District attorney Martin Ross, who's running for governor, learns that his brother, Richard, has killed the other candidate, Burton Reeves.District attorney Martin Ross, who's running for governor, learns that his brother, Richard, has killed the other candidate, Burton Reeves.District attorney Martin Ross, who's running for governor, learns that his brother, Richard, has killed the other candidate, Burton Reeves.
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Storyline
Did you know
- GoofsIn the afterword, Alfred Hitchcock refers to Mrs. Kopeck (Lisa Golm) as "Mrs. Grant." ("Needless to say, Mrs. Grant was brought to trial...")
- Quotes
[introduction]
Alfred Hitchcock: [Hitchcock is wearing a bowler hat and a gaudy cravat while holding a vintage riding crop with both hands as he leans against a coin-operated mechanical horse; he speaks in an affected pompous accent throughout] Good evening. I firmly believe that everyone should indulge now and then in some form of athletic sport, don't you? Personally, I don't require much exercise, since I lead a very Spartan existence. But when I do, I find my needs are adequately filled by such sports as riding or reading the less violent portions of the Sunday papers. Of course, for a true test of bodily coordination, I think there's nothing better than lying in a hammock, but I suppose that would only appeal to those of you who enjoy living dangerously. As for tonight's play, it is called, "My Brother, Richard" and it begins in a country club. By the way, golf is one game I've never cared much for. I don't like the paperwork. I find adding up my strokes too fatiguing.
- SoundtracksFuneral March of a Marionette
Written by Charles Gounod
It was a shame though that "My Brother Richard" just didn't quite come together. It is marginally better than the previous episode "Nightmare in 4D", but a season and series high point it is certainly not and the flaws being that and this are not too dissimiliar. There are worse episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', including "Nightmare in 4D", but of the uneven Season 2 "My Brother Richard" is in the lesser end. It is not a fair representation of Daugherty, whereas "The Belfry" and "The Creeper" show a strong director at his best, and not worthy of him.
There are good things, none of the 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes are irreedeemable. Royal Dano and Harry Townes do very valiant and really quite good work in their roles, with Dano surprising me after feeling he would be too lightweight (he wasn't). Good dynamic between them. The episode does start off very neatly and intriguingly.
Production values are not exceptional, but are solid and has some atmospheric photography. Did like the typically dry Hitchcock bookending and the theme tune (Gounod's "Funeral March of a Marionette") fits the tone of the series like a glove.
So much in "My Brother Richard" could have been done better. It was in need of a lot more tension, due to everything being obvious too early, and the second half is convoluted nonsense in particular. The ending is another one that is completely unbelievable. There is also no energy, due to the lack of tension and suspense and the sluggish pace.
And also because the writing is too talky and at times awkward. Daugherty directs as if he was not really interested in the material. And what a waste of Inger Stevens in an absolutely nothing role, she was a much better actress than what was shown here where she comes over as too much of two expressions-like.
Concluding, average, bland and silly. 5/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jun 1, 2022
Details
- Runtime30 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1