It's like there's a cluster of episodes around here where the theme is psychedelics or psychedelic therapy. Funny I had never noticed this before finding this website. I love how the episodes are ordered and cross referenced here. It makes it easier to pick out such things, a lot easier.

Mrs. Mallory inexplicably loses the use of her hands following the death of her husband. After meeting a woman in Central Park who has lost the use of her legs, Mrs. Mallory tries the woman's doctor. The results are surprising.

(Interesting, strangely relevant to today story twist) Mrs. Mallory is a wealthy New Yorker with a pair of paralyzed hands. She's sometimes abrupt and curt (i.e. at one point in the story to a bicyclist who runs into an acquaintance of hers) but not heartless (talking to a child who is fascinated by her hands. The RMT always used grown women to play children on their episodes, didn't they?). The "acquaintance" I refer to is a woman who says she's living with her brother from Ohio, and is paralyzed from an auto accident. She says she's found a "Dr. Griff" who has a special treatment...essentially, he's a faith healer. Her brother is constantly berating her for even thinking about going with his treatment, but finally acquiesces. Unsure about Dr. Griff's validity (especially after consulting with her own trusted physician) Mrs. Mallory visits his office to speak with him and admits she's somewhat unsure of his methods. Then, who should walk in but her acquaintance...she's cured. (?) Mrs. Mallory has a whole new outlook on Dr. Griff's methods and wants him to treat her now but there's one problem...he's being paid a lot of money by a "Muslim leader" in Africa to take his services there for the next year...

An interesting tale with a twist at the end I found hard to predict until very late in the episode. Mrs. Mallory suffers from a paralysis of the hands onset shortly after her husband’s death. Doctors are unable to find a cure and tell her it may be psychosomatic, a diagnosis she finds distasteful and insulting. She meets another woman suffering from similar conditions who is seeking help from a Dr. Grif who uses psychedelic drugs and the powers of suggestion and, when the woman is seen later cured of her affliction, she seeks the out the doctor and his miracle cure. The word GRIFTER means, “money made dishonestly. A confidence game.” Could it be that Dr. Grif’s name is no coincidence? A surprise ending gives this episode a strong conclusion.

In fact, I saw this ending coming a mile away (for once). Confidence games are rather common. Considering the nature of Ida Mallory's disability, there should have been a few more characters in this one. Someone has to drive her; someone has to feed her. Sitting in the park alone wouldn't be wise and would barely be feasible. Crime drama, no supernatural elements.

This was an easy episode to listen to. The story just seemed to flow. Harry Slessor did a nice job writing the script. Also, I frequently criticize Mystery Theater for miscasting older actors for youner parts. Celeste Holm, an actress of my grandparents generation, was appropriately cast as Mrs. Mallory. 4 stars.

Not a bad episode about nothing supernatural. I don't understand how someone who hasn't been able to use their hands in 5 years all of the sudden can rip up photographs (not plain paper, but harder to rip photographs), but I guess that is beside the point at the end of the episode. So, it sounds like she would get her money back (if she wanted it) while the grifters likely go to jail. Perhaps she would try to help them out since they helped her, who knows?

Paul, can you edit out the commercials and News from the 1974 episodes? Hard to listen with all that.

I agree. A little of that is fun for nostalgia, but they're pretty grating when they pile up. Most eps have been cleaned of that. I know some will be annoyed by that, but I'm all for it! (Especially I'm glad the commercials are removed. The news was more interesting, but, still, I like the tighter presentation without.)

The commercial are one of the best things about these awesome story's.

I absolutely LOVE hearing the commercials.

I'm enjoying hearing about the Watergate Scandal. Excellent news coverage.

After giving up all hope of having her paralyzed hands cured, Ida Mallory, a wealthy widow, meets a young woman whose spine is paralyzed. Ida hears about the amazing Dr. Griff who thinks he can cure Melinda West’s spine with the “Water of Faith,” a very expensive drug. When Melinda begins to walk again, Ida decides to pay the doctor anything he wants if he’ll cure her too. Fortunately, Ida’s personal physician is skeptical.

A tale of grifters, like the name Dr Griff, a giveaway. Could see where this was heading, a lone woman with money and a miraculous cure possible? She is cured because her illness was due to psychological issues, which she fought against with her doctor. The mind is a mystery after all. A good story with good characters, although Mallory being alone all the time, who drove her, who opened doors? Worth a listen and thanks for leaving the news and commercials in!

I love this one. I love the hot dogs in the park. I love Evie Juster as a little boy. I love the ratty couple.

Good stuff! I enjoyed this episode and despite what EG said at the end of the last episode about not expecting happy endings this one delivers. Am loving the news and commercials. I believe there was one by Bob and Ray at the end of this episode. I also appreciate that there were worker rights discussed on the news...

Dr. Grift and Dr. Merit - one bad and one good

I hated that stupid widow so much by the end I really wanted the obvious grifters to take her for all her money. I hope the woman who played the boy in the park was punished. (I'm certain she wasn't, but what she inflicted on my ears with that grating performance deserves punishment.)

This is another gripping tale starring my favorite fairy godmother, Celeste Holm ! CBSMT gave us very unique bedtime stories to enhance our imaginations and appreciate some of the best actors of the 20th Century. The producers cast several Oscar winners in prominent roles, including Broadway’s original Ado Annie, whose warmly lovely voice captures our empathy. Ms. Holm’s performance, along with the consistently creepy diction of Arnold Moss, more than compensate for the annoying “child” characterizations briefly heard. Predictable or not, the play’s lead actors keep the audience hooked to the conclusion, with EG Marshal’s epilogue as the satisfying coda.