Lamb to the Slaughter

I already know this story, precisely because Road Dahl's script for this one was remade by the same Road dahl, more than twenty years later in TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED anthology series. Of course, I like this episode, very delightful in the end. The recipe is the same as for the remake, even the baking time in the oven; I guess 25 minutes, the episode length. Simple but terribly powerful. I recommend this one and also put it on the highest top batch.

I have seen every episode more then once. This is the best IMO.

When Mary Maloney's husband comes home in time for dinner, he consistently ignores her and eventually admits that he's leaving her for someone else. She grabs up a leg of lamb from the freezer and bashes him on the back of his head. He's dead, and this will be investigated... can she prevent the police from discovering the truth? Being a great fan of the original short story, I had hoped for a better adaptation. Don't get me wrong, it's well-produced. It's simply not done in very fitting manner. The husband arrives too soon and with too little build-up towards it. Bel Geddes does a phenomenal job as the wife(the acting in general is quite good), but this doesn't put us in her head as it ought to. She comes off as less brilliant and downright needy("if I can't have him, no one can") and the murder comes off as a crime of passion driven by jealousy. Such a dichotomy when it should strongly resonate as the rebellion by someone who's given everything she could to please another human being, only to be discarded for that very effort and gusto. This attempts to stir up suspense and tension, when the plot neither calls for it nor supports it. Though it does fine at that(you can tell Hitchcock directed this), it doesn't gel. This is filmed and edited well. Dialog is slightly repetitious(saying the exact same sentence without varying it any is used for emphasis, in place of, well, something creative, or relying on performances), and otherwise it's quality work(if not holding any memorable lines, other than the absolute killer it ends on, which is from the literary version). Perhaps Dahl shouldn't have done the teleplay? Being an impressive author doesn't mean you can write for TV. This is disturbing throughout. I recommend this to those who can't be bothered to track down and read the dozen or so pages of the proper form of this tale. 7/10

Although Alfred Hitchcock is one of my all time favourite directors, not everything he did was great and he did some misfires too. This is true with his episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' as director as well. While there were fantastic episodes (that were season and series high points), such as Season 1's "Breakdown", there were also misfires such as Season 2's "Wet Saturday" (which also boasted one of the series' worst performances). Have always liked Barbara Bel Geddes.

Those that do so as well will not be disappointed by her performance here in "Lamb to the Slaughter". The episode is one of the most talked about of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' and it's no wonder. For me, "Lamb to the Slaughter" is absolutely fantastic and not just one of the best episodes of Season 3 (which had some great episodes) but also one of the best of the whole of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'. Not to mention one of Hitchcock's best of the series as director.

First and foremost, Bel Geddes is a revelation in an example of how to showcase an actor's/actress' talents by playing to their strengths, stretching them or showing different sides to them. Bel Geddes' performance is a powerhouse in a complex role and one of my favourite individual performances of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'. Harold J Stone is excellent too and his chemistry with Bel Geddes carries the episode beautifully.

Hitchcock demonstrates perfectly why he was coined the master of suspense for good reasons. His bookending is humorously ironic and gels with the story with ease, with no sense of jarring or disjointed-ness. It is more than solidly made visually, not looking cheap and boasting some nice atmosphere in the photography. "Funeral March of a Marionette" was an inspired and perfect choice for the series' main theme.

"Lamb to the Slaughter" is an extremely well written episode. Loved its ironic approach to the material that did amuse. Some of it is also darkly comic, that is a perfect mix of humorous and unsettling. While not as sinister as episodes like "Breakdown" or "The Creeper", there is suspense that gives the story an appropriate amount of unease. The story didn't to me feel padded or over-stuffed, while also being easy to follow without being simplistic, and Bel Geddes' character fascinates psychologically. The ending stayed with me for a long time after and is genius.

Wonderful episode all in all and not to be missed. 10/10.

The master of suspense took over directing responsibilities for this one and turns on the macabre charm. Look no further.

We all remember this tale as kids, more than likely due to the dark comedy ending, and yes, I agree with the last reviewer -- everyone had a good laugh over the dead guy. Now that's a first.

Perfectly cast as the young mother to be is Barbara Bel Geddes, cooking a nice dinner for her cop husband -- only to barge through the front door and announce there's someone else, he wants an ASAP divorce, goodbye forever, and what's for dinner? Cowboy hero Allan "Rocky" Lane plays Patrick, a real work of art -- who gets whats coming to him.

I truly believe, after all these years, Hitch's tv show was the only one where you could actually root for the killer and NOT the victim. I'm sure that's the way Hitch wanted it, sometimes. May also be a re-working (of sorts) of another episode in which a man killed his wife and attempted to hide her body in the trunk of his car. He didn't make it, but sure could have.

Big guy Harold J. Stone plays the probing cop, Lieutenant Noonan, who -- you think -- may even suspect the honorable wife. Not to happen, and very cleverly done, without giving the rest away.

Written by Ronald Dahl, a pioneer in writing popular children's books, including WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. Dahl has long since passed, but his stories have attracted a new generation.

On a historical note, the same year of this episode, Barbara Bel Geddes co-starred in Hitchcock's VERTIGO, opposite James Stewart and Kim Novak.

One for devout Hithcock fans, and some new joiners to the elite club. From SEASON 3 remastered Universal dvd box set. 2007 release. Thank you METV for rerunning this classic.