Mean small-time crook Fred Renard (well played to the menacing hilt by Steve Cochran) plots to take selfish advantage of kindly street peddler Pedott (a fine and appealing portrayal by Ernest Truex), who has the psychic ability to foresee the immediate near future and hence gives people exactly what they need right before they need it.
Director Alvin Ganzer keeps the engrossing story moving at a quick pace and ably crafts a smoky noir atmosphere along with a charming gentle tone. Rod Serling's compelling script makes the most out of the cool premise as well as has a neat central message about the potential peril inherent in wanting the wrong greedy things out of life. Cochran and Truex both do terrific work in their roles; they receive sturdy support from Read Morgan as washed-up baseball player Lefty, Arlene Martel as a sweet woman in a bar, and William Edmonson as a worldly bartender. Kudos are also in order for Van Cleave's spare moody score and the sharp black and white cinematography by George T. Clemens. Moreover, Renard rates as a real hateful no-count bastard; it's a lot of fun to watch this despicable little crumb get his rightful rotten comeuppance at the end. A solid show.
Director Alvin Ganzer keeps the engrossing story moving at a quick pace and ably crafts a smoky noir atmosphere along with a charming gentle tone. Rod Serling's compelling script makes the most out of the cool premise as well as has a neat central message about the potential peril inherent in wanting the wrong greedy things out of life. Cochran and Truex both do terrific work in their roles; they receive sturdy support from Read Morgan as washed-up baseball player Lefty, Arlene Martel as a sweet woman in a bar, and William Edmonson as a worldly bartender. Kudos are also in order for Van Cleave's spare moody score and the sharp black and white cinematography by George T. Clemens. Moreover, Renard rates as a real hateful no-count bastard; it's a lot of fun to watch this despicable little crumb get his rightful rotten comeuppance at the end. A solid show.