| Alias the Scarf | |
|---|---|
| Episode 23 | |
| |
| Production code | 9823[1] |
| Production budget | $112,309.92[1] |
| Air date | February 24, 1967 |
| Written by | William L. Stuart |
| Directed by | Allen Reisner |
| Cinematography by | Carl E. Guthrie |
| Edited by | Noel L. Scott |
| Music by | Billy May |
| Length | 25:21 |
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"Alias the Scarf" is the twenty-second episode of the Green Hornet television series. It initially aired on February 24, 1967. The episode concerns the Green Hornet and Kato solving the mystery of a notorious strangler who disappeared twenty years ago and his wax museum likeness which has seemingly come to life to continue the killer's spree.
Synopsis[]
Peter Willman shows his wax museum's latest additions, sculptures of the Green Hornet and Kato, to reporter Mike Axford. Meanwhile, Willman's partner and researcher, James Rancourt, leads other reporters on a tour of the Chamber of Evil, an exhibit housing sculptures of some of the most infamous killers in recent history. Prior to the inclusion of the Green Hornet and Kato, the exhibit's star attraction was a sculpture of a local serial killer dubbed the Scarf, who would strangle his victims with a white scarf. The Scarf disappeared over twenty years years ago, but was never apprehended by the police. Both Rancourt and Willman's assistant, Paul Garrett, chime in with their own knowledge during the tour. Later, after the reporters have left, Willman is working in his shop when a figure whose silhouette matches that of the Scarf approaches him from behind, strangling him with the killer's signature white scarf. Willman falls helpless to the ground and the figure departs, leaving his victim barely alive. Willman struggles to reach for a nearby phone. Meanwhile, his assailant shambles through the Chamber of Evil, revealing that the spot which held the Scarf's sculpture is now vacant.
Once outside, the Scarf strangles a homeless man and then, with scarf drawn, approaches a female pedestrian who flees from him in terror. The would-be-victim then relates her story to Britt Reid, owner of the Daily Sentinel news service, and reporter Mike Axford, the latter of whom was part of the recent tour group to the museum. Axford is intrigued by her description of her assailant's stiff gait and waxy face. After the woman leaves, Axford recounts that he was at the police station when she reported the encounter and that Willman is still alive, but not expected to live. Britt's secretary, Lenore Case, tells them that a police officer spotted a man near the body of a strangulation victim but lost the suspect in the evening fog.
A police car searches after the suspect and discovers him as he's strangling a man at a bus stop. One of the officers opens fire, but the evening fog is still thick, and the bullet strikes the suspect's shoulder as he escapes. Following this, district attorney Frank Scanlon meets with Britt and Kato, the former of whom is secretly the Green Hornet. Scanlon describes how the public is panicked that rumors are circulating that the wax sculpture of the killer has come to life. A phone call from Lenore updates the group on the Scarf's recent whereabouts and wound. She also mentions that James Rancourt tried to reach out to Mike Axford.
The Green Hornet and Kato investigate the Willman Wax Museum, which is temporarily closed. They find the sculpture of the Scarf present, but with a bullet in its shoulder and blood on its scarf. What's more, the sculpture's clothes are damp, matching the evening's weather. Kato shares that in Asian legend, there are evil beings who are believed to be stirred back to action through their sheer malevolence. The duo search the museum's workshop and find a thick volume containing Rancourt's study of the Scarf. Britt shares his findings with Scanlon and then visits Hazel Schmidt, a former burlesque performer whom the Scarf used to visit. Schmidt reminisces about the Scarf's visits, admitting that she never knew his true identity and didn't believe he was really a killer, because he treated her like a queen. She's also convinced that he must be dead, otherwise he would have reached out to her again.
Following his visit to Schmidt, Britt arranges a meeting in his civilian guise with Rancourt. Ostensibly, this is to commission him to write an article for The Daily Sentinel, quelling rumors that the Scarf's wax sculpture has come to life. However, Britt's real motive is to goad Rancourt into a trap. Rancourt visits the museum's workshop to retrieve his notes on the Scarf, only to realize that they are missing. As he passes through the Chamber of Evil, he's amazed to see what appears to be a sculpture of Hazel, and amazed again when it proves to be her in the flesh. During their ensuing conversation, Hazel deduces that Rancourt is the Scarf and he declares that she will be his final victim. The Green Hornet and Kato, who were themselves posing as sculptures, then leap into action and apprehend Rancourt.
Once in police custody, Rancourt declines legal representation and says that his confession is in his missing research book. Scanlon remarks that he thinks the book will turn back up. Rancourt then questions if Hazel was with him when the police found him. Scanlon confirms that he was found alone, and Rancourt surmises that he must have imagined the encounter with her. Britt and Axford look on through a one-way mirror as Rancourt is taken away and Axford reounts how Rancourt insisted to the police that he'd been attacked by the wax sculptures of the Green Hornet and Kato. Britt says that Rancourt likely imagined that as well. Axford responds that it's possible, but that the police found the two sculptures inexplicably reclining in chairs in the museum's workroom.
Background[]
The episode had a total production cost of $112,302.92. Guest stars John Carradine, Patricia Barry, Brenda Benet, and Ian Wolfe were respectively paid $1,500, $1,250, $600, and $300.[1]
The titles of Billy May's compositions for the episode reveal that the character of James Rancourt was originally named "Irving Klumpfer."[1]
Appearances[]
Cast[]
- Lloyd Gough as Mike Axford
- Ian Wolfe as Peter Willman
- Paul Gleason as Paul Garrett
- John Carradine as James Rancourt, the Scarf
- Uncredited actor as transient victim
- Brenda Benet as female pedestrian
- Wende Wagner as Lenore Case
- Van Williams as Britt Reid, the Green Hornet
- Uncredited actor as Mr. Gram
- Walter Brooke as Frank Scanlon
- Bruce Lee as Kato
- Danny Costello and Jack Garner as police officers
- Uncredited actor as bus stop victim
- Patricia Barry as Hazel Schmidt, aka Veena Rose
- Uncredited actor as Mr. Daniels
Locations[]
- Metropolitan City
- Willman Wax Museum (one-off location)
- The Chamber of Evil
- Daily Sentinel building
- Corner of Grove and Maple
- Britt Reid's residence
- Hazel Schmidt's residence
- District attorney's office
- Willman Wax Museum (one-off location)
Misc.[]
- Scarf's white scarf
- Frank Scanlon's glasses
- Hornet Sting
- James Rancourt's manuscript
- Hornet dart