77 Sunset Strip (TV Series) Pattern for a Bomb (1962) User Reviews

Almost

[darbski · 9/10 · 22 July 2017]

**SPOILERS** Pretty straightforward pay-or-die extortion scheme with a twist; which is: the same receiver as a garage door opener, and using the same signal broadcast device. The idea is that the bomb guys couldn't figure it out. Bullfeathers. OF COURSE they could figure it out. Most of the bomb squad or explosives guys were and are exactly the same kind of guys that the bombers are, it's just that the good guys happen to be GOOD GUYS.

Paul Genge, and Frank DeKova are two veteran actors who play bad guys at the top level. The action in this episode depends on an ex-cellmate, an uncontrollable jealousy, and basic ruthlessness. Spencer figures out how, he and Gil figure out who; the rest is history (obviously). Good acting, good plot, bombs were about as good as they could be, given the rules and all.

Jean Allison plays the wife of the guy who starts it all, and the bruises she wears look pretty realistic. Her Huz is the nut, and it is prophetic indeed that the plot proceeds the way it does. On two levels terrorism for profit, and terrorism for insanity's sake. Combine those ingredients with violent possessiveness, and you've got problems we still face today.

PAY UP... OR EXPLODE!

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 26 February 2024]

Perhaps one of the most adventurous, if not violent episodes of the fourth season. Jeff, Louis and JR are caught up with a crazy bomber, well played by Frank DeKova. His mission is to extort money from various successful businesses --or he presses a button and they get blown up big time!

I agree with the last reviewer, the bomb device is much like a garage door opener and a very clever weapon, for a change of pace. Solid writing on the part of Lawrence Kimble, who wrote 10 episodes for the show, no doubt taking over for veteran writer Fred Brady, who passed suddenly at the end of 1961. Fred was missed, and this was his type of story, possible something he had originally outlined.

Sidney Salkow directed, long into adventure films and tv shows. He headed the LONE WOLF movie series at Columbia, starring Warren William. Great supporting cast with Jean Allison, popular character actor Jonathan Hole and Joan Marshall, as Miss Landers. There's a question as to why that particular name was chosen. Was actress Sue Randall also considered for the role, who played Miss Landers on LEAVE IT TO BEAVER? Hmmm?

There's a fun production note that says actor Frank DeKova was purposely made up to look like studio president Jack Warner, all because producer William Orr was his son-in-law! Also, the crew obviously had a lot of fun blowing up sets in this one. It's scenes like this that may have inspired MANNIX.

Having worked at Warner Brothers in tours, one thing that was always brought to our attention was both the inside and outside construction of the street lot buildings; some made from plywood and heavy cardboard, realistically crafted to look like brick and cement. So it was very easy to destroy parts of these buildings and put them right back together. And most of those buildings are still there today.

Wait for the tense ending, one of the best.

Outstanding episode. Recommended. SEASON 4 EPISODE 38 remastered WB.

The Mad Bomber

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 4 May 2018]

Once again the LAPD is working with the firm of Bailey&Spencer to solve a crime. A series of random bombings of various businesses with no connection apparently. At least none that Lt. Byron Keith can figure out. But Roger Smith does and in the middle of it is married couple Larry Ward and Joan Marshall.

Ward is an explosives expert and did serve some time. But he's only part of it. The real bomber is Frank DeKova who most definitely has a whole suit missing from his deck.

It's all kind of weird and in fact it doesn't make any rational sense. But the final confrontation with Jeff Spencer and DeKova is an exciting one. Worth watching for that alone.