Specialty of the House

One of the half-dozen or so most talked about entries of the series. With the delicious black humor, it's pure Hitchcock. The plot revolves around an ultra-exclusive dining club and the house specialty. Since nothing much happens until the climax, a lot depends on the actors' holding audience interest. Getting the one-and-only Robert Morley for the lead was a real casting coup. He's perfect as a corpulent club member who lusts for every meal and absolutely squeals with delight on those occasions when the specialty is served. And, of course, with his perfect enunciation and snobbish bearing, no one would expect to see him ordering up a burger and fries at McDonald's. Then there's Madame Spivy as Spirro, the overseer of the establishment. For 1950's TV, she's a real oddity in appearance and perfect for her exotic role. Between them, they'll keep you riveted to the end. Note the scuffle in the alley with the waiter and his subsequent warning. Likely the producers added this incident to guarantee that the audience would "get" the ending. Too bad. The episode is better without the greater obviousness. So, just what the heck is going on at this club and why is it not such an honor to become a life-member. Tune in and find out.

The portly Robert Morley, the ultimate symbol of pomposity, is a gourmand, who frequents a secret restaurant where he takes his business associate. The place serves only forty members. The food is phenomenal, but there is a lamb dish that everyone is nuts about. It is only served on rare occasions and no one knows in advance (well within a day or two). It is supposedly from lambs raised in Uganda that eat a unique kind of grass. It is fun watching Morley do his thing as he tells his tales to his young associate. Of course, being Hitchcock, we suspect there is something about the food, especially the Specialty of the House, that we will eventually be let in on. Unfortunately for me, I figured it all out long before the ending. But one then must savor the actors, the atmosphere, and the pacing.

Mr. Laffler (Robert Morley) has invited his employee, Mr. Costain, to accompany him for dinner at an obscure supper club where he's a member. But it's a very odd place...located in a warehouse district and in which only 40 members are allowed. It's further unusual because there is no choice as to what you served...you eat it and you like it...period. But what really makes it odd is that there is a dish, Lamb Armistrand, that makes the members practically rabid in anticipation of it! But they never know when it's going to be made...and when it is, the reaction is positively orgasmic. So where's the odd twist? Well, watch it and see for yourself.

This is a very dark and funny episode and Robert Morley is wonderful in the lead. Overall, a great episode...one you'll never forget. Why? Just see the show....you'll figure it out!

A hearty slice of dark comedy a la Hitchcock aired a few weeks before Christmas, 1959. Hitch was a pratical joker. 10 Plus Stars.

A defined labor of love for Hitch, due to the fact he had to defend the story before network executives (who had lots of comments!) without giving too much away. You'll find out.

Robert Morley is perfect as Mr. Laffler, a snobbish glutton who loves to eat the finest foods. He is a member of Madame Spivy's elite club that specializes in cozy "dinners" that are quite the lure.

If you notice, there's a wall lined with pictures of other distinguished gluttons who have indulged, and have been inducted into a sort of food hall of fame. Enough said?

One for the books and the acting is incredible, particularly Madame Spivy, comparable to a female Sidney Greenstreet. In real life, Spivy owned an established New York City nightclub and restaurant and was an accomplished singer and, later, actress in her own right. Positively no question she had Hitch over for dinner.

Written with a wry smile by Victor Wolfson, should have been nominated for an Emmy. He began his career writing eerie stories for SUSPENSE.

The password is Lamb Armistrand.

SEASON 5 remastered Universal dvd box set. Get the box for this episode. The set is quite popular for a few other uncanny stories. Always on sale.

I am 75. When I was 10 my father took me to the children's section of the Burbank, CA library and introduced fantasy and sci/fi to me with this short story. This was about the same time this story was shown on Alfred Hitchcock Presents though it was several years before I actually saw it in reruns. Robert Morely is excellent and I was not unhappy to see his character become a "lifetime member" with all the available benefits. : ). I am not sure if parents nowadays would be inclined to make their children aware of this genre at the age of 10, but I highly recommend it. I wound up reading fantasy and sci/fi exclusively for the next 15 years.