And So Died Riabouchinska

This is a Ray Bradbury story. As I was watching the video, I realized I had read this story long ago. It involves a murder being investigated by a detective played by Charles Bronson. Claude Raines, a heavyweight actor, plays a cracked ventriloquist who is having an affair with his own dummy. She is the reincarnation of woman he loved, but who became abusive and left him. Most of the episode is about Bronson, trying to get the ventriloquist to open up. Of course, at some point we have his hidden personality inside his wooden creature. The suspense builds and the lies build and eventually it all comes tumbling down. Raines is is excellent in this little performance, showing what a fine actor he was. Bronson is also very photogenic. His career was just starting and we can see that there was something there. It works out very well and it's a really gut wrenching story.

Anything with Claude Rains is highly recommended. Case in point, this strange little tale about a police detective (played by Charles Bronson), probing a murder in a theatre. Who else to get into the mix but a ventriloquist and his dummy? Simply amazing.

Definitely a Ray Bradbury story, who contributed to the series. I agree with the last reviewer, there's similarities to the classic British thriller, DEAD OF NIGHT (1945). Bradbury may have also been thinking THE UNHOLY THREE, starring Lon Chaney, minus a midget and an ape!

Rains plays Fabian, who has grown attached to his female dummy, called Riabouchinska. Had to be the longest character name in the entire series. Rains is a marvel to watch (and that voice!), only he's not doing any other voices but his own. Rains was good friends with Hitch, co-starring in NOTORIOUS (1946).

By the way the dummy is effectively creepy. Well worth noting here.

The only episode written by Mel Dinelli, the author of one of the great thrillers, THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE (1946). The film was so popular, the 60s music group took the same name. Good trivia question.

FYI; the voice of Riabouchinska is Virginia Gregg, veteran radio and tv actress, master of characters, known for DRAGNET.

Best of SEASON 1 EPISODE 20 remastered Universal dvd box set. 3 dvds. 2005 release.

A.H. intro talking about a ectoplasm and phenomenon psychic to explain this haunting episode that brings the legendary Claude Rains to main role as John Fabian as an old ventriloquist in another Ray Bradbury story, due a murder that took place at theatre and dully scrutinized by the tireless Det. Krovitch (Charles Bronson), all clues lead to believe in crime of passion, on account of Fabian's wife Alice has a hidden affair with his manager Mel Douglas, after exhaustive research Krovitch keeps focused on Fabian when enters in the scene the female dummy Riabouchinska who seemingly spoke by herself, for the distress and the unflagging Krovitch who warns Fabian to stop misleading him over the dummy speaking, however the bewildered Detective starts realizing that Riabouchinska has her own personality and also has an inconceivable love affair with Fabian, as mooted by Hitchcock in early submission, this unusual case of reincarnation gets shape in the course of time and allowing us an unprecedented ending, I've already watched many Ray Bradbury's novel took the screen on several movie's adaptation, nonetheless baffled me such higher number of them, indeed a true prolific writer, don't you???

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First watch: 2021 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.5

A detective is called to a backstage theatre after a body is discovered in the cellar. His investigation takes him into the weird world of an aging ventriloquist and his female dummy.

Another memorable episode from that marvelous first year. And what a casting coup thanks to the producers and probably the Hitchcock name—it's a subtly persuasive Claude Rains, a distinctive looking Charles Bronson, and a strangely sultry ventriloquist's dummy. Then too, I knew I was in trouble when I went looking for the dummy's name in the credit-roll. Seems ventriloquist Fabian (Rains) is having the same problem since his truth-telling super-ego is splitting off and entering the lovely dummy. Sometimes it's even hard to know who's doing the talking.

Okay, you've likely seen this "live" dummy premise before. But it's very well done here, thanks mainly to Rains who refuses to go over the top. Also, Bronson, as a cop, gets lots of close- ups, the camera seemingly fascinated with his unusual features. That's likely no accident since an ordinary looking cop would not fit the exotic theme nearly as well. Anyway, it's a subtly weird slice of abnormal psychology, along with a fine screenplay from noir veteran Mel Dinelli.

Ray Bradbury returns to 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' after the disappointing "Shopping for Death", this time in a setting that suits his writing and how he brought to life the characters and their psychology in a way that that episode did not. Another interest point is Claude Rains, a wonderful actor and one of the finest actors in his day who was ofen in scene stealing supporting roles but equally able in lead roles. Which is proven here in "And So Died Riabouchinska."

Which was to me a wonderful episode and worthy of Hitchcock. One of my very easy favourites of Season 1 and of the early seasons and up to this stage of the series it is the best in quite some time. It is set in a setting that is such a perfect fit for the series, a perfect fit for Bradbury's character writing to shine and perfect for the type of story it is. It is one of Robert Stevenson's best directed episodes for 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' that sees a darker side to him than usual.

It is a well made episode, with some very stylish and haunting close ups standing out. Particularly of the titular character, one that both disturbs and enchants. Not to mention some nice eerie lighting. Scoring is not intrusive and is not discordant with the mood. The series' main theme has lost none of its devillish quality and it is one of those pieces of pre-existing classical music that one doesn't look at in the same way again after watching at least one episode of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'.

"And So Died Riabouchinska" is beautifully directed by Stevenson, in one of his most atmospheric and accomplished directing jobs of all his outings for the series. He does taut and suspenseful better than any episode of his that he directed before and since, takes full advantage of the setting and story, gets bolder with each scene and he lets the tale breathe too. Bradbury's work is adapted spot on here, it doesn't come over as too talky and it always intrigues. The human psychology is very vivid, insightful and haunting, as well as unmistakably Bradbury, things that were not there in "Shopping for Death".

Hitchcock's bookending is as droll as ever, while the story is the creepiest one since "The Case of Mr Pelham" and is in places tragic. Rains is in a challenging and different role and does an absolutely fantastic job in a portrayal that wrenches the gut. The titular character is used to great effect and the chemistry between her and Rains contribute towards many memorable parts. Look out for young and vigorous Charles Bronson.

Summing up, wonderful. 10/10.