Place of Shadows

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.

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.

Religiously themed show, featuring pretty boy Mark Damon, an unusual appearance for the series. Damon's youthful Clements travels to a monastery to wreak revenge on a man housed there who stole money from him. Father Vincente, the authoritative Everett Sloane, tries to talk him out of it through their shared religious background. Clements wavers, but will he give it up.

It's not a very riveting entry. Only a little suspense builds as we wonder what the lad will do. But the casting of an innocent-looking Damon pretty much telegraphs the outcome. Still, the ending is subtly ironic if you think about it. Note too, that Brother Jared's appeal to Clements is made on humanitarian grounds, not explicitly religious as might be expected. That way the episode avoids sectarian entanglements with its audience. And I agree with the reviewer who observes that these early episodes appear very cheaply produced. My guess is the money went into casting as it does here with movie vet Sloane. Fortunately, story and acting were uppermost in this superior dramatic series.

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.

On early commentaries Hitch implied that the faster technology on making TV sets in near future the viewers could be throw things straight into the tube to hit the actors, presenters and others people just in case if they dislike the offer, performance or something like that, surely a joke, however wasn't a bad idea if it becomes possible.

Awesome episode about a young man Ray Clements (Mark Damon) arrives at train Station (once more Hitch applies his favorite key element, the night train) looking for a monastery where got shelter for a man who stolen his money, he was driven there by Brother Gerard (Sean McClory) and submitted to old father Vincente in charge of the order, Clements told to kindly Father the whole story, unless his real name, he presenting himself as Floyd Unser, the smart Father Vincente exposes to young boy that his physical aspects doesn't fit on the accurate description of Unser.

Distressed for be debunked by the upstanding Father at last Clements explains such hoax, the father delivers to her all money stolen to him, hence he can pay his debts and clean your name however Clements claims that his father died for deep grief, thus he ought revenge his father's dead, nonetheless Clements was raise under Christian's teaching the money recovered wasn't enough to erase his beyond repair lost.

Here Hitchcock sets out nothing about religions or something, it's a matter of awareness that all concerning the human being itself, his principles, beliefs and so on, the episode has a special meaning on the upshot!!

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First watch: 2021 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 8.