The Derelicts

The Derelicts are Fenton Shanks (Johnny Silver) a gambler and Peter Goodfellow (Robert Newton.) Both are homeless hobos but their luck is about to change.

Goodfellow saw businessman and inventor Ralph Cowell (Phillip Reed) murder his silent business partner Sloane in the park. Cowell could not pay him his share of the profits because of his grasping greedy wife Herta.

Now both have moved into Cowell's home, drink his booze, pawn his valuables and demand a monthly allowance. They have with them a note of the business relationship that Cowell had with Sloane.

Herta is not happy that her fur coats have gone. Now with the urging of Herta, Cowell plots to kill both of them.

The episode is less of a mystery with a twist. More a slight amusing morality tale. Maybe Cowell would have been better off without his greedy spoilt wife.

Hands down, Robert Newton (famous for TREASURE ISLAND) is the defined menace to society here -- or menace to a murderer Phillip Reed.

Reed portrays an inventor who does away with his partner, only to be caught in the act by a homeless gent called Goodfellow (Newton). Object: Blackmail and a better life?

Hitch Cautionary Note; Always look both ways before crossing the street of murder. Rule Number One with the master of suspense, both in his tv show and movies.

Best of writer Robert C. Dennis, who likely wrote the role for Newton. I would make the bet. Perfect fit. Newton passed not too long after this episode, a major loss in Hollywood. He gained fame in Hitchcock's classic, JAMAICA INN.

Phlllip Reed, likewise from the school of tricksters, plays his role well. Welcome appearance by Peggy Knudsen (Herta), remembered for THE BIG SLEEP, and looking like a gun moll.

A episode for mystery and movie buffs alike, Newton a cross between Claude Rains and Thomas Gomez.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 19 remastered Universal box set. 3 dvds. Running time 16 hrs 45 min.

Memories of "The Derelicts" were pretty good on first watch long ago. While not having the most memorable of plots, Robert Newton's performance was memorable to a tee. Have always liked Newton as an actor, especially his definitive Bill Sikes, he was not the most subtle of actors but he was always entertaining to watch and did menacing very well too. Robert Stevenson's entries for 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' were a bit of a mixed bag but enough of them are worth watching.

"The Derelicts" is definitely one of the episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' that is worth watching and one of the Stevenson directed episodes that is worthwhile. It is far from one of the best episodes of Season 1 or of the series, one of Stevenson's best episodes or one of the series' classics. It is a long way from being one of the worst 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' entries though, and is a big improvement over the disappointing previous episode.

It is far from a flawless episode. The story could have done with more tension, especially in the final third, and some of it is not easy to follow. Will agree too that the climactic moments are on the flat side, with the tension and energy not being there enough, and seemed rushed too.

Phillip Reed also came over as bland in a role that doesn't have enough juice.

Newton's character though has plenty of juice and Newton absolutely steals the show. He has a genuine menace about him while also being larger than life, doing so without unbalancing the episode too much. He is the aspect that one most remembers but the rest of the cast are very good. Only Reed is wanting. Stevenson directs solidly generally. It is slickly and atmospherically filmed, while the main theme is beautifully macabre. Hitchcock's bookending is entertainingly droll.

Writing-wise, "The Derelicts" is colourful and amusing while also having bite. While the story is a long way from flawless in execution, it is not dull, doesn't feel over-stuffed or crammed, not simplistic or over-complicated and there is some nice atmosphere in the middle.

A lot is good here, just that it did feel like something was missing. 7/10.

Ralph has married a very bad woman. She spends far more than he earns but also makes it very clear that if he doesn't pay, she'll leave. Thatt Ralph puts up with this is hard to believe....but he does. But what he does next is really amazing...he murders the silent partner in his business so that he doesn't have to split his profits AND he can actually afford to keep his god-awful wife. But there's a hitch to his actions....it seems a hobo (Robert Newton) saw him kill the old man and now he and his buddy are going to bleed Ralph dry.

I think this story has 1001 holes in the plot. But it is enjoyable seeing Robert Newton's over-the-top performance....subtle it sure isn't!! But it is enjoyable as is the episode even though so much of it makes little sense.

For a moment I thought I was looking at Marilyn Monroe and Tyrone Power as the married Cowell's. That's not surprising since it's 1956 and Hollywood's ablaze with ersatz Marilyns. This blonde sexpot (Knudsen), however, is one greedy vixen who's got hubby (Reed) wrapped around her little finger while she picks his pocket. In fact, it seems everyone's got his or her hand in his wallet. Those two seedy derelicts (Newton & Silver) who see him murder his business partner (Delevanti) even blackmail him into letting them move into his lavish digs. Good thing he's got a big bucks business what with all these parasites sucking him dry.

Newton hams it up enough to provide the series trademark black humor, along with a diminutively amusing Silver. There's some mild suspense as we wonder how husband Cowell will get out of his predicament, especially with wife Cowell who loves him as much as his current wallet-size will buy. I guess I was hoping he would find a way out, since he seemed more a weak victim than a real culprit. Anyway, it's a colorful entry, even though I thought the ending a little flat.