The Case of Mr. Pelham

Hitch took some time out of his busy schedule to direct this intriguing episode, and yes, I agree with the last reviewer --this could be confused as a TWILIGHT ZONE story. More over, Hitchcock received an Emmy nomination for Best TV Director, but lost! How can that be? A super trivia question.

Tom Ewell (THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH) is the perfect choice to play everyday guy Mr. Pelham who has a problem. Hitch always had a preoccupation with gentlemen with baggage, only this time it's not murder. It's all about somebody slowly taking over Pelham's life, an exact double, and having a very good time of it.

One of Hitchcock's favorite actors, Raymond Bailey, looking like Mr. Drysdale on the BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, plays the poor man's psychiatrist who has his doubts about the bizarre story. Perhaps the best thing about this tale is Ewell narrating what happens next and next .... and how long before he loses his mind!

By the way, the TWILIGHT ZONE did, in fact, come out with a very similar type story, called "Mirror Image" (1960), starring Vera Miles who is waiting in a lonely bus station and spots her mischievous double. Don't miss it. It would be cool if METV ran that episode back to back with this one on their late night schedule.

Wait for the closing with Mr. H and his own double! SEASON 1 EPISODE 10 remastered CBS dvd box set.

Brilliant story, new to me. I love this episode. Its one of alfreds best directions.

Alfred Hitchcock's offers to us an implausible tale, but who care anyway, the Case of Mr. Pelham is original and fresh, about a man of middle age, just single (Tom Ewell) who has his own business, living in a normal and easy lifestyle, when suddenly he realizes that someone else is trying to mimic him, he already was warned by some friends that they met him in another places, however unnoticed by Mr. Pelham, who didn't remember to be there, in fact in that moment he was out of town, then he meets his Doctor to discuss such madness, the Doctor suggest some advices, however every day is getting worst, the results is unpredictable at least, nice episode!!

Resume:

First watch: 2019 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 8

This is one of only about a dozen and a half episodes of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" where the famous director actually directed the episode. While this is good, the ending really left me cold as I kept expected a neat payoff...but got nothing.

Mr. Pelham (Tom Ewell) is a businessman who seems to be losing is mind. Because of this, he tells a psychiatrist (Raymond Bailey) about his problem. It seemed that some time ago, it started to feel as if someone was taking over his life. For example, when he would go out, his duplicate would be home. And, when he was at work, it seems his double wasn't. Ultimately, you see him confront the double...and he looks exactly like him.

All through the episode I kept thinking how neat the set-up was for this show and it really sucked me into the episode. But there was no payoff....no explanation for any of this. And, because of this, it was so frustrating to watch. Technically well made but the script needed work.

I have a hard time explaining to people why I love this episode so much. Tom Ewell's friendly but oddly unattractive face (as the titular character) is certainly a major force in this first-season gem. Or perhaps it's the homey nightclub where's he a member. More obviously it could just be the story, which is simple, familiar, and yet totally uncanny: a well-adjusted man believes his doppelganger is out to ruin his life. The show is a series of flashbacks as Pelham reveals his unfolding nightmare to his mustachioed psychologist, played pitch-perfect by Raymond Bailey of Mr.Drysdale fame. (For some reason, I love watching him sip the beer from his tall glass as he listens intently to Pelham's dilemma) And my god, that gorgeous black-and-white photography has never looked more scintillating. Perhaps these are mundane items, but for me they make me yearn for the golden age of Hollywood.

With its disquieting conclusion, "The Case of Mr. Pelham" defines that beautiful bygone era.