Alfred Hitchcock Presents

On DVD

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             Ask anyone what they like most about the work of  Alfred Hitchcock and chances are they'll reply: "Those neat twist endings of his."  And yet of the 53 theatrical motion pictures Hitchcock directed over his long career, only a handful concluded in such a manner.  "Those neat twist endings of his" are not representative of Hitchcock's film career at all.  They are, however, the very signature of his extensive and very visible career in another medium: television.

            Prior to his debut as the delightfully macabre host of the  Alfred Hitchcock Presents  TV series on CBS in 1955, Hitchcock was a well-known director whose name frequently appeared above the titles of his films and occasionally even served as a box-office draw.  At the height of the series, however, his name had become a household word and his portly figure was recognizable to everyone.  He was the most famous film director in the world, and it was TV, not the movies, that brought him his greatest fame.

            While most other directors of his stature wouldn't have been caught dead doing TV, Alfred Hitchcock decided to embrace the then-infant medium on the advice of Lew Wasserman, president of MCA, the entertainment conglomerate under whose guidance the series was born.  Wasserman viewed the show and Hitchcock's hosting of it as a natural extension of the very successful Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, which had just then been launched and continues to be published to this day.  Many of the series' episodes, in fact, were adapted from stories that first appeared in the magazine.

            Alfred Hitchcock Presents premiered on CBS in October 1955, switched to NBC for the '60/'61 season, returned to CBS in an hour-long format from 1962 to 1963, then went back to NBC to complete its final season, earning a variety of Emmy, Look magazine, Golden Globe, and Television Champion awards for best anthology and/or mystery program during its decade-long run.  Episodes each week consisted of tales of mystery and suspense, horror and the supernatural, the ironic and outright fantastic, and even the socially relevant.  Alfred Hitchcock Presents, which grew into The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, ranks among the top fifty longest-running series in TV history.

            The show served as a training ground for many of today's and yesterday's most well-known acting talents, including Charles Bronson, Walter Matthau, Burt Reynolds, Robert Redford, Steve McQueen, Robert Duvall, Katharine Ross, Joanne Woodward, Gena Rowlands... the list is endless.  Fledgling filmmakers who cut their directorial teeth on the show include such luminaries as Robert Altman, William Friedkin, Sydney Pollack, Arthur Hiller, Stuart Rosenberg, and Lewis Teague.  Of the more than 300 shows, Hitchcock directed only twenty, many of which remain among the best-remembered of the series.

              And, lest we forget, here's a checklist of the writers whose stories contributed so much to the series' consistent high quality, substance, and more than occasional bite:  Frederic Brown, Ray Bradbury, Roald Dahl, Garson Kanin, John Cheever, Henry Slesar, Ellery Queen, Robert Bloch, H. G. Wells, Evan Hunter, Richard Levinson, and William Link.

...and then!

        ... in 1985 the great director  John Houston  introduced a new series of Alfred Hitchcock Presents episodes with...

                    "Between the years of 1955 and 1965, the great motion picture director Alfred Hitchcock, presented  more than three hundred and fifty television dramas to the American public.  What follows are entirely new, contemporized renderings, of stories selected from that body of work.  We are proud to again bring you... Alfred Hitchcock Presents."

        The acknowledged master of murder, mystery, and mayhem, was about to get a new turn in his career, hosting a variation on an old theme, five years after he died and twenty years after the series left the air!  These episodes were not colorizations of the original black and white shows, but entirely new episodes, some remakes of the originals, some entirely new stories.  The introductions by Hitchcock were, of course, colorizations.  The series appeared on NBC during the 1985 season (26 episodes) and was then picked up by the USA network for the 1986 season (13 episodes), the 1987 season (21 episodes), and the 1988 season (20 episodes).  In all, 80 shows were produced in this reprise series.

        So... here's the total of Alfred Hitchcock TV shows:  Alfred Hitchcock Presents (half hour) - 266;  The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (one hour) - 93;  Suspicion (one hour) - 10;  Ford Startime (one hour) - 1; and Alfred Hitchcock Presents in Color - 80.  The grand total is  450!   We have most of these shows and we will have them all!  Stay tuned!  If you need a particular episode or have a question about one, email us.  Be sure to check out our complete episode directory and inventory here on Hitch2001 by clicking here: http://www.AlfredsPlace.com/ahtvepisodes.htm. 

(SPECIAL PRICING is available to EDUCATORS of English, Drama, Film... eMail us for details)

 We are offering some very interesting packages for you, including the following:

Director Hitchcock's Twenty

        Of the 450 shows, Alfred Hitchcock personally directed only 20 of them - 17 half hour shows and 3 one hour presentations.  We have put three of them together as a package at a great price!  See how many you remember and see if you can come up with the endings!  They are...

1   Revenge   Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 10/2/55, half hour:  Ralph Meeker, Vera Miles.  Salesman Carl Spann (Meeker), consistently pictured as a cynical, worried and loving husband, returns to his home in a remote California  trailer park.  Carl finds the house in disarray, and his loving wife, Elsa (Miles), roughed up.  Elsa explains that an unfamiliar stranger attacked her.  Despite the fact that his wife had suffered a nervous breakdown not long ago, Carl believes her, and the two leave together to find the intruder, not wanting to wait for the police to handle things "their way."  Driving down the road, Elsa coincidentally catches a glimpse of her accused attacker, dressed in a gray suit.  Accepting her identification, Carl stops the car, orders his wife to remain in the front seat, and exits quietly.  Putting a coin in the parking meter as a good law-abiding citizen, Carl unhurriedly follows the stranger intro the hotel, up to his room, and without saying a word... murders the man in cold blood.  When Carl returns to the car, and begins their trek back home...  just who does she see on the street?  (Revenge was the first ever Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode)!  This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace  as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

2   Breakdown   Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 11/13/55, half hour:  Mr. Callew (Joseph Cotten), bachelor by  trade, callous and successful businessman by profession, has lived his life believing that only the weak show emotion or sympathy.  Without showing respect to anyone who possesses the quality of standing in his way, Mr. Callew becomes a well-disliked man about town.  At least until he wrecks his car while on a routine business trip, having hit a piece of road equipment.  Thought to be dead, Mr. Callew's body is transported directly to the morgue.  In reality, he is only paralyzed, but the coroner himself believes that Mr. Callew is dead, and begins preparing the tools of his trade.  Unable to speak or move in any way to let anyone know that he is alive, Mr. Callew's one and only hope may be to...  Can he save himself -- if so, what does the trick?  This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace  as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

3   The Case Of Mr. Pelham   Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 12/4/55, half hour:  Mr. Albert Pelham (Tom Ewell) is the owner of his own investment company and a luxurious apartment, and with no close personal ties.  He isn't  sure at first, but he suspects that his life is being imitated (or taken over) by an imposter, who looks and talks exactly like him.  Although Pelham isn't able to prove it, nor has he actually seen this imposter, Pelham dismisses the theory of an evil twin, rather suspecting that more than a purely human agency is at work.  The double is showing up at his job, parties, his bank, and other places representing himself as Albert Pelham, financial wizard.  Reaching the point that his double seems to be taking control, Pelham tries several countermeasures hoping to expose the fraud, all of which fail.  At last, the real Pelham and his double have a final confrontation in his apartment... and figure out the only solution to the identity crisis...  But which one is the real Mr. Pelham?  This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace  as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

4   Back For Christmas   Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 3/4/56, half hour:  Herbert Carpenter (John Williams) and his nagging wife Hermione (Isobel Elsom) are getting ready to leave for work in California.  But  Hermione doesn't want to stay in California, she'd rather be home for Christmas.  Herbert, whose hobby is his "devil's garden" in the basement, plans to stay in California a little longer than his wife thinks.  Just before they leave, Herbert kills the shrew of a wife and buries her body in the basement.  Covering the hole he dug so no one could suspect, Herbert leaves for sunny California.  In California, Herbert tells the hotel staff that his wife and he separated.  Spending warm afternoons in his suite in Beverly Hills, Herbert composes a letter with his wife's signature, telling all his friends back home in England that the Carpenters will be staying longer than they planned.  Just when all seems fair and well, an envelope arrives addressed to his wife, a construction bill for excavating the cellar floor, as part of the construction of a wine cellar.  Completion should be done before Christmas, as a surprise for her husband!   This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace  as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

5   Wet Saturday   Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 9/30/56, half hour:  Princey's, Cedric Hardwicke,  jealous daughter  has just killed the schoolmaster with a croquet mallet after he told her of his plans to marry another woman.  As the body lies in the barn, Princey searches for a way to protect the family name and prevent his daughter from being charged.  Enter Captain Smollet, John Williams, who was intending to marry the very same woman the schoolmaster just became engaged to.  Princey realizes that Smollet would be a perfect fall guy, forces him to go along with a scheme that makes it appear he killed the schoolmaster or he will shoot him dead on the spot.  The Captain chooses to go along with the wild scheme (some choice) and leaves feeling somewhat confident he has made the best of a bad bargain... but has he?  This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace  as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

6   Mr. Blanchard's Secret   Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 12/23/56, half hour:   Mrs. Fenton (Mary Scott), a mystery novelist with an overactive imagination suspects her neighbor, Mr. Blanchard (Dayton Lummis), of  murdering his wife (Meg Mundy).  Her husband, Robert Horton thinks she's nuts.  To substantiate her theory, Mrs. Fenton breaks into Mr. Blanchard's home in hopes of finding some incriminating evidence, but discovers nothing.  For that reason, she is even more shocked when the missing Mrs. Blanchard shows up at her apartment to introduce herself.  Mr. Blanchard soon arrives and escorts his wife back home with him.  Sometime after, Mrs. Fenton sees Mr. Blanchard hauling away a heavy bag and phones the police, again believing Mr. Blanchard has finally been killed, but once again the woman shows up at her door, alive and well.  Suddenly her dysfunctional silver lighter disappears and Mrs. Fenton puts together a new story about Mr. Blanchard being a kleptomaniac.  The police phone Mrs. Fenton to say they have recently found a dead body but when she leaves to identify the corpse, who do you think she meets in the doorway!   Mr. Hitchcock parodies his own Rear Window in Mr. Blanchard's Secret.   This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace  as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

7   One More Mile To Go   Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 4/7/57, half hour.  In a heated moment of emotion, Sam Jacoby (David Wayne) kills his hen-pecking wife with the fireplace poker.  Deciding he has to get  rid of her body, he drags the body of his dead wife into the trunk of his sedan and heads for a nearby lake.  Before Sam can arrive at his destination, a motorcycle officer (Steve Brodie) pulls him over to tell him that he has a taillight out.  The cop suggests that he visit a nearby gas station to have it fixed.  The attendant finds out the bulb is okay and that there must be some defective wires in the trunk.  Sam explains he can't fix it because he doesn't have a trunk key, but suddenly the light comes back on and the cop lets him go.  On his way toward the lake again, the same cop pulls Sam over for a second time, because he forgot his change at the gas station.  Again, the light goes out for a second time.  As a favor to Sam, the cop orders him to follow him to police headquarters, about half a mile up the road, where a trained mechanic can open his trunk and fix it...  This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace  as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

9   The Perfect Crime   Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 10/20/57, half hour.  Charles Courtney (Vincent Price) is one of the most gifted criminologists in the world.  The press goes so far as to call him the "world's greatest detective."  He cannot conceive of ever making an error, his reputation is all too important.  But, he is stunned when in a visit to his home a defense attorney (James Gregory) presents irrefutable evidence that Courtney made one of the worst errors of his life.  Courtney is responsible for the conviction and execution of a perfectly innocent man, because the accused took the blame for his lover.  Now, Courtney must do everything in his power to make sure this information is not shared with the public - and even if it means strangling the attorney and dumping his body in a pottery kiln.  This, according to Courtney's theory, is having committed the perfect crime and can fill up the vacant spot in his collection of memorabilia from his successful cases.  This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace  as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

9   Lamb To The Slaughter   Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 4/13/58, half hour.  Barbara Bel Geddes  has been a devoted wife and impeccable housekeeper for many years. when her police chief husband, Allan Lane, comes home one evening to announce that he has fallen in love with another woman and wants a divorce.  Mary is quite naturally peeved.  So much so that she strikes him over the head with a frozen leg of lamb and kills him.  She calls in the police and alibis herself with the story that she'd been out to the store when the murder took place.  The lieutenant, Harold J. Stone, is further frustrated when he can find no trace of the murder weapon.  Where is it?  What happened to it?  This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace  as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

10   Dip In The Pool   Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 6/1/58, half hour.  Bill, Keenan Wynn, and his wife, Louise Platt, are taking a transatlantic cruise.  He discovers that there is a betting pool on board.  The game involves  buying chances on how far the ship will travel in a twenty-four-hour period.  There's a lot of money to be won and Bill, being a gambler, decides to go for broke.  Unexpectedly, the ship slows down to avoid a storm; the captain had made his estimation before learning of the storm.  Armed with this information, Bill bets $1,000.  Later, however, the storm has passed and the ship is going full speed again.  He must slow the ship down.  He concocts a bizarre plan to jump overboard so that the ship will have to stop to rescue him.  He needs a reliable witness to scream when he jumps.  He finds one... or does he?  This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace  as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

11   Poison   Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 10/5/58, half hour.  Alcoholic plantation owner Harry, James Donald,  wakes up to find that a deadly snake has crawled into bed with him and is now asleep under the covers on his chest.  Terrified, he calls out to his partner Wendell Corey for help.  At first, Corey thinks Harry is suffering from the d.t.'s and refuses to believe him, but gradually he comes around. With the help of a neighboring doctor, Arnold Moss, Corey attempts to anesthetize the snake by slipping a rubber tube under the sheet and pouring chloroform through it.  But when he and the doctor draw back the sheet, there is no snake.  Furious, the doctor leaves, and Corey, mocking Harry with his laughter collapses onto the bed. Was there a snake?  If so, where did it go?  This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace  as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

12   Banquo's Chair   Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 5/3/59, half hour.  When wealthy Miss Ferguson is brutally murdered, suspicion falls on her nephew, played by Kenneth Haigh.  But as he has a seemingly airtight alibi, the crime goes unsolved.  Enter retired Scotland Yard inspector John Williams, who determines to pin the blame on Haigh at an elaborate dinner party given in the dead woman's home.  Williams invites Haigh and a number of other people, including an actress, Hilda Plowright, whom he has asked to play the ghost of the departed Miss Ferguson.  The hoax goes off as planned... or does it?  This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace  as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

13   Arthur   Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 9/27/59, half hour.  A wealthy New Zealand chicken farmer named Arthur (Laurence Harvey) confesses he's a murderer... of chicken, that is.  When his fiancée Helen (Hazel Court) leaves him for another man, he accepts her decision by conveniently enjoying the life of being a bachelor.  A year passes and Helen pays him a return visit, asking for forgiveness.  It seems her love interest didn't work out, and Helen wants to rekindle an old flame, against Arthur's wish to remain single.  Accustomed to strangling chickens for a living, Arthur angrily applies the same method to Helen, then hides her body.  The police suspect him of murder, but can do nothing for lack of evidence.  After Arthur returns from a three-day trip, he finds the police thoroughly going through his house and farm, hoping to find the corpse, but again to no avail.  Arthur bears the police no ill will for what they have done, and even offers them some chickens as a showing of good faith.  They are happy with the deal, as the birds are nice and plump - no doubt due to their new feed, the makeup of which is known only to Arthur!  This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace  as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

14   The Crystal Trench   Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 10/4/59, half hour.  Switzerland: September 1907.  Stella Ballister (Patricia Owens) receives the horrifying news that her husband met with an untimely demise while mountain climbing.  Newly married, Stella asks for the retrieval of her husband's body - but the task proves impossible when the corpse accidentally falls into a deep crevasse, where no human eyes or hands can reach him.  Mark Cavendish (James Donald), having feelings for Stella, stays by her side, a close friend and nothing more, throughout London and Switzerland.  Forty years later (in 1947), still trying to get over the news of the accident, Stella learns that the glacier has moved.  Hiring a crew to help prospect her husband out of the ice, they find the body preserved and untouched.  Stella views the body of her husband one last time, and discovers a horrifying secret... Romantic obsession a la Vertigo is at the  heart of this haunting Hitchcock story.  This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace  as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

15   Mrs. Bixby And The Colonel's Coat   Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 9/27/60, half hour.  Mrs.  Bixby, Audrey  Meadows, has been carrying on an 8-year romance with a wealthy man known as the Colonel, Stephen  Chase.  He decides to end their affair and presents her with an expensive mink coat as a parting gift.  Realizing that she can't bring the coat home without her husband, Les Tremayne, wondering where she got it, she decides to pawn it, but instructs the pawnbroker not to describe the merchandise on the pawn ticket.  Later, she tells her husband that she found the pawn ticket and asks him to turn it in for her to see what the merchandise might be.  She drops by his office the next day expecting to be given the mink coat, but her husband hands her a cheap mink neckpiece instead.  She discovers what he did with the mink coat, is stunned, but is unable to protest!  This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace  as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

16   The Horseplayer   Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 3/14/61, half hour.  Father Amion (Claude Rains) is the pastor of a poor church that is desperately in need of a $1,500 roof repair job.  When the church receives two sizable contributions from a man named Sheridan (Ed Gardner), the priest makes it a point to meet him.  Sheridan is a horseplayer who has been praying for winners and getting good results. Rains points out that prayer shouldn't be used for profit, but Sheridan keeps on praying -- and winning.  Sheridan gives the priest a hot tip about a horse and Rains decides to give him $500 of the church's savings to place a bet on the horse to win.  But before the race is run, Rains has a crisis of conscience and prays for the horse to lose.  Sheridan shows up broke because he bet all of his money on the losing horse to win.  What about the $500 the priest gave Sheridan?  This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace  as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

17   Bang! You're Dead   Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 10/17/61, half hour.  Five-year-old Jackie Chester  (Billy Mumy) has a problem: the other kinds in the neighborhood won't play with him because he doesn't have  a gun like their own.  The solution presents itself in the form of Uncle Rick (Steve Dunne), a world-wide traveler who always brings great gifts home to the family.  Not waiting patiently for his gift, Jackie routes through his uncle's suitcase to find a great gun - in fact, the gun is real!  Jackie goes outside without anyone realizing he has a weapon, and walks around the neighborhood, taking play shots with the gun, and pulling off the trigger several times while aiming at innocent people.  As he continues to put more and more bullets in the gun, the risk gets greater.  Returning home, Jackie aims the gun at the maid who won't play with him, and just as Rick - who, along with Jackie's parents, has been frantically searching for the boy - arrives, the gun goes off...

        "Bang!  You're Dead" was one of the few shows in which Alfred Hitchcock was dead serious in his introduction.  "On rare occasions we have stories on this program which do not lend themselves to levity.  This show is a case in point.  We only hope that this play has dramatized for parents the importance of keeping firearms and ammunition out of reach of children.  Accidents of this type occur far too frequently nowadays and the tragic fact is that with proper precaution they could be avoided."  This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace  as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

There you have them... the 17 half-hour television productions personally directed by the great Alfred Hitchcock and originally appearing on Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

These 17 episodes cannot be purchased at AlfredsPlace as they are available from Universal Studios as parts of Alfred Hitchcock sets and may be purchased at your favorite movie store.

The following three hour-long episodes round out Director Hitchcock's Twenty and are available here at AlfredsPlace, individually or as a three-episode set.  The quality is excellent!  Individually DVD are $14.99 each, or $35 for the set of three on one DVD.

18   Four O'clock   Suspicion, 9/30/57, one hour.  E. G. Marshall, a watch repairman, suspects his wife of cheating  on him while he tends to the store every afternoon.  Consumed with jealousy, he devises a time bomb, set to  go off at four o'clock ~ the time her "lover" pays his daily visit.  One day, when his wife is at the market, he sneaks into the house to plant the device.  There, he is surprised by two burglars who tie him up and gag him - leaving him at the mercy of his own device, ticking away.  With an hour to go, his wife comes home and Marshall overhears the two talking.  Her "lover" is none other than her brother, who was recently released from prison.  Deciding to reveal her secret to Marshall, the two leave for the clockmaker's store, leaving him alone with the clock, ticking away.  In terror, he watches the last seconds before four o'clock tick away, and then the striker strikes, right on time at four o'clock ~ and then...  $14.99.

19   I Saw The Whole Thing   The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, 10/11/62, one hour.  Mystery writer Michael Barnes (John Forsythe) is facing criminal action when his car accidentally hit a motorcycle driver, who failed  to heed a stop sign.  The police gather witnesses who claim they saw the whole thing, and Barnes is forced to show up in court.  In order to disprove the five unreliable witnesses, Michael, having been around enough courtrooms to know how it works, proposes he defend himself, even though he is advised that "A man who keeps his own council has a fool for a lawyer."  During the trial, of which Michael is accused of involuntary manslaughter, the mystery writer cross-examines the witnesses, breaking down their testimonies one-by-one, proving to the jury that none of them really saw the whole thing.  Finally, George Peabody is called in as a witness.  He was the only one who really saw the whole thing.  Which is lucky for Michael's wife and new baby, who might have had to go through the whole ordeal, if Michael never decided to take matters into his own hands... Why?  What was the real story?   $14.99.

 

20   Incident At A Corner   Ford Startime, 4/5/60, one hour.  COLOR.  Vera Miles.  In this only color  teleplay  by Alfred Hitchcock, he tells a powerful story of the devastating effects of gossip in a small town.  Through his most elaborate and ambitious telefilm, Hitchcock sensitively shows the cancerous effects, the pain and tension arising from false accusation.  Remarkably, this film remained unseen for nearly four decades since its original broadcast.  Remastered from a 35mm interpositive, the Museum of Television and Radio made this gem available.  The quality is outstanding - hard to believe it was filmed more than 40 years ago!   $14.99.

First class shipping in the US for the DVD is $2.38.   Priority shipping in the US for the DVD is $4.95.   Air shipping outside the US is $3.00.

(SPECIAL PRICING is available to EDUCATORS of English, Drama, Film... eMail us for details)

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net

PayPal welcome or send Money Order or Check to: Al Chafin, 116 Bay Hill Ct, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082-3602.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents Sets

COLOR  and  BLACK&WHITE

Now in DVD & Video!

            In 1985, twenty years after  Alfred Hitchcock Presents left the air and ten years after the death of Alfred Hitchcock, the NBC network commissioned Universal Studios to take the scripts of the original Alfred Hitchcock Presents and film entirely new shows of the most popular episodes... and in COLOR!  They colorized the original Alfred Hitchcock introductions, however, of course.

            Further, In the years 1979 through 1988, in the United Kingdom, "Tales Of The Unexpected" (TU), hosted by Hitchcock favorite writer Roald Dahl, produced 14 of the stories by Dahl in color which had previously appeared on Alfred Hitchcock television.  Further again, from 1985 through 1992, "The Ray Bradbury Theatre" (RB) produced in color 5 stories written and hosted by another Hitchcock favorite, Ray Bradbury, which had previously been produced on Alfred Hitchcock television.

            We have created sets of your favorite shows, presenting both the Black & White version and the Color version on the same DVD or video!  These sets have been produced in the SP quality mode and come in a Collector's plastic case.  Only  $19.99 DVD or Video the set of two, or $24.99 where there is available a set of three.   First Class shipping in the US for either is $2.38.  Priority mail is $4.95.  Airmail to other countries is $3.00. 

To order please email:  chafin@comcast.net

(SPECIAL PRICING is available to EDUCATORS of English, Drama, Film... eMail us for details)

PayPal welcome (Paypal edress: chafin@comcast.net .)  or send Money Order or Check to: Al Chafin, 116 Bay Hill Ct, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082-3602.

And So Died Riabouchinska
 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):   After a stranger named Ockham tries unsuccessfully to get in to see Fabian (Claude Rains), the half-baked ventriloquist, Ockham's murdered body is later found by the police.  Detective Krovitch (Charles Bronson) arrives to talk to Fabian and his wife (Claire Carleton), hoping to learn something about the dead man's motives.  During the questioning, Krovitch senses that the strange Fabian appears more devoted to a female marionette, Riabouchinska, than to his wife.  The detective also notices that Fabian is strangely attracted to the dummy, so he returns to the police department and begins going through the missing persons files.  It turns out that the marionette closely resembles a missing girl in his files.  When Krovitch presents this information to Fabian, the ventriloquist confesses that he did indeed murder Ockham, as the man was going to expose Fabian's strange romantic involvement with the dummy, which Fabian fashioned after a young girl he was involved with.  But the ventriloquist's confession does not come from his own mouth, but rather from that of his dummy!  Virginia Gregg as the voice of Riabouchinska.  Based on a story by Ray Bradbury.  Directed by Robert Stevenson.  First aired half hour 9/27/1959.  This episode cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

COLOR version (Ray Bradbury Theatre):  An outspoken marionette provides clues to a murder when a detective (Jean-Pierre Kalfon) interrogates a ventriloquist (Alan Bates).  Also features Patti Layne, Annabelle Mouloudji, Hilary Staunton, Jacques Berrocal.  Written by Ray Bradbury.  Directed by Denys Granier-Deferre.  First aired 5/28/1988.  This color remake of  "And So Died Riabouchinska" may be purchased here at AlfredsPlace for $14.99,  DVD.

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net  

Anniversary Gift
 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):   In a comedy of errors, Hermie Jensen (Harry Morgan) has been a slave to his animal-loving woman day in and day out.  Fifteen years of marriage to Myra (Barbara Baxley) and all he gets is a weekly ten-dollar allowance.  Hermie would rather fish and drink beer all day like his next-door neighbor, but instead, he had to run errands for pet supplies.  Since Hermie can't trade in her livestock or train Myra to drink beer, he decides to put the bit on her.  Buying a poisonous coral snake, one that instead looks like a harmless king snake, Hermie comes home one day to give his wife an anniversary present.  Returning home a few hours later, Hermie is surprised to find Myra alive and well, complaining that the snake is unfriendly.  She hands him the reptile, and snake immediately bites him, whereupon Hermie falls over dead.  But when the doctor shows up later...  Also featuring Jackie Coogan, Michael J. Pollard, James Field, Maurice Manson, Steven McAdam.  Directed by Norman Lloyd.  First aired as a half hour presentation 11/1/1959. 

COLOR version (AHPC):    Melinda's husband Mark (Peter Dvorsky), a stockbroker, spends more time with his pets than he does with his wife.  Forced to feed the snake, owl, tarantula, crocodile, fish, and other pets day after day, Melinda (Pamela Sue Martin) orders him to get rid of the animals or she'll leave.  But Mark insists on keeping his pets, so Melinda gives up and turns to her friend Allen for support, whom she's been having an affair with for the past year.  As it turns out, Melinda only married Mark for his money, hoping to one day collect a million-dollar life insurance policy.  Her boyfriend, Allen (Paul Hubbard), suggests she buy a deadly snake as an anniversary gift, from a friend of his who owns a pet store.  Melinda does so, and later that evening, hands her husband his gift-wrapped box, excusing herself for a moment while she gets the anniversary cake.  But when Melinda returns home, Mark is alive and well, and tells her that the snake escaped, slithering somewhere around the house.  As Melinda goes into the bathroom to take a shower, the snake curls itself around her ankles.  Mark hears his wife scream and when the police arrive on the scene, the coroner explains that she had a heart attack.  It seems she didn't know... Also features Sunny Besen-Thrasher, Robin White.   Directed by Richard Bugajski.  First aired 2/28/1987.   $19.99  DVD.

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Arthur / Gigolo

Black & White version (AHP):   Arthur A wealthy New Zealand chicken farmer named Arthur (Laurence Harvey) confesses he's a murderer... of chickens, that is.  When his fiancée Helen (Hazel Court) leaves him for another man, Arthur accepts her decision by conveniently enjoying the life of a single bachelor.  A year passes and Helen pays him a return visit, asking for forgiveness.  It seems her love interest didn't work, and Helen wants to rekindle an old flame, against Arthur's wish to remain a bachelor.  Accustomed to strangling chickens for a living, Arthur angrily applies the same method to Helen and then hides her body.  The police suspect him of murder, but can do nothing for lack of evidence.  Where is the body?  Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.  First aired 9/27/1959.  This black & white episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

COLOR version (AHPC):  In this color remake the title was changed to  Gigolo.  Gold digger Arthur Kreshner  (Brad Davis) is heavily in debt, and has twenty-four hours to pay - or else.  His solution comes in the form of a wealthy woman, Sylvia Locke (Sandy Dennis), a pet lover who sings a mantra and grinds seafood in the kitchen every morning for her cats.  Arthur woos  the woman, and Sylvia marries him, against the warning of her maid.  Arthur even tells Sylvia that he has promised a donation to the Society for Protection of Cats, which tricks Sylvia into revealing a secret door where she hides her loot.  Smothering her with a pillow, he grinds her body in the grinder and feeds the meat to her pets.  But wait til you see what happens next!  Directed by Thomas Carter.  First aired 12/15/1985.  This color remake of "Arthur", re-made as "Gigolo", may be purchased here at AlfredsPlace for $14.99, DVD.

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net  

Back For Christmas
 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):   Herbert Carpenter (John Williams) and his nagging wife Hermione (Isobel Elson) are getting ready to leave for work in California.  But Hermione doesn't want to stay in California, she'd rather be home for Christmas.  Herbert, whose hobby is his "devil's garden" in the basement, plans to stay in California a little longer than his wife thinks.  Just before they leave, Herbert kills the shrew of a wife and buries her body in the basement.  Covering the hole he dug so no one could suspect, Herbert leaves for sunny California.  In California, Herbert tells the hotel staff that his wife and he separated.  Spending warm afternoons in his suite in Beverly Hills, Herbert composes a letter with his wife's signature, telling all his friends back home that the carpenters will be staying longer than they planned.  Just when all seems fair and well, an envelope arrives addressed to his wife, a letter which contains a "Christmas Surprise" for her husband...  Teleplay was by Francis Cockrell based on a short story by John Collier.  Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.  First aired 3/4/1956.  This black and white episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

COLOR version (Tales Of The Unexpected):  James Carpenter (Richard Johnson) is a successful doctor at the peak of his career and is also an orchid fanatic, much more devoted to his flowers than he is to his elegant wife, Hermione (Sian Phillips).  And Carpenter is also in love with a younger woman, Samantha (Lynne Ross).  Then a research posting to the U.S. give the doctor the idea for the perfect murder...  Alas for Carpenter and his mistress, the victim has a trick up her sleeve, even from the grave...  Also featuring Laurence Payne, Arturo Morris, Avril Elgar, Cyril Luckham, Andrew Lebas.  Written: John Collier,  Denis Cannan.  Directed: Giles Foster.  First aired 5/31/1980.   This color remake which appeared on "Tales Of The Unexpected" can be purchased here at AlfredsPlace for $14.99, DVD.

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Bad Actor / Method Actor

Black & White version (AHP):   Bad Actor    Bart Conway, Robert Duvall is a struggling actor with a hot temper and a drinking problem.  When he finds himself competing with fellow actor Jerry Lane (Charles Robinson) for the part of a strangler in an upcoming mystery, he invites Jerry over to his apartment to do a little rehearsing together.  Bart gets a bit too into character, however, and chokes Jerry to death.  To cover up his crime, he chops up the body and disposes of most of it with acid.  The police drop by to question him about Jerry's disappearance, but finding nothing amiss, decide to leave -- until one of them looks in Bart's ice bucket... Teleplay was by Robert Bloch.  Directed by John Newland.  First aired 1/9/62.

COLOR version (AHPC):  In this color remake the title was changed to  Method Actor.  Paul Dano (Martin Sheen), a successful but alcoholic actor, wants to take one last chance at screen immortality.  His agent hears about a new script that would be perfect for Paul, and arranges a meeting with the producers.  Confident that he'll land the role, Paul get jealous when he hears  that a newcomer,  Lane Richards (Parker Stevenson), is getting the part.  Richards pays Paul a visit later that evening, asking him for professional advice.  Paul, in a fit of anger, breaks Lane's neck and decides to rid himself of the body.  Using sulfuric acid and a chain saw, he disposes of the corpse.  As he sets out to clean up his mess in the bathroom, his girlfriend and agent pay a surprise visit, forcing the actor to play the role of innocence.  But it seems they have some good new for Paul - the producer has changed his mind and he's getting the part after all!  While waiting for Paul to get ready to leave, they...   Also features Marilu Henner and Robby Benson!  Directed by Burt Reynolds.  First aired 11/10/1985.   $19.99  DVD the set.

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Bang! You're Dead

Black & White version (AHP):   Spurned by the other kids in the neighborhood because he doesn't own a  cap  pistol, six-year-old Jackie Chester, Billy Mumy is delighted when his glamorous Uncle Rick (Steve Dunne) arrives from Africa with a surprise gift.  Unable to wait until Rick unpacks, Jackie goes through his uncle's baggage looking for the gift and finds a gun.  It is real and it is loaded.  But Jackie thinks it is a toy, the gift his uncle told him about, and goes out on the street to play with it.  Meanwhile, Jackie's parents (Biff Elliott and Lucy Prentiss) and Uncle Rick discover that Jackie is on the loose with a loaded gun and set out frantically to find him.  First aired 10/17/1961. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.   This black and white episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

COLOR version (AHPC):  Quite a switch here!  Young Jackie Chester is now a girl, Amanda (Bianca Rose)!  Six-year-old Amanda wants to play war games with her back yard friends, but the other children won't let her join them  gun with some real bullets.  Exiting the house to join her friends, Amanda loads a single bullet into the gun, and then begins wandering through town.  When her parents realize what has happened, they try to find her before she accidentally kills someone, but the little girl still manages to take a few shots at people - but failing to shoot a full cartridge.  As the afternoon progresses, Amanda keeps loading the gun till it's fully loaded.  Finding the boys playing another war game, Amanda is again told she can't join them, and she aims the gun.  Just as the trigger is pulled, Amanda's mother knocks the gun out of her hand.  The bullet just barely misses Billy's ear.  Everyone freezes in shock...  The young actor who played Jackie in the black/white original above, Bill Mumy, is now 30 years old and has a special guest appearance role as a super market clerk in this color remake!   Directed by Randa Haines.  First aired 5/15/1985.  This color remake of "Bang! You're Dead" may be purchased here at AlfredsPlace for $14.99, DVD.

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Beast In View

Black & White version (AHH):   Paul Blackshear (Kevin McCarthy), attorney-at-law, is hired by Helen Clarvoe (Joan Hackett) to prevent a murder.  It seems a woman named Dorothy (Kathleen Nolan) is making numerous phone calls, threatening her life.  A few years ago, Dorothy was set to marry Helen's brother, but the wedding was called off when Helen brought to her father's attention, the theft of a large sum from the family.  Now that the old man has passed on, it was Helen who inherited the family fortune, and Helen considers Dorothy to be a violent individual.  When Paul begins investigating, he finds a dead photographer, who recently took publicity stills of Dorothy.  One afternoon, Helen phones Paul to break the bad news.  Dorothy has paid her a visit and is holding her captive inside her apartment.  With the police surrounding the building, Paul orders the mad woman to surrender.  Only, as it turns out, Helen's real adversary is far more sinister than anyone realized!  (Trivia:  Kevin McCarthy recalled "We filmed that production in just a few days but Joan Hackett - she was a pain. She wouldn't let anyone watch her while she performed. Kept part of the crew outside, because she wanted everyone to clear out of the room when she was performing every scene. Stage hands, lights, anyone who couldn't be necessary to filming. She wanted to be alone and to herself - sincere. That drove everyone crazy)!  This original black & white version appeared as an hour-long production on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, first airing 3/20/1964.

COLOR version (AHPC):  Marion McGregor (Janet Eilber) is an author of psychiatry, who comes home one evening to discover a life-threatening message on her answering machine.  She tells her new husband, Roger (Cliff Potts), that the voice sounded like her dead husband, whose body was never found - but he dismisses her suspicions.  After an autograph session some days later, Marion suspects someone followed her home.  When she hears a man's voice again, she gets scared and runs down to the cellar to hide.  Roger arrives home and from upstairs, he can hear the two arguing.  Roger enters the cellar, looking for his wife, he finds Marion on the floor next to a rotting corpse - the body of her first husband.  When Marion opens her eyes, the same threatening voice from the answering machine comes out of her mouth.  Roger races up the stairs as Marion hunts him with a shovel.  Following her wounded husband into the living room, Marion meets up with three policemen and the same man that followed her to the house (Joseph Ruskin)!  Whoa!!!  Directed by Michael Toshiyuki Uno.  First aired 1/19/1986.   $19.99  DVD the set.

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Breakdown

Black & White version (AHP):   Mr. Callew (Joseph Cotten), bachelor by trade, callous and successful businessman by profession, has lived his life believing that only the weak show emotion or sympathy.  Without showing respect to anyone who possesses the quality of standing in his way, Mr. Callew becomes a well-disliked man about town.  At least until he wrecks his car while on a routine business trip, having hit a piece of road equipment.  Thought to be dead, Mr. Callew's body is transported directly to the morgue.  In reality, he is only paralyzed, but the coroner himself believes that Mr. Callew is dead, and begins preparing the tools of his trade.  Unable to speak or move in any way to let anyone know that he is alive, what can he do to save himself?  Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.  First aired 11/13/1955.  This black and white episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

COLOR version (AHPC):  William Callahan (John Heard) heads a multi-million dollar corporation and is a  ruthless man who has just signed a very important drug contract.  Flying out to Barrero, South America to meet  with his contact, Alejandro Ramos (Andy Garcia) and Karl Schuler, A German-American owner of a plantation, which is in reality a huge cocaine plant.  Squaring the deal off, by setting up Ramos as the fall-guy, Callahan drives off but gets into a car accident.  With the car pinned underneath a bulldozer, and everyone believing that he is dead, the road workers leave.  Unbeknownst to them, Callahan is still alive, but paralyzed, unable to talk or move.  Later that night he is taken to the morgue, and Callahan realizes that he must somehow let it be known that he is still alive before the coroner proceeds with the autopsy, but how is he to do it?  Directed by Richard Pearce.  First aired 12/1/1985.  Fabulous!   This color remake of "Breakdown" may be purchased here at AlfredsPlace for $14.99, DVD.

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The Canary Sedan

Black & White version (AHP):   Mrs. Bowlby (Jessica Tandy), a lonely woman with psychic abilities, arrives in Hong Kong where her husband is in town for business.  Wanting his wife to feel at home, he sends her to a local shop where she buys a black sedan, and hires a chauffeur.  She mentions to the dealer that instead of a black car maybe she'd like it a little better if it were in a lighter color, perhaps canary yellow, a statement that astonishes the man, who explains that the sedan had been canary yellow before the new paint job.  In the back of the car Mrs. Bowlby hears the voice of a woman passionately talking to her lover, Jacques, which apparently ended in tragedy.  After hearing about the love affair, she wishes her own marriage provided such passion, but her very proper and businesslike husband will have none of it.  When she finally tracks down the resting place of the dead woman who once owned the sedan, she is shocked at what she finds written on the tombstone!  Also starring Murray Matheson.  Directed by Robert Stevens.  Teleplay by Stirling Silliphant from the short story by Ann Bridge.  First broadcast on 6/15/1958.

COLOR version (AHPC):  Anne Bowlby (Kathleen Quinlan) has arrived in China during the festival of Ta Chiu, a celebration to appease spirits caught in limbo, because living things refuse to let go of the past.  She is picked up by  Denning (Michael Paul Chan) in an old black car that she thinks is amazing, commenting that it should have been yellow.  Denning thinks her remark is funny since the car was originally canary yellow.  The more time Anne spends in the car, the more she is pursued by the spirit of her husband's mistress, Lin Chin (Adelle Lutz).  Entering a herbalist store, Anne meets Lin Chin face-to-face.  In the shop, Lin mixes a special herbal tea and tells Anne that it will bring renewed passion into her marriage.  Going home, Anne has Paul (Peter Haskell) drink the tea and after enduring a tender moment, accuses his wife of going through his things.  Lin later reveals to Anne how she was poisoned by her brother seven years earlier, which is why she has come to Anne for help, asking to be released from her spiritual prison.  Knowing she must get rid of the spirit of Lin Chin, so her marriage can be saved, Anne learns that to release Lin's spirit, she must burn Lin's bones, exhumed for the festival.  Paul ends up buying the bones and without his knowledge, Anne steals them.  Returning Lin Chin, Anne helps burn them and Lin's soul is finally set free.   When Anne returns to see her husband at the office she is very pleased with what she finds!  Directed by Joan Twekesbury.  First aired 3/1/1986.  $19.99  DVD the set.

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Completely Foolproof
 NEW

Black & White version (AHH):  Joe Brisson (J. D. Cannon), a crooked real estate developer known for holding back information for a price, finds he has little choice in the matter when his wife decides she wants a divorce.  As unscrupulous as she is, Lisa (Patricia Barry) explains that she has plenty of documentation of everything he owns, and she intends to claim a three-quarter share of his holdings during the settlement.  Learning who Lisa's boyfriend is, Joe talks to Bobby (Geoffrey Horne), convincing him that money is sometimes better than the girl.  Bobby, you see, has a huge debt resting on his shoulders and Joe is willing to overlook his past credentials, if Lisa is put out of the way.  Bobby agrees and together, the two men plan the details.  During a trip to Europe, via boat, Joe explains how he'll phone his wife at a specified time, whereas Bobby will take advantage of the distraction and bump off Mrs. Brisson.  The plan goes off without a hitch and just as Joe hangs up the phone, a stranger enters the room...  Produced by Herbert Coleman.  Directed by Alf Kjellin.  First aired 3/29/1965.   

COLOR version (Tales Of The Unexpected):   The very rich Joe Brisson (Telly Savalas) is a self-made man with a number of enemies - including Lisa (Rita Gam), his elegant but dangerously dissatisfied wife...  Also featuring Ramsay Williams, Belinda Mayne, Linda Liles, Douglas Lambert.  Screenplay by Robert Arthur.  Directed by John Jacobs.  First aired 6/21/81.  $19.99  DVD the set.

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Conversation Over A Corpse

Black & White version (AHP):  When aggressive real estate agent Mr. Brenner (Ray Collins) talks Cissie (Dorothy Stickney) and Johanna (Carmen Matthews) into selling their family home, the two offer him a cup of hot  tea to celebrate.  For years he has been trying to obtain their property, which will be worth a fortune once he gains possession.  But during the conversation, the women change their minds and only then does Mr. Brenner realize they poisoned his tea.  Cissie couldn't bear to murder a man, so she didn't really put a fatal dose in the drink.  Partially paralyzed as a result, Brenner watches as the women try several unsuccessful ways to kill him.  Alone for a moment, Brenner begs Cissie to call the police.  Johanna will kill him and blame the murder on her, he explains.  When Cissie confronts Johanna in the kitchen, she denies it and heads to the living room to get rid of Mr. Brenner, once and for all.  Slowly managing to grab a gun, Brenner shoots Johanna dead.  As a consolation, Cissie offers him some whiskey (which contains poison) and he drinks it down without suspicion.  Cissie gleefully smiles since the house will soon be hers, and the police will assume the two killed each other off.  Directed by Jules Bricken.  First aired 11/18/1956.   

COLOR version (AHPC):  When aggressive real estate agent Mr. Brenner (John Vernon) talks Cissie (Barbara Babcock) and Johanna (Kate Reid) into selling their family home, the two offer him a cup of hot tea to  celebrate.  For years he has been trying to obtain their property, which will be worth a fortune once he gains possession.  But during the conversation, the women change their minds and only then does Mr. Brenner realize they poisoned his tea.  Cissie couldn't bear to murder a man, so she didn't really put a fatal dose in the drink.  Partially paralyzed as a result, Brenner  watches as the women try  several unsuccessful ways to kill him.  Alone for a moment, Brenner begs Cissie to call the police.  Johanna will kill him and blame the murder on her, he explains.  When Cissie confronts Johanna in the kitchen, she denies it and heads to the living room to get rid of Mr. Brenner, once and for all.  Slowly managing to grab a gun, Brenner shoots Johanna dead.  As a consolation, Cissie offers him some whiskey (which contains poison) and he drinks it down without suspicion.  Cissie gleefully smiles since the house will soon be hers, and the police will assume the two killed each other off.  Sound familiar?  Original script was  followed quite faithfully in this color remake.  Directed by Robert Iscove.  First aired 1/31/1987.  $19.99  DVD the set.

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The Creeper

Black & White version (AHP):  The newspapers in a small New York neighborhood have been reporting the terrifying news of a murderer on the loose.  Known as "the Creeper," this man has apparently been linked to at least three killings, all attractive women over the age of eighteen.  Such terrorizing has kept the residents scared, and no one feels safe walking alone at night so long as "the Creeper" is still roaming the streets.  Ellen Grant (Constance Ford) is no exception.  She has been demanding that her husband Steve (Steve Brodie) put a new lock on the door, a task that doesn't seem to be at the top of Steve's must-do list, but he does arrange for a locksmith to come and check it out, while he goes off to work.  Ellen's paranoia keeps getting the better of her as she continues to imagine that everyone she meets, and every shadowy figure she see, is the Creeper.  Finally the locksmith arrives at her home to install the new lock, much to her relief.  Relief that short-lived when her husband calls her from work, to give her the latest police news bulletin.  It seems the Creeper has been getting into homes disguised as a.....  Directed by Herschel Daugherty.  First aired 6/17/56.  This episode cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

COLOR version (AHPC):  Fashion Designer Jackie Foster (Karen Allen) lives in a converted apartment, and has to fly to Rome on business, leaving her keys with a friend, Carol (Lori Butler).  She is very concerned with all the press regarding "The Creeper," a mass murderer of young women.  The trip is postponed and before she has a chance to leave, Jackie learns that Carol has been murdered and the keys to the apartment are missing.  A man that she dated once, Rick (Timothy Carhart), has been leaving weird messages on her machine, and scared of both parties, phones the locksmith to change the locks on her door.  But the locksmith explains that he won't be able to finish the work until the next day.  Spending the evening alone, worrying about whether the Creeper is outside or not, Jackie goes almost mad with fright.  Surviving into the morning, the locksmith arrives to service her needs, and Rick phones to tell her the latest news.  The Creeper is posing as a...  Directed by Christopher Crowe.  First aired 3/16/86.  This color remake of  "The Creeper" may be purchased here at AlfredsPlace for $14.99,  DVD.

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Deathmate
 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):  Ben Conant (Lee Philips) is a con artist sleeping with a married woman (Gia Scala), whose wealthy husband has turned into an alcoholic.  Ben is startled one day when he discovers a detective (Russell Collins)  following him.  Believing Lisa's husband Peter (Les Tremayne) is to blame, he informs her, and the two decide to kill the drunk.  To make his death look natural, Ben tries to bring on a second heart attack by starting a confrontation that surprisingly leads to a fight.  After knocking Peter out Ben drags his body to the bathroom and puts him in a filled bathtub. making plans to tell the police that he had a heart attack and drowned.  The detective arrives and doesn't fall for the story, as it was Lisa who actually hired him.  It also turns out that Lisa's husband never had a previous heart attack.  With Lisa now set to inherit her husband's fortune, it seems that she out-conned the con man.  Directed by Alan Crosland, Jr.  First broadcast 4/18/1961.

COLOR version (AHPC):  Carter Talbot (John Colicos) is celebrating his 60th birth and during his party begins to show off so others won't get the impression that he's getting old.  His beautiful (and younger) wife Lisa (Samantha Eggar) flirts with her lover, Mark Taylor (Wayne Best), but even a drunk Carter suspects.  Lisa wants Mark to run away with her but he claims he cannot because of some financial trouble and needs $50,000.  Against Mark's wishes Lisa tells her husband about her love affair with Mark, which results in Carter beating his wife.  Only by divorce or death will she inherit his fortune.  Angry, Mark orders her to go and spend the evening with friends, and establish an alibi.  Racing over to Carter's, Mark fights the gun out of the old man's hand and when Carter falls and hits his head, Mark drags the unconscious body to the bathroom and drowns him in the tub.  Lisa arrives to find Mark in the act, informing him that she just phoned the police.  You see, Lisa has another lover, a friend named Brian, who will vouch for her whereabouts, as they just arrived in tine to catch Mark in the act of killing her husband.  Only now does it dawn on Mark that he has been set up.  First aired 4/18/1987.  Directed by Allan King.  $19.99  DVD the set.

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Design For Loving / Marionettes, Inc.
 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):   Design For Loving    Charles Brailing (Norman Lloyd) has concocted the perfect way to leave his wife (Marian Seldes).  Returning home one night, Charles tells his friend and neighbor, Tom (Elliott Reid), that he has built a robot that looks and acts just like him, and secretly keeps it locked in his basement tool chest.  His wife can't tell the difference between the two, and anytime he wants to leave somewhere, all he needs to do is let the robot out.  As the final test, Charles plans to run off to Rio for a considerable amount of time.  Tom doesn't believe this at first, until Charles gives him a sneak peak through the window of his house.  Sure enough, a duplicate of Charles is spending time with Lydia.  But when he sees the robot get overly friendly with his wife, Charles confronts the mechanical man downstairs, who proceeds to put Charles in the toolbox - permanently.  Story and Teleplay by Roald Dahl.  Directed by Robert Stevens.  First broadcast 11/9/1958.

COLOR version  Marionettes, Inc.  (Ray Bradbury Theatre):  A computer salesman (James Coco), tired of his suburban lifestyle and nagging wife, is offered the chance to gain his freedom without anyone knowing, by being replaced by a life-sized replica of himself.  Also starring Leslie Nielsen, Jayne Eastwood, Kenneth Walsh, Pixie Bigelow, Rex Hagon, Michael Fletcher, Laura Henry, Tom Christopher.  First aired 5/21/1985.   Story by Ray Bradbury.  Directed by Paul Lynch.   $19.99  DVD the set.

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Dip In The Pool
 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):  On board an Atlantic cruise ship, Will (Keenan Wynn) and Ethel (Louise Platt) Botibol debate how they won't have any money left when their vacation comes to an end.  The solution presents itself in the form of Mr. and Mrs. Renshaw (Philip Bourneuf and Fay Wray).  Mr. Renshaw explains a betting pool based on how far the ship travels in twenty-four hours, and Botibol agrees to play the game.  Since the bets are based on the Captain's estimate of the distance they will cover, Botibol bases his wager on his knowledge of an upcoming storm that will slow down the ship.  Unfortunately, he learns only the day after that they missed the storm and ship is able to speed up.  Because of all the money he has wagered, Botibol puts together a plan to jump overboard with a witness that will cry loud enough, and surely cause the ship to stop and pick him up.  He finds a "can't miss" witness (Doreen Lang) and initiates the scheme by jumping overboard - but he didn't know that his witness was...  Teleplay by by Robert C. Dennis based on the story by Roald Dahl.  Directed by Alan Crosland, Jr.  First broadcast 6/1/1958.  This original episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

COLOR version (Tales Of The Unexpected):  William Botibol (Jack Weston), an American passenger on a British cruise ship, is anxious to win the rich sweepstake for predicting the distance the ship will travel in 24 hours - and William realizes that if the captain were to need to go back to pick up a man overboard, then his own ticket should win.  So long as someone (Gladys Spencer) sees him go over the side, there can be no problem...  hmmm...  First aired 5/12/1979.  Also features Bill Reimbold, Elaine Ives Cameron, Davyd Harries, Michael Troughton, Jana Shelden, Don Fellows, Paula Tilbrook.  Teleplay by Ronald Harwood, Story by Roald Dahl.  Screenplay: Ronald Harwood.  Directed by Michael Tuchner.   This color remake of "Dip In The Pool" which appeared on "Tales Of The Unexpected" can be purchased here at AlfredsPlace for $14.99, DVD.

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Enough Rope For Two

Black & White version (AHP):   Joe Kedzie (Steven Hill) is released from a 10-year prison sentence for the  theft of $100,000 and one of the first things he plans to do is recover the money.  Forced to take along his partner in crime, Maxie (Steve Brodie), and Joe's old girlfriend, Madge (Jean Hagen).  Joe is unaware that it was Maxie who turned him in to the Las  Vegas police, a fault on Maxie's part since he didn't know at the time that Joe hid the money before being apprehended.  A hundred miles into the Mojave desert, Joe explains that he buried the money in an abandoned mine shaft.  Now that the hiding place is revealed, Maxie attempts to finish the job by pulling a gun on Joe.  Joe, however, planned well in advance and shoots Maxie first.  One gun shot hits the canteen.  Once Joe is lowered to the bottom of the shaft, he digs up the loot and sends the package up to Madge, awaiting the prize up at the surface.  When Joe starts back up, Madge cuts the rope with a knife.  Joe falls, breaking his leg when he hits the bottom.  To her horror, Madge discovers that Joe still has the car keys, so while Joe is now doomed at the bottom of the shaft, she also has little chance of getting out of the desert alive with no water or transportation!  Directed by Paul Henreid.  First aired 11/17/1957.   

COLOR version (AHPC):  Driving down to China Lake for a camping trip, Scott (Tim Daly), his girlfriend Zoe (Darlanne Fluegel), and her cousin Ray (Jeff Fahey), stop at a gas station to fuel the vehicle.  Inside the store, Ray  buys a gun and then shoots a man.  Although Scott wants to contact the police, Zoe suggests not to, since it  won't look too good for him to be connected to the murder.  Forced to ride along with the murderous pair, Scott learns Ray's true motives.  He and Zoe are going to pick up a buried package, and then head to Mexico with the money.  Driving through a closed Air Force base, the trio stops at an abandoned underground missile silo.  Scott grabs a hatchet and runs after Ray, intending to end the nightmare, but the murderer shoots him in cold blood.  Climbing down the silo to find the aluminum case, Ray sends the money up to the surface.  But just as he climbs near the top, Zoe cuts the rope and Ray falls, breaking his leg.  When the traitorous girl gets into the Jeep to drive off, she discovers that the keys are gone.  Ray shouts up to her, laughing because he has the keys.  With no water to drink, Zoe begins her long trek through the baking sand, knowing full well that there's no help within miles.  Directed by David Chase.  First aired 3/9/1986.  $19.99  DVD the set.

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Final Escape

Black & White version (AHH):   Convicted bank robber John Perry, Edd Byrnes, is sentenced to fifteen  years' hard labor at a state prison lumber camp.   Determined to escape, Perry befriends an alcoholic inmate named Doc (Robert Keith), who is in charge of the prison infirmary as well as the burial details.  Doc presents the answer:  If Perry will finance an operation for Doc's granddaughter, he will help spring him.  Doc's plan is to hide Perry inside the coffin of the next inmate who dies, then bury the coffin in the prison cemetery.  As soon as the gravediggers and guards leave, he will then dig up the grave and let Perry out.  Together, they'll refill the grave and Perry will be free to escape.  All goes according to plan, but then Doc doesn't show up on time to dig Perry up.  Where is he?  Why is he late?  "C'mon, Doc"!   Also starred Stephen McNally as the Warden.  This is one of Hitchcock's most memorable TV productions.  Directed by William Witney.  Fabulous!  The Black/White version was a full hour production on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour and first aired 2/21/1964.   

COLOR version (AHPC):  The color remake was a half-hour production and first aired 10/27/1985.  Another big switch!  Lena Trent (Season Hubley) is sentenced to life in prison for a murder she claims she didn't commit.  Once at Mojave, a Maximum Security Prison, Lena shows no intimidation by another con, Shirley (Patrice Donnelly), who seems to run the prison.  Willing to do anything to get out, Lena's first attempt to escape fails, caught while hiding in the laundry truck and put in solitary confinement.  She meets an older man, Doc (Davis Roberts), who works in the infirmary and offers him the money he needs for a desperately needed eye exam, in exchange for helping her escape.  Together they form a plan.  When next time there is a death within the prison walls, a bell signal will sound and then she can slip into the coffin.  After the burial (the graveyard is outside the prison walls) he will come and dig her up.  Soon after their plans are made, news spreads that one of the inmates dies and eager to set the plan in motion, Lena hurries to hide in the coffin.  Remaining as quiet and still as she can, the coffin is taken outside and given a respectable funeral.  Hours pass... where is Doc...  One of Hitchcock's best - Interesting how they turn a one-hour script into a half-hour production.  Directed by Thomas Carter.  $19.99  DVD the set.

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First Class Honeymoon / Deadly Honeymoon

Black & White version (AHP):   First Class Honeymoon  Edward Gibson (Robert Webber) has never been happier.  Having just divorced Gloria, now his ex-wife, Edward wants to go out and celebrate.  A month after the divorce, Edward's feelings have changed, as he's being  wiped out by alimony payments, costing him more than $2,000 a month.  A possible avenue of escape presents itself in the form of Carl Seabrook (Jeremy Slate).  Carl proposes that he marry Gloria, thereby putting an end to the alimony, all for only $10,000.  Gibson agrees, seeing the long-term benefits, and gives him $5,000, agreeing to pay the remainder the day after when the bank opens.  As a special gift, he will add $500 bonus for a first-class honeymoon.  Arriving at Gloria's apartment to present her with a wedding gift, Edward learns from the doorman that Gloria actually died of a heart-attack the night before, while in the company of Carl Seabrook.  Edward phones to his apartment only to hear from his maid that he has just left on a honeymoon... But with whom?!  Directed by Don Weis.  First aired 6/12/62.

COLOR version (AHPC):  Deadly Honeymoon  Dr. Tom Rigby (David Dukes), Chief of Surgery at Cedars-Sinai, has been married twice before.  Rumor has it that both of his wives died mysteriously.  Only thirty-six hours after they meet, the two get hitched, and Tom gives his new wife Carol (Victoria Tennant), a sparkling new Mercedes as a wedding present.  Ed Wells, an investigator, catches up with Carol in private and reveals his suspicions that Tom murdered one of his previous wives for the insurance money.  When later approached by this odd fact, Tom explains that she died in a boating accident, confirmed in a police report.  Carol remains skeptical until a phone message reveals that her husband just took out a $250,000 life insurance policy on her, which she was completely unaware of.  Returning home the next day, Carol meets her husband's bookie, who wants to collect Tom's $200,000 debt, or the house.  When tom comes home, he finds his wife packing.  Attempting to give his hysterical wife a sedative to calm her down, Carol pulls out a gun and shoots her husband.  At the hospital the next day, the new Chief of surgery, Dr. Parker, is commenting about Tom's unfortunate death... and it's uncanny how much Dr Kenneth Parker closely resembles investigator Ed Wells!  Directed by Don Medford.  First aired 4/13/1986.   $19.99  DVD the set.

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Forecast: Low Clouds and Coastal Fog / Fogbound

Black & White version (AHH):   Forecast: Low Clouds and Coastal Fog.  Late one night when Karen  Wilson's (Inger Stevens) husband has left for a trip, a stranger named Manuel Sanchez (Christopher Dark) begins beating on the door.  He asks to use the phone, claiming he's having problems with his car.  Out of distrust, Karen refuses entrance, forcing him to go elsewhere for help.  Later that evening, she is shocked to learn that while Sanchez was walking to the nearest service station, his girl friend was still waiting at the run-down car, and was attacked and left on the beach.  Sanchez blames Karen for his girlfriend's death, promising to get revenge.  Karen, however, suspects her next door neighbor, Simon Carter (Dan O'Herlihy), may be the guilty party, probably hearing the commotion outside, from the night before.  She confirms her suspicions, particularly when Carter shows up drunk and three boys "save" her from Carter's sexual advances - not realizing that the three boys are the real killers.  Confessing to Karen that they attacked the girl who died earlier that day, Karen will be their next victim.  What the boys don't know is what happens next!  Also starring Richard Jaeckel.  Directed by Charles Haas.  First aired 1/18/63.

COLOR version (AHPC):  Fogbound.  After her husband has left for the evening, a man named Manuel Sanchez (Ric Sarabia) begins beating on Karen Wilson's (Kathleen Quinlan) door.  He asks to use the phone, claiming he  is having problems with his car.  Frightened and alone, Karen refuses entrance to the house, forcing him to go elsewhere for help.  Later that evening, she is shocked to learn that while the stranger named Sanchez was walking to the nearest service station, his girlfriend still waiting at the run-down car, and was brutally murdered.  Karen's neighbor insists she did the best thing under the circumstances, but the opinion is not shared by Manuel, who seeks revenge.  The next evening, Manuel sneaks into her house, as does her neighbor, who make unwanted advances toward her.  Three college boys, friends of Karen's, com to the rescue, and the neighbor is frightened off.  The boys turn out the lights, confessing how they siphoned the gas from Manuel's car, a ploy that worked so they could get at his girlfriend.  Now it's Karen's turn... Manuel still in hiding, overhears the whole conversation, and shoots two of the boys while the other runs off.  A new friendship develops...  Directed by Mark Sobel.  First aired 10/8/88.   $19.99  DVD the set.

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Four O'Clock

Black & White version (Suspicion):   Paul Steppe (E. G. Marshall), a watch repairman, is convinced his wife Fran (Nancy Kelly) is cheating on him while he tends to the store every afternoon.  Consumed with  jealousy, he devised a  time bomb, set to go off at four o'clock - the same time her "lover" pays his daily visit.  One day, when his wife is at the market, he sneaks into the house to plant the device.  There, Paul is surprised by two burglars, who tie him up and gag him in the basement - leaving him at the mercy of his own device, ticking away.  With an hour to go, his wife comes home and Paul overhears the two talking.  Apparently her "lover" is none other than her brother Dave (Richard Long), who was recently released from prison.  Deciding to reveal her secret to Paul, the two leave for the clock maker's store, leaving Paul alone with the clock, ticking away.  As the last minutes pass, Paul unsuccessfully attempts to free himself before the deadline.  The meter reader comes by, but he doesn't even notice him.  A small neighbor boy does see Paul through the window, but won't get help.  When Fran and Dave return, they watch calmly as Paul is escorted out of the house in a straight-jacket... having gone mad from the afternoon's experience.  What happened... what went wrong?  Four O'Clock was one of only 20 TV shows personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock.  Fabulous!  The Black/White version was a full hour production on Suspicion and first aired 9/30,1957.   

COLOR version (AHPC):  The color remake was a half-hour production and first aired 5/4/1986.  Judge Paul Magrew (Kenneth McMillan), a jealous and obsessive old man, suspects his younger wife (Ellen Tobie) of having an affair.  When he hires a private detective, who comes back with photographs of Karen meeting secretly  with an ex-con named Ben (Richard Cox), the judge's suspicions are confirmed.  Presiding over a trial, the judge learns the details on how to make a homemade bomb and hurries home to set one up for his wife and her lover in the basement.  Unbeknownst to the judge, two burglars break into the house and knock him unconscious, tying him up next to the explosive.  When he regains consciousness, he finds himself with only twenty minutes to spare before the bomb is set to go off.  Karen and Ben arrive, find the house ransacked, and Ben leaves before the police arrive.  Later, the police find the judge mad, having gone out of his mind from waiting for the explosion, and he has to be taken to a mental hospital for a little rest and relaxation.  Ben returns shortly after, promising to take care of his little sister, while her husband recovers...  What happened... what went wrong?  Very interesting how they turn a one-hour script into a half-hour production.  Directed by Andrew Mirisch.  First aired 5/4/86.  $19.99  DVD the set.

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The Gloating Place
 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):   Susan Harper (Susan Harrison) wants to be famous more than anything in the world, so she fakes an attack from a mugger and fabricates a story about a masked attacker, which the local newspaper publishes.  The story makes her an instant celebrity about town, but then someone's climbing accident takes over the headlines in the papers.   So to receive more attention, she takes a friend to the same spot she was supposed to have been attacked and strangles her.  The newspapers put her in the limelight again, with the reporters raising suspicion of a killer on the loose, and Susan being the only surviving victim.  When the press starts dying down, she returns to the spot to try to come up with something new, and unbeknownst to her...  Teleplay and Story by Robert Bloch.  Directed by Alan Crosland, Jr.  The Black/White version was a half hour production on Alfred Hitchcock Presents and first aired 5/16/1961.   

COLOR version (AHPC):  Carl Cansino (Stephen Macht) of Action News takes his camera to the site of a brutal murder in the Forest Reserve Park, near a college campus, and reports the death.  The next day, both students and teachers are talking about the murdered girl and one of her classmates, Samantha (Isabelle Walker), becomes intrigued by the attention.  Samantha, you see, is a loner and her parents are so busy with work that they neglect her.  Coming up with a plan, Samantha fakes an attack on herself, which brings Carl to interview her, giving her instant notoriety.  But a few days later, another girl is brutally attacked and survives through the ordeal, taking away Samantha's claim to fame.  A few nights later, when Debbie (Christie Houser) is being chased by the murderer, Samantha answers her knock at the door, but Samantha won't help.  She accuses Debbie of faking the attack to gain public sympathy, and as a result, Debbie is killed in front of Samantha's house.  The raving reporter, Carl, arrives on the scene to search Samantha's house for the killer, and emotionally caught up in the excitement, reveals his true identity.  He knows her secret about faking the attack, which only ruined his chances of reporting a new story... The next day, Carl reports that two more girls have been murdered, and he does so with tears in his eyes.  Watching the heart-breaking report is another girl, looking just as thrilled...  Directed by Christopher Leitch.  First aired 1/5/1986.  $19.99  DVD the set.

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The Human Interest Story

Black & White version (AHP):   Reporter Bill Everett, Steve McQueen, goes to a bar to  interview a  man named Howard Wilcox (Arthur Hill), who claims to be a Martian.  Wilcox insists quite  seriously that he had been imprisoned in an asylum on Mars, but had escaped during the total evacuation of the planet.  Landing on Earth, he had assumed an earthling's identity.  As he and Everett leave the bar, the reporter advises him to go home and not say a word about this to anyone.  Then Everett reports back to his editor, admitting that he'd been forced to kill Wilcox, who had indeed been a Martian, but one who was ignorant of the impending invasion plans.  The editor agrees that murder had been Everett's only option, as those plans must be kept a secret at all costs until they and the rest of their Martian kind have completely taken over the world.  (This show was one of two Alfred Hitchcock Presents episodes starred in by Steve McQueen - the other being "Man From The South").  Directed by Norman Lloyd.  First aired 5/24/59.

COLOR version (AHPC):  Quite a change in the storyline in this color remake!  In a small neighborhood bar, a national football game is interrupted by an unknown transmission, featuring a man named Brian Whitman (John Shea), who claims: "My name is Garo.  I come from the solar system you people call Alpha Centauri.  You must listen to what I'm about to say.  Some of them are here already and others are close behind.  They are going to colonize the Earth."  Maggie Verona (Barbara Williams), a newspaper reporter, witnesses the broadcast and seeing a human interest story, seeks out Brian Whitman.  Knowing her influence with the press, Brian (claiming he's Garo in Brian's body) asks her for help in putting his story out to the public before he is killed by the Alpha Centaurians.  If the aliens take over, all the Earth people will look the same, but act differently.  They're possessing human bodies.  Maggie hesitates at first, but when Brian insists on showing her proof, she goes along with the madman.  After some bizarre obstacles, they reach their destination and Brian shows Maggie the proof she needs for her story.  Returning to work, Maggie reports her story to Everett (James Callahan), the news director.  Brian was telling the truth - there is an alien invasion commencing.  He had the proof and she had to...  First aired 11/17/1985.   Directed by Larry Gross.  $19.99 DVD the set.

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Incident In A Small Jail

Black & White version (AHP):   Traveling salesman Leo Gorwald (John Fiedler) finds himself in a bad situation.  Being locked up in a small town jail for an innocent jaywalking, Leo finds himself in a cell next to a young man suspected of murdering a young teenager.  But an unruly crowd gathers outside, demanding justice, and Leon suspects a lynch mob brewing.  The sheriff decides to move the accused murderer, in an attempt to prevent violence, but the young man knocks the cop out and forces Leon to change clothes with him.  After the boy escapes, the mob rushes the jail, bent on  killing the innocent salesman.  After moments of fury and anger, Leon's life is saved at the last second, and he is free to go on his way.  But then.......  One of the greats of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, also stars Richard Jaeckel as the young man.  Directed by Norman Lloyd.  First aired March 21, 1961.

COLOR version (AHPC):  Traveling salesman Larry Broome (Ned Beatty) gives a lift to a weird-looking hitchhiker, unaware that the stranger just came from the woods, where a young girl was raped and knifed.  Picked up for failing to stop at a stop sign, Broome finds himself in the local police station trying to clear his innocence.  At the same time, his traveling companion is imprisoned for the murder of the girl, and the girl's father gets half a dozen friends ready for a lynch mob.  The odds are not in favor of the police, who are overpowered by the mob, when they attempt to move the prisoner to safety.  Broome soon finds himself at the end of a rope, being mistaken for the hitch-hiker.  He still claims his innocence, but the men hang him anyway.  Just at the last second, reinforcements arrive and Broome is lowered to the ground, choking for air.  Later that evening, with the entire misunderstanding straightened out, Broome phones his wife on the side of the road to tell her that he won't be home tonight - he'll explain his story when he gets there.  And then......  Also stars Lee Ving as the young man.  Teleplay by Henry Slesar, from his own short story.  Directed by Joel Oliansky.  First aired in May, 1985.  $19.99  DVD the set.

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The Jar
 NEW

TRIPLE SET

Black & White version (AHH):   At the Heron Swamp, country bumpkin farmer Charlie Hill (Pat Buttram)  becomes mesmerized by a strange-looking thing, on display at a traveling circus. Sealed inside the clear jar is a strange concoction that defies everyone's description and eager to impress his neighbors, Charlie offers to buy the jar. With all sales final, Charlie takes it home and invites his friends and neighbors to see it. No one can figure out what is in the jar, and every night they gather to sit and watch. Some envision pure horror while others envision romance. Charlie's young cheating wife, Thedy Sue (Collin Wilcox), hates the evil-looking thing and expresses her desire to have it out of the house. When she has an attempt made on the jar, Charlie succeeds in saving the priceless object in the nick of time. People come from miles around to see the jar and it has won him his neighbors' respect. Jealous over her husband's new toy, Thedy Sue gets into a fight that turns physical. In a fit of rage, Thedy Sue opens the container and destroys the contents, resulting in Charlie taking drastic steps to refill the unusual jar... hmmm... A real Hitchcock classic!  Produced and Directed by Norman Lloyd.  First aired 2/16/64 as an hour-long presentation on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, based on a short story by Ray Bradbury.

COLOR version (AHPC):  Conceptual artist Knoll (Griffin Dunne) hasn't made one piece of work worthy of consideration. An art critic writes a really bad review at Knoll's latest exhibit. While taking apart a 1938 Mercedes purchased at a junkyard, Knoll finds a jar with indescribable contents, and becomes entrapped within its spell. Putting the jar in the center of his exhibit, people come from all around to stare at the unusual thing, each seeing something different. One man leaves laughing in hysterics, while another woman claims it makes her sick to her stomach. One man says it's the most beautiful thing he's ever seen, while a pair of lovers feel sexual stimulant. Knoll becomes a huge success overnight and his other pieces sell for large sums. It seems everyone loves the jar except for his wife, Erica (Fiona Lewis), who begs him to get rid of it. Out of jealousy, Erica knocks over the jar and the contents slither away. Grabbing a sharp knife, Erica intends to destroy it but instead she gets into a struggle with her husband and Knoll knows exactly what to do... During his next exhibit, Knoll has the jar back on display, now with a strange - but unsuspected - new ingredient...  First aired 4/6/1986.   Directed by Tim Burton. 

COLOR version (Ray Bradbury Theatre):  A backwoods man (Paul LeMat) impresses the townfolk with a mysterious jar...  Also starring Jennifer Dale, Earl Pastko, John Dee, Billy Morton, Bill Meilen, Randall Payne.  First aired 5/21/1985.   Story by Ray Bradbury.  Directed by Randy Bradshaw.   Any 2 episodes:  $19.99  DVD the set.   All 3 episodes:  $24.99  DVD the set.

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Lamb To The Slaughter
 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):  After the many years Mary (Barbara Bel Geddes) faithfully devoted to her husband (Allan Lane), she goes into shock when he comes home from work one evening, revealing that he has fallen in love with another woman and plans to leave her.  In retaliation, Mary pulls a frozen leg of lamb from the freezer and hits him over the head with it, killing him.  Covering her tracks, Mary throws the leg into the oven and leaves for the grocery store.  Buying a bag or two of food, she returns home.  Dropping the bags as if she just discovered the murder, she then overturns and knocks over everything in the room, then phones the police.  When the detectives (Harold J. Stone, William Keene and Otto Waldis) arrive, she claims to have been at the store when her husband was killed, and found the house as it is.  What baffles the police is the murder weapon, as there doesn't seem to be one.  While they continue asking questions, and searching for clues, Mary almost over-cooks the leg of lamb, and being a good host, she asks the officers who haven't had a chance to eat, to consume the meal.  In her present state, she couldn't possibly eat the meal now, and it would be a waste of meat if she has to throw it out.  Guess what happens now!!!  Teleplay and Story by Roald Dahl.  Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.  First aired 4/13/1958.   This original episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

COLOR version (Tales Of The Unexpected):   An enraged detective's wife (Susan George) kills her husband (Michael Byrne) by smashing in his skull with a heavy blunt instrument - but no murder weapon can be found, and the police are baffled.  The answer to the riddle lies under the detectives' (David English, George Little, Hugh Cross, Brian Blessed, Mark Jones) noses - or, rather, it did until they...   Story by Roald Dahl, Screenplay by Robin Chapman, Directed by John Howard Davies.  First aired 4/14/1979.   This color remake of "Lamb To The Slaughter" which appeared on "Tales Of The Unexpected" can be purchased here at AlfredsPlace for $14.99, DVD.

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The Landlady
 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):  Billy Weaver (Dean Stockwell), a mild-mannered bank clerk, arrives in a small provincial town in England looking for a new residence, and finds a boarding house with thrifty rates.  The landlady (Patricia Collinge) is a little peculiar, but Billy shrugs it off, assuming her rational mind expired from age.  She explains that there are two other boarders, but it strikes him strange that he never sees them.  One afternoon Billy has tea with his landlady, and observes that her pet parrot is not really alive, but rather stuffed.  Asking her about it, she explains that she has all of her pets stuffed after they pass away, a talent she possesses and occasionally practices.  All too late, Billy realizes...  Directed by Paul Henreid.  First aired 2/21/1961.   

COLOR version (Tales Of The Unexpected):   Billy Weaver (Leonard Preston), a 17-year-old Londoner, arrives in Bath late at night to take up a new job.  He finds a room for the night at a bed-and-breakfast house run by a sweet old woman (Siobhan McKenna).  As he signs the guest book, Billy feels sure he recognizes the names of the two previous guests.  Where on earth can he have heard of them before?  As he drinks a cup of tea with a curiously bitter-almond flavor, the owner of the boarding house is telling Billy she is an amateur taxidermist...   Story by Roald Dahl, Screenplay by Robin Chapman, Directed by Herbert Wise.  First aired 4/21/1979.  $19.99  DVD the set.

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Man From The South
 NEW

TRIPLE SET

Black & White version (AHP):  Down to his last dollar, an attractive young man (Steve McQueen)  with a passion for cars, is approached by an odd-looking millionaire (Peter Lorre), who has a flare for creativity.  The millionaire wagers his convertible against one of the young man's fingers, that his Zippo cigarette lighter won't light ten times in a row.  Testing out his lighter a couple of times, the young man gets a feel of the car and agrees to the bet.  Upstairs in a hotel room, the young man is subjected to drinks while one of his hands is tied down to a table.  The millionaire grabs a firm grip on a meat cleaver.  One by one, sweating nervously, the young man flips open the lighter and strikes the wick.  After seven starts with the lighter, the millionaire's wife arrives and puts an end to the proceedings.  Might have been a good thing though, since the lighter fails when he tries to light a cigarette.  The old man cannot wager the car, his wife explains...  Great ending!  Also starred Neile Adams as the young man's girlfriend.  (This was one of two Alfred Hitchcock Presents episodes starred in by Steve McQueen - the other being "The Human Interest Story").  Directed by Norman Lloyd.  First aired 1/3/1960.   

COLOR version (AHPC):  (A lot of fun for Hitchcock fans here)!  The new color episode was shot virtually  offered a  wager he'll never forget.  An eccentric old Texas millionaire named Carlos (John Huston) bet the young man that he couldn't light his lighter ten times in a row without missing.  If the boy succeeds, he gets to keep the sports convertible outside, which the young man tries out for himself.  If he misses just once... he loses one of his fingers - forfeit via a very sharp knife.  Thinking it over, the young man agrees and accompanied by a couple of witnesses in search of action, the four people go up to Carlos' suite.  The boy's hand is tied down to the counter-top, with one of his fingers protruding.  One-by-one, the boy lights the lighter, and the referee counts with  each light.  At the count of ten, the lighter lights, the door swings open and the  flame goes out.  Carlos swings and misses the finger by an inch.  Mae Rose (Kim Novak!), Carlos' wife, enters the room and takes the knife away.  Scolding them for playing the foolish game, she explains that the car is actually hers, because...   Tippi Hedren is the waitress and Melanie Griffith (Tippi's daughter in real life!) is McQueen's girlfriend!  Enjoy!  Directed by Steve DeJarnatt.  First aired 5/15/1985.

COLOR version (Tales Of The Unexpected):  A young American sailor (Michael Ontkean) on shore leave in the West Indies is tempted by a crazy bet.  To win a new Cadillac, all he need do is to make his cigarette lighter light ten times without any failures.  In return, he has to stake one of his fingers.  But what is the truth about Carlos (Jose Ferrer), the high-rolling old man who has proposed the bet?   Also stars Katy Jurado, Pamela Stephenson, Cyril Luckham.   Story by Roald Dahl.  Screenplay by Kevin Goldstein-Jackson.   Directed by Michael Tuchner.  First aired 3/24/1979.   Any 2 episodes:  $19.99  DVD the set.   All 3 episodes:  $24.99  DVD the set.

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Mr. Blanchard's Secret / Murder In Mind
 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):   Mr. Blanchard's Secret    Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 12/23/56, half hour:   Mrs. Fenton (Mary Scott), a mystery novelist with an overactive imagination suspects her neighbor, Mr. Blanchard (Dayton Lummis), of  murdering his wife (Meg Mundy).  Her husband (Robert Horton), thinks she's nuts.  To substantiate her theory, Mrs. Fenton breaks into Mr. Blanchard's home in hopes of finding some incriminating evidence, but discovers nothing.  For that reason, she is even more shocked when the missing Mrs. Blanchard shows up at her apartment to introduce herself.  Mr. Blanchard soon arrives and escorts his wife back home with him.  Sometime after, Mrs. Fenton sees Mr. Blanchard hauling away a heavy bag and phones the police, again believing Mr. Blanchard has finally been killed, but once again the woman shows up at her door, alive and well.  Suddenly her dysfunctional silver lighter disappears and Mrs. Fenton puts together a new story about Mr. Blanchard being a kleptomaniac.  The police phone Mrs. Fenton to say they have recently found a dead body but when she leaves to identify the corpse, who do you think she meets in the doorway!   Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.  Mr. Hitchcock parodies his own Rear Window in Mr. Blanchard's Secret!  This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

COLOR version (AHPC):  Murder In Mind   Julie Fenton (Melissa Anderson) likes to write murder scripts and keeps her ideas alive by imagining things about the people around her.  One night in bed, she wonders about their new neighbors, the Blanchards.  She talked with Mr. Blanchard (Noel Harrison), who was buying clothes for his wife, but when she expressed an interest in meeting his wife, he hurried off.  Julie begins suspecting that Mr. Blanchard killed his wife.  Investigating for herself, Julie gets caught spying and goes home to finish her story.  Ellen Blanchard (Anne-Marie MacDonald) comes by and talks with Julie, proving to the writer that she has an over-active imagination.  After Ellen leaves, Julie notices that her disfunctional lighter is missing, which leads her to believe that Ellen is a kleptomaniac, and that is why Mr. Blanchard is so over-protective for his wife.  During the night, the police answer a phone call placed by Julie, again suspecting the worst of her neighbors, believing a dead body to be Ellen Blanchard.  Later the police call back and ask Julie to come down to the morgue to identify the body.  But Mr. and Mrs. Blanchard appear at the door with her fixed lighter in hand.  For once, Julie is speechless.  Going back to bed, her husband (Larry Lalonde), being fed up with her constant talking, takes...  Directed by Allan King.  Teleplay by Sarett Rudley, based on the short story by Emily Neff.  First aired 1/28/1989.  This color remake of "Mr. Blanchard's Secret", entitled "Murder In Mind" can be purchased here at AlfredsPlace for $14.99, DVD.

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net

Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat

 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):   Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 9/27/60, half hour.  Mrs.  Bixby, Audrey  Meadows, has been carrying on an 8-year romance with a wealthy man known as the Colonel, Stephen  Chase.  He decides to end their affair and presents her with an expensive mink coat as a parting gift.  Realizing that she can't bring the coat home without her husband, Les Tremayne, wondering where she got it, she decides to pawn it, but instructs the pawnbroker not to describe the merchandise on the pawn ticket.  Later, she tells her husband that she found the pawn ticket and asks him to turn it in for her to see what the merchandise might be.  She drops by his office the next day expecting to be given the mink coat, but her husband hands her a cheap mink neckpiece instead.  She discovers what he did with the mink coat, is stunned, but is unable to protest!

  This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

COLOR version (Tales Of The Unexpected):  Bixby (Michael Hordern) is a New York dentist.  Once a month, for many years, his wife (Julie Harris) goes to Baltimore by train to visit her aunt.  She does not tell Bixby about her affair with the Colonel (Richard Greene), a single man with a big house near Baltimore, who is the real reason for all these visits.  One Christmas, Mrs. Bixby gets a parting gift from the Colonel - a splendid mink coat.  So that she can explain the coat to her husband, she devises a complicated scheme which depends on pawning the coat and then 'finding' the pawn ticket... but the best laid plans o' mice and men......  Also features Will Leighton, Richard Hampton, Alan Chuntz, Sandra Payne, Frederick Farley, Vass Anderson.  Short story by Roald Dahl, screenplay by Ronald Harwood.  First aired 3/31/1979.   This color version of "Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat" may be purchased here at AlfredsPlace for $14.99, DVD.

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net  

Murder Me Twice / Wake Me When I'm Dead
 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):   Murder Me Twice   Lucy Prior (Phyllis Thaxter) is hypnotized at a party and while in a trance she acts like a Quaker woman named Dora Evans, who proceeds to pick up a pair of scissors and stab her wealthy - and much older - husband in the back.  After being arrested, the Assistant District Attorney questions Lucy, with a slight disbelief in the art of hypnotism.  Placing a phone call to the Philadelphia Historical Society, Will Burke (Ward Costello), the Assistant D.A. learns that there really was a Quaker woman named Dora Evans, who actually murdered her husband in a similar fashion.  During an inquest, Lucy's defense surrounds the fact that she didn't know what she was doing when she was hypnotized, and burke claims Lucy was in her right mind during the murder.  In order to prove that it was Dora, and not Lucy who committed the crime, Professor Farnum (Tom Helmore) is called back in to put her under again.  Having unsuccessfully tried to blackmail her once, the Professor reluctantly agrees to hypnotize her, and again she takes on the Quaker woman's identity, reenacting the murder scene, killing the Professor.  With all charges dropped, the Assistant District Attorney confronts her in private, pointing out no recording devices, no one close enough to verify what she says, he asks her - just to settle his curiosity - if she planned the whole thing.  The response is quite interesting!  Directed by David Swift.  First aired 12/7/1958. 

COLOR version (AHPC):  Wake Me When I'm Dead   Jessie (Barbara Hershey) and Charles Dean (George Innes) are at a reception given in their honor by friend Carla Robbins (Carolyn Seymour) at her mansion.  Charles' younger brother, playwright Stewart Dean (Brian Bedford) is there, along with District Attorney Walter Lang (Buck Henry).  Stewart claims he can hypnotize a person and bring out their former reincarnated self, and to prove his point, puts Jesse under.  Jessie travels back in time and becomes Martine Saint-Pierre, a French woman suspecting her husband of having an affair with a slave-girl.  While in the trance, Jessie/Martine stabs Charles to death with a steak knife.  Walter, having witnessed the crime, takes on her case, prosecuting Jesse for murder.  Stewart insists it was Martine who killed Charles, so during the trial, they decide to have her hypnotized again to establish her innocence - or guilt.  Stewart once again puts her in a trance, and when she takes on the Martin personality - even speaking French - she ends up stabbing her brother-in-law to death with the same murder weapon.  Carla talks with her friends weeks after the trial, relating how Jessie is doing in a Swiss rehabilitation clinic.  Walter's career is ruined, with his two friends gone.  But actually...  Directed by Frank R. Pierson.  Teleplay by Buck Henry and Irving Elman, based on the short story by Lawrence Treat.  First aired 10/20/1985.  $19.99  DVD the set.

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net

Night Caller

Black & White version (AHH):   Shapely Marcia Fowler (Felicia Farr) accuses a neighborhood boy, Roy  Bullock (Bruce Dern), of peeping at her while she was sun-bathing.  Roy denies it and later manages to ingratiate himself with Marcia's husband (David White) and her lonely stepson, both of whom suffer from Marcia's lack of care.  Marcia gets an obscene phone call and, convinced that it was made by Roy to intimidate her, tells her husband, who confronts the boy.  Again, Roy denies having bothered Marcia in any way and adds that she's probably just looking for attention.  When Fowler goes away on a business trip, Roy confronts Marcia.  She has just had another obscene phone call and is certain that Roy made it.  When he starts lecturing her for being a tease and an improper wife and mother, just as his own mother had been, she grows terrified , grabs a gun, accuses him of making the lewd phone calls, and shoots him.  As he falls to the floor, the phone rings...  Directed by Alf Kjellin.  The original Black &White version was an hour-long presentation on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, first airing 1/31/1964.  

COLOR version (AHPC):  The color remake is a half-hour presentation.  Betsy Van Kennon (Linda Fiorentino), a recent divorcée who just moved into an apartment complex in Marina Del Rey, tells everyone she  enjoys her  independence.  In reality, she still suffers psychologically from her sexually abusive husband.  Late one night, while she is changing for bed, Betsy notices a strange man watching her from across the courtyard.  Quickly turning the light off and covering the window with a blanket, Betsy receives a phone call from the man, asking her to move the blanket - it's obstructing his view.  Although she isn't certain who the stranger is, she suspects Art Toomey (Michael O'Keefe), her neighbor.  As the days pass, the obscene phone calls continue, both at home and at work, and concerned for her well-being, she notifies the police.  But when she explains her problem to a detective (Stephen Davies), he sadly explains that he is unable to do anything other than serve a verbal warning to Art.  Finally Betsy becomes so distraught over the phone calls that she buys a gun and stays home from work one evening, waiting for a chance to rid herself of the pervert.  When Art knocks on her door, asking to "talk about the misunderstanding," she takes advantage of the opportunity and shoots him... shortly before the phone rings again....  Chilling....  First aired 11/5/1985.   Directed by and Teleplay by John Byrum.  $19.99  DVD the set.

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Night Fever

Black & White version (AHH):  Jerry Walsh (Tom Silcox) and a friend of his killed a cop in a shoot-out, making them wanted criminals.  Although his partner got away, Jerry wasn't so lucky, having been shot by the officer's  gun.  At the city hospital doctors removed the bullet and then placed him into a quiet room to rest.  When two detectives try to get Jerry to talk, a nurse by the name of Ellen Hatch (Colleen Dewhurst) objects to their torture and forces them to leave him alone.  The detectives want to move him, but they can't because of his condition.  The detectives finally leave, and the nurse shows a little pity fore the murderer.  Over a couple days Jerry tries smooth talking the nurse into letting him go, but she won't break hospital rules.  Seeing how she seems strangely kind to him Jerry woos her into helping him to escape.  With Ellen's assistance Jerry gets free and makes for the hideout where his co-killer is hiding.  But Walsh finds that his place of sanctuary holds a far worse fate than prison!  Directed by Herbert Coleman.  This original Black &White version was an hour-long presentation on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, First aired 5/3/1965.

COLOR version (AHPC):  Jerry Walsh (Robert Carradine) talks his girlfriend into closing the convenience store early so they can go to a concert.  When she goes to get her purse, she returns to find Jerry emptying the cash register.  The police arrive and Jerry fires his gun.  The law officer returns the shots, wounding Jerry.  Both the policeman and the thief are rushed to the hospital, but Jerry is the lone survivor.  It seems the officer died on the operation table, and now Jerry will be charged with murder.  Since the doctors say he cannot leave the hospital for a few days because of his wound, security tightens around the cop-killer.  Knowing he'll need help to escape, Jerry befriends a nurse named Ellen (Lisa Pelikan), and it doesn't take long for the nurse to fall in love with him.  Jerry, ever the smooth-talker, convinces her to plot an escape, which goes off undetected.  After making it safely to her home, Jerry notices a picture on the dresser - that of the cop he killed.  Wha-a-a-at's going on...  Directed by Jeff Kanew.  First aired 10/6/1985.   $19.99  DVD the set.

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An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge

A bit of a departure here from our B&W/Color Set concept...  This 1890 tale by Ambrose Bierce is considered one of the greatest short stories of all time.  Alfred Hitchcock Presents first aired the show from the teleplay by Harold Swanton on December 20, 1959.  Almost five years later, on February 28, 1964, Rod Serling made a significant departure from the norm on his The Twilight Zone when he presented a French production of the great short story.  Here is a rare opportunity to see both.  Both are half-hour productions in Black and White.  Both are excellent - you decide which is your favorite...

Alfred Hitchcock Presents version (AHP):  When Peyton Farquhar (Ronald Howard) attempts to  burn down a bridge built by Union troops, he is caught and sentenced to hang for aiding in the Confederate cause. Escorted to the top of Owl Creek Bridge, Farquhar is sentenced to hang. But when the wooden plank drops, the rope snaps in two and Farquhar's body falls to the river below, where he loosens his tied wrists and swims away among a hail of bullets. Running through the forest, Farquhar seeks refuge with the assistance of  Josh (Juano Hernandez), an old friend he once thought died in a house fire. Even when the two pass a regiment of Union troops, not one of the soldiers notices Farquhar. Finally arriving at his estate and mansion, the elated Farquhar catches a glimpse of his wife, who he thought died the previous week giving birth. Just as he's about to fall into the arms of his beloved woman, he suddenly......  an episode you will not soon forget, a story you will always remember!  Also features James Coburn. Directed by Robert Stevenson. This original Black &White version was an half-hour presentation on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, First aired 12/20/1959.  This Alfred Hitchcock Presents version of "An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge" may be purchased for $14.99 DVD.

French version (TZ):   Rod Serling introducing this French version on The Twilight Zone on February 28, 1964:   "Tonight a presentation  so special and unique that, for the first time in the five years we've been presenting The Twilight Zone, we're offering a film shot in France by others.  Winner of the Cannes Film Festival of 1962, as well as other international awards, here is a haunting study of the incredible, from the past master of the incredible, Ambrose Bierce.  Here is the French production of  An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge."  Then Rod Serling's follow-up comments following the presentation: "An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge" - in two forms,,, as it was dreamed, and as it was lived and died.  This is the stuff of fantasy, the thread of imagination... this is The Twilight Zone."  An interesting aspect ~ there is almost no dialog in this version, almost like a silent film - but most effective. Screenplay and Directed by Robert Enrico. Starring Roger Jacquet.  This production also went on to win an Academy Award.  Half-hour. First aired 2/28/64.   This black and white episode of "An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge" which originally appeared on The Twilight Zone cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set on the Internet or at your favorite movie store.

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net  

The Orderly World of Mr. Appleby
 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):   Mr. Appleby (Robert Harris) is a man who loves his antique shop with such a passion that he cannot bring himself to sell most of his inventory, resulting in him owing his suppliers large sums of money.  His wife (Louise Larabee) is totally unsympathetic, and won't go along with his brilliant idea of borrowing money on her insurance policy.  So he decides to exercise the next best option.  Appleby kills her in a manner that looks like an accident, collects the insurance payoff, then marries a wealthy widow (Meg Mundy) who agrees to pay his suppliers.  However, his new wife soon becomes fed up with spending all his time at the shop instead of with her, and she refuses to pay his latest bills when he gets in over his head again.  He decides to resort to murder again, but the latest Mrs. Appleby is well aware of his intentions, having heard of the late Mrs. Appleby's death from her lawyer (Gage Clark).  Appleby is forced to behave, but...  Teleplay by Robert C Dennis and Victor Wolfson, based on the short story by Stanley Ellin.  Directed by James Neilsen.  First aired 4/15/1956.  This episode cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

COLOR version (Tales Of The Unexpected):  Arthur Appleby's (Robert Lang) orderly world centers on his antique and curio shop.  He has just married for the fourth time, and his new wife (Elizabeth Spriggs) discovers Appleby's dark secret - he murdered all her predecessors.  But the new Mrs Appleby has a plan to turn the tables on her husband...  Also features Cyril Luckham, Christopher Bramwell, Nigel Caliburn.  Story by Stanley Ellin.  Screenplay by Robin Chapman.  Directed by John Gorrie.  First aired 6/7/1980.   This color remake of  "The Orderly World of Mr. Appleby" may be purchased here at AlfredsPlace for $14.99,  DVD.

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net  

Pen Pal
 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):   Lieutenant Berger (Stanley Adams) pays Margaret Lowen (Katherine Squire) an unexpected visit, asking the old woman questions about her young niece, Margie.  It seems Margie has been corresponding with a young man named Rod Collins (Clu Gulager - photo), who until this morning, was serving a life sentence in the State Penitentiary.  Thankfully, Margie is away for the weekend with friends, but the Lieutenant says Collins might be paying a visit to her house.  Margaret agrees to contact the lieutenant if Collins shows up, which he does later in the evening, breaking into her house through the window.  Serving the young man food, Margaret starts a conversation and he admits that he has fallen in love with her niece, whom he wants to see.  Pretending to call Margie, Margaret really phones the lieutenant, and Collins catches on to her trick.  When he makes a move toward the old woman, she knocks the boy unconscious with a candlestick.  The police come and pick up Collins, and after the authorities leave, Margaret begins writing a...  Directed by John Brahm.  First aired 11/1/1960. 

COLOR version (AHPC):  A lonely spinster named Margaret (Jean Simmons) receives a visit one evening from Lieutenant Berger (Geza Kovacs), to break the news that her young niece, Margie (April Banigan), has been corresponding with John Harris (Page Fletcher - photo), a prisoner serving a life sentence.  Even worse, Harris just escaped prison and may be headed here to find Margie.  But Margaret assures the officer that her niece is away for the weekend, safe and sound.  Later that evening, Harris breaks into the house and demands to know where Margie is.  The spinster tells him the truth, and serves him dinner.  Harris confesses that he is in love with her niece and wants to run off with her.  But Margaret begs him to leave her alone for she cannot live his kind of life.  Still, he persists and she agrees to call Margie, but dials Berger's number instead, tipping off the police.  Harris grabs the phone, hears a man's voice, and chases Margaret through the house.  Hitting Harris over the head with a metal candleholder, he still keeps coming back, until she shoots him in the chest.  A week later, Margaret sits down at her desk to...  First aired 10/15/1988.   Directed by Rene Bonniere. 
$19.99  DVD the set.

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Poison
 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):   In the southern country of Malaya, Harry Pope (James Donald), an alcoholic trying to dry up, whispers for help from his bed.  His business partner, Timber Woods (Wendell Corey), enters the room and asks what the problem is.  Harry has suspicions that a krait curled up underneath the bed sheets and is presently sleeping on his stomach.  One of the most poisonous snakes in the country - a krait bite will kill its victim in minutes.  It's only after considerable convincing and sweat pouring from Harry's forehead, Timber realizes the problem might be real.  Seeing this as a possibility to win over Harry's girlfriend, Timber says he'll get help and calls on the local doctor (Arnold Moss).  Together the two try to put the krait to sleep by administering chloroform, but after slowly lifting the sheets they find no snake.  The medical man thinks he's been made a fool and leaves, but Timber stays to ridicule Harry - laughing until...   Based on the short story by Roald Dahl.  Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.  First aired 10/5/1958.  This black and white episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

COLOR version (Tales Of The Unexpected):  Harry Pope (Andrew Ray) is a reformed alcoholic working in Kashmir, India, and hoping to go home to England soon.  One hot night Harry is reading in bed, when he feels something moving on his chest.  He looks down to see a deadly little snake, a krait, which slides under his pyjamas and goes to sleep on his stomach.  All Harry can do is to wait for his friend, Timber (Anthony Steele), to come home.  When he arrives Timber sends for a local doctor (Saeed Jaffrey)...  Also features Judy Geeson.  Short story by Roald Dahl.  Screenplay by Robin Chapman.  First aired 3/29/1980.   This color remake of "Poison" may be purchased here at AlfredsPlace for $14.99, DVD.

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net  

Revenge

Black & White version (AHP):   Elsa (Vera Miles), a former ballet dancer who suffered a nervous breakdown  and had to give up her career, lives in an out-of-the-way trailer park with her husband, Carl, (Ralph Meeker).  Carl returns one night to find the trailer in disarray, and Elsa raves to him about having been attached by a man who broke in and tried to kill her.  Deciding to take the law into his own hands, Carl takes Elsa for a drive, and, along the way, she spots the man who attacked her and identifies him.  Carl follows the man to his apartment and kills him.  But... was he the right man?!  This was the very first of 450 TV productions to bear the Alfred Hitchcock name.  Remarkable show.  First aired 10/2/1955.  This black and white episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

COLOR version (AHPC):  Former ballet dancer Lisa Tate (Linda Purl), is overcoming some emotional problems  and her husband John (David Clennon) urges her to get out of the house and start taking dance lessons again.  With  his new job at Pepperdine University in California, Lisa feels like a stranger at first, but thrilled after her first dancing class.  When a man wearing jeans and cowboy boots follows her home, she rushes to lock the door, but it's too late.  The stranger brutally rapes and beats her.  John rushes to the hospital when he hears the news, and the police officer explains that without any witnesses, they won't spend any more time than they need to.  As a disgusted John drives Lisa home, she identifies her rapist on the street, which convinces John to pull the car over and follow the stranger through the streets.  Catching up to the accused in a parking garage, John strangles him, getting revenge.  Returning to the car, John starts driving down the road again when...  Chilling, to say the least.  Directed by Roger E. Young.  First aired 9/29/1985.   This color remake of "Revenge" may be purchased here at AlfredsPlace for $14.99, DVD.

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net  

The Right Kind of Medicine

Black & White version (AHP):   A young burglar named Charlie Marks (Robert Redford), turns to his old  friend Emmet Vogel (Gage Clarke), the neighborhood doctor, for help.  It seems that Charlie was shot in the leg during a daring robbery, in which a police officer was shot to death.  Although the bullet went right through, the pain is more than Charlie can stand.  The doctor, not asking questions, mends the wound and offers a prescription to ease the pain, which Charlie picks up at the pharmacy on his way home.  Realizing that he must get out of town, Charlie decides to head to the bus station, but as he leaves his apartment, he catches a glimpse of the pharmacy clerk walking up the stairs.  Believing the clerk identified him, Charlie shoots the young man and makes a run for it.  What was the real reason the pharmacist's clerk went to the boarding house?  The pharmacist wanted to warn Charlie that he mistakenly gave him pills that were deadly poisonous.  What did the police do with this information?  Directed by Alan Crosland, Jr.  First aired 12/19/1961.

COLOR version (AHPC):  Joe Pugh (Jack Thibeau) is just released from prison when he robs a bank, shoots a cop  and gets shot in the leg exchanging gunfire with the police.  He goes to Dr. Vogel's (Robert Prosky) office,  who reluctantly removes the bullet and prescribes a pain killer.  Covering his tracks, Pugh shoot the doctor as well.  At the pharmacy, Joe waits impatiently for the prescription to be filled by an old man.  Constantly badgering the pharmacist to hurry up, Joe finally receives the medicine.  Making it back to his apartment, Joe hears someone approaching up the steps. Suspecting the pharmacy clerk of recognizing him, Joe shoots the kid down.  An hour later, as Joe is on his way out of town, taking the painkillers to ease his pain, the police call the pharmacist in to identify the body.  The old man cries in his error.  He made a mistake on the prescription, and sent the clerk over to inform Joe - before it was too late.  The medicine is actually poison and if not treated immediately, Joe will surely die.  The only action the police take is to smile.  On the plane, Pugh takes some pills with his champagne...  Directed by Jerrold Freedman.  First aired 1/12/1986.   $19.99  DVD the set.

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Road Hog

Black & White version (AHP):   When Sam Pine (Raymond Massey) tries to rush his injured son to a hospital,  a traveling salesman named Ed Fratus (Robert Emhardt), hogs the road by purposely driving slow enough, so they can't pass on the country road.  The young man dies before they can reach the medical facility, and the doctor confesses that had they managed to get the boy to him fifteen minutes sooner, young Davey might have lived.  Knowing that the salesman returns to the local tavern to peddle business on occasion, Sam plays the role of a kind Samaritan, offers Fratus a few drinks, and recalls the details of the road hog responsible for his boy's death.  When Fratus realizes that what he drank was  poison, the salesman jumps in his car and starts speeding down the road.  But Clay (Richard  Chamberlain), one of Sam's sons, is driving down the road at such a slow rate of speed  that Fratus screams for the boy to pull over.  In a hasty attempt to pass Clay's truck, Fratus gets into a severe auto accident that takes his life.  An that's what the police will think when they arrive on the scene of the crash, since Fratus actually drank liquor, not poison.  Directed by Stuart Rosenberg.  First aired 12/6/1959.

COLOR version (AHPC):  Arrogant and self-assured traveling salesman Ed Fratus (Burt Young) likes to refer to himself as "King of the Highway" and is unreserved about his dislike for "hillbilly" customers.  A serious oil-rig accident  has Sam Medwick (Ronny Cox) rushing his son to the hospital, which is in the nearby town.  Racing down the mountain road, Sam gets behind Ed's Cadillac and honks his horn in urgency.  But the stubborn salesman refuses to let him pass and even runs Sam's truck off the road.  Having lost too much blood, Joey dies as a result.  About a month later, Ed happens to be in the town's tavern where everyone treats him like dirt.  They refuse to buy his wares, but the waitress, Phyllis (Lee Bryant), entices him with scotch, spiked with pills.  Later, Sam and Phyllis confront Ed with the news that they are the parents of Joey Medwick, the boy who died because of Ed's thoughtless driving.  Believing they poisoned him, Ed runs out of the tavern, racing down the country road to the nearest hospital - the same road Joey died on.  Tom and Mike, Joey's surviving brothers, renew the game of road hog with a panicking Ed on their tail.  Becoming so hysterical with fright, Ed attempts to pass and runs off the road.  When an unsuspecting county coroner investigates, he lists the cause of death as a heart attack.  Ed's stomach only contained a lot of scotch and a couple of aspirin...  Directed by Mario Di Leo.  First aired 5/11/1986.   $19.99  DVD the set.

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Shopping For Death /
Touched With Fire
 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):   Shopping For Death   Mr. Foxe (Robert H. Harris) and Mr. Shaw (John Qualen), a pair of retired insurance salesmen with too much time on their hands, have put together a hypothesis that the majority of murders occur at a temperature of 92 degrees.  To test out their theory, they choose the likely victim in a neighbor: the shrill Mrs. Shrike (Jo Van Fleet).  She's a nagging old bat of a wife, who lives with a hulking longshoreman named Albert (Mike Ross), known to have violent tendencies.  They meet with her and, during conversation, she almost makes Mr. Foxe want to kill her himself.  But Mr. Foxe insists that if she keeps her shrewish ways up, both she and her husband will end in a horrifying way.  He pleads with her to be careful, but the advice does little good.  When the temperature reaches 92 degrees, Alfred comes home and very shortly the police...  Teleplay by Ray Bradbury, based on his short story by the same name.  Directed by Robert Stevens.  This Black/White version was a half hour production on Alfred Hitchcock Presents and first aired 1/29/1956.    This episode cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

COLOR version (Ray Bradbury Theatre):   Touched With Fire  Two men try to prevent a murder.   Starring Eileen Brennan, Barry Morse, Joseph Shaw.  Featuring Michael Noonan, Paul Nadas.  Story and Teleplay by Ray Bradbury.  Directed by Roger Tompkins.   First aired 8/3/1990.   This color remake of  "Shopping For Death", entitled "Touched With Fire" may be purchased here at AlfredsPlace for $14.99,  DVD.

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net

Special Delivery /
Boys! Raise Giant Mushrooms In Your Cellar
 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):    Special Delivery   Young Tom Fortnum (Peter Lazer) receives a special delivery package sent from the Great Bayou Novelty Greenhouse, an order of mushroom seeds from a mail order company advertising to "grow your own mushrooms in your cellar for fun and profit."  The young boy is fascinated with the hobby, as are the other children in the neighborhood, but his father, Bill Fortnum (Steve Dunne), becomes suspicious when one of the neighbors disappear.  After piecing together clues, Bill finally thinks he has the mystery solved.  The mushrooms are actually a form of mind-controlling Martians, planning one-by-one, to take over the bodies of humans.  His wife, Cynthia (Beatrice Straight), thinks the idea is ridiculous, but when Bill confronts his son in the basement, he finds boxes of the plants growing all over the place and young Tom, with eyes glowing in the dark, demands his father digest a few mushrooms... hmmmm.... Teleplay by Ray Bradbury, based on his short story "Come Into My Cellar".   Directed by Norman Lloyd.  First aired 11/29/1959.

COLOR version (Ray Bradbury Theatre):   Boys! Raise Giant Mushrooms In Your Cellar   There are many wondrous things that small boys can order from mail order catalogs!   Starring Charles Martin Smith, Marc Reid, Patricia Phillips, Judy Mahbey, Frank C. Turner, Dorothy Anne Haug, Michael Leskow, David Mann.   Directed by David Brandes.  First aired 11/17/1989.   $19.99  DVD the set.

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net  

Specialty Of The House

Black & White version (AHP):   Businessman Mr. Laffler (Robert Morley) feels that two qualities missing in this day and age is mystery and dignity.  At a private "members only" restaurant named Spirro's, Mr. Laffler has found both.  Having already tasted some of the club's finest gourmets, Laffler becomes more and more obsessed with the ambition of not only gaining a lifetime membership, but learning what and how a specific "specialty of the house" called lamb Armistran is really made of.  Offered so rarely that Laffler almost loses his patience with Madame Spirro (Spivy), owner of the dining club, when he demands to know how the meat is prepared - which would require a tour of the restaurant's kitchen - something that is always forbidden.  Finally persistence pays its price when Laffler is granted his wish and learns a lot more than he bargained for!  Also stars Kenneth Haigh.  Directed by Robert Stevens.  First aired 12/13/1959.

COLOR version (AHPC):  Garth December (John Saxon), an arrogant food critic of a large circulation newspaper, takes his friend Russ Bennett (Neil Munro) to a restaurant entitled "Where The Heart Is," and is given the "specialty of the house," known as lamb fritters.  For once in his lifetime, Garth is unable to describe the ingredients, and asks Betty Jo (Jennifer Dale), the owner and chef of the restaurant, if he could buy her recipe for inclusion in his latest book.  But the woman turns his offer down and furious Garth goes home to write a bad review about the dining club.  Surprisingly, Betty Jo has a lot of avid supporters, who send hate mail to Garth, and the admission lines to her restaurant don't die down.  In retaliation, Garth hires an actor to fake food poisoning outside the restaurant, but nothing can dissuade the customers once they've eaten her food.  After many trials and errors, Garth sends in health inspectors and Betty Jo finally agrees to let him see her make the fritters.  Alone together, she takes him into the kitchen, shows him everything, including her special ingredient, stashed away inside a large freezer.  The answer takes Garth quite by surprise, to say the least!  Directed by Allan King.  Premiered 3/21/1987.  $19.99  DVD  the set.

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net

An Unlocked Window

Black & White version (AHH):   A third murder in the last two weeks is reported over the television, and police  confess they have a psychotic madman on the loose, preying only on live-in nurses. One dark stormy night nurse Stella Crosson (Dana Wynter) and Nurse Betty Ames (T. C. Jones) are tending to their employer (John Kerr), a man  with a heart condition who needs constant attention. Their only company is an alcoholic housekeeper and her husband, the handyman. Shortly after the handyman goes out for a fresh oxygen tank for the patient, the power fails, the lights go out, and the women start feeling uneasy. Maude hears a man's voice and footsteps in  the house, but the nurses don't believe her, since the woman has been known for taking one drink too many. A phone call from the murderer informs the women that he knows they're alone, and intends to pay them a visit before the night is over. Checking to make sure all the doors and windows are locked, Stella finds that she over-looked a basement window, a mistake that might prove all too costly... "An Unlocked Window" is one of the most memorable and terrifying of all of the episodes of "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour", debuting 2/15/1965.  Trivia: Bernard Herrmann's score is outstanding and very effectively sets the mood.  For Hitchcock fans, this episode marked the appearance of the house built and filmed for "Psycho", but using only the outside view, not the inside.  Directed by Joseph Newman. 

COLOR version (AHPC):  When the radio reports that the fourth hospital nurse in the past month was recently strangled to death, Stella (Annette O'Toole) and Betty Ames (B. Davidson), two live-in nurses caring for  an elderly patient, lock all the doors and windows. Sam, the caretaker, leaves to fetch an extra tank of oxygen for his employer, and Mrs. Kyprianov, an alcoholic housekeeper, begins hearing a man's voice in the hallways. After the nurses sedate Mrs. Kyprianov, the power goes out and the phone rings. It's the murderer who says he knows they're alone. Both nurses double-check the house, and Stella discovers to her horror that she forgot to lock a basement window. Hearing Betty scream for help, Stella runs down the hallway with a knife in hand, to find her companion in a corner, scared, yelling the killer is behind the door.  Stella quietly sneaks over to the door, and stabs the stranger, but...  An outstanding remake of the outstanding black and white original.  One of the great endings.  Directed by Fred Walton.  First aired 5/15/1985.   Excellent Quality.  $19.99  DVD the set.

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net   

The Way Up To Heaven
 NEW

Black & White version (SUSPICION):  Mrs. Foster (Marion Lorne) is completely dominated by her selfish and sadistic husband (Sebastian Cabot).  When she makes plans to fly out to Paris, so she can spend a few weeks with her daughter, Robert opposes the trip - not directly, but in a number of petty ways.  Taking pills that make him sick, the ever-caring wife  cancels her flight to stay home and nurse him back to health.  Soon after, she starts packing her bags again - but this time Robert hides her ticket.  When Mrs. Foster makes plane reservations for a third time, the fog delays the flight until the following morning and then when the time comes, Robert returns inside for a package, only to claim he's stuck in the elevator.  Knowing her husband's schemes to keep her from making the flight, Mrs. Foster leaves for the airport.  Six weeks later, an unsuspecting Mrs. Foster returns home to a very interesting surprise, to say the least...  Story by Roald Dahl, Directed by Herschel Daugherty.  Appeared as an hour-long presentation on Suspicion, First airing 4/28/1958.

COLOR version (Tales Of The Unexpected):  An elderly American couple, the Fosters, are planning a six-week trip to Paris to visit their grandchildren.  Eugene Foster (Ronald Culver) gets left behind, and his wife (Julie Harris) writes to him every week... on her return home, she does not seem very surprised to find that the lift in their house is stuck between two floors...  Story by Roald Dahl, Screenplay by Ronald Harwood, Directed by Simon Langton.  First aired (hour) 5/19/1979.   $19.99  DVD the set.

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net   

Wet Saturday
 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):  Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 9/30/56, half hour:  Princey's, Cedric Hardwicke,  jealous daughter  has just killed the schoolmaster with a croquet mallet after he told her of his plans to marry another woman.  As the body lies in the barn, Princey searches for a way to protect the family name and prevent his daughter from being charged.  Enter Captain Smollet, John Williams, who was intending to marry the very same woman the schoolmaster just became engaged to.  Princey realizes that Smollet would be a perfect fall guy, forces him to go along with a scheme that makes it appear he killed the schoolmaster or he will shoot him dead on the spot.  The Captain chooses to go along with the wild scheme (some choice) and leaves feeling somewhat confident he has made the best of a bad bargain... but has he?  Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.  Appeared as a half hour presentation on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, First airing 9/30/1956.  This episode personally directed by Alfred Hitchcock cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

COLOR version (Tales Of The Unexpected):  Wet weather, and a dead body in the house.  Mr. Princey's (Fritz Weaver) dim-witted daughter, Millicent, thwarted in love, has killed a young preacher with a croquet mallet, and Princey decides he must cover it up, or risk losing his high standing in the community.  The police need to be persuaded that there was a tragic accident...  Also starring Ed Begley, Jr., Mary Sinclair, Charles Hallahan.  Written and screenplay by John Collier.  Directed by Norman Lloyd.  First aired (half-hour) 5/3/1981.   This color remake of "Wet Saturday" may be purchased here at AlfredsPlace for $14.99, DVD.

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net   

A Woman's Help
 NEW

Black & White version (AHP):  Arnold Bourdon (Scott McKay) is wealthy, but lonely.  His invalid wife Elizabeth (Geraldine Fitzgerald) seems to live for the opportunity to continuously browbeat him, claiming he's not dependent without a woman's help.  For Arnold, things take a turn for the better when the couple hire a live-in nurse (Antoinette Bower), whom Arnold eventually spends time with on the side.  Unfortunately, Miss Grecco will not continue their passionate relationship unless he gets rid of Elizabeth.  Together, they decide to overdose the woman's medication.  Before they can go through with it, Elizabeth discovers Arnold and Miss Grecco kissing, and the nurse is immediately fired.  Arnold is told to arrange for a substitute.  This time, his wife will interview the candidates personally.  Elizabeth decides to hire an older, overweight woman, who couldn't possibly arouse Arnold's feelings.  However, what Elizabeth did not know...  Directed by Arthur Hiller.  Appeared as a half hour presentation on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, First airing 3/28/1961.

COLOR version (Tales Of The Unexpected):  Arnold (Anthony Franciosa) is an elegant playboy, but he is dependent on his very rich, ailing, and demanding wife, Elizabeth (Shirley Knight-Temple).  The day comes when the hen-pecked Arnold's lover wants a promise of marriage, and Arnold decides he wants his wife dead, so long as he gets her money.  But there is something Arnold doesn't know about Elizabeth... Also features Deborah Geffner, Annie McGreevey, Imogene Bliss, Ian Martin, Raymond Thorne.  Story by Henry Slesar.  Screenplay by Bert Salzman.  Directed by Bert Salzman.  First aired (half-hour) 5/3/1981.   $19.99  DVD the set.

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net   

The World's Oldest Motive

Black & White version (AHH):  Alex Morrow (Henry Jones), attorney at law, is in love with a younger woman  named Fiona (Linda Lawson), a beautiful model that makes any man's head swim.  Fiona is in love with Alex, but the man cannot figure out a way to get rid of his wife.  If he tries to divorce her she will obtain his pride and joy, the stamp collection, of which Alex cannot think about parting with.  So Alex hires a hit man Richard Schustak (Robert Loggia) to murder her.  All Alex needs to do is go out and establish an alibi.  Near the last minute Alex has second thoughts and tries to call the whole thing off. The hit man agrees - if Alex will pay more money - which Alex does.  However... You'll see where the episode get its title!  Directed by Harry Morgan.  Appeared as an hour-long presentation on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, First airing 4/12/1965.

COLOR version (AHPC):  David Powell (Dwight Schultz) is a real estate agent who has trouble keeping up with  his bills because his critical wife, Ellen (Diane D'Aquila), spends money as fast as he makes it.  At a bar, David meets his girlfriend Kelly (Cynthia Dale), who listens impatiently to his story before walking out on him.  In the next booth, a stranger named Mr. Smith (David B. Nichols) introduces himself as a "problem contractor."  David is dumbfounded by the hit man's offer, but finally agrees, seeing no other way out of his problem.  David withdraws the money form his bank and gives it to Mr. Smith.  Squaring his relationship with Kelly, David gives her an expensive diamond necklace.  Later that evening his wife cooks him a romantic dinner, apologizing for her recent behavior and the guilt-ridden David changes his mind.  But when he tries to cancel the deal the hit man turns blackmailer, and demands another $10,000.  Frantic, David scrapes together the money and cancels the contract but... hmmmm...  First aired (half-hour) 4/11/1987.   $19.99  DVD the set.

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net   

You Got To Have Luck / Prisoners

Black & White version (AHP):  You Got To Have Luck Sam Cobbett (John Cassavetes) makes a successful prison escape, and looking for a place to hold up for a while until the heat is over, comes across a remote farmhouse occupied by a loving couple, Mary and Davis.  After Davis leaves for work, Mary (Marisa Pavan) is shocked to discover that she has an unwanted visitor, who locks the doors and closes the curtains.  Sam explains that he intends to stay - only for a few hours - until the cops stop looking for him.  during the restless hours, Sam has the stilted-seeming Mary fix him some food and tries on some of her husband's nice clothes.  When the phone rings, Sam forces Mary to talk to her mother as if nothing is wrong.  Shortly before Davis is to return from work, Sam decides it's time to leave.  The coast is clear.  But just as he takes a few steps outside the front door, police pop out of nowhere and surprise Sam, handcuffing him.  How did the cops know the story.  A classic Alfred Hitchcock Presents presentation.  Directed by Robert Stevens.  Originally aired 1/15/56.  This episode cannot be purchased here at AlfredsPlace as it is available to be purchased as a part of a set available from Universal Studios at your favorite movie store.

COLOR version (AHPC):  Prisoners Julie (Christina Raines) proceeds with her morning routine of cleaning the house when  the news reports the latest details about a local prison break, and the search for a wanted killer  named Jack Worth (Yaphet Kotto), considered armed and dangerous.  Julie never gives it one thought until she looks up to find Jack holding a gun on Julie, and insists on using her house as a hiding place until dark.  Throughout the afternoon, Jack and Julie get to know each other by talking about their past and present lives, and through the help of the escaped prisoner, Julie discovers that she herself has been living in her own prison.  "You're just as much a prisoner in this house, as I was yesterday," Jack explains.  Julie, seeing reality hitting her in the face, makes a clean break from her boring life, while Jack is unable to escape his, being shot down by an armed patrol.  How did they know he was there?!  Music by Miles Davis!  Premiered on Alfred Hitchcock Presents on 12/8/85.  This color remake of  "You Got To Have Luck", entitled "Prisoners" may be purchased here at AlfredsPlace for $14.99,  DVD. 

To order please email: chafin@comcast.net 

New!

The Making Of...

Alfred Hitchcock Presents in Color episodes!

            In 1985, twenty years after  Alfred Hitchcock Presents  left the air and ten years after the death of Alfred Hitchcock, the NBC network commissioned Universal Studios to take the scripts of the original Alfred Hitchcock Presents and film entirely new shows of the most popular episodes... and in COLOR!  They colorized the original Alfred Hitchcock introductions, however, of course.  Also, in addition to the remakes several original episodes to made.

            We have been fortunate to obtain very interesting materials on several of these episodes... Don't you think it would be fun to see just how they went about making that favorite episode of yours!?  Here are the Dailies, the Rushes, the Goofs, Producer's Cuts, Director's Cuts and then the Finished Product!  A great education on how they go about creating these works of art.  Here are the episodes!

(SPECIAL PRICING is available to EDUCATORS of English, Drama, Film... eMail us for details)

                    The Making of...  
                         "For Art's Sake"

Artist Arthur Hollister (Simon Williams) is very popular in the art scene of Manhattan.  Everyone is buying up his work, which has a very striking and distinctive feature in it: his own face.  This trademark is his wife Sarah's (Sheila McCarty) idea - but she also paints her own work, using Arthur's name.  The gallery owner, Erica Fortune (Michele Scarabelli), also has a secret she keeps from the public - her affair with Arthur.  When Erica asks Arthur to leave his wife, this poses a problem, since she doesn't know about his wife's talents.  Certain his career would be destroyed, Arthur finds his wife planning a new idea for his paintings, using his entire body.  But first, she must cover him with a mixture.  Sarah pours a drying compound into the mixture, covering his entire body, and just leaving a breathing tube in his mouth.  As the predicament becomes obvious to Arthur, Erica arrives.  She is supposed to be dead, but fate played a turn, for the two women have teamed together to finish off Arthur.  Of course, once Arthur is dead, his pieces will soar in value and the two women will share the wealth, all due to the fact that the man they loved, gave his all to art.  Directed by William Corcoran.  Teleplay by Linda Chase, Original episode First airing 1/21/1989.

Included for this episode are Dailies, Rushes, Retakes and Finished Episode.  Alfred Hitchcock's opening and closing comments were taken from Alfred Hitchcock Presents "Portrait of Jocelyn" (and colorized, of course)!    $19.99 the set in DVD.  In the U.S. first class shipping is $2.38 or priority is $4.95.  Air mail outside the U.S. is $3.  To order please email: chafin@comcast.net 

 

                    The Making of...  
                     "Hippocritic Oath"

Medical student Dale Thurston (Shaun Cassidy) is exposed by Dean Compton (Mavor Moore) for selling copies of a final exam, but can't be expelled because Dale's grandfather will set up a trust of one million dollars for the school, when Dale gets his medical degree.  When Dale decides to spend time studying with Hank Stewart (Eric Peterson), who works the night shift at the college morgue, he receives an offer he can't refuse.  Hank will give Dale $100,000 and his BMW, if he will kill Dean Compton, an offer Dale accepts gleefully.  Breaking into Compton's home to inject poison into his cough syrup, Dale accidentally drops the vial on the floor.  The unsuspecting Compton returns home and slips on the vial, hitting his head on the tub.  Dale, thinking him dead, puts the body in the back of the van in a large body bag and begins to put bricks in the bag.  The Dean regains consciousness and tries to struggle him, but Dale hits him over the head with a brick.  Dale, now under arrest, goes to put his books in the trunk of his car where he finds the body of Dean Compton.  It seems there is no night shift at the morgue, and Hank is now the Dean of Brenner College.  Mary (Cynthia Belliveau) enters the room and Hank tells her that she is to be the new Resident Surgeon at the college, and they'll discuss plans over a romantic dinner...  Directed by Vic Sarin.  Teleplay by Michael Colleary and Ray DeLaurentis, Original episode First airing 1/21/1989.

Included for this episode are Dailies, Rushes, Retakes.  $19.99 the set in DVD.  In the U.S. first class shipping is $2.38 or priority is $4.95.  Air mail outside the U.S. is $3.
To order please email: chafin@comcast.net 


 

                    The Making of...  
                              "Hunted"

When real estate agent Margaret Lord (Kate Trotter) shows a man named Drummond (Edward Woodward) a small third-story office for rent on Langham Street, she panics when he locks them in the office and pulls out a high-powered rifle.  Drummond plans to start shooting people on the street below at noon, unless she can talk him out of it.  Clearly disturbed, Drummond informs Margaret that as a young boy, his father would often take him hunting.  That was, of course, at an early age when he came to realize that human beings don't have the animal awareness when life is in jeopardy, like animals do who can sense impending danger.  His theory is that a sniper is just a hunter with human targets.  Drummond tells her how his father was cleaning his own rifle, not realizing it was loaded, when it went off.  Unable to cope with his father's death, Drummond wants to vent his anger through the third-story window.  Margaret tries to grab the rifle, but he throws her on the floor.  She pleads with him that it is not yet noon, to which he replies that she has seven minutes to persuade him out of it...  Part I & Part II, Directed by Timothy Bond.  Teleplay by Michael Sloan, Original episodes First airing 7/30/1988 & 8/6/1988.

Included for these two episodes are Dailies, Rushes, Retakes and Finished Episodes.  $24.99 the double set in DVD or Video.  In the U.S. first class shipping is $2.38 or priority is $4.95.  Air mail outside the U.S. is $3.
To order please email: chafin@comcast.net 
 

                    The Making of...  
                       "Killer Takes All"

Jimmie Thurson (Rory Calhoun), a former private detective and Art Bellasco (Van Johnson), an ex-cop, live out their life at the Sunset Acres retirement home.  Dr. Stern (Aaron Schwartz) is constantly frustrated by the actions of his patients, over a stupid bet that the first to die signs over his estate to the surviving party.  It's a killer-take-all game.  Later that night, Art sneaks into Jimmie's room and puts poison into his bottle of port.  But when Art's mood lifts, looking through travel books of the French Riviera, Jimmie wakes from his deep sleep.  It seems he caught on to Art's murder attempt, which was bungled.  Dr. Stern, knowing how vile the two men are, orders nurse Barbara (Shelly Peterson) to keep them away from a prospective client, Mr. Haverford (Nolan Jennings), who will be arriving in the afternoon.  When Haverfords arrive, they find Art accusing Jimmie of short-circuiting his electric blanket.  Dr. Stern apologizes for his patients' behavior, and invites the Haverfords for dinner.  Hearing the men fighting, later that evening, Barbara runs to Dr. Stern, but finds the bungalow gutted by a fire.  A small, quiet funeral is held in memory of Jimmie and Art, and Dr. Stern waves goodbye to Barbara who remains executor of the men's estates.  She joins the men in the limo, happy that their plan pulled off successfully, as it seems Mrs. Haverford (Susan Fletcher) knew Jimmie and gave him a generous donation.  The three of them set out for the Riviera.  Directed by Allan King.  Teleplay by Michael Sloan and Robert DeLaurentis, original episode First airing 3/12/1988.

Included for this episode are Dailies, Rushes, Retakes, Finished Episode and Hitchcock introduction taken from Alfred Hitchcock Presents "The World's Oldest Motive".  $19.99 the set in DVD or Video.  In the U.S. first class shipping is $2.38 or priority is $4.95.  Air mail outside the U.S. is $3.00.
To order please email: chafin@comcast.net 
 

                    The Making of...  
                         "Murder In Mind"

Julie Fenton (Melissa Anderson) likes to write murder scripts and keeps her ideas alive by imagining things about the people around her.  One night in bed, she wonders about their new neighbors, the Blanchards.  She talked with Mr. Blanchard (Noel Harrison), who was buying clothes for his wife, but when she expressed an interest in meeting his wife, he hurried off.  Julie begins suspecting that Mr. Blanchard killed his wife.  Investigating for herself, Julie gets caught spying and goes home to finish her story.  Ellen Blanchard (Ann-Marie MacDonald) comes by and talks with Julie, proving to the writer that she has an over-active imagination.  After Ellen leaves, Julie notices that her disfunctional lighter is missing, which leads her to believe that Ellen is a kleptomaniac, and that is why Mr. Blanchard is so over-protective for his wife.  During the night, the police answer a phone call placed by Julie, again suspecting the worst of her neighbors, believing a dead body to be Ellen Blanchard.  Later the police call back and ask Julie to come down to the morgue to identify the body.  But Mr. and Mrs. Blanchard appear at the door with her fixed lighter in hand.  For once, Julie is speechless.  Going back to be, her husband (Larry Lalonde), being fed up with her constant talking, takes out a knife and stabs her! :o)  Directed by Allan King.  Teleplay by Sarett Rudley, from her previous teleplay originally broadcast as "Mr. Blanchard's Secret" on "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" on 12/23/1956.  This remake episode First aired 1/28/1989.

Included for this episode are Dailies, Rushes, Retakes, Finished Episode and Hitchcock introduction & Closing taken from Alfred Hitchcock Presents "Mr. Blanchard's Secret".  $19.99 the set in DVD or Video.  In the U.S. first class shipping is $2.38 or priority is $4.95.  Air mail outside the U.S. is $3.
To order please email: chafin@comcast.net 
 

                    The Making of...  
                           "Pen Pal"

A lonely spinster named Margaret (Jean Simmons) receives a visit one evening from Lt. Berger (Geza Kovacs), to break the news that her young niece, Margie (April Banigan), has been corresponding with John Harris (Page Fletcher), a prisoner serving a life sentence.  Even worse, Harris just escaped prison and may be headed here to find Margie.  But Margaret assures the officer that her niece is away for the weekend, safe and sound.  Later that evening, Harris breaks into the house and demands to know where Margie is.  The spinster tells him the truth, and serves him dinner.  Harris confesses that he is in love with her niece and wants to run off with her.  But Margaret begs him to leave her alone for she cannot live his kind of life.  Still, he persists and she agrees to call Margie, but dials Berger's number instead, tipping off the police.  Harris grabs the phone, hears a man's voice, and chases Margaret through the house.  Hitting Harris over the head with a metal candleholder, he still keeps coming back, until she shoots him in the chest.  A week later, Margaret sits down at her desk to reminisce with her old letters and photos from Harris...  Directed by Rene Bonniere.  Teleplay by Hilary Murray, from her previous teleplay originally broadcast by the same name on "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" on 11/1/1960.  This remake episode First aired 10/15/1988.

Included for this episode are Director's Cut, Finished Episode and Hitchcock introduction & Closing taken from Alfred Hitchcock Presents original "Pen Pal".   This is the famous hilarious Hitchcock explaining the game of baseball - not to be missed!   $19.99 the set in DVD .  In the U.S. first class shipping is $2.38 or priority is $4.95.  Air mail outside the U.S. is $3.
To order please email: chafin@comcast.net 

                    The Making of...  
                          "Prosecutor"

Attorney Clark Taylor (Parker Stevenson) is ecstatic after bringing in a guilty verdict on Robert Wenner, a cop killer who murdered Police Chief Charles Gambisto.  Both Pamela Vance (Camilla Scott) and Joe Metcalf (Lawrence Dane) of the D.A.'s office believe that Clark fixed the evidence, and that Wenner is actually innocent.  After a victory celebration for Clark, the attorney is approached by a crazed-looking man who calls himself Rourke (Robert Morelli), and breaks the news that it was he who really murdered Gambisto.  Clark gives Rourke a huge sum of money to keep his conscience and his mouth quiet.  Soon after, Joe Metcalf announces that he will be leaving the D.A.'s office and Clark will become his successor.  When Rourke learns of Clark's advancement, he returns the money in exchange for part of his paycheck, and to live in his expensive condo.  Angry, Clark tries to strangle Rourke.  The front door opens and two marshals accompanied by Joe Metcalf arrest Clark for tampering with state's evidence.  The next day Joe Metcalf congratulates Pamela Vance on her new job, that of District Attorney, and introduces her to Rourke, whose real name is Bob Fellows from Internal Affairs.  But all is not what it seems...  Directed by David Gelfand.  Teleplay by Glenn Davis & William Laurin, original episode First airing 10/15/1988.

Included for this episode are Dailies, Rushes, Retakes & Finished Episode.   $19.99 the set in DVD or Video.  In the U.S. first class shipping is $2.38 or priority is $4.95.  Air mail outside the U.S. is $3.
To order please email: chafin@comcast.net 

                    The Making of...  
                     "South By Southeast"

Actor Michael Roberts (Patrick Wayne) reluctantly goes to audition for a remake of Hitchcock's film 'North by Northwest', which is being filmed in Canada.  His agent, Mary Conn (Pam Hyatt), has him meet with the producers in a Toronto hotel.  By mistaken identity, he is picked up by Francesca (Shelley Young), assuming he's a man named Grant, and taken to meet sinister toy mogul Van Dorn (Cedric Smith).  Meanwhile, in Washington, Houseman, the Director of the Agency, discovers that his men sent Agent Grant to St. Louis by mistake, rather than Toronto.  Van Dorn, believing that Michael is an undercover agent, orders to have the actor killed.  Michael goes into a model train store owned by Van Dorn's empire and meets an employee, Susan Sullivan (Arlene Mazerolle), and the two fall in love.  Later that day agents Laurin and Davis escort him out of an auction and they tell Michael that Van Dorn is the head of an international and lucrative film pirating operation.  Van Dorn knows that Michael isn't the agent, which now puts the real agent, Susan, in danger.  Michael later finds Susan and knocks Francesca out with an injection.  Breaking open a Mount Rushmore statue that Van Dorn bought at the auction, they find inside a computer disc with all the worldwide pirate outlets, and a copy of Hitchcock's lost movie, 'South by Southeast'.  After the matter is all cleared up, Michael meets up with his agent and the executive producer.  Mary confesses that she is also an agent for Houseman.  Michael was brought in because she knew he could keep his head when in danger.  Directed by Timothy Bond.  Teleplay by Michael Sloan & Robert DeLaurentis, original episode First airing 10/15/1988.

Included for this episode are Dailies, Rushes, Retakes, Finished Episode & Hitchcock's Introduction and Closing is taken from "The Crystal Trench", which first aired on 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' 10/14/1959.   $19.99 the set in DVD.  In the U.S. first class shipping is $2.38 or priority is $4.95.  Air mail outside the U.S. is $3.
To order please email: chafin@comcast.net 

                    The Making of...  
                  "There Was A Little Girl"

Frank (Michael Tucker) bails out his stepdaughter Donna (Kate Vernon), a beautiful, sensual young woman who continuously gets into trouble, only to gain her stepfather's attention.  Upset by the latest disturbance, Donna overhears her mother, Martha (Wanda Cannon), tell Frank that it is time for Donna to move out and settle down with her boyfriend Harry (James Kee) - even if it means losing the family inheritance.  So the two children devise a plan... Alone together one night Donna tells Frank that the temptation they both feel is very strong.  If he wants her to stay, he should meet her at the beach shack.  When Frank later bursts into the shack to see Donna, Harry hits him over the head.  Donna begs Harry to shoot her father-in-law, but Harry won't, hitting Donna instead.  The original plan was for Harry to see the chief of police (Wayne Robson), and tell him the story of how Martha followed Frank, hit her daughter, and then shot her husband in cold blood.  But as Harry tries to leave, Donna fires the gun.  When she approaches Chief Pickett, to tell the story herself, she finds a surprise.  Martha and Harry are waiting for her, and Harry tells the truth.  Running into the woods, Donna fires at Chief Pickett who returns the fire and kills her.  That night Harry and Martha celebrate, as they can now begin their life in Tahiti.  Their plan backfired, however, when Frank walks in, alive and well.  Donna was a poor shot.  It seems the chief of police was also in the act, collecting a payoff.  Donna and Frank really had something going on between them, and knocking Harry over the head, Frank reminds Chief Pickett to put the real bullets back into his gun.  However, after Donna and Frank leave...  Directed by Atom Egoyan.  Teleplay by Charles Grant Craig, original episode First airing 7/2/1988.

Included for this episode are Producer's Cut & Finished Episode.   $19.99 the set in DVD.  In the U.S. first class shipping is $2.38 or priority is $4.95.  Air mail outside the U.S. is $3.
To order please email: chafin@comcast.net 

                    The Making of...  
                       "The 13th Floor"

A greedy ambitious developer named Morris Conrad (Anthony Franciosa) has documents falsified so he can demolish the grand old St. Sebastien Hotel.  The public protests against the demolition  and one of them, Doug Frazer (Hal Eisen), claims the city needs to keep its history.  Late one evening the old elevator operator of the hotel (David Hughes) explains to Conrad that he will remain on the thirteenth floor, despite demolition.  The hotel has always been his home, and he has no intention of leaving.  The following morning Conrad signals for the explosion, knowing full well that the old man is inside, but the building doesn't explode.  Doug Frazer meanwhile goes to the police with proof about Conrad's falsified report and asks for help.  In the morning, waiting for the engineer to fix the tampered detonation wires, Conrad enters the hotel and calls out for Frazer to show himself.  Stepping inside the elevator Conrad finds himself stuck on the thirteenth floor.  Outside, a police detective arrives to break the bad news to Frazer.  There is no way to prove Conrad's guilt, even with the proof in hand.  Inside the building Conrad finally runs out of the elevator to the window, just in time to hear the countdown.  The old building crumbles to the ground and in the distance the old elevator operator meets up with his accomplices after a job well done.  Directed by Mark Rosman.  Teleplay by Naomi Janzen,  an original episode first airing 7/16/1988.

Included for this episode are Dailies, Rushes, Retakes, Finished Episode and Hitchcock introduction & Closing taken from Alfred Hitchcock Presents "Out There - Darkness".  $19.99 the set in DVD.  In the U.S. first class shipping is $2.38 or priority is $4.95.  Air mail outside the U.S. is $3.
To order please email: chafin@comcast.net 

                    The Making of...  
                         "Twisted Sisters"

Sara Fletcher (Mia Sara), a student at Wainwright College, is abducted outside her dormitory and taken to the Epsilon Delta Sorority House.  The house president, Candi Miller (Carolyn Dunn), invites the pledges to enter the sisterhood if they pass "Hell Night."  What Sara Doesn't know is that Candi became jealous over her boyfriend showing affection for Sara, and believes the girl must pay for flirtatious behavior by going through the House of Horrors.  As Sara screams and tries to get herself out of a locked room, Denise (Marianna Pascal) tells Candi that they are playing a mean trick.  Later on, when they let a very angry Sara out of the room, the girls find Ty's (Yannick Bisson) bloody body and entrance to the room locked shut.  Denise and Candi escape through a graveyard nearby and Amanda's (Allison Mang) ghost rises from a tombstone.  Amanda accuses them of breaking her neck and dropping her down a hole.  After they discover that the ghost is a projected image, Sara steps out with a gun and informs them that Amanda was her sister.  The two practical jokers drop through a chute, only to discover the exit is sealed shut.  Later that evening, the police question the night watchman as the bodies are carried out.  Sara herself is helped out, and learns that Candi and Denise broke their necks falling down the chute.  Back in her dorm room, Sara thanks Ty, who is alive and well, for helping to put right the wrong done to Amanda.  Amanda always did say that Ty was a devoted boyfriend...  Directed by Timothy Bond.  Teleplay by Ray DeLaurentis & Michael Colleary,  an original episode first airing 7/9/1988.

Included for this episode are Director's Cut, Finished Episode and Hitchcock introduction & Closing taken from Alfred Hitchcock Presents "Beta Delta Gamma".  $19.99 the set in DVD.  In the U.S. first class shipping is $2.38 or priority is $4.95.  Air mail outside the U.S. is $3.
To order please email: chafin@comcast.net 

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Many thanks to Martin Grams, Jr. and Patrik Wikstrom.  Much of the narrative contained above was referenced from their excellent book "The Alfred Hitchcock Presents Companion", OTR Publishing.  You may order it from this site.

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To order please email: chafin@comcast.net

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This Site Was Last Updated 07/05/2009