Alibi Me

Rarely Hitch did a bad intro like this time, nothing to do with the story about to come, two crooks guys a notorious enemies from the past, the younger one Georgie (Lee Philips) threatens kill Lucky (Chick Chandler) due him put a pinball machine at your territory, on what Lucky doesn't give a sh.it, remembering George what Lt. James Larkin said about themselves years ago, if anyone of both come to die he'll charge the survivor for such crime, despite the warning George kills Lucky anyhow, now he needs an fair alibi, sadly whenever he asking for someone he caught in a mistake whereof he did.

He looking for his former girlfriend that accepts at once, unfortunately the girl finds out a stri.pper's photo at your jacket, aftermaths he meets an uncle which he helped in the past time, by mentioning the hardline Lt. James Larkin he refuses by any means, in another attempt he meets a sick friend recovering process at hospital, he aware his ill old friend concerning a reliable alibi which he agrees for old times, woefully the sick man has a heart attack instantly, this last hope should be your old landlady (Argentina Brunetti) the faltering lady is coerced to certified his alibi whereof he standing there all day long to Lt. James Larkin, not so fast worst is about to come on delivery boy.

Aside all flaws on those contrived happenings the unluck murder felt the bad taste at your mouth on every step chasing for an alibi, highly entertainment black humor oriented offering from the master Hitchcock.

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First watch: 2023 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.5.

George and Lucky both have a couple things in common. Both are crooks and both hate each other. When Lucky begins horning in on George's rackets, George confronts him and kills him. This is a problem, as practically everyone knows they hate each other and George is bound to be the prime suspect. So George runs from person to person trying to establish an alibi...and in each case, the person isn't able to or won't alibi this young thug. Because he's a jerk, it's really hard to feel sorry for the guy!

I really liked the twist in this one. The best episodes have this wonderful twist....and here it felt very satisfying...and again, as I said above, because George is a real jerk and watching bad things happen to him are a hoot!

Season 2 had yet to have an episode above good, the best (such as "Fog Closing In") being good but not great. Compared to the quite strong start that the first season enjoyed, Season 2 up to this point was a bit of a disappointment (especially with its very underwhelming first episode) and generally wasn't as strong a season. The best of the previous Season 2 episodes were good, but about half of the previous episodes were slightly above average or less.

While a long way from being one of the best outings of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' and not my definition of great, "Alibi Me" is still well worth watching and is one of the better episodes of Season 2 up to this still quite early stage. It is the first of three outings directed by Jules Bricken, the other two being the next episode "Conversation over a Corpse" and "The Three Dreams of Mr Findlater", also worth a look.

"Alibi Me" has a lot to like. It is a slick looking episode with some nice atmospheric lighting in particular and while Bricken's direction is not what one calls imaginative or distinguished it is at least assured and not indicative of someone out of his depth. The music is haunting enough and the main theme is memorably macabre, keep saying that it is one of the best uses of pre-existing classical music in television and still stand by that. Hitchcock's contribution is amusingly ironic.

The first half is intriguing and tense with an unexpected and clever ending, while the script has the right amount of edge and entertainment value. Lee Phillips carries the episode with great assurance and Chick Chandler was clearly enjoying himself thoroughly.

Did feel though that the second half wasn't as strong, it intrigues enough still but the pace slackens and too much of it is also far fetched

Everything with the police detective was hard to swallow and quite silly. Also felt that more suspense was needed, everything here is present and correct but just lacks the extra something.

Overall, good but not great. 7/10.

A man walks upstairs to the final movement of the Moonlight Sonata, played in another room. He enters a door labeled "Brooklyn Amusement Corp." But this is a front and this is a gangster episode. A man pulls a "rod" (gun) on someone and we get our killing early, so the tale is about his post facto need for an alibi.

The actor who voiced Fred Flinstone pops up looking like Tony Soprano's uncle (he acted a lot in those days, including the original Postman Always Rings Twice).

I like the ending as written, but the slack story has lost all its energy by the time we get there.

Hitch was famous for stories about guys at the end of their rope, and this is a short and bitter tale all about one desperate guy boxed in BIG TIME.

Lee Phillips, in a memorable performance, plays a con named Georgie whose clock has run out. He kills a foe named Lucky (played by comedian Chick Chandler in a dramatic role) -- who basically told him the truth about who he is. With that in mind, Georgie now has to get an alibi to save his skin. Ain't EZ. He tries to get help from an old friend, also a former gal pal -- even a guy who is about to drop dead! That's how BAD his luck is.

One of those you wouldn't want to be in his shoes stories, exceptionally written by Bernard Schoenfeld, who wrote several mini classics for Hitch.

You will never guess the ending, hits the dark comedy bullseye. Jules Bricken directed, who later produced the classic movie, THE TRAIN. By the way, Lee Phillips is best known for directing the ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW. Look for Alan Reed (the voice of Fred Flintstone) as good ole Uncle Leo.

SEASON 2 EPISODE 7 remastered dvd box set. Released 2006. The famous deadpan Hitch cover.