I agree with the last reviewer, this amazing episode has shades of I WANT TO LIVE, starring Susan Hayward, the stark gas chamber scenes, albeit on a lower budget, are still impressive.
Another imaginative gem written by series writer William Read Woodfield. Vincent Gardenia returns to the show, again playing another hood called Parma, who wants to control all food distribution across the country. You have to admit, that's a herculean task, but M. I. has always relied on a heavy dose of poetic license.
The way to bring Parma down is absolute genius.
Phelps plays a distributor who is bullied by Parma's men into paying up, so he goes to his office and roughs him up too. Even stevens. This naturally leads to a mob hit placed on him, Parma ordering his ace marksman Duchell (well played by Luke Askew) to do the job. Very cleverly, thanks to the M. I. optical illusion department, Duchell shoots a grenade into Phelp's apartment, thinking he's a sitting duck inside? Fake Out #1. Phelps is obviously safe, HOWEVER, Duchell wakes up on death row. Fake Out #2!
Woodfield borrowed from the TWILIGHT ZONE school of writing with this scene onward. And it's terrific. Duchell has a front row seat watching Rollin (playing another convcited killer) about to go to the gas chamber. This obviously done to scare Duchell into bringing down Parma -- and who better to play his lawyer than Cinnamon. Fake Out #3!
BEST of the best is Martin Landau (who should have won an Emmy) kicking and screaming his way to the gas chamber, all an act to scare the living daylights out of Duchell. What a trip.
Superior casting of both Vincent Gardenia and Luke Askew, who was quite popular in westerns. Also featuring Val Avery and Byron Keith, playing Dr. Loomis. Keith is best known for 77 SUNSET STRIP, as Lt. Gilmore.
Guaranteed, the gas chamber scene, and Martin Landau's over the top acting will keep you thoroughly entertained. 10 Star episode.
SEASON 3 EPISODE 5 remastered CBS/Paramount dvd box set. 7 dvds. Released 2007 with a classic color cover of Peter Graves.