Kraft Suspense Theatre – “The End of the World, Baby”

by Ted Davis and Linda Kay

Original Air Date: October 24, 1963

Directed by: Irving Kershner

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this episode!

Synopsis: The inelegant pursuit of an eligible bachelor, Italy based sculptor Hugh Myrich (Gig Young), by the shallow and despicable Mother-Daughter tag team of Sarah (Nina Foch) and Daphne Middleton (Katherine Crawford) leads to tragedy: 2 deaths and 1 fate-worse-than-death, the last one through the agency of sleazy pint-sized opportunist Frederick Bergen (Peter Lorre).

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): An orange tabby on an outdoor table is breakfasting peaceably from a pitcher of cream before being joined by Myrich and the unrelenting Sarah, who uses her extreme wealth to try to bribe the harassed sculptor into agreeing to the marriage contract. (Daughter Daphne uses a different currency in her efforts.)

Kraft Suspense Theatre - The End of the World, Baby - ginger tabby cat approaching cream pitcher on table
Kraft Suspense Theatre - The End of the World, Baby - ginger tabby cat drinking from cream pitcher on table
Kraft Suspense Theatre - The End of the World, Baby - Myrich Gig Young and Sarah Nina Foch approaching table where a ginger tabby cat is drinking from cream pitcher

“Who’s your friend?” Sarah asks with some disdain as she eyes the cat. “One of the natives,” Myrich answers, “He’s introduced me to some very interesting back alleys.”

Kraft Suspense Theatre - The End of the World, Baby - Myrich Gig Young and Sarah Nina Foch sitting at table where a ginger tabby cat is drinking from cream pitcher

Myrich pets the cat briefly before the impatient predator (i.e. Sarah) grabs the cat rudely and tosses him from the table, interrupting his meal.

Kraft Suspense Theatre - The End of the World, Baby - Myrich Gig Young and Sarah Nina Foch who removes a ginger tabby cat from table
Kraft Suspense Theatre - The End of the World, Baby - Myrich Gig Young and Sarah Nina Foch who removes a ginger tabby cat from table animated gif

Final Mewsings: Daughter Daphne provided numerous clues to her lack of character, but a single example will serve for Mother Sarah — her mistreatment of Myrich’s feline friend.

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