Fabulous dark comedy, and directed by the master himself, which always is a treat. Yes I agree, there's a touch of Edgar Allen Poe in this little masterpiece, kind of in the tradition of all those insane Poe revivals that producer Roger Corman would soon do, starring the great Vincent Price. This episode may have inspired Corman, to a degree.
Lawrence Harvey, soon to become a Hollywood star in such classics as BUTTERFIELD 8 and SUMMER AND SMOKE, plays --of all things -- a chicken farmer who has an unfaithful, but beautiful lady friend (best played by Hazel Court). She finally comes back home, but he's a bit wiser now and enjoys strangling chickens. She's NEXT.
Excellent writing by series pro James Cavanagh, who also did some macabre writing for Boris Karloff's tv series. With Hitchcock and Karloff on your resume, how can you lose? Additional talented British support from veteran actor and director Robert Douglas as the police inspector and Patrick Macnee as Sergeant Theron, shortly before his debut on the AVENGERS. You simply cannot overlook this cast.
According to production notes, this was the first episode produced at Universal Studios, only a few miles away from the old Republic Studios where the first four seasons were filmed. It was a smart move as future episodes would use the studios expansive backlot, especially Hitchcock's hour long series. Also more convenient for Hitch so he would be closer to his film projects, at the time working on NORTH BY NORTHWEST and next, PSYCHO.
A dynamic start to the 5th Season. Recommended late night entertainment with a cup of tea. Remastered dvd box set. 5 dvds. Released January 2012.
Lawrence Harvey, soon to become a Hollywood star in such classics as BUTTERFIELD 8 and SUMMER AND SMOKE, plays --of all things -- a chicken farmer who has an unfaithful, but beautiful lady friend (best played by Hazel Court). She finally comes back home, but he's a bit wiser now and enjoys strangling chickens. She's NEXT.
Excellent writing by series pro James Cavanagh, who also did some macabre writing for Boris Karloff's tv series. With Hitchcock and Karloff on your resume, how can you lose? Additional talented British support from veteran actor and director Robert Douglas as the police inspector and Patrick Macnee as Sergeant Theron, shortly before his debut on the AVENGERS. You simply cannot overlook this cast.
According to production notes, this was the first episode produced at Universal Studios, only a few miles away from the old Republic Studios where the first four seasons were filmed. It was a smart move as future episodes would use the studios expansive backlot, especially Hitchcock's hour long series. Also more convenient for Hitch so he would be closer to his film projects, at the time working on NORTH BY NORTHWEST and next, PSYCHO.
A dynamic start to the 5th Season. Recommended late night entertainment with a cup of tea. Remastered dvd box set. 5 dvds. Released January 2012.