The Belfry

Against typecasting, Jack Mullaney plays a country bumpkin turned psychotic named Clint Ringle who impulsively murders the rival for his girlfriend's affections. Hitchcock's daughter (Patricia) plays Mullaney's erstwhile love interest (Ellie Marsh) and she also happens to be the local schoolmarm. Mullaney is able to escape justice by conveniently hiding in the belfry of Ms. Hitchcock's school, but he's far from satisfied with one death. His intent now is to kill his poor unsuspecting former girlfriend for her supposed duplicity. Safely ensconced in the belfry, Mullaney imagination takes hold and his evil and demented thoughts are conveyed to the audience (similar to Anthony Perkins in "Psycho"). His original "act of passion" merely disguised his twisted and mentally deranged mind.

Hitchcock had an affinity for locating many episodes of his series out in the boondocks and inhabited them with simple but devious characters. It was his way of telling the viewing audience that escaping to the countryside wasn't all that it was cracked up to be. He also used his daughter Patricia on occasion and she gives an exceptional performance in this suspenseful entry. Mullaney, usually fitted for "nice guy" roles, plays the killer (Ringle) for all it's worth. Needless to say, justice "rings" its tune for poor Jack.

This whole episode is great except the last 20 seconds or so. Great acting and story but trust me you'll hate the ending.

Alfred Hitchcock's daughter Patricia Hitchcock had many roles during the run of this series. This is one of her best performances, so enjoy her acting as you try to figure out what's going on along with her character. An especially satisfying ending.

This episode features Hitchcock's DAUGHTER, not his WIFE (as the previous review mistakenly states). Hitch's wife was Alma, not Patricia. One of the better episodes, as stated by several other reviewers.

I'm not sure why this episode has stayed with me for, lo, near 60-years. But it has. I think it's because the loopy Clint (Mullaney) does something I'd never seen an adult do—suck his thumb! To me that was scarier than one of those dripping ax murderers. Poor Clint. He looks twenty but his mind is a delusional three. Then too, he looks enough like Tony Perkins to be Norman Bates' country cousin. Plus, it's a toss-up which is wackier. So what does loopy Clint do after axing his supposed girlfriend's fiancé. He hides in a belfry, of course-- talk about getting your bell rung! Clearly, He should have given that hideout a serious second thought. Some fine production touches. Check out those dirty coveralls the guys wear, like they just came in from the fields; and was sweet-faced Pat Hitchcock ever more aptly cast than as a country school marm. Good to see familiar utility actor Dabbs Greer pick up a payday as the sheriff. All in all, the entry's a real curiosity, with enough novelty to keep you glued. As it did me, even sixty years later.