What happens when you set a guy up properly to expect a ghost? Or set him up to suspect that the people with whom he has bet a great deal of money will try to scare him away. Two men, badly in need of money, hanging around a fancy men's club, trick a rich American into betting with them. They bet a thousand pounds he cannot spend the night in a haunted mansion. They give him a gun, a candle, and one match. They also leave a book with a scary story of two sisters in it. One thing leads to another and the man is led to hysteria. What happens next is the true issue in this story. How does he handle being scared out of his wits. This is during war time and the forces at work don't meet again for five years. See this. it's a good psychological study, although it is a bit predictable.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series)
The Gentleman from America (1956)
User Reviews
Review this title11 Reviews
"What a lot of tripe."
classicsoncall28 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The outcome of this story suggested two things to me. First, that the visiting American Latimer (Biff McGuire) was actually an escapee from the Sunnyview Sanitarium back in 1940 upon the first meeting with Hurstwood (Ralph Clanton) and his friend Derek (John Irving). Seeing that 'ghost' after accepting the bet to stay overnight in the haunted Hurstwood Manor would have only made his condition worse, evidenced by the man's hysteria on that frightful evening. The other of course, is that Latimer became unhinged after his ghostly experience, and wound up in the Sanitarium as a result of his stay at the Manor. The latter explanation is the one I think most viewers accept, but the first one I offer makes it more plausible that Latimer would have accepted the bet in the first place, especially after the oddball conditions were set down by Hurstwood. Either way, the 'winners' of the bet played it dirty, having taken Latimer's money because of their insistence that his passing out was tantamount to not staying the entire night in the haunted room. That was a pretty feeble justification on Hurstwood's part.
Don't Bet On Ghosts
telegonus28 July 2021
This first season Hitchcock half-hour is fairly typical of the earlier episodes of this long running suspense series, as to its cast, ambiance and darker than usual tone of the story it tells. It starts out as a seemingly light tory about an American abroad, a young man, not terribly intelligent, though wealthy all the same (typical Hitch take on Yanks) who has been gambling up a storm in the England of 1940, when the world war was still "phoney", to the English speaking world anyway. Two English gentlemen of medium sophistication, and low on funds, propose a wager to the young man that he cannot spend a night in a bedroom of Hurstwood manor. He is told that he must remain in the room overnight, and is given only a candle, one match, a pistol and, if he pleases, a book that tells the "terrible story" that caused the manor to become haunted. If the Yank stays in the room all night he will win a thousand pounds. Unwisely, the American takes the wager, then proceeds upstairs with surprisingly little fuss or bother.
There is also a bit of information mentioned earlier about a nearby lunatic asylum, and I don't see this as a spoiler, as, while there is some foreshadowing of what shall happen later on in the tale, it's near impossible for a first time viewer to guess the signifacence of it. The prospect, in this story, of gambling, an early wartime setting, a young American abroad, and out of his element, a ghost, and madness, is a tantalizing one even as the first half of the episode is otherwise somewhat prosaic and unremarkable. Things turn, literally, darker, in the second half, yet there's also some confusion for even a seasoned Hitchcock show viewer, as the "set-up", or introduction (as it were) is quite complicated as to the terms of the wager, and how or whether a ghost would react to being shot at. Nor is it made wholly clear who is going to be staying in this large manor house to ensure that the American will stick to his part of the bargain, and if he doesn't, how they can know. The episode pays off in the end, though it could have been a whole lot better with some different players and a better script. Michael Arlen's short story was a good one, yet the epsode, while above average in most respects, feels a bit second tier for this particular television series.
There is also a bit of information mentioned earlier about a nearby lunatic asylum, and I don't see this as a spoiler, as, while there is some foreshadowing of what shall happen later on in the tale, it's near impossible for a first time viewer to guess the signifacence of it. The prospect, in this story, of gambling, an early wartime setting, a young American abroad, and out of his element, a ghost, and madness, is a tantalizing one even as the first half of the episode is otherwise somewhat prosaic and unremarkable. Things turn, literally, darker, in the second half, yet there's also some confusion for even a seasoned Hitchcock show viewer, as the "set-up", or introduction (as it were) is quite complicated as to the terms of the wager, and how or whether a ghost would react to being shot at. Nor is it made wholly clear who is going to be staying in this large manor house to ensure that the American will stick to his part of the bargain, and if he doesn't, how they can know. The episode pays off in the end, though it could have been a whole lot better with some different players and a better script. Michael Arlen's short story was a good one, yet the epsode, while above average in most respects, feels a bit second tier for this particular television series.
Erratic but Suspenseful
dougdoepke1 September 2010
Inconsistent little 30 minutes that still manages some suspense. Opening scene sets-up nicely. Titled but penniless Englishman (Clanton) inveigles prosperous American (McGuire) into a bet that McGuire can't spend night in a haunted house. We suspect Clanton's motives, but don't know anything for sure.
I like the way Clanton projects a slightly snobbish air that irks regular guy McGuire into taking up the wager. Without that extra dimension the wager would not be as plausible.
Unfortunately, the haunted bedroom scene doesn't work as well as the opening—McGuire's behavior is not all that believable. Still, we wonder what the payoff will be, which doesn't come until five years later. If at the end, you have trouble fitting the various parts together, so did I.
Good performances by the principals. McGuire was an early series favorite, probably for his ordinary looks. It's not superior Hitchcock, but there's enough offbeat interest to keep you entertained.
I like the way Clanton projects a slightly snobbish air that irks regular guy McGuire into taking up the wager. Without that extra dimension the wager would not be as plausible.
Unfortunately, the haunted bedroom scene doesn't work as well as the opening—McGuire's behavior is not all that believable. Still, we wonder what the payoff will be, which doesn't come until five years later. If at the end, you have trouble fitting the various parts together, so did I.
Good performances by the principals. McGuire was an early series favorite, probably for his ordinary looks. It's not superior Hitchcock, but there's enough offbeat interest to keep you entertained.
A bit unusual
Cristi_Ciopron21 September 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Daddy Hitchcock, always willing to amuse with some fine television, prepared a ghastly prank called THE GENTLEMAN FROM America, with Biff McGuire; directed by Robert Stevens, based on a story by Michael Arlen, it features the ingenious story of a British noble and an American guy who's reputed to be rich and, as I said, the story seems ingenious—doubly ingenious—as to the British's trick and to the implausible twist (--a mental patient doesn't look, though, like a guest from America, here they blew it--). The actors are Biff McGuire, Ralph Clanton, John Irving. A British oldster, noble but not so rich, tricks an American into accepting a bet to spend a whole night into a haunted room. The bet is high, as the British squire needs money.
The scene is Hurstwood Manor—1940, and then five yrs later. This play has that Hitchcokian air of creepiness.
The scene is Hurstwood Manor—1940, and then five yrs later. This play has that Hitchcokian air of creepiness.
The haunted gentleman
TheLittleSongbird30 March 2022
Am one of those people that likes a good ghost story and there are a good share of good and more ones on film and television, whether as standalones or as an adaptation. The idea for "The Gentleman from America" did sound interesting in concept, not mind-blowing or unique as an overall concept but there were not many episodes at this point of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' that had this type of story and that was an interest point.
"The Gentleman from America" could have been better than it was and could have done a good deal more with its concept. It is another 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episode that is not one of the best, it is not even one of the best of Season 1. It is also not quite one of the worst, but it is in the lesser half of the first season. Director Robert Stevens did do a lot better episodes before and since "The Gentleman from America", actually had a hard time believing it was directed by him.
Sure there are good things. It doesn't fare badly visually, with some suitable eeriness in the photography and lighting. The main theme is still haunting and an ingenious use of pre-existing piece of classical music that has been long associated with the series (very like the 'Die Fledermaus' Overture in popular culture has been associated for a long time with Tom and Jerry). The bookending is once again suitably droll, dryly delivered by Hitchcock himself.
Biff McGuire does a good job in the lead role and the episode works well enough as a psychological character study ('Alfred Hitchcock Presents' did psychological character studies well more than once). It starts off intriguingly and there are some moments of nice suspense.
Moments that are too far and between in the second half. The story generally is too thin, with too little to sustain the length. Meaning the pace drags in stretches. Also thought that it was very predictable, with familiar territory given little freshness, as well as lacking spookiness. Some of it borders on silly, especially in the final quarter.
Despite liking to loving a good number of Stevens' 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes, his work here is undistinguished at best and quite routine. Did think that it could have been any other director, as this didn't somehow feel like Stevens. The ghost is more unintentionally goofy than scary and ruined by the very fake look. The dialogue doesn't sound natural and can be goofy.
Overall, watchable one time watch but not much more. 5/10.
"The Gentleman from America" could have been better than it was and could have done a good deal more with its concept. It is another 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episode that is not one of the best, it is not even one of the best of Season 1. It is also not quite one of the worst, but it is in the lesser half of the first season. Director Robert Stevens did do a lot better episodes before and since "The Gentleman from America", actually had a hard time believing it was directed by him.
Sure there are good things. It doesn't fare badly visually, with some suitable eeriness in the photography and lighting. The main theme is still haunting and an ingenious use of pre-existing piece of classical music that has been long associated with the series (very like the 'Die Fledermaus' Overture in popular culture has been associated for a long time with Tom and Jerry). The bookending is once again suitably droll, dryly delivered by Hitchcock himself.
Biff McGuire does a good job in the lead role and the episode works well enough as a psychological character study ('Alfred Hitchcock Presents' did psychological character studies well more than once). It starts off intriguingly and there are some moments of nice suspense.
Moments that are too far and between in the second half. The story generally is too thin, with too little to sustain the length. Meaning the pace drags in stretches. Also thought that it was very predictable, with familiar territory given little freshness, as well as lacking spookiness. Some of it borders on silly, especially in the final quarter.
Despite liking to loving a good number of Stevens' 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes, his work here is undistinguished at best and quite routine. Did think that it could have been any other director, as this didn't somehow feel like Stevens. The ghost is more unintentionally goofy than scary and ruined by the very fake look. The dialogue doesn't sound natural and can be goofy.
Overall, watchable one time watch but not much more. 5/10.
BETTING ON A GHOST...
tcchelsey22 August 2023
Francis Cockrell was a master at telling a good story. Cockrell wrote many episodes for Hitchcock, also known for some film classics, such INFERNO (1953), starring Robert Ryan.
Old reliable tough guy Biff McGuire plays a wealthy American and the perfect fool for a couple of con men, who meet up with him at a club in England. They need a fast buck, so why not challenge him to spend a night in a genuine haunted house? An old challenge ... but still fun to watch.
McGuire has a gun... and a book of ghost stories? Not really a spooker, rather a psychological tale, a la Hitchcock in the dark. The walking ghost scene is campy stuff, reminiscent of all those low, low budget movies we grew up on.
I agree with the last reviewer, there's a unique ending to the story, as you actually get to see what happened to the main character. Worth the wait.
Hitch's opening is classic, replete with screams.
SEASON 1 EPISODE 31 Universal remastered dvd box set.
Old reliable tough guy Biff McGuire plays a wealthy American and the perfect fool for a couple of con men, who meet up with him at a club in England. They need a fast buck, so why not challenge him to spend a night in a genuine haunted house? An old challenge ... but still fun to watch.
McGuire has a gun... and a book of ghost stories? Not really a spooker, rather a psychological tale, a la Hitchcock in the dark. The walking ghost scene is campy stuff, reminiscent of all those low, low budget movies we grew up on.
I agree with the last reviewer, there's a unique ending to the story, as you actually get to see what happened to the main character. Worth the wait.
Hitch's opening is classic, replete with screams.
SEASON 1 EPISODE 31 Universal remastered dvd box set.
haunted room, contains spoilers
writtenbymkm-583-90209720 January 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I'm a long-time Hitchcock fan, both movies and TV, but I've always thought his later one-hour TV shows were much better, with more irony and humor. That said, I do enjoy many of the early 30-minute series, although to me some sort of fall a little short. "The Gentleman from America" is one of those that, for me, are not as good as some others. The plot is rather simple on the surface. A couple of British guys bet an American that he can't stay the night in a haunted room. The American at first doesn't think they're serious. After all, there's no such thing as a ghost, right? But the two British guys seem really serious and offer to bet quite a bit of money. The American takes the bait -- I mean, the bet. Now, to me this is where it sort of falls apart. First of all, if someone tried to bet me a lot of money that I wouldn't stay the night in a "haunted room," I'd know right off the bat that something was up, for two reasons. One, there are no ghosts. Two, they're way too anxious to bet a lot of money. And if, on top of that, they made ridiculous conditions -- I can only have one candle and one match, but I can have a gun -- I'd know I was being had. It's the simple fact that the American ignores these things that sort of spoiled it for me. Sort of, not totally, because (a) I'm a sucker for a ghost story, and (b) I was curious to know the outcome. In the end, it falls flat, as our American hero manages to extinguish his only candle and then practically loses his mind when confronted by a pretty obviously fake ghost. Sorry, Hitch.
Is it just me, or is this one a bit dumb?
planktonrules19 February 2021
When the episode begins, it's 1940 and an American, Mr. Latimer, is in Britain on vacation. It seems that he has incredibly good luck and is rich....and one of the locals is irritated by this. So, he makes Latimer a bet that he cannot stay the entire night in a supposedly haunted room for one night. I could give you more details, but this might give away the twist...such as it is.
To me, this episode seemed inferior for a variety of reasons...the biggest of which is the weakness of the script. The twist didn't seem at all believable and the episode seemed more silly than anything else.
To me, this episode seemed inferior for a variety of reasons...the biggest of which is the weakness of the script. The twist didn't seem at all believable and the episode seemed more silly than anything else.
bad choice
RResende5 November 2009
This is not one of the examples of the series. In fact, the failure of this episode probably highlights how thin is, in this kind of story, the difference between a pleasant awkward episode, and just a cheesy goofy nonsense.
What i do notice as a dominant fact to much of the episodes is that we are always allowed to define the degree of human manipulation or super natural unexplained events that take place (or that is revealed to us). So, in this case, we suspect the American is being manipulated, but we also wonder whether we are being manipulated as well. The plot is predictable, but it leaves some shadows, which might be enough for us to wonder enough to feel in doubt. Is there a real ghost? Would the manipulators fall in their own trap and be caught in the middle of something they didn't understand? Would the American over top his deceivers and come out with something more clever? Well, apparently they chose the dullest solution. The American does exactly what is intended by the money chasers, everything is according to the book (not the one he reads, i wish it was according to that). We have a minor twist, of finding out what happened to the American after the night in the mansion, but instead of fun irony, they moralize. Bad choice, to me.
So it fails in the plot, and to me it fails in the building of the tension in the ghost house. That has to do with direction, but also probably due to the ghost itself, which is laughable by today's production standards, so it is badly dated.
My opinion: 1/5
http://www.7eyes.wordpress.com
What i do notice as a dominant fact to much of the episodes is that we are always allowed to define the degree of human manipulation or super natural unexplained events that take place (or that is revealed to us). So, in this case, we suspect the American is being manipulated, but we also wonder whether we are being manipulated as well. The plot is predictable, but it leaves some shadows, which might be enough for us to wonder enough to feel in doubt. Is there a real ghost? Would the manipulators fall in their own trap and be caught in the middle of something they didn't understand? Would the American over top his deceivers and come out with something more clever? Well, apparently they chose the dullest solution. The American does exactly what is intended by the money chasers, everything is according to the book (not the one he reads, i wish it was according to that). We have a minor twist, of finding out what happened to the American after the night in the mansion, but instead of fun irony, they moralize. Bad choice, to me.
So it fails in the plot, and to me it fails in the building of the tension in the ghost house. That has to do with direction, but also probably due to the ghost itself, which is laughable by today's production standards, so it is badly dated.
My opinion: 1/5
http://www.7eyes.wordpress.com
The Gentleman from America
bombersflyup14 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
These seem to be getting worse and worse. First of all who makes large bets with strangers... who says they even have that much money. Secondly the guy said he paid him because he lost, his money? what. Uninteresting, amateurish drivel.
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