Two observations the corpse is rather co-operative when he is being dragged into the sewer, don't you think? And Hitchcock's opening and closing monologues are unusually very long here.Before departing for France to film To Catch a Thief in early 1954, Hitchcock handed the novel to John Michael Hayes to begin an adaptation. The not-quite-altogether stable daughter is a bit scatty but her character is well played by Tita Purdom (Tita? That's a real name?) John Williams is just great, as always. let's start with the characters: The father turns out to be a right bastard! But the fact Hardwicke pulls it off so magnificently just goes to underline how good an actor he was. Excitement filled me when after the opening introduction from Hitchcock the screen flashed up with the two lead stars of the episode: Cedric Hardwicke (who starred in my favourite Hitch movie, Rope) and the ever-reliable and always-great-to-watch John Williams. The first episode from the second series is, as was the first episode of the first series, directed by Hitch himself and is a solid entry. But unfortunately this act of betrayal backfires. Good night."ĭespite Princey's assurances to protect Captain Smollet, he telephones the police to report the body he has just discovered in his sewer. Next week we shall be back at the same old stand. Fortunately I still have plenty of olives. Broke the croquet mallet too! I believe I'll have another There's no more vermouth. Thus confusing poor Millicent to such an extent that she re-enacted the crime with her father as the victim. When the police arrived he insisted on his innocence. You see, unfortunately Captain Smollet didn't play the game. The Princey's received substantial sentences. Unfortunately the authorities were not thrilled by the sight and were seen tossing about such phrases as 'obstructing justice', 'accessory after the fact', 'murder in the first degree'. I always find it heartwarming to find a family standing shoulder to shoulder in the face of adversity. "I presume that story was intended to illustrate that blood is thicker than water. If you don't care to join me I think you'll find our play is about to begin on one of the lower shelves." HITCH'S EPILOGUE (1 min 31 secs): Now matter how busy they are or what the surroundings may be, Americans never omit this quaint ritual. And now, if you don't mind, I would like to indulge in an old American custom. As you can see our new quarters are rather modest but we like the location and thought the new change might do us good also. Smollet leaves, promising never to reveal the details of what has taken place, whilst Princy goes over the cover-up with his family. He orders that Smollet dumps Withers' corpse into the sewer - after he has put his fingerprints all over the murder weapon - a croquet mallet and been forced to have some of his hair attached to the deceased's coat. Princey demands that Smollet incriminates himself in the murder or else Princey will shoot him. Not wanting to have his daughter labelled a murderer or as insane, Princey realises that Smollet has a credible motive for taking the blame of the murder. Princey lures Smollet outside before threatening him with a shotgun and telling him the whole story. George moves the body as the two of them clear the crime scene. Princey and his son George make an excuse and leave the room to attend to the corpse of the deceased schoolmaster who is lying outside in the barn. He catches the tail end of what is being said when Smollet confesses he too he has a motive for wanting to kill the schoolmaster because the schoolmaster was the subject of desire of the woman Smollet was in love with. The conversation is suddenly interrupted by family friend Captain Smollet (John Williams) who enters the room just as Princey is considering a plot to cover up the murder. Millicent recalls the story of how she murdered the guy out of jealousy when he told her he was about to marry another woman. Withers, a schoolmaster she was in love with, her father intends to cover it up in order to protect the reputation of the family, who are held in high regard within the community. Upon hearing the details of how Millicent killed Mr. Princey (Cedric Hardwicke) interrogates his daughter Millicent (Tita Purdom) over a murder of which she is accused. There are some significant plot spoilers herein which may dampen your viewing pleasure later. Series 2, Episode 1 Alfred Hitchcock Marian Cockrell (teleplay) John Collier (story) Sir Cedric Hardwicke, John Williams 30 September 1956 25:05 (total) ĬAUTION: Before reading the plot here, I would advise anybody who hasn't seen this episode to watch it BEFORE reading.
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