Edd Byrnes actually got star billing in this episode, and he's definitely the whole show in a rather offbeat story.
He goes to work for a wealthy lady called Ellie Fraser (best played by noneother than Natalie Schafer) who wants him to find her missing dog. Naturally... there's more to the case, replete with suspicious characters, one of them who wants Ellie dead.
Kookie is also hired on by Admiral Kyle (played by Hanley Stafford), who is engaged to marry Ellie. Stafford is fun to watch as the by the book military man, who even expects a full salute. Set along the waterfront, there's some atmospheric, creepy scenes, which makes this interesting. Pretty Diane Jergens plays Debbie Fraser, assisting Kookie on the case and they make a good team. Best scene has the killer, dressed in full scuba gear, coming out of the water in the middle of the night.
Beware!
John Astin has a small role, and production notes indicate his voice was dubbed with a foreign accent, but he sounds like himself. Natalie Schafer, interestingly, plays a Mrs. Howell type character, much like her role on GILLIGANS ISLAND. Hanley Stafford, a long time radio actor, best known for the BLONDIE and BABY SNOOKS shows.
Top direction by Jeffrey Hayden, soon to direct the tv version of PEYTON PLACE. Leonard Lee wrote this story, a total of 15 for the series, also many classic movies.
The Frank Ortega Trio makes another appearance, featured in over thirty episodes. By the way, Stu shows up at the end for Ellie's big wedding.
SEASON 4 EPISODE 36 WB remastered. Thanks much to METV Plus for running this super series Sunday nights.
