Place of Shadows

Although not an original idea, the story sounded very interesting nonetheless and done right it had real potential to be very suspenseful. It was great to have series regular Robert Stevens back in the director's chair and with a premise that seemed like it would be right up its alley. While not liking every episode he did, Stevens also directed some fine episodes and among the best were in Season 1. Everett Sloane was always more than capable and was very intrigued by his role.

"Place of Shadows" by all means is not one of the best 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes or among the best of Stevens' entries. It is also not one of the worst of the series. Putting it in any category, it's in the solid middle one, with a good deal done presently and correctly but there was something missing. Most things here were done better in other episodes and there are things that are in those episodes that aren't there quite so much here in "Place of Shadows".

Beginning with what could have been better, the pace could have been tighter and the story did need more suspense than what was given. It's capably told, but it could have been much more.

There have been much better resolutions in the series. Do agree that a major decision is made far too fast and too conveniently, which is not easy to swallow, and the twist is more tepid and doesn't have the shock or surprise factor.

Will agree too that "Place of Shadows" is not one of the best looking episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'. Did get the sense that the budget was low and that it was made in a hurry, the sparse sets give it away in particular.

Having said all of that, a lot is good. Mark Damon is a character worth identifying with and he plays him with enough edge to stop him from being bland. All the cast are solid, but the best performance does come from Sloane who does have a great commanding presence and has the most interesting character. The human psychology is very intriguing and doesn't feel under-explored while it doesn't feel heavy handed.

Despite the story being lacking a bit, it still grabs the attention enough and doesn't feel too simplistic while also being easy to follow. Some of the photography is stylish and Stevens directs assuredly. Hitchcock's bookending entertains in its drollness while the use of the main theme still haunts. The script intrigues, even if in need of more spark.

Overall, decent if somewhat middling. 6/10.

Our episode starts with a man visiting a monastery, claiming to the main priest Father Vincente (Everett Sloane) to be Floyd Unser and that he is there to see a man named Rocco who is in the churches care. Vincente however identifies the man as Ray Clements (Mark Damon) instead and we discover that Clements is here to kill Rocco for presumably ruining his life, including may having to due something with the death of his father. Vincente tries to convince Clements to drop his quest for revenge even giving him back his $13,000 stolen from him. Clements still makes his intentions known, but, when a third party becomes involved, in this case the real Floyd Unser (Joe Downing) things become even more complicated. A pretty standard crime thriller from this show with the usual good twist even though it didn't hit me as hard as most have. The story is pretty strait forward and other then a unbelieveably quick resolution from a cop played by Claude Akins at the end is pretty good. Was nice to see a young Mark Damon who would spend the second half of his career in Italian westerns and European cinema.

Mr. Clements has traveled through a snow storm in order to make his way to some monastery. He claims to be Mr. Unser, a friend of Rocco. As for Rocco, he was injured in some accident and the monks were taking care of him. So why does Clements come to this place using a phony name? It's because Rocco robbed him and helped destroy his life...and he plans on killing the man! But the monks see through this and don't give him this opportunity for revenge. So what's next? See the show.

This is a fair episode about revenge...not bad but no especially memorable. Which, for most anthology programs, is the norm.

Yes, an abundance of shadows and atmosphere in this 10 Star episode, one of the best from the first season. Another example why Robert C. Dennis was an exceptional writer, and Robert Stevens, Hitch's favorite director.

Interestingly, an all male cast is featured. Prolific actor Everett Sloane returns, playing Father Vicente, who runs a remote monestary and has a rather curious guest. Who else?

Mark Damon, in his only appearance, portrays a bitter chap called Clements, who has traced another man he absolutely despises to the monestary. He's seeking revenge on a thief whose actions also lead to the death of his father. He basically asks Vicente to look the other way so he can settle an old score.

Not an easy request. The amazing thing is would this guy really expect a man of the cloth to allow him to walk in, shoot a guy and casually stroll out the back door? A long shot, yet the kind of character Hitch admired.

Damon is very good in this role, a hero to all us horror film buffs, known for the HOUSE OF USHER (1960), opposite Vincent Price, and BLACK SABBATH (1964), starring Boris Karloff. Everett Sloane shines here and certainly steals the show. Look for Claude Akins, in an early role, playing a cop.

An original story that should have been re-done, particularly for Hitch's hour long tv series. SEASON 1 EPISODE 22 remastered Universal dvd box set. With the famous deadpan Hitch cover. 16 hrs running time.

A gangster has been badly injured and is being cared for in a monastery. While there, a young man played by Mark Damon comes, determined to get back some money that was taken from him. He also blames the man for the death of his father, who died, ashamed of his son. There is a third party, a small time crook. Much of the story reveals that the young man has roots in the Catholic church and the Abbott tries to convince him that what he is doing is wrong. Another monk says, "If you look into the face of a man you have killed, you will never be the same again." The young man decides to depart after observing vespers and having a bit of his youth tug at him. Unfortunately, there is a third man after the money, and things get complicated. The weakest thing in the episode is a quick decision made by police officer, Claude Akins. Just a bit too convenient. That aside, it works pretty well.