User Reviews

This episode is one of my favorite Naked City episodes. There's little mystery about the culprit of the crimes being investigated, but the characters are intriguing. Mickey Rooney is very good as the slowly deteriorating George, but acting kudos must go to Maureen Stapleton who plays his selfish, cold wife. This is a character with no redeeming warmth or qualities, and she gets her teeth into the role and never lets go. Watch for her resentment at being brought by the police to her husband who is threatening thousands of people he is holding hostage. I think her character is central to building sympathy for the little man who starts out as a prankster but goes over the deep end into violence. His pranks are foolish, but grow desperate as he grows desperate. If you are like me, you'll laugh at the beginning, but perhaps cry a little at the end. Excellent episode of an excellent series.