The Cheney Vase

The cast is as notable as the story, which is okay even if a bit fragmented. Slimeball Lyle (McGavin) charms his way into wealthy old Martha's (Collinge) mansion with an eye on stealing a valuable hidden vase. The antique is there somewhere, but where. The old lady won't tell, especially after she finds out what a manipulator Lyle is. But what can she do, alone with him in the house. Good to see old pro's like Macready and Collinge picking up paydays, and for once Macready doesn't even have to be the bad guy. And, guys, what about the great eye- candy. Not just one shapely blonde, but two (Jones and Lee), though Jones's career success would come as a brunette. Also, good to see that underrated Mc Gavin showing a charming side, especially with no vampires for Kolchak to hunt down. Anyhow, it's an unexpected ending even if not very plausible. But to me it's the array of performers that remains most memorable.

When you have someone in a wheelchair being taken advantage of, you know that at some point the bad guys are going to pay. In this case a man finagles his way into a vulnerable woman's confidence in order to steal a valuable vase. He manipulates her every way he can, employing a confidante, and getting ready to strike. The old girl isn't dumb and evidence begins to build. As with many of these people, the man has a flaw and doesn't play things out to the end. The episode has a satisfying ending where justice is served. The acting is reasonably good and the story has some credibility. It calls for some pretty drastic action and things like this often get in the way, but it's a pretty good Hitchcock effort.

I felt sad watching the friendly Darren McGavin playing a crook in this episode, acquainted to see Kolchak as hero sounds weird he as bad guy, whatever as Lyle Endicott works at Museum when his tired Boss Hebert Koether (George Macready) after many warnings fired him, due he quite often was absent at work, however an old lady Martha Cheney (Patricia Collinge) whom just passing through to there receives another offer for his valuable antique vase, what is prompt refuses by her, Lyle has a phony letter of reference made by his blonde lover Pamela (Carolyn Jones), then he introduces himself to take care of his business, Martha accepts just for a little while as probationary period, slowly Lyle was handling all situations, getting rid of the old maid and having all control of Martha's life, searching there for the vase, nevertheless the old lady is smarter that he could imagine!!!

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First watch: 2020 / How many: 1 / DVD / Rating: 7.5

This is not too bad of an episode. Ms. Chaney out foxed the fox - she is a real clever fox in the end. It took her a bit to realize that she was being used to gain access to the vase but once she did come that realization she found the only way she knew how to get out of it - we hope. It's true this episode ended abruptly and could have had a bit more to it in the end... I wanted to know if Lyle ended up in jail or if he decided to harm Ms. Chaney and run off.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents has always been great to watch, I used to watch the reruns on TV as a teen - loved it. This episode was not directed by Hitchcock nor did he write or help to write this story - he only hosted it but it's a pretty good episode and always fun to watch Alfred's commentary before and after each episode.

7/10

After he is fired from a New York City art museum for lateness (and not showing up at all), womanizing drifter Darren McGavin (as Lyle Endicott) moves in on one of the museum's patrons, elderly and disabled Patricia Collinge (as Martha Cheney). Quickly, Mr. McGavin takes over Ms. Collinge's home. He gets rid of her loyal maid, and cuts Collinge off from the world outside. Next, McGavin plots to run off with shapely blond Carolyn Jones, after selling Collinge's most valuable possession: "The Cheney Vase". It being Christmas, presenter Alfred Hitchcock sells several unbreakable replicas of the $45,000 "Cheney Vase" during his closing remarks. Collinge and a great cast make this "Kind Lady" swipe a nice way to spend your half hour.

******* The Cheney Vase (12/25/55) Alfred Hitchcock : Robert Stevens ~ Patricia Collinge, Darren McGavin, Carolyn Jones