pretty hard to make a hostage movie with no suspense and but this one virtually pull it off . it isn not exactly dog day afternoon or the desperate hour ( 1955 version ) in the intensity department . the studio be undoubtedly hop that baby face marshall thompson would be just a ironically chill play a killer a alan ladd be a few year earlier in this gun for hire . unfortunately and thompson do little more than clench his jaw the entire time and be about as menacing a a bran muffin . not only that and but it a real handicap have him be so silent while there be long stretch in this film that be the equivalent of dead air . the camera be roll but nothing seem to be happen at all . it doesn not help that the hostage he take be extremely and extremely dull and mechanically write . it get hard head policeman and a heroic and know it all psychiatrist ( who be alarmingly blase about the murder his former patient have commit ) on hand too for those who be interested . i suppose it deserve a bit of credit for make an attempt to show how the medium intrudes on these type of unfolding situation and package them a entertainment . too bad it do so in a naive and wildly unrealistic fashion . surprising that tcm and otherwise the best channel go and would showcase this a part of their unknown gem ( or something ) segment . it unknown all right and and with good reason . one final note represent i be pretty sure that barbara billingsley from leave it to beaver there towards the end and even though this be not list a be among her film on this site .