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.

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.

In this story Hitch expounds with a bit of sarcasm a mousetrap and how it is so dangerous , thus begin the story of a crook Sam Dunleavy (George Mathews) who has been absent for a while at Miame on his mousetrap business, Back to Chicago he perceives that his beauty and unfaithful girlfriend Goldie (Beverly Michaels) replaces him for another sponsor, Sam eaten for the hate sets up a perfect alibi to killing her and escapes unscathed due since he arrived in town has a cop in his neck, then he goes into a night club which he had close ties with the owner, the corrupt Barney (George E. Stone) whose Sam will buy for 2.500 bucks his alibi, they planned pretend playing poker at his private room, meanwhile Sam leaves the place through a secret passage, then reaching at Goldie's room he waiting for her who quickly comes, Sam be sure why he is there, displayng a gun, Goldie when she realizes that will be killed, the smart girl fools him, that already had a baby called Dunleavy in his homage, Sam has been thrilled by such regard, then he changes your mind and return to Barney's night club, however backing in the poker room the unexpected comes, Hitch was right about the time!!!

Resume:

First watch: 2020 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7

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

Okay episode, at best. Sam (Mathews) loves his cat and birdie, but he's no soft-hearted pushover. Instead, he's a brawny tough guy who's going to teach his two-timing girl friend (Michaels) a thing or two about slow and painful death. Too bad for her sake she's not a kitty or a birdie. But first he needs an airtight alibi since the cops watch him like hawks. So he arranges one for a hefty fee with a nightclub crook. Now what can go wrong. Being Hitchcock, we know something will and with an ironic chuckle.

The story's okay even if the upshot seems more contrived than usual. Actually, the cast is the real draw. The Runyonesque Mathews is always a colorful character with his fractured grammar of "deese" and "dem", along with a face that looks like ten miles of bad road. Then there's Beverly Michaels on leave from one of Hugo Haas's sleazy bad movies. Together, they're like a marquee team from Guys and Dolls. And catch James Edwards in a small bartending role. He was one of the first African-Americans to get dignified roles, even before Sidney Poitier. His lead role in 1949's Home of the Brave was a landmark shattering of Black stereotypes. Too bad his role here is not bigger. All in all, it's a colorful half hour, even if not top rank.