The Big .22 Rifle for Christmas(18 Dec. 1952).Friday and Smith search for a missing boy. The first sign that the case is serious is when blood is found. Further probing reveals the boy's parents had purchased him a .22-caliber rifle for Christmas -- and the weapon is missing, removed from its wrapped package. Written byBill Koenig... Synopsis The Big .22 Rifle for Christmas(18 Dec. 1952)
Movie Title: The Big .22 Rifle for Christmas(18 Dec. 1952)
Run Time: 26 min
Rating: 7.8 / 10
Genres: Drama |Crime |Mystery
Release Date: 18 December 1952 (USA)
Director: Jack Webb
Writer: James E. Moser (radio play),Jack Webb (radio play), more credit ... and other credits
Actor: Jack Webb,Herbert Ellis,William Johnstone
One of the best known and most widely remembered of the early episodes. In fact, I think it's one of the few to really put the series on the TV map. Two boys are missing at the same time mysterious bloodstains turn up in a back yard. The premise is an unusual one, showing how much story potential lay in the unconventional crime drama. Excellent performances in an entry that depends on powerful emotions, though the ending seems a little too pat and contrived. There's considerable emphasis on procedure as we watch criminologist gather and test blood sample at scene. Also, Friday's "voice-over" explains the judgment he and partner use in handling the sensitive case. As in many of the best episodes, the two detectives fade into the background once the human interest takes over-- Webb was an astute director in that regard. Tag line is a memorable one, expressing traditional police reservations toward guns in private hands.
Reviewing entries in the series caused me to wonder why the excellent Herb Ellis was replaced as Friday's partner, especially with the uncop-like Ben Alexander as permanent replacement. I suspect it was because Ellis looked and acted too much like Webb, which became a liability once the series tried to inject more humor into the proceedings. In that key regard, I suspect the amiable Alexander proved much more adept.
