The Mad Bomber

Whereas most episodes of Deadline didn't use the actual names of the perpetrators, this episode did. George Metesky, known as "The Mad Bomber," planted over 30 bombs throughout New York City over a 15-year period (1940-1956); twenty-two of these bombs exploded, and fifteen people were injured. Metesky was captured on January 21, 1957, and served sixteen years in a mental institution. He was released in 1973 and spent the last 20 years of his life living peaceably. He died in 1994 at the age of 90.

The first scene shows the bomber outside of the Paramount Theater in Brooklyn. The theater marquee displays the film "The Tattered Dress". The next scene shows the bomber walking through the theater lobby. A banner display for the film "Fear Strikes Out" is displayed. Both films were released in March of 1957. The action of the story takes place during Christmas week, 1956.