Route 66 The Cage Around Maria (1960–1964) Online

Talky episode that gives each of the three principals—Ashley, Straight, Alcalde—spotlight scenes. At the same time, Tod gets to look on handsomely, but rather glumly. So what is it with the troubled Maria (Ashley). We know from the outset when she visits the zoo bear that she's not quite right. But just how wacko is she. She's clinging to her dead father, while her mother (Straight) has re-married a former stable-boy (Alcalde) who she thinks is now trying to kill her mom. Ashley certainly doesn't underplay the disturbed part while the camera soaks up her performance. Except for the opening scenes at the Houston zoo, there's little trademark travelogue. As a result, there's not much to keep the eye entertained, which means interest in the episode depends greatly on unraveling Maria's cloudy character. To me, however, the talky entry indicates a superior series in decline.

At the Houston Zoo a woman jumps into the bear pit and it's Tod who goes in to save her in this mediocre melodrama that ranks rather poorly when compared to some of the better episodes of the series.

One of the main problems with the story is the fact that there is no big revelation here. Maria seems clearly nutty at the beginning and only becomes nuttier as the show progresses. In the end the viewer finds out only what they had been suspecting all along. The side story of finding out who is trying to kill her mother (Straight) isn't very effective. Another problem with this show is the fact that Milner again appears solo and the fun banter and chemistry between him and Buz, that held together a lot of the shows, is sorely missing here especially during the slow spots.

The only diverting aspect of this episode is seeing a very young Ashley in an interesting role. In fact she looks so young that at first you might not even recognize her.

Grade: C

This time the crazy lady is played by a very young Elizabeth Ashley, (she would have been about 23). They used to call her "a dirty Audrey Hepburn", and there is a resemblance in looks although hardly in manner. The fact that she is coiffed and made up to resemble her, as many women were at the time helps the comparison. But Audrey never played a role like this.

Liz jumps into a bear pit at a zoo. Todd bravely climbs into rescue her, (strange because he was a tram driver and the rescue squad lowers him into the pit as part of the rescue operation: Why him? Because he has to be inserted into the story, that's why). He drives her back to the estate where she lives with her mother and stepfather, (Mario Alcalde), whom she feels is trying to kill her mother, (Beatrice Straight). There are a couple of clumsy murder attempts involving a cut cinch strap on a horse and a partially sawed through cane. There's also a sort of sniper's nest discovered in the top floor of the mansion.

Improbably, Todd sets himself up as a detective to determine the culprit, who turns out to be Liz, herself, who then heads back to the bear pit to once again offers herself to them only to be once again saved by our hero, who by now must have had enough of crazy ladies. He was ready for a few partner.