by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Elderly actor Charles Gresham (Claude Rains) spends more of his time in barrooms than backstage, but he is always on the lookout for the role that will make him a star. He finally gets that opportunity by blackmailing producer Wayne Campbell (James Gregory) into casting him as the lead in Campbell's new play. Ironically, Gresham has been cast as a blackmailer -- and he intends to give the performance of his life for the entertainment of a potential backer named Nick Roper (Paul Picerni). Without giving away the ending, it can be noted that the operative word in the previous sentence is "life."
