Coyote Moon

The Professor (Macdonald Carey) is a real sap. He is driving cross country and comes upon a lady who bums a ride off of him. Soon, she tells the Professor to stop, as she sees her father by the side of the road (Edgar Buchanan). Without really even asking, he gets in the car. Soon the Professor finds that the father, in particular, is a real thief....and you wonder how long this will continue until the Professor either tosses them out OR the pair kill him and take the car! They are truly awful....and you wonder where is this going next. And, since it's "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", what happens next could be almost anything!

I have to say, this episode really had me guessing. I had no idea WHAT was going to happen next...but it certainly turned out to be very funny. I appreciate this, as the episode truly is most original and silly...and quite enjoyable. Well worth your time...and quite a few laughs at the end.

This "AHP" episode from 1959 is clever and well done with drama and suspense as it takes a twist in the end. A professor is on his way to a teaching post in California and along the way he picks up a hitchhiker named Julie. And things start to not seem right even more when Julie's father and brother are picked up also. It's like the trio has other things in mind like theft. It's a con game as this episode proves that along the way of travels you shouldn't trust people or pick up strangers. Anyway the professor wises up and sees a plan and moment to change the game as this episode takes a twist and turn with justice being brought upon the con artists! Overall well done episode that teaches turn about is fair play as what comes around goes around!

Interesting character study here, though there is no criminal element in this episode. Good acting and situations that should "talk" to many audiences. Just a drama, with only a handful of characters. Edgar Buchanan contributes a lot in this plot where Madonald Carey is also excellent in this role in which many folks could recognize themselves. This story could have been used in many anthology shows besides this one, mostly destined to crime schemes.

'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' "Coyote Moon" (1959)

Opening thoughts: Herschel Daugherty was responsible for some exceptional 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes, standouts being "The Creeper", "Little White Frock" and "The Last Dark Step". He was though also responsible for the disappointing "Father and Son" and the big time miss "Sylvia" (one of my least favourites of the series). He really excelled in the creepier episodes and he also excelled in the few that had more of an emotional impact, less so in the slighter plotted, more soapy ones.

"Coyote Moon" is not quite one of his best episodes, not like "The Creeper", "Little White Frock" and "The Last Dark Step". It is in my mind closer to their level than to "Father and Son" and "Sylvia" thankfully and while not an episode of the creepy or poignant kinds it is one of Daugherty's more entertaining episodes. Season 5 does see a major return to high quality after such a bad previous episode in "Appointment at Eleven".

Bad things: There is very little to criticise actually about "Coyote Moon". Maybe it does go a little too over the top on the silliness when the outwitting becomes more outlandish.

Good things: MacDonald Carey's spirited lead performance does raise the episode to a higher level, always incredibly entertaining to watch while also rootable. The acting on the whole is fine and there is a good deal of wit in the chemistry. Daugherty's direction also raised the episode's quality. He was clearly having fun with the material, while mostly not losing control of it, no signs of indifference.

While not lavish, the production values are still atmospheric and set the lively and (when needed) suspenseful tone well. "Funeral March of a Marionette" is suitably macabre and is an inspired choice for theme music.

A good script always helps and the one in "Coyote Moon" is incredibly funny and witty, while also taut and thoughtful. Hitchcock's bookendings are still amusingly ironic. Loved the light hearted and more adventurous tone of the story, which is always lively and has the right amount of suspense too. The ending satisfies immensely and far from a cop-out or too convenient, ending exactly how it should do.

Closing thoughts: Overall, absolutely great.

9/10.

First, you have to love the title.

Second, an over the top story, but that's Hitch and you know there's going to be a satsfying ending.

MacDonald Carey plays a professor driving across country who picks up a young woman called Julie (played by Collin Wilcox). It's not long before she's joined by her father (rascally Edgar Buchanan) and her brother, another work of art.

Do the math.

The genius of it is how professor Carey fakes out the fakers. Definitely Hitchcock loved this one, written by Harold Swanton, who wrote 10 episodes for the master of suspense.

Both Buchanan and Collin Wilcox shine in their roles, infact, complimenting each other they are that devious. The on location desert settings adds to the bitter flavor.

MacDonald Carey, an actors actor, went on to many award winning years with the daytime soaper DAYS OF OUR LIVES. He claims he took a chance with the show and it turned out to be best choice he ever made.

A smirking ending (perfect description) to remember. You'll want to see this again.

From SEASON 5 EPISODE 4 remastered Universal dvd box set. 5 dvds. Released 2012. The classic "gold" box, one of the most popular among collectors. Released 2012. All seven half hour seasons are on dvd in a single box. Released 2022. A gift to treasure.