This episode is clever & easy-to-follow, featuring a small-cast of familiar character-actors, the youngest, I think, I've ever seen them. The plot is straightforward, a tale of 2 local-pals who let their imaginations run-away with them, assuming the worst with the disappearance of their friend's wife, believing him to have buried her in the basement. These 2 fishing-buddies, of which Emhardt, the husband-under-suspicion, is affiliated, are mired in the petty-rumors & unsavory-peccadilloes of their tiny, close-knit community. The 3 mentioned-principals portray average, normal, small-town residents with an effective, enjoyable-degree of naturalism. Emhardt conveys a sense of close-mouthed & sinister-behavior, something he was good-at in many shows over the years, though he also portrayed likeable characters, too. When he plays evil or cunning, though, he's at his best, underplaying rather than overplaying. Cara Williams, probably unknown to most viewers of today, is quite-young here, too, though recognizable to me. Her attractiveness in this episode is noticeable, to be sure, but she hadn't yet reached her full-potential in this regard. Just check-her-out in the Danny Kaye movie "The Man from the Diner's Club", made a few-years later, in the 60's. In short, a good-episode. One may say it's talky but it's not boring-talk. It should hold your interest.
15 Reviews
Emhardt!
Archbishop_Laud5 July 2013
For me, Robert Emhardt and the Brit John Williams are the two acting heroes of AH Presents. Here Emhardt gets the lead.
I like how the story is told. We see him lugging cement in his cellar. His friends arrive and can't find him (one friend is played by Henry Jones, who was in 3:10 to Yuma with Emhardt around this time). In conversation with one another, they give us the information we need: our protagonist's pretty young wife is unfaithful to him.
The script heaps a world of suspicion on Emhardt as the murderer of his wife. So much so, we wonder whether it could be that simple. The ending is clever and doesn't go on longer than it needs to.
AH's wrap is characteristically wry and dark.
I like how the story is told. We see him lugging cement in his cellar. His friends arrive and can't find him (one friend is played by Henry Jones, who was in 3:10 to Yuma with Emhardt around this time). In conversation with one another, they give us the information we need: our protagonist's pretty young wife is unfaithful to him.
The script heaps a world of suspicion on Emhardt as the murderer of his wife. So much so, we wonder whether it could be that simple. The ending is clever and doesn't go on longer than it needs to.
AH's wrap is characteristically wry and dark.
Not the most original plot...
pmicocci-189085 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
What really makes this episode is the acting of Robert Emhardt; primarily through his facial expressions and tone of voice, we see him go from absent-minded affability, to puzzlement, mounting annoyance, dawning realization, incredulity, pain, weariness and defeat, to cold, calculating implacability in the end, and all in a very restrained manner. I think this is one of the better roles I've seen him play, and certainly one of the most sympathetic.
Philip Coolidge and Henry Jones are also not bad, playing a couple of "with friends like these, who needs enemies" types.
Philip Coolidge and Henry Jones are also not bad, playing a couple of "with friends like these, who needs enemies" types.
Unusual Cast
dougdoepke11 March 2007
The story itself is unexceptional Hitchcock fare-- a faithless young wife, an older husband, and a hole in the cellar. Not exactly cutting edge material for a series that trafficked in domestic mayhem. What is noteworthy, however, is the cast of three villainous characters who for once get to play ordinary, sympathetic folks. A few words are due them.
Perhaps no one of the time was more expert at playing moral degenerates of one type or another than the obese Robert Emhardt. His rotund shape, high-domed forehead, and softly sinister manner, made up one of the most unusual screen presences allowed on 50's TV. In short, he was instantly repulsive. I don't say this to be cruel. Rather it's to pay tribute to a fine actor who lent color and authority to every thankless character he played. Moreover, long after the many pretty-boy leads of the day have faded away, Emhardt remains distinctively memorable to anyone familiar with that era. In this episode, his acting skill shows that despite the off-putting appearance, he could draw a sympathetic response when given the opportunity.
Henry Jones too is immediately recognizable. Short and scrawny, with an overlarge mouth and no chin, he seemed forever bemused by some private joke. More eccentric than repulsive, he nevertheless specialized in characterizations that caused the audience to wonder just what he might be hiding in his own cellar. Despite the many malicious roles, he was expert at droll comedy where his Cheshire-cat grin could inspire uneasy laughter and instant mistrust. There's been nobody quite like him before or since.
The third cast member, eagle-beaked Philip Coolidge, also specialized in off-beat roles, often as a sneaky busy-body of some sort, but he never rose to the heights of a Jones or Emhardt. Seeing all three acting normally in this episode makes you realize how much skill went into their usual off-putting characters. Anyway, this 30 minutes is a rare opportunity to watch a very unusual and distinguished cast in a fairly interesting story.
Perhaps no one of the time was more expert at playing moral degenerates of one type or another than the obese Robert Emhardt. His rotund shape, high-domed forehead, and softly sinister manner, made up one of the most unusual screen presences allowed on 50's TV. In short, he was instantly repulsive. I don't say this to be cruel. Rather it's to pay tribute to a fine actor who lent color and authority to every thankless character he played. Moreover, long after the many pretty-boy leads of the day have faded away, Emhardt remains distinctively memorable to anyone familiar with that era. In this episode, his acting skill shows that despite the off-putting appearance, he could draw a sympathetic response when given the opportunity.
Henry Jones too is immediately recognizable. Short and scrawny, with an overlarge mouth and no chin, he seemed forever bemused by some private joke. More eccentric than repulsive, he nevertheless specialized in characterizations that caused the audience to wonder just what he might be hiding in his own cellar. Despite the many malicious roles, he was expert at droll comedy where his Cheshire-cat grin could inspire uneasy laughter and instant mistrust. There's been nobody quite like him before or since.
The third cast member, eagle-beaked Philip Coolidge, also specialized in off-beat roles, often as a sneaky busy-body of some sort, but he never rose to the heights of a Jones or Emhardt. Seeing all three acting normally in this episode makes you realize how much skill went into their usual off-putting characters. Anyway, this 30 minutes is a rare opportunity to watch a very unusual and distinguished cast in a fairly interesting story.
About the dead
TheLittleSongbird20 April 2022
"De Mortuis" is the third episode of Season 2's 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', the season started very disappointingly but a much better if not mind-blowing second episode followed. It is also Robert Stevens' first directing credit for Season 2. His episodes from Season 1 mostly ranged between decent and great, with big hits including "Momentum" and "Our Cook's a Treasure" and big lows including "Shopping for Death" and "The Hidden Thing". So quite a bit was expected, especially with an intriguing premise that is akin to early Hitchcock.
It didn't quite live up to high expectations or its attention-grabbing and foreboding title, but it didn't waste them. Of the three Season 2 episodes up to this early point, it is the best of the three while not being great let alone exceptional itself. There are better Stevens-directed episodes before and since, but also a good deal worse on both counts. "De Mortuis" is indeed in the top middle category to me, with the cast being the biggest interest point and being more interesting than the story.
Am going to start with what "De Mortuis" could have done better. While the story is diverting enough, there is not an awful lot that surprises, it is not particularly imaginative and there could have been more suspense in an episode that cried out for a lot of it.
Like "Fog Closing In", "De Mortuis" would have been benefitted from a longer length and at times more time to breathe.
However, there are things done very well. The performances are very good and it was interesting to see the cast in the roles they're in, ones that play to their strengths while also being different. Robert Emhardt in particular excels, showing a side that one doesn't usually see. Henry Jones is also natural. Stevens directs with enough confidence, particularly later on.
While suspense could have been more, the episode does pick up towards the end and is quite fun and intriguing. The end twist isn't mind-blowing and it would have been better if it wasn't spoiled, but isn't simplistic or confusing at least. The production values are solid while Hitchcock's intro sees Hitchcock showing that he was equally at home in droll humour as he was in suspense. "Funeral March of a Marionette" is a great main theme and among the best uses of pre-existing classical music for any television series. The script is diverting and intelligent, even if it could have been tighter.
Overall, above average and decent though not exceptional. 7/10.
It didn't quite live up to high expectations or its attention-grabbing and foreboding title, but it didn't waste them. Of the three Season 2 episodes up to this early point, it is the best of the three while not being great let alone exceptional itself. There are better Stevens-directed episodes before and since, but also a good deal worse on both counts. "De Mortuis" is indeed in the top middle category to me, with the cast being the biggest interest point and being more interesting than the story.
Am going to start with what "De Mortuis" could have done better. While the story is diverting enough, there is not an awful lot that surprises, it is not particularly imaginative and there could have been more suspense in an episode that cried out for a lot of it.
Like "Fog Closing In", "De Mortuis" would have been benefitted from a longer length and at times more time to breathe.
However, there are things done very well. The performances are very good and it was interesting to see the cast in the roles they're in, ones that play to their strengths while also being different. Robert Emhardt in particular excels, showing a side that one doesn't usually see. Henry Jones is also natural. Stevens directs with enough confidence, particularly later on.
While suspense could have been more, the episode does pick up towards the end and is quite fun and intriguing. The end twist isn't mind-blowing and it would have been better if it wasn't spoiled, but isn't simplistic or confusing at least. The production values are solid while Hitchcock's intro sees Hitchcock showing that he was equally at home in droll humour as he was in suspense. "Funeral March of a Marionette" is a great main theme and among the best uses of pre-existing classical music for any television series. The script is diverting and intelligent, even if it could have been tighter.
Overall, above average and decent though not exceptional. 7/10.
Top notch episode. One of my favorites.
b_kite6 May 2021
A great episode that holds a special place to me due to it being one of the first episode of the series I ever saw. The misinterpretation of events that lead to what maybe one the finest twists this series ever delivered. The cast is great I always love seeing Robert Emhardt return to the series. I also love the title a latin phrase meaning "of the dead".
"You shouldn't have done a thing like this."
classicsoncall5 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This story has the feel of a first season episode titled 'Back for Christmas'. Just as Rod Serling did in his Twilight Zone series, Alfred Hitchcock returns to prior themes and reworks them with a different twist. Here we have the old 'bury the wife in the basement' scenario, which probably wouldn't have occurred if Professor Rankin (Robert Emhardt) hadn't gotten the tacit approval and encouragement from his fishing buddies (Philip Coolidge, Henry Jones). With their imagination running wild while reliving past events involving the Prof's unfaithful wife (Cara Williams), the men imagine that Irene now lies under a hundred pounds of cement in the Rankin basement. Apparently the Prof thought it was a pretty good idea once he had time to consider the option; his invitation to wife Irene ended the same way it did for Hermione Carpenter in that Christmas story.
Solid acting,seemingly simplistic story
ronnybee21122 February 2021
Perhaps a Little Overreaction!
Hitchcoc9 June 2013
The story is pretty lame and unimaginative. Since there isn't much here one must delight in what Hitchcock often did with his stories. He engaged marvelous character actors to portray the principle figures in many episodes. Here it's Robert Emhardt, the corpulent jealous husband and biologist, the weasel like Phil Coolidge, with his aquiline honker and sharp features, and Henry Jones, who must have had a thousand roles in his career. It's pretty much a case of people just talking too much and having imaginations to match their impulsiveness. It's one of those cases where on mind was fine, but three become destructive. The joy of the episode is the gossipy byplay that goes on between these "regular" small-town guys. They have been in this little town all their lives and have almost too much knowledge of it and its goings on. Suffice it to say, we are prepared for some twists.
Watch the amazing Robert Emhardt playing Professor Rankin
Cristi_Ciopron11 August 2009
Warning: Spoilers
DE MORTUIS, a Teleplay by Francis Cockrell, directed by Robert Stevens, with Robert Emhardt, Cara Williams and Henry Jones, based on a story by John Collier, is distinguished by a very noticeable actor—the one who plays Professor Rankin-- Hitchcock's intro is as funny as usually.
Professor Rankin conducts experiments in rats _etology down in the cellar; he's 51, obese, innocent, clumsy and looks a bit like the old E Waugh. Rankin's wife is the young and hot Irene. The town's gossip revels in talking about her affairs. Two idiots who visit Professor Rankin and suspect him of having killed his wife Irene provide the poor oldster with a concrete solution to his marital troubles.
Professor Rankin conducts experiments in rats _etology down in the cellar; he's 51, obese, innocent, clumsy and looks a bit like the old E Waugh. Rankin's wife is the young and hot Irene. The town's gossip revels in talking about her affairs. Two idiots who visit Professor Rankin and suspect him of having killed his wife Irene provide the poor oldster with a concrete solution to his marital troubles.
Keep your opinions to yourself
sol12181 May 2012
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS*** At first the meek and harmless looking Prof. Rankin, Robert Emhardt, has no idea what his two "friends" Wally & Bud,Henry Jones & Philip Coolidge, are talking about when their hinting about his wife Irene, Cara Williams,and what supposedly happened to her. These two bird brains seem to have mistaken what Rankin is doing in his basement,putting in a cement floor, has criminal overtones without as much as saying but hinting at it.
As for Rankin his mind starts to work overtime in that the two are telling him about Irene flirting with every man in town even themselves. As for Wally & Bud they never let up in their suspicions in what happened to Irene and what Rankin did to her. So much so that what they in fact think what Rankin did is soon to becomes a reality!
****MAJOR SPOILERS**** And the worst fears that Wally & Bud had in covering up Rankin's so-called crime by not reporting it and him to the police in fact are compounded in them actually being far more guilty in him committing it by putting that idea into his head! As for Irene she has a big surprise waiting for her when she came home, after missing her train, to freshen herself up. A homicidal husband who's mind was poisoned by the very people who tried to protect him! Not from a crime that he committed but one he's soon to commit whom they unknowingly programed to commit it.
P.S As expected "The Master" Alfred Hitchcock has to spoil everything in giving us the lowdown to what happened off screen to Rankin after the show or episode was over. And in his summation or epilogue he never mentions what ever happened to the two real scoundrels in this tale or murder and madness Wally & Bud Who were far more guilty then Rankin in them inciting him to commit the crime.
As for Rankin his mind starts to work overtime in that the two are telling him about Irene flirting with every man in town even themselves. As for Wally & Bud they never let up in their suspicions in what happened to Irene and what Rankin did to her. So much so that what they in fact think what Rankin did is soon to becomes a reality!
****MAJOR SPOILERS**** And the worst fears that Wally & Bud had in covering up Rankin's so-called crime by not reporting it and him to the police in fact are compounded in them actually being far more guilty in him committing it by putting that idea into his head! As for Irene she has a big surprise waiting for her when she came home, after missing her train, to freshen herself up. A homicidal husband who's mind was poisoned by the very people who tried to protect him! Not from a crime that he committed but one he's soon to commit whom they unknowingly programed to commit it.
P.S As expected "The Master" Alfred Hitchcock has to spoil everything in giving us the lowdown to what happened off screen to Rankin after the show or episode was over. And in his summation or epilogue he never mentions what ever happened to the two real scoundrels in this tale or murder and madness Wally & Bud Who were far more guilty then Rankin in them inciting him to commit the crime.
SHE CHEATS, BUT KEEPS HIM COMPANY... SOMETIMES
tcchelsey29 August 2023
The perfect Hitchcock dark comedy, and with one of the best casts to pull it through.
Robert Emhardt plays old, fuddy duddy Professor Rankin, who has a much younger and beautiful wife. The proverbial questions; How? Why? What?? There's trouble brewing... 50s tv star Cara Willliams, who was groomed to be another Lucille Ball at the time, plays the lovely lady in question. And there's lots of questions to come.
The professor's two buds stop by, of course voluteering information about his wife's "loose" ways... all the while he is curiously digging a hole in his basement. And please be quiet.
A story you can't possibly resist. The talkiative buddies are well played by series regular Phillip Coolidge and Henry Jones, two of the best character actors in the business. Jones was always the reliably sly type while Coolidge played the quiet gent, who you had to keep an eye on. Coolidge was a cousin of President Calvin Coolidge, and there is a family resemblence. Many critics noted he was a gifted actor, but generally got minor roles that did not show off his true talent.
Cara Williams, after a long career, passed in Dec. 2021. By the way, De Mortuis (nil nisi bonum) in Latin means, "Of the dead, nothing but good is to be said."
A diamond in the rough, must see late night episode. Hitch, as always, has the last laugh, and enjoying it.
SEASON 2 EPISODE 3 remastered Universal dvd box set.
Robert Emhardt plays old, fuddy duddy Professor Rankin, who has a much younger and beautiful wife. The proverbial questions; How? Why? What?? There's trouble brewing... 50s tv star Cara Willliams, who was groomed to be another Lucille Ball at the time, plays the lovely lady in question. And there's lots of questions to come.
The professor's two buds stop by, of course voluteering information about his wife's "loose" ways... all the while he is curiously digging a hole in his basement. And please be quiet.
A story you can't possibly resist. The talkiative buddies are well played by series regular Phillip Coolidge and Henry Jones, two of the best character actors in the business. Jones was always the reliably sly type while Coolidge played the quiet gent, who you had to keep an eye on. Coolidge was a cousin of President Calvin Coolidge, and there is a family resemblence. Many critics noted he was a gifted actor, but generally got minor roles that did not show off his true talent.
Cara Williams, after a long career, passed in Dec. 2021. By the way, De Mortuis (nil nisi bonum) in Latin means, "Of the dead, nothing but good is to be said."
A diamond in the rough, must see late night episode. Hitch, as always, has the last laugh, and enjoying it.
SEASON 2 EPISODE 3 remastered Universal dvd box set.
Not bad...not great.
planktonrules4 September 2014
This is a pretty ordinary episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and this isn't necessarily a bad thing as this anthology show was generally very watchable. The show begins with a couple of the professor's 'friends' coming by the house to take him fishing. However, they cannot find him and do what anyone would do in this situation--they stand around reminiscing about what a slut the professor's wife is! Later, they find the professor in the cellar filling a hole in with cement and they assume the worst. Then, a few moments later, comes the twist.
The best thing about this episode for me is seeing some old familiar faces. Henry Jones and Robert Emhardt did a lot of TV appearances during this era and seeing them was pleasant and familiar. As for the plot, it's not great but was also darkly funny and worth seeing.
The best thing about this episode for me is seeing some old familiar faces. Henry Jones and Robert Emhardt did a lot of TV appearances during this era and seeing them was pleasant and familiar. As for the plot, it's not great but was also darkly funny and worth seeing.
Fabulous storyline entitled "De Mortuis"on black Humor oriented!!
elo-equipamentos21 April 2023
Our host Hitchcock display an extinct language to stablish the episode title, he somehow put it willfully the subject on black humor oriented, the clever Hitch also implied on the storyline a human gossips as guideline, pretty sure a dark humorous introduced by latin De Mortuis.
The old and fat Prof. Rankin (Robert Emhardt) was working in his cellar fulfilling a hole as cement, meanwhile arrive there his two buddies of fishing, Wally Long (Henry Jones) and Bud (Philip Coolidge) to aiming for fishing with them, nonetheless Rankin denied for be so tired on the hard work on such seller, whilst Wally and Bud is taking a coffee at kitchen alone they starting figure out why the hell Rankin had digged such hole and aftermaths fillet out it as cement, when asked by doing such thing he states that fixing some leaking of water from underground.
In the meantime Wally and Bud try implied Rankin's wife Irene (Cara Williams) bad behavior on her life due she really is a unfaithful young woman, both talking about last happenings involving Irene, sadly Prof. Rankin hears the whispers and watch it as a gossip or a bitter true, their friends grumble it so hard themselves that Prof. Rankin decides do something about.
De Mortuis is a fabulous episode leaving the Alfred Hitchcock Presents trademark, moreover the story is stunning doing justice with this valuable series, one the best at this point and have a solid casting as Robert Emhardt, Cara Williams, Henry Jones and Philip Coolidge that were often a regular guest casting in several shows!!
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 2023 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 8.
The old and fat Prof. Rankin (Robert Emhardt) was working in his cellar fulfilling a hole as cement, meanwhile arrive there his two buddies of fishing, Wally Long (Henry Jones) and Bud (Philip Coolidge) to aiming for fishing with them, nonetheless Rankin denied for be so tired on the hard work on such seller, whilst Wally and Bud is taking a coffee at kitchen alone they starting figure out why the hell Rankin had digged such hole and aftermaths fillet out it as cement, when asked by doing such thing he states that fixing some leaking of water from underground.
In the meantime Wally and Bud try implied Rankin's wife Irene (Cara Williams) bad behavior on her life due she really is a unfaithful young woman, both talking about last happenings involving Irene, sadly Prof. Rankin hears the whispers and watch it as a gossip or a bitter true, their friends grumble it so hard themselves that Prof. Rankin decides do something about.
De Mortuis is a fabulous episode leaving the Alfred Hitchcock Presents trademark, moreover the story is stunning doing justice with this valuable series, one the best at this point and have a solid casting as Robert Emhardt, Cara Williams, Henry Jones and Philip Coolidge that were often a regular guest casting in several shows!!
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 2023 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 8.
Yet another dud in Season 2
Ripshin14 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Once again, the acting is hammy, and over the top.
Are we really supposed to believe that the husband was married to HER?? Yes, I recognize the actor from many other roles, but it's simply ridiculous that he would attract that woman.
Why is it necessary that everyone be sweating so much? How does it further the plot?
I can see students using the word "prof," but NOT grown adult friends. And they couldn't have cast worse actors as the friends. Perhaps the director of the episode is more to blame.
The script is terrible. The ending is dumb. I guess I'll catch the 1981 "Tales of the Unexpected" British TV version. It HAS to be better.
Are we really supposed to believe that the husband was married to HER?? Yes, I recognize the actor from many other roles, but it's simply ridiculous that he would attract that woman.
Why is it necessary that everyone be sweating so much? How does it further the plot?
I can see students using the word "prof," but NOT grown adult friends. And they couldn't have cast worse actors as the friends. Perhaps the director of the episode is more to blame.
The script is terrible. The ending is dumb. I guess I'll catch the 1981 "Tales of the Unexpected" British TV version. It HAS to be better.
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