Conversation Over a Corpse

"Conversation Over a Corpse" is one of the best episodes of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" both because it has a wonderful script and a delightfully dotty performance by Dorothy Stickney as Cissie.

When the story begins, you learn that some time ago, Herbert (Ray Collins) bought an option on the home belonging to two sisters, Cissie and Joanna Enright. However, after taking that money some time ago, the sisters have had second thoughts about selling and now are in a much better situation financially. But Herbert doesn't care....he just wants to demolish the house and build something else on the property. To make it worse, Herbert seems to delight in the prospect of tossing the two elderly women out of the place! What's next? Perhaps, murder!

This is an episode best seen instead of described. You just have to watch Cissie and enjoy her story as it unfolds. Very clever, rather funny and, of course, quite dark!

The ultra cynical Alfred Hitchcock on introducing the upcoming episode already gives a hint what comes next in dealing with mini-laboratory mixing chemical elements in test tubes, the story is about two sexagenarian old ladies that previously sold their old property to a real state buyer that intent to demolish the old house aiming for property appreciation in near future, oddly enough both are regretting for accepted the business, so the old ladies planning invite the buyer for a tea to poison the older profiteer.

Actually has something underneath concerning the two old ladies, it won't as expose at first glance, the older one Cissie Enright (Dorothy Stickney) seems faltering and rambling, instead the younger one Joanna Enright (Carmen Mathews) that holds the firm purpose to poison the il-fated buyer Mr. Herbert (Ray Collins), the unexpected coming on closing episode, while back with Hitchcock final comments alleging that there's no actors available to play dead people, so he suggests to audience offers themselves for these death's roles, oh my God!!

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First watch: 2025 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.5.

Deliciously done black humor. Aging Enright sisters are about to be put out of the family house by greedy wheeler-dealer Brenner (Collins). But despite their genteel appearance, they're not about to go quietly, at least as long as there's poison in the house. Trouble is ditzy Cissie (Stickney) doesn't like either cruel people or cruel deeds. So she gives Brenner only a half-dose. Now the three face-off in the parlor as Brenner hangs on desperately while the ladies decide how to finish the job.

The episode is strongly reminiscent of Kill With Kindness (Oct., 1956), down to feisty Carmen Mathews as the driving force. This entry, however, is more consistently tongue-in-cheek. Collins makes a good Scrooge, while Stickney manages a tricky part well. The upshot's nicely ironic made so by a clever script that eases subtly into the irony. All in all, it's vintage Hitchcock from the series second season.

This is entirely tongue in cheek. It involves a couple of elderly sisters. One of them quite dominating and the other rather passive. Enter a man played by Ray Collins (Lt. Tragg from Perry Mason). He wants their property and won't take no for an answer. They decide that they should kill him. The entire episode is a series of efforts to do away with the man while he sits there and listens. He is paralyzed for much of the episode. As time goes along, the sister that seems like the mouse begins to assert herself. It leads to a satisfying conclusion. It's best if you don't take this one too seriously.

The byplay between the two sisters and Collins' pleading are quite comical. I think a great deal of charm comes from the two women's cold bloodedness. They don't seem to care that they are about to murder someone, only how to do it.

Two spinsters (Carmen Matthews and Dorothy Stickney) and have agreed to sell their house to a property developer (Ray Collins) but, regretting it, plan to kill him.

This episode is a very light hearted black comedy, as is clear from the incidental music. No psychological tension or heart-stopping suspense here, just a fun ride. The pace is maintained throughout - it never drags. The three main actors are all well suited to their roles. Carmen Matthews' part is similar to the one she played 4 episodes earlier (Kill with Kindness), though here she is a little more human, and the story itself is much more satisfying.

I didn't find the story predictable, and there was at least one surprise turn in the plot.

As with many of these episodes, this is one where you really could do without the obligatory "no-one must get away with a crime" epilogues which I dread even before Hitchcock opens his mouth. Still, it's better there than in the story itself.

So, sit back and enjoy...