUNS.
tcchelsey27 May 2024
A terrific offbeat episode, if not character study, extremely well written by Robert J. Shaw, later to write endless episodes for soap operas, like GENERAL HOSPITAL.
Stu has a particularly strange case that involves the matriarch of a crime family. Popular character actress Katherine Givney plays Mrs. Carmichael, sort of a sophisticated "Ma Barker," whose family earned their wealth as criminals. She even shows her sons vintage movies (for entertainment) of family members robbing trains!
Mrs. Carmichael is still in the mood for commiting a robbery, even though she's very wealthy, which poses one heck of a problem for Stu. Great support from veteran actor Robert Cornthwaite as her eldest son, and William Windom as her youngest son, called Cuthbert.
None other than Nancy Kulp appears as the family maid, Eloise, who at the time was also appearing on the BEVERLY HILLBILLIES. Nancy has some memorable scenes (including a drunk scene) with Roscoe! You have to admit, she and Roscoe make an interesting couple, and it's a shame they didn't do more episodes together.
The closing shootout with spry Mrs. Carmichael is a classic, like a clip from an old movie. Katherine Givney should have gotten an Emmy nod for this role. Best remembered for playing Katie's grandmother on MY THREE SONS.
Top notch direction from one of the best, George Waggner, who just let the camera roll. This is a gem. Not to be missed, if for all the unforgettable actors.
SEASON 5 EPISODE 35 remastered. Thank you again METV for running this classic show Sunday nights.
Stu has a particularly strange case that involves the matriarch of a crime family. Popular character actress Katherine Givney plays Mrs. Carmichael, sort of a sophisticated "Ma Barker," whose family earned their wealth as criminals. She even shows her sons vintage movies (for entertainment) of family members robbing trains!
Mrs. Carmichael is still in the mood for commiting a robbery, even though she's very wealthy, which poses one heck of a problem for Stu. Great support from veteran actor Robert Cornthwaite as her eldest son, and William Windom as her youngest son, called Cuthbert.
None other than Nancy Kulp appears as the family maid, Eloise, who at the time was also appearing on the BEVERLY HILLBILLIES. Nancy has some memorable scenes (including a drunk scene) with Roscoe! You have to admit, she and Roscoe make an interesting couple, and it's a shame they didn't do more episodes together.
The closing shootout with spry Mrs. Carmichael is a classic, like a clip from an old movie. Katherine Givney should have gotten an Emmy nod for this role. Best remembered for playing Katie's grandmother on MY THREE SONS.
Top notch direction from one of the best, George Waggner, who just let the camera roll. This is a gem. Not to be missed, if for all the unforgettable actors.
SEASON 5 EPISODE 35 remastered. Thank you again METV for running this classic show Sunday nights.
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