If you're a long time fan of the series, you'll find Joe mixed up with a kid, occasionally, who's mixed up with some desperate characters. This episode, written by Arthur Weiss, is a bit different and with a psychological slant. Popular child actress Pamelyn Ferdin is perfect as Dana, a patient of a psychologist who is killed. The shift here is that she lives in her own make-believe world, nevertheless playing a very important part in a murder and robbery investigation.
Now its up Joe to delicately talk with Dana, and between fairy tales no less, before the murderer gets her. Arthur Weiss is to be credited for his thoughtful writing, developing a very interesting juvenile character, let alone her gentle relationship with Joe.
Ferdin began her career in tv commercials before advancing to steady roles in many tv shows and movies at the time, later to become the voice of Lucy in the CHARLIE BROWN cartoon series. Prior to this episode, she was appearing as daughter Cookie in the short-lived BLONDIE tv series.
The Los Feliz Towers, a few miles from Paramount, was again used, this time for a chilling scene where Dana is about to fall to her death. This episode actually resulted in re-writing child actor safety laws. Ferdin, in later years, said she could have easily been injured or killed, and the day of filming there were passers by who thought she was about to jump.
Watch how this all plays out.
Top supporting cast with Julie Gregg playing a doctor and Woodrow Parfrey as Amos. Parfrey was a one of a kind actor, who specialized in off the wall, but memorable characters. He was also a WWII hero. Canadian actor Lawrence Dane (as Hicks) guest starred in both Canadian and Hollywood tv shows, playing dramatic and lighter roles. Big guy Gene Dynarski, always spot on as a killer.
Weiss more than likely borrowed some of the dramatic moments here from stories he wrote for MISSION IMPOSSIBLE. The only difference is most of his characters, standing on ledges, didn't survive! He began his career with such tv classics as SEA HUNT.
Director Murray Golden, who also wrote for M. I., works very effectively with this cast. Both he and Pamlyn Ferdin should have gotten Emmy nominations.
10 STARS.
SEASON 3 EPISODE 21 remastered CBS dvd box set.