Decoy

Gil Larkin (Robert Horton)is suspected of murder when Mona Cameron's allegedly abusive husband is shot dead in front of him and he gets knocked out by an unknown assailant. He wakes up with a gun in his hand. He determined to find the real killer.

Fairly involving story that is competently made and well acted, especially by Wagon Train star Robert Horton. His depiction of a character trying to clear his name for murder is convincing. The finale ends things in a satisfactory manner. However the episode isn't too remarkable, and plods on at times. The Hitchcock introduction is amusing as ever with his dry humour.

I enjoyed the episode. I love seeing Cara Williams anytime. She was always hilarious in "Pete and Gladys". But my interest here is in a classic character actor, Philip Coolidge, who plays the police Lieutenant. He made a memorable twilight zone episode in which he was very cross and disagreeable until he would hear a player piano playing, then he became very kind. He has a very unusual appearance, which suits him well for the various roles in different shows of the time. What I noticed in this show, but I think he does in every role he plays, it's his way of closing his eyes just as he begins to talk! Very unusual and effective!

Hitch starts looking through magnifying glass suggesting to the viewers stay tuned about the story, also saying that the gorgeous dancing girls will appears in the end of the episode which one of them nowadays is married with a famous person of English aristocracy, with snarky British mood as always.

The Coy is about a musician Gil Larkin (Robert Horton) working with married singer Mona Cameron (Clara Williams) as composer nourishes a secret love with her, Larkin realizes some bruises in the Mona's arms, he asking for who done it, but Mona flees from this conversation, however letting a slight hint that his husband Ben Cameron (David Orrick) did it, thus Larkin is willing to face Ben about this, Mona disagrees but the jealous Larkin goes to the Ben's office to clarify, arriving there at early evening just finds the secretary and Ben at private office talking in phone with someone, upon entering in the office steeply when starts arguing with Ben an unknown guy behind Larkin shot Ben who yells "Ritchie" the murder hits Larkin's head, letting the gun at your hand to frame him.

He has two hours long before the dead body has been found by the janitor of shift night, through a note found at Ben desk Larkin tries out find there two names write in the note, by the end Hitch is back again making apologizes to the audience due the short time of the episode had to cut off the gorgeous dancing girls at final scene, Hitch did his usual tricks, fantastic!!

Thanks for reading.

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First watch: 2022 / Source: DVD / How many: 1 / Rating: 7.5.

This is a wonderful episode - it proves that talent will out - I met Cara Williams recently at a screening of "The Defiant Ones" - I must say, I was star-struck. I've had a good career in film/TV, met many a star, but meeting Cara, well what can I say? Look at this episode - she plays truth itself. I gave her a kiss and a hug that night at the screening - she was so humble - and a bit embarrassed - and quite surprised I should consider her performance so wonderful. I only wish she had stayed in the business longer. It's just great to know she is still around, and by the way, looks fantastic! I wish she would consider getting back into the mainstream - take a shot at acting again - this kind of talent is in-born, not taught. She's an amazing woman with an amazing talent.

When the story begins, a man is playing piano for a woman practicing a song. Gil notices that the lady has some bruises on her arm and asks her if her husband did that....and she eventually says yes. So, he storms over to the husband's office and is about to confront him when he's hit over the head and whoever did that then kills the husband...and leaving Gil to get the blame. But Gil soon recovers and does what folks often do in films (but NOT in real life), they try to solve the case themselves instead of calling the police. But after a while the police arrive....and he's got some 'splaining to do.

I hate the cliche used here....a man is set up to take the blame for murder but instead of contacting the police, they try to solve the crime. Is anyone really this dumb? And, as far as who was behind all this, I figured it out right away...so there wasn't all that much suspense. All in all, this really could have been much better...a lot better.

Overall, this would have been better as a police or detective program episode...not an installment of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents".