Death Sentence

Another scheme that doesn't look like other ones, neither one in particular, at least as far as I know. And the twist ending is one awesome idea, very twisted...The kind of surprise that will delight many audiences. I won''t give you details because I don't want to spoil your pleasure. Be careful to the evolution and progress in th story, so that you can fully appreciate the entire episode. Now, I hope you will.

"Death Sentence" is a rather ordinary episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" because although it has a nice story, it lacks irony and the usual great twist.

When the story begins, Norman is a successful business man who seems to have a pretty good life. However, an unexpected old friend arrives fresh from prison and he plans on putting the bite on Norman. You soon learn that the two men were partners in crime long ago and the friend was caught and sent to prison...and now that he's been paroled, he informs Norman that he wants to be taken care of OR ELSE he'll tell authorities what really happened long ago...sending Norman to prison. So he has little choice but to give in to this blackmail and during this time, Norman ignores his loving wife and it puts a stain on the marriage.

While an interesting story idea, the writer didn't seem to know what to do with it and the ending was just okay and nothing more.

With Paul Henreid directing, the bad apples were more rotten to the core, just what Hitch loved. Just what we loved... Steve Brodie, who portrayed some sly foxes in his day, plays Al, released from prison, and wanting to "rekindle" old times with his former partner, now a successful businessman.

James Best is a good choice, playing Norman, one of those Hitch characters who looks pleasant enough, however has skeletons in his closet too. Fate seemed to be kinder to Norman (Best), so Al wants a few favors -- for lost time in the jug. The irony here is Al should have been the one running the business, because he seemed to be quite the industrious fellow. Its amazing as you watch this series how all the smart guys were ex jail birds or are sitting behind bars!

Then there's the matter (always is) about Norman's wife, played by Katharine Bard. Al has taking a liking to her, and the walls further begin to crumble around poor Norman.

Hitch soap opera? Yes. Hitch let's do something about it? That too. Without giving too much away, instead of guns or knives, a change of pace with a bomb. Aren't we having fun. The finale, guaranteed, will take you by surprise.

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When a writer is bogged down with a drama that just won't go, he's far better off trying it out as a comedy. The unworkable premises piled up to ridiculous heights in "Death Sentence" make a pretty good example. Hangdog protagonist James Best is haunted by an unhappy childhood, the legacy of a domineering father-in-law, a sputtering business, a disagreeable personality, and the little matter of a murder charge lurking in his criminal background. To top it off Best is supposed to be married to Katherine Bard, an actress 10 years his senior, who looked every day of it. That alone would be worse than any death sentence.

I guess when one is driven by despair, one can go to the most ridiculous extremes. This is a story about love, even though it is not love in a demonstrative way, but the kind of love people have who have gotten used to each other. Enter the other element, the young, romantic manipulator. We are led to believe that our hero has finally had enough, and while what he is doing is beyond the pale, he is at least doing something. Of course, Hitchcock's writers know that the story is just too easy. Revenge is what this is all about, so we need a more satisfactory ending. Performances are quite dramatic. I just couldn't get beyond the lack of choices that the protagonist investigates. Oh well! It's a half hour and it certainly is interesting.