I agree with many of my fellow reviewers, it's the acting. So truly impossible to beat the likes of Hume Cronyn and Carmen Matthews, playing a very pleasant, generous and diabolical brother and sister. Only with Hitch.
Emmy award winning writter AJ Russell wrote this gem, who ironically majored in comedy material. AJ was a frequent writer for Jackie Gleason and his HONEYMOONERS sitcom, and also won an Emmy for his work on the PHIL SILVERS SHOW. He later became a senior writer for GENERAL HOSPITAL.
The bottom line is the all mighty dollar, as usual. It seems the brother and sister's old house is insured (and so is the brother!), so why not burn it down to the ground and collect. To throw the insurance investigator's off, they decide to toss in a body -- such as a homeless man (well played by James Gleason), who would be mistaken for the brother as well. Cha-ching!
Can you beat that?
One you have to see, and see again, expertly directed by one of the best, Herschel Daugherty, who fronted endless cop shows and dramas throughout his long career.
Not to be missed for these three unforgetable actors.
Gleason would end his long career not to long after this episode with the iconic film, THE LAST HURRAH, starring Spencer Tracy.
SEASON 2 EPISODE 4 remastered Universal dvd box set. 5 dvd set. 2006.