I Killed the Count: Part 2

"I Killed the Count" is the only multipart story from "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and it consists of three parts! This makes the story like a movie cut into thirds. Unfortunately, unless you are a completist who insists on seeing every episode, you might want to skip them...as the payoff isn't great.

Part 2 picks up just after a second person has confessed to murdering the Count. You learn in the second portion that there was an affair, as well as a third person has just confessed to killing the guy! But the Inspector isn't convinced any of them did this, as there's strong evidence that the person who killed Mattoni had scratches on them....and the three have none.

Again, like part 1, it's hard to really judge this episode. The acting is just fine but it's all just one big story...and reviewing part 2 only in depth seems unnecessary.

The first part of the "I Killed the Count" three parter was on the most part very well done, not perfect pace wise but it was at least absorbing and entertaining and did a really job doing what a first part to a for example three part story should do in setting things up in story and characters. 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' has some misses in every season but the series hit a lot more than it missed and the best hits were brilliant. Neither part of "I Killed the Count" reached brilliance, but it was for me closer to being a hit than a miss.

Continuing from where the first part left off, "I Killed the Count Part 2" is a solid continuation and does well in building upon what was introduced and set up in "I Killed the Count Part 1". Although the mystery is richer than before, Part 2 comes off a little weaker due to what didn't quite work previously being in my personal opinion bigger problems. But there is still a lot to enjoy and what worked in Part 1 works very well again and pretty much equal in the execution.

Starting with what is good, John Williams continues to deliver on the authority and exuberance and his character continues to entertain and intrigue. It is again very well acted and the interaction between the cast has the right amount of tension and wit. Stevens provides assured, slick direction and Hitchcock's contribution is typically droll.

Writing is smart and tight, with the investigative parts not rambling or over explaining (an improvement over Part 2). The story compels throughout and the twists and turns are clever and avoid being obvious or confusing, they ring true too. It is slickly and atmospherically shot and Gounod's "Funeral March of a Marionette" continues to be an inspired choice for the main theme.

"I Killed the Count Part 2" isn't perfect. While absorbing and clever with nothing to be bored by, it did feel in the second half like there was too much being packed in which made the episode feel too short, there were 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes that would have worked better having 15 minutes more to the running time and with such an intricate story this is one of them, and rushed.

Actually thought that some of the second half could actually have easily happened in Part 3, which would have made Part 3 more cohesive and eventful.

Overall, good but not great. 7/10.

PART II

The confusing dark comedy of errors continues, and all at the expense of poor Inspector Davidson. Watching John Williams facial expressions is a hoot. Hitch chose wisely for this role.

Both Alan Napier (Lord Sorrington) and Charles Cooper (Bernard Foy) have confessed to killing the count, who must have been a real real cad. The kind Hitch loved. I agree with the last reviewer, if you're a mystery buff, the suspects' stories support and at the same time conflict the evidence. Beautifully written by Francis Cockrell, series lead writer for obvious reasons.

Tag this an Alfred Hitchcock reunion. Charles Cooper played the detective in THE WRONG MAN, and both Rosemary Harris and John Williams appeared in DIAL M FOR MURDER. Harris gained fame more recently by appearing in SPIDER MAN. Robert Stevens direction hits the spot.

Anthony Dawson plays the infamous count, known for three JAMES BOND films; Professor Dent in DR. NO, also FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE and as Blofeld in THUNDERBALL.

This all was an experiment of sorts by Hitch to do a long version of the show, sort of a continuing macabre soap opera. Inspiration to his hour long show. Stayed tuned for Chapter III.

SEASON 2 EPISODE 27 remastered dvd box set. All seven seasons are now on dvd in a single box set. Released 2022.

The second investigation into the Count's murder brings us a couple more suspects. Once again, John Williams is dumbfounded by the circumstances. Now all three have confessed to the crime. Each has a story that both supports and conflicts with the evidence. Guns have fingerprints, wallets are left, body moved, etc. There is one unanswered question: the Count had skin under his fingernails and none of the suspects has been scratched or cut. Williams and his sidekick keep sending the suspects to their bedrooms in kind of a revolving door motif. They continue to admit to the crime for some reason, though their stories always have them acting singly.