Accolades to Calvin Clements, Sr., who wrote this gem, and incidentally, more into westerns, a long time writer for GUNSMOKE! This is potent stuff, and not that far from the truth, even after all these years.
First off, the cast is comprised of some future stars, which in itself is extremely entertaining. Burt Brinckerhoff plays Alan, the drunkest of the college frat gang here, who becomes the unfortunate fall guy for his "pals". When he passes out, they devise a devious plan to make it look like he actually killed one of them, the "victim" playing dead???
This grows into one incredible nightmare, or one dark, dark comedy as Hitch would want it. You be the judge. Brinckerhoff would go on to become a distinguished director for such shows as ALF and LOU GRANT. Joel Crothers, as Robert, in a few years would co-star on DARK SHADOWS as Nathan, later the EDGE OF NIGHT.
Two super actresses appear here; Barbara Harris as Beth, popular in many classic movies and horror queen Barbara Steele as Phyllis, who previous to this episode, co-starred with Vincent Price in THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM. Steele, as of 2023, is still working, having narrated a short film.
Solid direction once again by Alan Crosland, Jr., like father, like son, a director who could get excellent performances by all.
The ending is jaw dropping Classic Hitch. No other way to spell it. A must. From SEASON 7 EPISODE 6 remastered Universal dvd box set.