Albert Salmi stars as real life psychic Peter Hurkos, who starts out the episode as a fleeing resistance fighter in Holland during World War II, who suffers an accidental fall from a roof and is hospitalized, left in a coma for several days until he awakens, but after shaking the hand of a departing patient, is astonished to discover that he has the power of second sight, as he correctly predicts that man's imminent death, which will inspire him to use his powers in a stage act, as it proves quite successful, though he still has dark moments between excessive drinking and seeing people's dark pasts that may end ruining his future... Good episode with interesting subject matter.
3 Reviews
"Whatever you are, you are."
classicsoncall10 February 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The first part of the Peter Hurkos Story describes the events leading up to the man's attainment of his extraordinary psychic powers. As is often the case, the episode embellishes the story by claiming Hurkos fell off the roof of a five story building attempting an escape from the Nazis, when in fact he actually fell off a ladder, suffering a severe brain injury. In a coma for three days (not six), when Hurkos attained consciousness he found he had an ability to pierce the barriers between past, present and future. By touching the personal objects of others, he had a stunning accuracy in deciphering the unknown.
As the episode reveals, at first Hurkos was dismayed by this new power, but then embraced it when he found a way to make a living at it. He formed his own successful stage act, always wondering if he would lose his gift as suddenly as he acquired it. Eventually, he was sought out by authorities to help solve crimes and missing person cases.
Veteran character actor Albert Salmi portrays Peter Hurkos in this episode, a good casting choice as he had a similar appearance to the real Peter Hurkos, who made a visit with series host John Newland in the Part Two episode.
As the episode reveals, at first Hurkos was dismayed by this new power, but then embraced it when he found a way to make a living at it. He formed his own successful stage act, always wondering if he would lose his gift as suddenly as he acquired it. Eventually, he was sought out by authorities to help solve crimes and missing person cases.
Veteran character actor Albert Salmi portrays Peter Hurkos in this episode, a good casting choice as he had a similar appearance to the real Peter Hurkos, who made a visit with series host John Newland in the Part Two episode.
(He's Got) The Magic Touch
wes-connors21 February 2009
"This two-part story is about Peter Hurkos, a man trying to escape from the Nazis, who falls from a five-story building and is severely injured. After awakening from a coma, Hurkos discovers that he now has some amazing psychic abilities. Struggling to deal with his newfound abilities, Hurkos falls into drinking heavily while trying a career in show business," according to the DVD sleeve's synopsis.
That's a fairly accurate description of "The Peter Hurkos Story (Part 1)". Albert Salmi (as Hurkos) tries his best - but this "true story" of a man's uncanny psychic powers, resulting from his Nazi-era experience, never rings true. It might have been more convincing if Mr. Hurkos recalled some predispositions toward the psychic, before the fall. Betty Garde, as modern day witch "Tante Elsa", is the half-hour's highlight. And, you might enjoy John Banner, pre-"Sgt. Schultz".
** The Peter Hurkos Story, pt 1 (4/19/60) John Newland ~ Albert Salmi, Betty Garde, John Banner
That's a fairly accurate description of "The Peter Hurkos Story (Part 1)". Albert Salmi (as Hurkos) tries his best - but this "true story" of a man's uncanny psychic powers, resulting from his Nazi-era experience, never rings true. It might have been more convincing if Mr. Hurkos recalled some predispositions toward the psychic, before the fall. Betty Garde, as modern day witch "Tante Elsa", is the half-hour's highlight. And, you might enjoy John Banner, pre-"Sgt. Schultz".
** The Peter Hurkos Story, pt 1 (4/19/60) John Newland ~ Albert Salmi, Betty Garde, John Banner
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