When his pretty ex-fiancee returns from another failed relationship, a chicken farmer, not wanting anything to do with her, decides to eliminate her.When his pretty ex-fiancee returns from another failed relationship, a chicken farmer, not wanting anything to do with her, decides to eliminate her.When his pretty ex-fiancee returns from another failed relationship, a chicken farmer, not wanting anything to do with her, decides to eliminate her.
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Did you know
- TriviaIn the original story, the killer is a farmer in South Africa. In this version, perhaps because of growing international criticism of the South African apartheid regime, the setting is changed to New Zealand.
- GoofsWhen Arthur is holding the chicken in the opening scene, his right hand has a noticeable dark spot near his thumb. Then the shot switches to a closeup and no spot is visible - suggesting that the closeup was accomplished using a "hand double."
- Quotes
[introduction - Hitchcock is in a chicken coop]
Alfred Hitchcock - Host: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen and brooders. I decided to go into the egg business. Like any other business, it needs fresh ideas. Here is our latest design.
[picks up an egg out of a nest]
Alfred Hitchcock - Host: Its advantages are obvious.
[close-up of the egg, which is in the shape of a polyhedron]
Alfred Hitchcock - Host: No more eggs rolling off the table.
[pull back]
Alfred Hitchcock - Host: Valuable storage space saved in the refrigerator. Unfortunately, this particular innovation has not filtered down below the management level. Our executives quickly saw its possibilities, but the hens seem rather slow at grasping new ideas. This is one of our plastic models. We have a large number of them scattered about to demonstrate to the hens what can be done if they put their minds to it.
[puts egg back in the nest]
Alfred Hitchcock - Host: As you can see,
[walks over to sign that reads 'THINK SQUARE']
Alfred Hitchcock - Host: ...we are using every psychological weapon at man's disposal. And now perhaps this slogan will give you strength to bridge the gap between this vignette and tonight's story.
- ConnectionsRemade as Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Arthur, or the Gigolo (1985)
- SoundtracksFuneral March of a Marionette
Written by Charles Gounod
Lawrence Harvey, soon to become a Hollywood star in such classics as BUTTERFIELD 8 and SUMMER AND SMOKE, plays --of all things -- a chicken farmer who has an unfaithful, but beautiful lady friend (best played by Hazel Court). She finally comes back home, but he's a bit wiser now and enjoys strangling chickens. She's NEXT.
Excellent writing by series pro James Cavanagh, who also did some macabre writing for Boris Karloff's tv series. With Hitchcock and Karloff on your resume, how can you lose? Additional talented British support from veteran actor and director Robert Douglas as the police inspector and Patrick Macnee as Sergeant Theron, shortly before his debut on the AVENGERS. You simply cannot overlook this cast.
According to production notes, this was the first episode produced at Universal Studios, only a few miles away from the old Republic Studios where the first four seasons were filmed. It was a smart move as future episodes would use the studios expansive backlot, especially Hitchcock's hour long series. Also more convenient for Hitch so he would be closer to his film projects, at the time working on NORTH BY NORTHWEST and next, PSYCHO.
A dynamic start to the 5th Season. Recommended late night entertainment with a cup of tea. Remastered dvd box set. 5 dvds. Released January 2012.
- tcchelsey
- May 15, 2024
Details
- Runtime30 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1