Mink

Times have certainly changed. In the 1950s and 60s, the ultimate fashion accessory, if you could afford it, was a fur coat. Nowadays, such a coat is rather passe...something few women would want any more.

The show begins with a lady (Ruth Hussey) going to a furrier to get an appraisal on her new mink stole. However, the people recognize the stole...it's one they made themselves and it is one that was reported stolen! Well, she leaves before the police arrive and as she's at lunch, a female police officer approaches her and informs her that a complaint has been lodged against her....and the coat appears to have been stolen. But when she takes the coat to the lady who sold it to her second-hand, you wonder who is telling the truth...as she said she never sold anyone any mink ever.

The acting in this one is very good. But the twist? I couldn't even tell if there was one. No real suspense and a really disappointing ending. But, had it been an episode of "Dragnet" or some other police show, it would have been quite good....but clearly NOT what you would expect for "Alfred Hitchcock Presents".

Excellent. Excellent to the highest degree!! This is what I would call a quintessential Alfred Hitchcock episode. Great, suspenseful story that keeps you guessing, from beginning to end. I must admit that I'm not too familiar with Ruth Hussey. I wouldn't mind becoming acquainted with her other work. Very nice looking lady, and a fine actress. Ruth plays Paula, who buys a "bargain" mink, not realizing that it was stolen goods. Everyone involved seems to be out to get Paula. I won't elaborate any further, as it might ruin the experience for anyone who has never seen this great episode. Great cast, including Vinton Hayworth (General Schaefer from I Dream of Jeannie!) and Vivi Janiss as a female detective. Great, great episode. I loved every minute of it!

This started out so good. Then just drifted off and ended. Unless, the ending made me think the detective didn't believe her. I'm not sure. If that's the case it improves my opinion. I may be overthinking it. Why did the detective return alone? Was he part of the robbery? Was there really a husband? Am I overthinking the whole thing and it was what it was? The whole thing was a reverse sting trapping the thieves? But why wasn't the female detective a part of the ending? The whole thing is bugging me. I think there must be more to it than I am getting. Or, I am expecting too much from a half hour show?

I agree with the last reviewer how times have really changed. True, back in the 50s (when this episode was filmed, and especially in Hollywood), wearing a mink coat was a sign of social status. Today a mink hoodie would be more fashionable.

Who better to play a woman of taste than Ruth Hussey, who began her career as a fashion commentator, before becoming a star at MGM. Here, she plays a trendy lady who has an eye for a mink coat --only it happens to be stolen merchandise. Funny thing is NO ONE can varify her story. Is she a thief? What a Hitchcock dilemma that only mushrooms for your entertainment pleasure.

Also a great supporting cast; Vivi Janis plays a cop this time around. Popular 40s gangster moll Veda Ann Borg plays Lucille.

Look for Eugenia Paul (as Dolores), who played a few roles in her short career before marrying one of the famous Pep Boys, heir to the auto parts store chain.

The inside joke; Ruth Hussey appeared in THE LADY WANTS MINK (1953), a few years before this episode. She also was nominated for an Oscar in THE PHILADELPHIA STORY, playing a fashion photographer. Hitch did his homework.

For all us fans of victims of circumstances. SEASON 2 remastered Universal dvd box set. 5 dvds. All seven seasons are now in a single box set. Released 2022.

We recently inherited a mink coat. It is absolutely gorgeous. But who wears these things these days. I remember quiz shows in the fifties and sixties where this was the ultimate prize one could win. Models paraded around with them (Dicker and Dicker of Beverly Hills). This is about a woman who buys a mink stole on the cheap from some shady woman and then gets arrested because the thing is identified by the furrier who bought it. She has come for an appraisal and they recognize it. The police get involved and there is a whole secrecy thing. She is gaslighted, if you will. Nobody will take responsibility for selling it to her. Obviously, if you're a cop, you should realize right away that should you talk, you are admitting trafficking in stolen goods. Well, things get pretty intense with the woman ready to do jail time. There are further complications where things get resolved. There are some unanswered questions which people seemed happy to ignore back then.