Case: Mark Durgom/Raymond Everett Lockhart—Unlawful Interstate Flight to Avoid Confinement—Interstate Transportation of Stolen Motor Vehicle—Kidnapping.
Original air date: 19 March 1972
Rerun 23 July 1972
The FBI pursues escaped convict Mike Durgom, who has crossed state lines and entered Maine. They also learn that crime boss Nelson Wayland has ordered him murdered to prevent him from testifying at an upcoming trial. Durgom is holding a widow and her 10-year-old son hostage while planning a bank robbery, which would in turn enable him to flee the country. The robbery happens, but the robber is shot, and the cab he used is itself carjacked. The Feds manage to get the three, but by this time, Nelson Layland puts a contract out on Durgom.
As of 27 September 2021, this episode is the highest-rated episode for the series, at 9.4/10. It’s a fine, tense episode with fine acting, though the Maine location (especially in the urban area) looks too much like California. As this was performed before cell phones, it shows its age. But it deserves its high ratings because of the layered plot twists.
We had hoped to provide information over 10 years ago, because we had purchased a 16mm reel of film with this episode on 26 March 2006.
Beyond this, this is the final episode that aired while J. Edgar Hoover was alive. On 2 May 1972, the FBI director for 48 years died from a coronary condition at age 77.
- Once again, we have John Vernon as a villain.
- Gene Lyons makes the third of three appearances on the series. He played the Commissioner on Ironside, which ran concurrent to The FBI. Sadly, Mr. Lyons died two years later, from complications from chronic alcoholism at age 53.
- In Act IV, we also hear fanfare when the airline touches down that was extensively used in the first season.
Credits:
Directed by: Virgil W. Vogel
Written by: Ed Waters
Performer | Role
- John Vernon | Mike Durgom
- Diana Muldaur | Joan Forrestal
- Joseph Perry | Raymond Everett Lockhart
- Lee Montgomery (as Lee Harcourt Montgomery) | Grady Forrestal
- Lenore Kasdorf | Sonny Moyer
- Ron Feinberg | Jack Buckfield
- Michael Pataki | Walt Hixby
- Gene Lyons | Nelson Layland
- Robert Doyle | Doug Shurlock
- Ted Hartley | Ted Crane
- Billy Halop | Cabbie
- Bob Duggan | Bank Guard
- Robert Swan | NY Agent
- Wiliam Swan | Scott Dunlap