The Case of Mr. Pelham

Al Pelham is a mild-mannered, average-looking New Yorker with a small brokerage business. Then, strange things start happening. Someone is impersonating him for no apparent reason, a look-alike down to the smallest detail of appearance and memory bank. Whoever it is, he's taking over Pelham's life, easing him slowly out of existence. But why? Who could envy such a routine existence.

The premise seems more appropriate for the Twilight Zone since there appears to be no natural explanation. Even more relevant is the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), which was probably in development about the time this episode aired. Nonetheless, it's an intriguing 30 minutes, low-keyed, without hysteria or adornment as Pelham's predicament becomes ever more precarious. Lending a nice sinister touch is the predatory-lion painting that overhangs the last scene. It's thoughtful touches like this that can make the difference between a good episode and a memorable one. Those looking for a more natural explanation of Pelham's predicament might consider the emergence of a second, more assertive and success-oriented personality. But, however you take it, the premise was challengingly novel for the depths of 1950's TV, and is still one of the more memorable episodes.

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.

Absolutely loved the idea of the story, which was a different one for the series at that time. There were episodes where one is immediately sucked in even reading the synopsis and having a feeling that it would be good, and "The Case of Mr Pelham" is one of them. It also has the advantage of being directed by the master of suspense himself, whose previous episode was the brilliant "Breakdown" (a season and series high point). So expectations were high.

Those expectations were absolutely filled and very nearly exceeded with "The Case of Mr Pelham". While not quite as brilliant as Hitchcock's previous entry, it has all of the things that made that episode so good and executes them just as well. "Breakdown" gets the slight edge for the atmosphere being a little more chilling and for having a more satisfying ending. "The Case of Mr Pelham" is still an excellent episode and one of Season 1's best overall, and certainly up to this point.

Some people might like that the ending is open to interpretation and ambiguous, while that was intriguing to me there was too much of an abrupt and incompletely inconclusive feel in a case where a well rounded off conclusion was needed.

Everything else is fantastic. It is stylishly and atmospherically made and Hitchcock's direction is typically exemplary. His bookending is also wonderfully droll and interesting. The music adds well to the ominous unease and have said a lot in reviews for the previous episodes about the theme tune being such a perfect pick for the series and can't get enough of it.

Furthermore, the script is lean and thoughtful and the story is laden with uneasy suspense and a truly scary atmosphere that is enough to give the chills. A good deal goes on but it doesn't feel over-stuffed and it is neither too simple or over-complicated. Flashbacks have the dangers of bogging down the momentum or distracting from the story without adding much, "The Case of Mr Pelham" does neither.

The titular character is one worth rooting for, while not being too passive, and played with absolute conviction by Tom Ewell, here playing it straight in an atypical dramatic role that could easily have been played blandly but isn't. Raymond Bailey is perfectly cast as well.

In summary, excellent. 9/10.

Albert Pelham (Tom Ewell) discovers that someone has been impersonating him. Fearing his life is being taken away from him, Pelham confronts his double, only to begin doubting his own sanity.

Hitchcock returns again for his 3rd directing credit, taking on another familiar story that much like "Breakdown" has been done about a zillion times since this. The tale of a man who discovers he has a double trying to take over his life and slowly push him out or is he slowly going mad. The out come is usual always the same conclusion and the one here is no different, that's maybe why the impact of this one really didn't hit me to hard because I pretty much knew where this was going after the two Pelham's finally meet. As said before Hitch does his usual great job behind the camera and the cast is excellent here, I could defiantly see how in 1956 this was damn good television as Hitch was apparently nominated for a prime time Emmy for best directing. Not to sound harsh on this episode as it seems to be a favorite among fans of the series, and it is a very fine episode, but, I guess the fact that the story being done to death and seeing this a hundred times on other movies and series since really hurt the out come for me, and personally I believe Hitch should have got the Emmy nod for either "Revenge" or "Breakdown" as I believe those two episodes to be superior to this one. Closing note: Hitchcock's closing narration is the greatest!.

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.

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

All seven half hour seasons are on dvd in a single box. Released 2022.