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Run For Your Life
Starring Ben Gazzara
Episode:
The Treasure Seekers
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To contact us, click Homepage link above
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Synopsis: Paul experiences friendliness turning to malice when he is oppressed with demands from all sides after winning a fortune in the sweepstakes . With Collin Wilcox as Lisa Rand, Bruce Dern as Alex Ryder, Jack Albertson as Joe Murray, Anne Helm as Molly Pierce, Rosemary Murphy as Mary Herrick, Tod Andrews as Andy Herrick, Robert Donner as Scully, John Davis Chandler as Dr. Walker, Robert Cross as the Hotel Clerk, Tom Castronova as the Bellboy, Jack Krupnick as First Reporter, Larry Gelman as Third Reporter, Hazel Keener as Marge Murray
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Episode 39
Season 2 - #9
First broadcast on
November 14, 1966
Written by Max Erlich
Directed by Nicholas Colasanto
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SEE INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS OF ENTIRE CAST AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
Watch a video clip from the episode on the same page
and a second one here 
Creative Team
Producer
Jo Swerling Jr.
Associate Producer
Paul Freeman
Music
Pete Rugolo
Director of Photography
William Margulies A.S.C.
Art Director
Howard E. Johnson
Film Editor
Budd Small
Unit Manager
Hilton A. Green
Assistant Director
Donald Baer
Set Decorators
John McCartey &
Robert C. Bradfield
Sound
Frank K. Wilkinson
Color Coordinator
Robert Brower
Color by Technicolor
Editorial Dept. Head
Richard Belding
Musical Supervisor
Stanley Wilson
Costumes Supervisor
Vincent Dee
Makeup
Bud Westmore
Hair Stylist
Larry Germain
Assistant to Executive Producer
Robert Foster
Links to Other Episodes
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Alex Ryder tells Molly the winning ticket was his
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The Plot:
While in Tokyo Paul learns that he has won half a million dollars in the Irish Sweepstakes, and he returns to San Francisco to find both press and friends keen on speaking to him. One is attorney Alex Ryder who is engaged to Molly Pierce, sister of Paul's former fiancée. On the phone Alex reminds Molly that a bunch of people bought sweepstakes tickets, but Paul left his behind on Alex's table. Alex adds that he offered to bring Paul the ticket, then forgot when he went skiing, and so, gave Paul his own ticket.
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Paul puts off the reporters who meet him at his hotel
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Insurance salesman Joe Murray is another. Having known Paul since his youth, Joe tells his wife Paul owes him, and is sure to buy a policy.
The press are all over Paul as he enters his hotel, but he tells them that he is still on Japanese time, and asks the reporters to give him a break. No sooner has Paul walked into his room, there is a call from a buoyant Alex, and they make a date for lunch the next day. He asks if he can bring Molly along, and says that Kate is in Hawaii. After hanging up Paul gives a bit of a grimace at the prospect.
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Dr. Walker says they're still five years away from a cure
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He then rings the Garms Clinic on the Peninsula, and drives out there, shadowed by a man who was also in the hotel lobby.
Paul presents Dr. Walker with a check for his entire winnings, saying that the tax man would take only 30% when the money went to the clinic, as opposed to 70% if Paul kept the funds for himself.
When he asks if the contribution could be kept anonymous. Dr. Walker offers an assurance it can, then guesses that Paul has the disease which the clinic is researching.
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Mail and interview requests greet Paul at the hotel
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In response to the doctor's query, Paul says that he's known for a little over six months, and is still feeling well. When Paul asks if they are still five years away from a cure, Dr. Walker says that used to be an optimistic assessment, but with Paul's funds, the day might be coming closer.
Paul returns to his hotel to find a ton of mail that has resulted from a newspaper article about him. As the man who followed him to the clinic listens nearby Paul tells the desk clerk that he won't take any calls from reporters, but will gladly receive one from Joe Murray.
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Lisa slips in as Paul is trying to close the door
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Later he is waiting for Joe's visit when reporter Lisa Rand barges into his room. Paul is courteous enough to let her stay, although refusing to grant an interview, and she uses every opportunity to snoop for information.
She follows Paul around the room, chatting at him constantly, then offers herself a drink, and goes on to tell Paul that she wants to do a follow up profile on the story she published that brought in all the mail to him.
At that point, Paul takes the drink from her hand, and opens the door to let her out.
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Lisa tries all ploys to get an interview
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But she is relentless in pursuing her interview, however much he refuses. Lisa then says that she'll only tag along with him, and not disrupt his schedule, even promising to be a charming companion.
He says he's not persuaded, but interested, and asks her to have dinner with him. At this invitation Lisa immediately re-enters the room.
When Paul goes into the bedroom to dress, Lisa goes through his papers and belongings, reading everything she can.
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Paul greets Joe with a warm embrace
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Through the door she tells him that she is the daughter of the newspaper's late publisher.
As she is reading Paul's private papers, Joe Murray arrives, and receives a warm greeting from Paul, but Lisa remains sitting. Joe tells her about his methods of selling insurance.
Joe and Paul catch up with one another, but it's only when Joe says that he has something to discuss with Paul that she gets up to leave. But Lisa only goes into the bedroom, taking some of Paul's papers with her.
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Joe has an insurance policy for his old friend Paul
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Once alone, Paul tells Joe to feel free to tell him what's on his mind. Joe says he wants to take a look at how Paul's insurance is set up, and if he is properly covered. Paul replies that he doesn't carry any insurance, as he has no one to leave anything to. But Joe goes on to point out how circumstances could change in his life, and if things aren't put in place now, insurance could be unaffordable later. He has a couple $100,000 plans ready for Paul to choose.
In the kindest manner possible, Paul tells Joe that, for a reason he can't confide, he won't be taking out any insurance.
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Paul says he'd do anything for Joe
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Quite directly, Joe responds that Paul owes it to him to look at the policies, and in response, Paul assures that he'd do anything for Joe.
“I got you your first client when you started practicing,” Joe asserts, and Paul says that he'd never forget, but Joe adds that the client in question then got Paul a big corporation account that got him really set up as a lawyer.
“You said, Joe, anything you need anything, just ask” he continues, and Paul tells him to go ahead and ask.
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When Paul offers the check, Joe slaps it down
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Thinking it might be money, Paul pulls out a check book, calculating that the commission on such a policy might be $3000, and writes a check out, saying, “you know you can ask me - any time, any place, any how.”
To Joe's censorious expression, he adds understandingly, “between us, there's no shame.”
“A handout? Is that what you think I'm asking for?” Joe asks angrily, slapping the check away, but Paul replies, “no, Joe, I owe it to you.” But Joe is deeply offended, and says that he works for a living.
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Joe leaves, no longer a friend
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“What kind of a friend are you to insult me like that?” he asks indignantly. Paul says it's the only way he can help anybody at the moment.
Joe declares that he didn't want any help, that he came with something valuable to offer Paul. He says he was never turned down like this before, and goes to the door, saying, “and I thought you were one of my closest friends.”
As he goes out, Paul answers sadly, “I am,” but Joe snarls, “you were!”
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Lisa invites a dejected Paul to dinner at her place
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Lisa comes out of the bedroom, having listened to everything, and says that's the kind of thing Paul will have to expect - finding new friends, losing old ones.
But Paul is deeply affected. “Poor Joe,” he murmurs. Lisa offers him an opportunity to get away from things for the evening, and invites him to her place for dinner. "Anything you say," he responds, "I don't think I'm up to much more of this."
When they leave the lobby together, again the unknown man is observing.
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Lisa tells Paul how her father set her goals
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After dinner Paul invites Lisa to join him as date of the guest of honor at a cultural ball - to be attended only by the very, very rich, he adds.
Over coffee they discuss how, for a while, people will be expecting much from him.
Paul then speaks about Lisa's Pulitzer Prize winning father, and how he placed high demands on his daughter. She says that her father nurtured her ambition and set her goals, but now she's self pressured, then reminds Paul that she too wants something from him.
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Outraged by the suggestion, Paul leaves the table
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The next day at lunch Alex tells Paul that the winning sweepstakes ticket was actually his. Incredulous, Paul says the story is ridiculous and pathetic, and asks what Alex would do himself if the situation were reversed.
“Don't point your finger at me!” Alex counters. After another hot-tempered exchange Paul gets up, and Alex grabs his arm.
Paul yanks it away and goes, saying to Molly that he's sorry to have met her in such circumstances.
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Molly asks if the story is a lie
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“Thanks for backing me up so staunchly,” Alex says to her, “very wifely of you.” Molly's response is to get up in disgust, and leave the table, but Alex pulls her back, quickly apologizing and saying that he didn't expect Paul to react the way he did.
Alex asks Molly to sit down again, and she does, as Alex mutters about how he'll still spear Paul on this.
He goes on eating with some agitation, and Molly suddenly asks him if what he's dragged her into and insulted Paul with is a lie. Then she asks him again, intent to know.
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Alex and Molly argue hotly over the issue
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Alex expresses horror, but Molly continues, accusing him that his sole concern is wealth, and that when she accepted his proposal, it had nothing to do with whether or not he had money. He tries to stress the importance of capital, but Molly says he has an exaggerated concern about it.
They argue hotly on the subject at length until the point when Molly gets up again, saying that she doesn't want anything to do with him or this scheme as Alex mutters about Paul leaving without paying his share of the restaurant bill.
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Mary Herricky greets Paul warmly
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That evening Paul escorts Lisa to the ball where host Andy Herrick gives him a warm welcome. Mary Herrick immediately tells Paul she's pledged him to give $50,000 towards the cultural edifice whose fund raising she is heading. All the while, her rather tipsy husband gives a running commentary in mocking tone about the project for all to hear. Seeing Paul's dark expression, Mary suggests $35,000 instead, but he tells her she'll have to count him out. She tries to make the discussion more private, then asks Paul what amount he'd like to donate to the center's construction.
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When Paul refuses, Mary throws him out
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“Any amount is out of the question,” he responds, and she makes reference to his footlessness as a reason that he no longer cares about culture in San Francisco.
Paul refuses to give any reason for turning her down, and Mary's tone gets nasty, almost repeating Joe's words about being turned down in the manner Paul has done this.
Paul then lashes out at the worthlessness of the project. Mary rises, tells him that he's extremely rude, and basically throws Paul and Lisa out of her home.
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Paul confronts the man following him
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Lisa offers to make coffee when he returns her to her apartment building, and Paul responds grimly, “I can't wait to get out of this town,” venturing that it might not be too late to catch a polar flight. Then she asks him suddenly if he gave the sweepstakes money away, and encourages him to tell her about it, but Paul just offers a quiet “sorry,” and walks to his car.
Arriving back at his hotel, he spots the man who's been following him, and leads the stranger into a trap. In an alley, Paul grabs him, saying he'll take the man to the police.
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Lisa says she was about to phone him when he rang
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The man stonewalls, and even says he'll press assault charges on Paul. But Paul's tone convinces him the police will be involved, and he admits that he's been following Paul, hoping to find some blackmail information to make Paul part with a little of his newfound cash. Upon the man's pleadings, Paul lets him go.
Having booked a flight, Paul finds he has an hour to kill before leaving, and calls Lisa to join him at his hotel for a drink. He is surprised at her reaction that she hopes he won't be sorry, then adds that she's sorry he's leaving.
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Lisa firmly refuses not to publish the story
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But when they meet, Lisa reveals that she knows he gave his winnings to the Garms Clinic, and says she was about to ring to say the story would be in the paper.
Lisa explains how Scully followed Paul to the clinic, and when he couldn't bladkmail him directly, sold the information to her. Paul asks her not to print the story, but she is adamant that she will reveal his donation.
He pleads with her, but Lisa says she was honest with him, and that personal considerations have no place in a reporter's work.
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Alex introduces himself boorishly
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Paul's tone turns hard, near violent, asking whose words those were, hers or her father's, as he pounds the table, and demands that she turns the story over to him.She snarls back, telling him not to try and bully her, then says that she's already turned it in. Paul is shocked, deeply upset and confused, then says she must take him to the paper to retrieve it. She refuses, and they go back and forth, each relentless, until there is a shout in the restaurant to distract them. It is a drunken Alex shouting to “rich Mr. Bryan,” saying that he and his bride-to-be dropped into the hotel on the chance Paul might be there.
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Paul is deeply hurt by Alex' verbal assaults
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Alex introduces himself and Molly to Lisa. He asks to join them, and Paul rises and asks Molly to sit down. Constantly circling the table, Alex hovers over the others, and rants on about the luncheon, the sweepstakes ticket, the money, saying he wanted only half the winnings. Now his ploy is that halving them will mean Paul paying less in taxes. Paul listens to all this grimly for several minutes, then finally repeats what he said at lunch. Alex explodes, shouting, “you need the money that bad, is that it? You need your racing cars that bad? Is there some place in this world that you haven't jetted off to yet?”
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Paul tells Alex that the money is gone
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His voice getting ever louder, he then screams, “how much longer are you going to keep playing around, Paul?” Lisa interrupts, and says she has to leave, but Paul stops her, saying that they have unfinished business.
“No,” she responds, wanting him to remove his hand from her arm. Paul stands up, and says to Alex, “I can't give you that money because I don't have it. I gave it away - every dime of it - to a place called the Garms Clinic.” He adds that it will be common knowledge in the morning because Lisa is a reporter.
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Paul explains about the clinic's work
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Alex is stunned that Paul gave away the entire half million, and Paul then asks Lisa if she knows what the clinic does. She says that she doesn't, and he tells her quietly that they are researching a cure for a very rare disease. “That's why they need the money,” he goes on, “there's not much interest in rare ailments,” adding that so far there is no cure, and the disease is terminal.
Neither of the antagonists seem to perceive at all what Paul is saying, Lisa asking, “what's that got to do with my story,” and Alex wondering if Paul is trying to win some popularity contest.
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Paul leaves everyone in shock
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Paul suddenly screams back at him, “I'm dying, Alex!” He repeats the words more quietly, then turns to Lisa and says, “I didn't want you to know,” nodding also at Molly, and continues softly, “I can live with it as long as it's private - as long as it's nobody's problem but my own. So you can help me,” he tells Lisa, saying that they can go to the newspaper, but before he finishes the sentence, she has pulled out the still unsubmitted story from her bag, and hands it to him, saying “forgive me.” He bids her farewell, and tells Molly to give Alex another chance before leaving the group to contemplate what they have just heard.
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  Notes & Comments: The variety of the demands on Paul give the variety that makes this story work well, and keep it from becoming tedious, with the tenacity of those in competition with Paul having a realistic edge.
The brief insight into his own feelings about his predicament is revealing, and occasionally, a bit more of this would give more continuity to what is basically an anthology series.
and watch a video clip from the episode on the same page!
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Collin Wilcox
as Lisa Rand
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Bruce Dern as
Alex Ryder
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Jack Albertson
as Joe Murray
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Anne Helm as
Molly Pierce
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Rosemary Murphy
as Mary Herrick
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Tod Andrews
as Andy Herrick
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Robert Donner
as Scully
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John Davis Chandler
as Dr. Walker
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Robert Cross
as the Hotel Clerk
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Jack Krupnick
as First Reporter
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Hazel Keener as
Marge Murray
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