Robert Blake stars as a young convicted prisoner named Tom, who desperately wants to fit in anywhere, with anyone, even if it means being with three other convicts on an impulsive and ill-advised escape attempt. One of the men named Gypsy(played by Johnny Seven) takes Tom under his wing, and though apparently wounded by a bullet, pleads with him to return to the prison before it is too late, as he knows it to be his best chance. When Tom does return, he receives a shock regarding Gypsy that he struggles to understand, but still takes to heart. John Newland meets in person with the prison warden, who relates this predictable but satisfying story.
5 Reviews
"Listen you guys, anybody gets outta here, I'm getting with him."
classicsoncall11 February 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Robert Blake got to portray characters on both sides of the law during his career. I used to catch him quite regularly in the late Seventies TV show 'Baretta'. He makes an appearance here in a One Step Beyond episode that resembles stories that came before, like 'The Explorer' from the second season, but with a slightly different twist. As a prison inmate, Blake's character joins a jail break scheme against the wishes of 'Gypsy' (Johnny Seven) who initiates the plot. Going over the wall, Gypsy is shot while Tom (Blake) and two fellow inmates make their getaway. Tom returns to help the hardened con man and all four men continue on the run, but there comes a point when Gypsy has a heart to heart with Tom and convinces him to go back and give himself up.
The upshot is that the two men who made their escape died in a car they stole, while Gypsy himself never made it after being hit by a bullet. Tom's conversation with a dead man inadvertently saved his life, with the viewer left to ponder how to make sense of it all. Of course there's no way to reconcile the event that takes place, even though host John Newland gives it his best effort to the prison warden (Addison Richards).
The upshot is that the two men who made their escape died in a car they stole, while Gypsy himself never made it after being hit by a bullet. Tom's conversation with a dead man inadvertently saved his life, with the viewer left to ponder how to make sense of it all. Of course there's no way to reconcile the event that takes place, even though host John Newland gives it his best effort to the prison warden (Addison Richards).
The Gypsy sees and knows all
richardann24 April 2007
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILER ALERT: John Newland and the prison warden (Addison Richards) discuss a strange tale.
One of the prison inmates, Gypsy (Johnny Seven) plans a breakout with his cell mates, Abe (Murvyn Vye), Folger (John Kellogg), and Tom (Robert Blake). There is some question as to whether Tom should be included, but at the last minute he breaks out with the others.
The four cell mates get over the wall safely, but as the last one over, Gypsy is apparently hit by a bullet. The men run through the countryside, eluding the pursuing police. They rob a store to get new clothes and guns. Finally, they find a car that can carry them to safety, but Gypsy persuades Tom to stay behind with him as Abe and Folger speed away.
Gypsy is wounded more seriously than the others realized, and after convincing Tom that he should voluntarily return to prison, he dies. Tom takes Gypsy's advice and surrenders to the prison guard at the front gate.
The warden explains to Newland that Abe and Folger were killed in a car wreck, which would have claimed Tom if he had gone with them and, beyond all reason, Gypsy had been killed at the prison and never made it over the wall. They agree that something psychic must have happened for Tom to have turned himself in.
One of the prison inmates, Gypsy (Johnny Seven) plans a breakout with his cell mates, Abe (Murvyn Vye), Folger (John Kellogg), and Tom (Robert Blake). There is some question as to whether Tom should be included, but at the last minute he breaks out with the others.
The four cell mates get over the wall safely, but as the last one over, Gypsy is apparently hit by a bullet. The men run through the countryside, eluding the pursuing police. They rob a store to get new clothes and guns. Finally, they find a car that can carry them to safety, but Gypsy persuades Tom to stay behind with him as Abe and Folger speed away.
Gypsy is wounded more seriously than the others realized, and after convincing Tom that he should voluntarily return to prison, he dies. Tom takes Gypsy's advice and surrenders to the prison guard at the front gate.
The warden explains to Newland that Abe and Folger were killed in a car wreck, which would have claimed Tom if he had gone with them and, beyond all reason, Gypsy had been killed at the prison and never made it over the wall. They agree that something psychic must have happened for Tom to have turned himself in.
Johnny Seven brings it!
porovitch5 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
This episode, like many other Steps Beyond, seemed merely annoying at first. Right away, though, Gypsy (Johnny Seven) caught my attention with his marvelous voice, going on to touch my heart with his dying words.
Mr. Blake, as Tom (Gypsy's protégé) was a damaged kid drifting towards paranoia, bitterness and an early death. Gypsy's words persuaded the obviously impressionable Tom to become a man who would plan and take steps towards a happy future.
Blake had some good stuff here; his character is that of an unloved kid, become a wild young man. I cannot imagine anyone but Mr. Seven as Gypsy.
One Step Beyond would commonly make cheap grabs for viewers' heartstrings - and cheap or not, this episode found mine. :~)
Certainly worth watching for Gypsy, and for his "all this for you!" speech!!
Mr. Blake, as Tom (Gypsy's protégé) was a damaged kid drifting towards paranoia, bitterness and an early death. Gypsy's words persuaded the obviously impressionable Tom to become a man who would plan and take steps towards a happy future.
Blake had some good stuff here; his character is that of an unloved kid, become a wild young man. I cannot imagine anyone but Mr. Seven as Gypsy.
One Step Beyond would commonly make cheap grabs for viewers' heartstrings - and cheap or not, this episode found mine. :~)
Certainly worth watching for Gypsy, and for his "all this for you!" speech!!
Doing Time with Robert Blake
wes-connors8 July 2010
Mature-looking teenager Robert Blake (as Tom) wants in on a prison break, but earring-wearing organizer Johnny Seven (as "the Gypsy") is reluctant to take the young car thief along. Mr. Seven tells Mr. Blake, "You no go." After punching out a policeman, Blake goes anyway, with Seven plus cell-mates John Kellogg (as Folger) and Murvyn Vye (as Abe). When Seven is shot during the escape, Blake hangs back to help him. Seven advises Blake to go back to prison and serve out his eighteen months. The two men grow closer, and experience a life-altering supernatural event...
Later, host John Newland tries explain it all to confused prison warden Addison Richards.
**** Gypsy (5/17/60) John Newland ~ Robert Blake, Johnny Seven, John Kellogg, Murvyn Vye
Later, host John Newland tries explain it all to confused prison warden Addison Richards.
**** Gypsy (5/17/60) John Newland ~ Robert Blake, Johnny Seven, John Kellogg, Murvyn Vye
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