Kraft Suspense Theater 1.10

The Hunt

starring Mickey Rooney, James Caan

directed by William A. Graham, Robert Altman

Surfer Rick Peterson (James Caan) is driving cross country when his car breaks down in a rural area. Sheriff Mac Williams (Mickey Rooney) is in the midst of a manhunt for an escaped prisoner when he and Peterson cross paths. Peterson witnesses the sheriff's dogs tearing the escapee to pieces.

It quickly becomes clear that Peterson isn't a local. Williams gives Mac a hard time but seems content to leave him alone until Mac's car has been repaired. Peterson tries to leave town but Williams comes after him. The sheriff finds a rifle that belongs to Maynard, the mechanic who fixed Peterson's car, when he searches Peterson's vehicle.

Williams locks up Peterson for the night but Maynard offers to get Peterson out of jail for $100, five times what he paid for the car repairs. Peterson isn't interested but Maynard gives him the key anyway. Williams catches Peterson out of his jail cell and tries to talk him into making a run for it but Peterson won't do it. Mac Knocks Peterson out when he's got his back turned and drags him out of the jail.

Peterson wakes up the next morning to the sound of barking dogs in the distance. The hunt is on. He gets away after an extended chase but returns to town the next day to contest the way Sheriff Mac Williams treated him and the prisoner who was torn to pieces by dogs.

Thoughts

I like the spirit of this story but some elements of the execution are a bit lacking. The man who gets killed by the dogs is never seen, before or after his death. The second chase scene in which Peterson is the prey is sorely lacking.

The ending was a little too pat. I understand this is 1960s television, and that they were taking on some pretty heavy material but the way they chose to end this story was too neat and tidy for me.

Both Mickey Rooney and James Caan are extremely good in their roles. I would not recommend this episode to everyone. It is reflective of the era in which it was made and I found myself having to shrug my shoulders at more things than I think is acceptable.

Notes

This is the only episode of this show in which Mickey Rooney appeared. He appeared one episode each of The Twilight Zone (1959) and Night Gallery. I've seen him in a few movies but none recently and none in which he played the lead.

This is the only episode of this show in which James Caan appeared. I know him best from his roles in films like The Godfather (1972) and Thief (1981). He appeared in one episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.

Bruce Dern played the part of Maynard the mechanic. This is the only episode of this show in which he appeared. He appeared in episodes of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour and The Outer Limits (1963). He was in his mid to late 20s when this episode was made, is still alive today, his 90th birthday is coming up later this year.

Harry Townes played the part lawyer Felix Potter in this episode. This is the first of four episodes of this show in which he appeared. He appeared in one episode of Star Trek (1966), 1.21 Return of the Archons, not a favorite of mine. He appeared in one episode of The Outer Limits (1963), 1.07 O.B.I.T.. He also appeared in episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955), The Twilight Zone (1959), The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, and The Invaders.

This is one of 21 episodes of this show for which John Williams composed the music. The music is probably one of the things that made this episode watchable to me. Even when the stunts weren't great the music was there helping the episode along.

William A. Graham and Robert Altman are both credited as directors of this episode. I have no idea what the division of labor was between the two. This is the first of three episodes of this show that Graham was credited as director. This is the second of three episodes of this show that Altman was credited as director. This is the only episode upon which they both worked. Altman directed two episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. I have seen a few movies that Altman directed but none recently.

02/18/26 - 17:50