"Route 66" (1963)
Character: Morgan Matheson HarperEpisode: "Same Picture, Different Frame"Duration: 60 minutesPremiered: October 4th, 1963 (CBS)
Episode synopsis:
As the citizens of Poland Springs, Maine are confused by someone occupying the city's old mill, local horse rancher Morgan Matheson Harper (Joan Crawford) is left a painting at her stables indicating that her psychotic artist ex-husband, Eric (Patrick O'Neal), has located her and is the area. Following a series of near-misses with Eric harassing her, Morgan is saved by Linc Case (Glenn Corbett). Morgan explains to Linc that Eric is mentally unstable, and that she was his artistic muse, and she feels this is the reason he is harassing her. Later, Linc saves Morgan again from being shot by Eric, who misses and accidentally shoots Morgan's ranch assistant.
Eric later abducts Moran and Linc at gunpoint and forces them to go with him back to the city's old mill, where he's been in hiding, so that he can paint a portrait of Morgan and Linc together. On their way, they pass Linc's friend Tod (Martin Milner), who notices that something is amiss, and follows the three back to the old mill, where he summons the police to come. At the mill, when Linc spots the opportunity, he distracts Eric while Morgan runs out, with Eric chasing her. As Eric, with a gun in hand, runs out of the mill after Morgan he is shot by the police. Eric dies as Morgan holds him professing she is sorry this happened to him, and that she feels responsible for his death. The episode ends with Morgan turning away from Eric's body and walking away.
Cast & Crew:
Director: Phillip Leacock
Written By: Stirling Silliphant and Herbert B. Leonard
Producer: Screen Gems
Joan Crawford - "Morgan Matheson Harper"
Glenn Campbell - "Linc Case"
Patrick O'Neal - "Eric Harper"
Production:
For location filming, Joan traveled with the production team to Monmouth, Maine. Where locals were enchanted by her visit.
Filming for the episode took place in early September 1963.