The Big Switch

The story is set in Chicago in 1920. Sam (George Mathews) is a thug with a long record. And, he wants to murder his old girlfriend, Goldie (Beverly Michaels). But an old parole officer is closely watching Sam and killing her and getting away with it won't be easy. So, he comes up with a plan. With the help of Barney (George E. Stone), he creates what seems like the perfect alibi. He goes to Barney's club to play cards, and Barney's office has a secret door so that Sam can sneak out the back, kill Goldie, and then return....all the while, folks outside the office think Sam and Barney are inside playing cards. Not surprisingly, there is a twist at the end!

This is a funny episode and it's very well written...better written than nearly all the episodes of season one of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents". Well worth seeing.

It was great to have Don Weis back in the director's chair, after doing so well with "Santa Claus and The Tenth Avenue Kid" ( a fine example of a change of pace episode done very well). The previous 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes were mostly solid to brilliant (with "Breakdown" coming out on top), with only two barely average ones "Don't Come Back Alive" and especially "Triggers in Leash". The premise didn't sound all that exciting, but having seen many things that have ordinary premises but made into something more on screen there was hope.

And "The Big Switch" did turn out better than expected. It is slightly disappointing in terms of being top 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' standard, plot-wise it is nothing wholly remarkable. It is though a lot of fun as an episode and benefits greatly from its lead performance. "The Big Switch" is another one of the entries that is noither one of the best of the season or show or the worst on both counts, but more just scrapes the high middle category.

The story is nothing exceptional, it is short on suspense and surprises, so slightly bland atmosphere-wise, and can be rather contrived. A feeling that gets on the over the top side in the final act, which did feel like more time was needed to flesh it out more.

However, "The Big Switch" benefits hugely from the twinkling larger than life lead performance of George Matthews. The rest of the cast do very well too, if not on Matthews' level and their roles are not as interesting. Weis' direction is far from routine and there is an ease. What is also good is the script writing, which is very tongue in cheek and genuinely humorous. It is not the lean, tough sort of script, but it does show again that 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' could do tongue in cheek and humour well.

Which was always evident anyway in Hitchcock's droll bookend scenes. It's a well made episode visually, with some lovely atmospheric shots, and the theme music is as usual wonderfully devillish. And despite not being wowed by the story, it is not a dull one and it has its charm. The character chemistry is done well.

Concluding, liked it but not loved it. 7/10.

George Mathews is a lot of fun here, a Hitch Runyenesque character, playing a revengeful bad guy called Sam, saddled with an unfaithful gal friend called Goldie. The name alone should get you thinking... Sam wants to kill her, though he also has a suspicious cop on his back. Problems, problems.

Sam just happens to have an equally devious pal (George E. Stone, perfect for this role) who agrees to be his alibi for a few grand. You have to admit, the plan Sam cooks up is pretty clever. He pretends to be (loudly) playing poker with Stone -- and sneaks out the room to pull the job. Beware: complications.

Beverly Michaels plays Goldie and not to forget George E. Stone (also called Georgey). Later a regular on PERRY MASON.

One of the most perfectly cast episodes, thanks to director Don Weis. Don headed a ton of tv shows, director for IRONSIDE for years. A hero to all us cop show fans.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 5 remastered. AAA first season dvd box set. 16 hrs running time. 3 dvds. All seven seasons are now on dvd in a single box set. Released 2022. 35 dvds.

I saw the twist coming but it was a bit different than I expected. Well acted.

I never realized there were guys whose job it was to provide alibis for crooks. This should be entitled "The Bulldog and the Wolf." These two shifty characters have a checkered past. It makes you wonder if a guy who spent so much time backing up bad guys at the police station, wouldn't arouse suspicion. Nevertheless, a plot is hatched to protect the bulldog after he goes and kills his ex-girlfriend. At least that's how they set it up. There are secret passages and a stupid game of five card stud with continuous yelling of threats. Of course, only one guy is yelling. The other one has left through a false telephone booth and is on his way to mayhem. Well there is a little baby that is really a gun and a double cross and little bit of what goes around comes around. This is a fun episode if you don't think too much and the ending is pretty satisfying. The characters are really over the top, but it's pretty much tongue in cheek to the bitter end.