I thought it'd be cool to include that hypno-dealie thing at the beginning of the episode.
The story takes place here, at the Sunnyvale Rest, Home For The Aged...
In the background there is a choice 1953 Ford. David Whitley is there to talk to his dad, Charles, about moving in with him and his family. Charles packs up and is ready to go with his son when he finds out that the answer is no, the place is too small and they are expecting a new baby. Charles gets out of the car and waves bye to his son. Then he notices some children playing Kick The Can (a version of Hide And Seek) across the street.
The others at the home watch as Charles gets shut down.
Charles, played by the talented Ernest Truex, is nostalgic about his youth. He goes over and picks up the can and has a sit under a tree. A little fun fact, his son David was played by his real son, actor Barry Truex.
Long intro!
At the home with Charles is Ben, played by Russell Collins, his best friend since their childhood. Charles talks about how he thinks the the secret of youth is actually in the form of children's games. Ben keeps telling him that's silly, there is no way to stop aging. But Charles insists and starts acting out in children's antics.
Ben is concerned and goes to see Sunnyvale Superintendent Cox about how Charles is starting to act The Supe tells Ben that Charles is getting senile and if it doesn't stop acting out, they will have to isolate him. Ben goes back and tells his friend that he needs to straighten up and fly right or he'll be asking for trouble...
But, Charles struts around like a 10 year old and goes into the yard and runs through the sprinkler. Look at the faces on his room mates!
I like this shot of all the residents sleeping in one big room.
Anyway, Charles starts quietly waking up the sleepy heads, he has something very important to tell them.
So, they all meet (except Ben) and Charles brings up all the games they used to play when they were young. Eventually, they all agree to a plan Charles has proposed.
Charles goes back and begs Ben to join their game, but Ben just can't believe what he's telling him and will not participate...
The gang quietly comes out of the room and notice the night nurse downstairs.
Acting like kids, they create a diversion! These firecrackers will work, just drop them out the window to the ground, and...
The Night Nurse hears the noise and runs outside, the gang piles out of the building.
Ben goes to the Superintendent and they run outside. There they only see children running around, but where are the residents?
One kid comes out to kick the can and Ben recognizes him, it's Charlie, his best friend from their youth. Ben calls to him.. Charlie, don't you recognize me? It's Benny, remember? Please, take me with, please, take me with you! But Charlie doesn't understand and runs away, back to his friends playing games. Poor Ben.
It's a fanciful story to be sure, but, there's something to be said about being a child. I remember playing Hide And Seek with like 15 cousins (early fifties) in the country, one of my fondest memories of when I was a kid.
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