Route 66 – “Shadows of an Afternoon”

Route 66 Season Three DVD

Original Air Date: May 17, 1963
Starring: Martin Milner, Glenn Corbett, Miriam Hopkins
Directed by: Elliot Silverstein

Synopsis: Tod (Martin Milner) and Linc (Glenn Corbett) are living in Florida when an older neighbor named Leona Bowers (Miriam Hopkins) accuses Linc of hurting a dog.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): In the beginning of the episode the dog, a dachsund whose name is Billie Jo, is seen running along a sidewalk and stops in front of a chain link fence surrounding a yard where two little girls are playing jacks. A large ginger tabby cat is lying on the lawn.

Route 66 - Shadows of an Afternoon - tabby cat on lawn behind chain link fence with two girls

Route 66 - Shadows of an Afternoon - tabby cat lying on lawn

Billie Jo barks at the cat, whose name we later learn is Thomas. Thomas looks hot and miserable and just meows back pitifully.

Route 66 - Shadows of an Afternoon - tabby cat meowing on lawn

Route 66 - Shadows of an Afternoon - tabby cat meowing on lawn animated gif

When Billie Jo barks more, Thomas gets fed up and snaps at him (in truth the cat barely moves). The dog turns and runs away back down the sidewalk.

Route 66 - Shadows of an Afternoon - tabby cat moving on lawn

Route 66 - Shadows of an Afternoon - tabby cat on lawn scares Dachsund way animated gif

Later after Linc has been accused of hurting the dog, Tod is walking door to door looking for anyone who can shed some light on how Billie Jo was actually injured. He pauses in front of the yard where the two little girls are again playing and Thomas is spread out on the lawn.

Route 66 - Shadows of an Afternoon - Tod Martin Milner stopping in front of yard with tabby cat on lawn and two girls

As Tod turns to enter the yard, the cat is rolling on his back.

Route 66 - Shadows of an Afternoon - Tod Martin Milner walking in front of yard with tabby cat rolling on lawn and two girls

By the time Tod is inside the yard approaching the girls Thomas is making for the shade. For those interested, Thomas didn’t hurt Billie Jo directly, either. The dog’s injuries were caused by an accident.

Route 66 - Shadows of an Afternoon - tabby cat heading to shade on lawn with two girls

It is very likely that this is cat actor Orangey in one of his many television roles.

Route 66 - Shadows of an Afternoon - tabby cat possibly Orangey on lawn

Final Mewsings: Animal actors don’t like working in the hot sun.


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