APPOINTMENT WITH ADVENTURE: RIDE THE COMET (TV)

Summary

One in this live dramatic anthology series of adventures set in various American and international locales. A race-car driver named Buck Malloy suffers tragedy when he crashes in the middle of a race as his manager Dan Spalding and his sister Gerri Malloy look on in horror. Buck doesn't survive the crash and Dan insists that his engine is not to blame for the crash. Gerri becomes suspicious when a gangster named Vince Marshall approaches Dan after the race, claiming that he has business with him. Dan ignores him and tries to comfort Gerri, who now believes that Dan sabotaged Buck's car so that the car owned by Vince could place first in accordance with a deal. Dan insists that isn't the case and intends to prove it by racing the Red Comet, a car identical to the one Buck drove, in a big upcoming race and beat Vince's car. Dan brings in another driver, Wedge Johnson, to inspect the Red Comet. Wedge is impressed by the car and Dan convinces him to sign a contract. Vince visits Dan, informing him of the truth: Buck sold his interest in Dan's car to Vince and arranged to have Vince bet against him. In his attempt to throw the race, his crash got out of hand and he died. Vince gives the winnings from Buck's bet to Dan, along with his contract. Gerri sees Vince give Dan the money, reinforcing her suspicions. Dan can't bring himself to tell her the truth, as he doesn't want to damage her image of Buck. She warns Wedge not to sign with Dan, fearing that he may suffer a similar fate as Buck, but he signs anyway. When Dan can't offer her a full explanation for the money, Gerri walks out on him. Wedge starts becoming suspicious about Dan's interactions with Vince. On the day of the race, Gerri arrives at the track and begs Wedge not to race, but he ignores her. The race progresses and Wedge eventually seizes a commanding lead. In the final leg of the race Wedge pulls in to the pit complaining about engine trouble and a component of the engine bursts. This convinces Wedge that Gerri was right and he's being set up to crash. Dan angrily smacks him in the head and in a fury reveals the truth about what happened to Buck to Wedge and Gerri. Wedge still refuses to finish the race, and so Dan takes his place, managing to win the race by a narrow margin. Gerri realizes the truth and forgives him. Includes commercials.

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