One of the chief assets of a series like Naked City is its preservation of the legacy of its guest stars, some of whom had remarkable, lengthy careers but are largely forgotten today.
Case in point is James Barton, star of this episode, who had a MAJOR career in vaudeville, burlesque, minstrel show, stage (with many notable legitimate Broadway roles, including plays by O'Neill and Saroyan), film and TV. Check him out, if you are interested.
Barton was known primarily as a DANCER--- one who amazed audiences and colleagues alike---but also created the role of "Kit Carson" in both the stage and film versions of Saroyan's "The Time of Their Lives", the latter starring James Cagney. Bing Crosby counted Barton as one of the TEN MOST TALENTED entertainers of the day, along with Sinatra, Judy Garland, Nat King Cole and Al Jolson.
Oddly enough, you could never have guessed ANY of this from "Bridge Party", in which Barton plays a mild-mannered but principled "little guy"--a retired postman who lives in a lovely little house with his wife, some ducks, a few cats, and who takes great pride in his father's boat, which he is determined to take out into the bay for a day's sailing. That, however, requires that the local railroad bridge be raised-- which it hasn't been in 25 years.
It's an engaging show, well-directed and paced by William ("Fatman") Conrad, and featuring a Trio of delightful performances from Albert Dekker, Fred Clarke, and the wonderfully prissy Dan Tobin--- 3 high-level corporate men who have a major stake in the legalities and costs associated with raising the bridge. Barton has a couple of witty, nicely played scenes with these guys, and has a knack for tying them in knots with his clear-eyed, common sense moral outlook. All of this, naturally, endears him to Detective Flint, who is assigned to the case in its early stages.
I should also mention everybody's favorite "old guy" of the era, actor Joseph Sweeney (so effective in 1957's "Twelve Angry Men") who plays a very small but VERY crucial role in all of this. Surprise!
-----------------------------------------------------
INTERESTING TO NOTE that this episode, anticipating the standard device of many of today's drama shows--- that of multiple, parallel story-lines--- spends a fair amount of time with Frank Arcaro (Harry Bellaver) in a totally unrelated subplot. Frank has a HELL of a time pursuing and arresting a local hood, and Horace McMahon hounds the poor guy MERCILESSLY, a routine that ultimately grows a bit annoying. And, in case anyone is keeping score, this show actually features TWO SEPARATE ATTACKS with a WATER HOSE--though in very different circumstances.
It's a charming and enjoyable episode, made all the more rewarding by the opportunity to see Mr. James Barton in a major role, very near the end of his fascinating career. LR