THIS MAN DAWSON – Juvenile Delinquent – 1960
This is episode 28 of the 1959-60 Police series, THIS MAN DAWSON. The series ran for a total of 39 episodes. Keith Andes headlines the series about an Ex-Military Officer hired to run a big city Police Department. The city is never named. Each episode starts and finishes with William Conrad doing the narration of the night's story.
Police Chief Keith Andes gets his car lifted by a 15 year old juvenile delinquent. The j.d. Malcolm Cassell, did the car theft as an initiation into the local gang. When the boy is brought up in court, Andes, has the boy put on probation in Andes' name.
Andes, takes the boy on a tour of the jail and tries to scare the hell out of him. He makes an impression on the lad. Cassell, however, is more frightened of the gang leader, Michael Vandever. He tells Andes he will attempt to behave himself but will not rat out anyone. Andes figures it is a start at least at helping reform the youth. Andes, arranges to meet with Malcolm twice a week to talk.
Gang leader Vandever, smells a rat when Malcolm gets off without any reform school time. He has the gang give Malcolm a "welcome home" beating.
Later in the week, Vandever and one of the gang "acquire" a box of 6 pistols and some ammo. They intend to arm up their gang and settle some old scores with a larger gang in the next neighbourhood. Vandever had sent a challenge to the bigger gang. Needless to say Vandever plans on filling the other "club" with lead.
Malcolm knows about this, but will not report it to Andes. That is till he hears his sister, is planning on going to the rumble to watch. The high school telegraph has been working at full steam. Malcolm realizes that his sister could be hit in the crossfire and knows he must do the right thing. He gets on the blower and calls Andes. The fight is happening in half an hour behind the local high-school.
Andes puts out a call for all available cars to hurry to the scene. Malcolm then heads to the school to try and stop the fight. Vandever is not amused with Malcolm's interference and takes a shot at Malcolm. The Police then arrive and Vandever and crew are grabbed up.
Vandever and the ringleaders get 7 years each in jail.
Of note here is director Richard Carlson. Carlson was a film star who also liked working behind the camera. He was best known as the lead in a string of excellent 50's sci-fi films. These include, IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE, THE MAGNETIC MONSTER, RIDERS TO THE STARS and CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON. He also had a part in the top-flight noir, TRY AND GET ME - aka - THE SOUND OF FURY
This is episode 28 of the 1959-60 Police series, THIS MAN DAWSON. The series ran for a total of 39 episodes. Keith Andes headlines the series about an Ex-Military Officer hired to run a big city Police Department. The city is never named. Each episode starts and finishes with William Conrad doing the narration of the night's story.
Police Chief Keith Andes gets his car lifted by a 15 year old juvenile delinquent. The j.d. Malcolm Cassell, did the car theft as an initiation into the local gang. When the boy is brought up in court, Andes, has the boy put on probation in Andes' name.
Andes, takes the boy on a tour of the jail and tries to scare the hell out of him. He makes an impression on the lad. Cassell, however, is more frightened of the gang leader, Michael Vandever. He tells Andes he will attempt to behave himself but will not rat out anyone. Andes figures it is a start at least at helping reform the youth. Andes, arranges to meet with Malcolm twice a week to talk.
Gang leader Vandever, smells a rat when Malcolm gets off without any reform school time. He has the gang give Malcolm a "welcome home" beating.
Later in the week, Vandever and one of the gang "acquire" a box of 6 pistols and some ammo. They intend to arm up their gang and settle some old scores with a larger gang in the next neighbourhood. Vandever had sent a challenge to the bigger gang. Needless to say Vandever plans on filling the other "club" with lead.
Malcolm knows about this, but will not report it to Andes. That is till he hears his sister, is planning on going to the rumble to watch. The high school telegraph has been working at full steam. Malcolm realizes that his sister could be hit in the crossfire and knows he must do the right thing. He gets on the blower and calls Andes. The fight is happening in half an hour behind the local high-school.
Andes puts out a call for all available cars to hurry to the scene. Malcolm then heads to the school to try and stop the fight. Vandever is not amused with Malcolm's interference and takes a shot at Malcolm. The Police then arrive and Vandever and crew are grabbed up.
Vandever and the ringleaders get 7 years each in jail.
Of note here is director Richard Carlson. Carlson was a film star who also liked working behind the camera. He was best known as the lead in a string of excellent 50's sci-fi films. These include, IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE, THE MAGNETIC MONSTER, RIDERS TO THE STARS and CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON. He also had a part in the top-flight noir, TRY AND GET ME - aka - THE SOUND OF FURY