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Voyage to the Bottom of the
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| The Left Handed Man Airdate: October 31, 1965 |
A man warns
Nelson to stop George Penfield from becoming Secretary of State, and thereafter
dies at the hands of the title's left handed man, an operative of the wealthy
and powerful Noah Grafton. This operative has a
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| Seaview for an inspection tour, Tippy shows Nelson
a reel of film proving the connection between Grafton (a known communist
and crook) and her father. Nelson immediately instructs Crane aboard
Seaview, not to show Penfield any more secret equipment on Seaview.
Nelson also agrees to testify against Penfield's
appointment, which surprises most of the crew, who view Penfield as qualified
and amiable. Later, with Penfield off Seaview, Nelson phones Grafton, who denies ever having met Penfield, a claim which is put-paid by the previously seen film of the two together. Next, the left handed man sneaks into NIMR and looking for Nelson, almost kills the Admiral's |
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secretary, Angie. Meanwhile, a newspaper
headline sums things up: Nelson Denounces Penfield, Opposes President's
Choice. Tippy returns worried for her and Nelson's safety and tries
to talk him out of testifying. Next, Nelson sets up house-keeping
on an otherwise unmanned Seaview, trying to smoke out the left-handed killer.
The ruse works -- the culprit is caught trying to sneak aboard Seaview. Nelson and Kowalski accompany the restrained killer to the airport for transport, when they in turn are captured and taken to Noah Grafton's remote mansion. Crane commandeers the Flying sub to Grafton's estate in search of Nelson and Kowalski, where Grafton admits he's using Penfield as a front to corner power and control. In a final confrontation between the Seaview crew and Grafton's goons, both Penfield and Grafton are killed, Grafton appropriately, by a stray shot from his left-handed man. |
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Noah
Grafton. |
Crane and Angie (she's a cutie.) |
Nelson Rewarded with kiss. |
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Mark Says: Slightly above-average suspense story with an exciting conclusion. Barbara Bouchet makes for a fun heroine and Cyril Delevanti is perfect as the evil businessman. Many highlights, including a fantastic showcasing of the flying sub’s abilities (great special effects). The story would have been a little better if Penfield’s character had been developed a bit more. A note of trivia - the only episode where we see the house where Admiral Nelson lives. |
| Mike Says: The season-two spy shows were entertaining, but even at the time of their original broadcast, I felt them imitative of The Man From UNCLE, and often not as well written. That being said, upon recent reviewing, despite a pedestrian chase scene midway through, the show plays well. Lots of different sets, back-lot "location"shooting and as Mark points out, fine miniature work really open up the story. A great guest cast delivers believable performances as do, of course, the regulars. Mark is right about Penfield. The writer should have cut the midway chase scene and given us additional background on Penfield in its place. |  Show's finale a wild melee. |
| The irony of Penfield's death displacing news of Grafton's death to page three of the newspaper makes for an excellent cap to the story. |
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