Zane Grey Theater Checkmate (1956–1961) Online

On a nice morning in the town of Silver City everything seems fine. Joel Bagley (James Whitmore) is having breakfast in the hotel lobby. Suddenly, shots ring out at the bank and the manager is dead and the clerk, John Scott, is tied-up on the floor. Bagley works at the bank and has a key to the building, runs across to let the Sheriff inside through the front door. Someone has just robbed the bank.

The sheriff, Roarke, is investigating and since the back door was still bolted, he believes the clerk had something to do with the robbery. But it just so happens that investigator named Ward Cameron is in town and will help out the sheriff as they try to find out who robbed the bank.

We, as viewers, will be caught up in the investigation as the sheriff and Cameron will have to wade through suspects, and deceit, to get to the bottom of the crime. It will not be until one of the suspects makes a foolish error that the case becomes clear. An enjoyable story that was just too short. Good watch.

This Zane Grey Theater episode plays like a Columbo episode where we have a mystery and we know who did it. It's only a question of putting it together.

Like when Columbo is on board an ocean cruise liner and a murder occurs he volunteers his expertise. Mark Miller who is a detective happens to be in town when William Schallert is arrested, but no money recovered. Schallert is a bank teller.

It is however the wrong inside man. It's James Whitmore, a very bitter cripple who devises a most ingenious hiding place. He also has an outside accomplice.

Whitmore turns in a fine performance and the episode shows going into a criminal enterprise of any kind, make sure you get good help.