Conversation Over a Corpse

If you have two old ladies in an ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS series episode, you certainly have to expect poison element, and here that's just the case. A light hearted crime drama in the pure Agatha Christie style. It is refreshing, fun to watch, though not being a highlight in the show. A rollercoaster in terms of characters relation and dialogues. Very tense, fast paced, and those two delightful old women. It is very worth the view. You also have here a bit of Ernst Lubitsch's touch in terms of directing. I have great pleasure each time I see this episode. Good twist ending that I am sure you will enjoy.

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...

A pair of sisters decide to play a devious game when the man who bought their house arrives for a visit. They serve up something extra special in their tea and cookies, in order to keep their home in the family.

Enjoyable black comedy that benefits from the three characters. Their acting is great. There's no murder, well only an attempted poisoning, but it's a change from a serious tone.

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.

"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!