Poison

Pity poor actor James Donald who has to do both more and less at the same time. As plantation owner Harry Pope, he's got to lie stock still in bed and make us believe what's happening using nothing more than facial expression. The problem is that a deadly snake has found a cushion on his stomach and if he moves an inch, he's toast. So, watch him sweat and sweat, as we sweat with him. And if that's not bad enough, his partner Woods (Corey) who'd just as soon see him dead comes bopping in the door. Sure, I'll help, he says, just as soon as he figures out how to use a telephone. And when the doctor finally comes, of all people it's Arnold Moss who last played a good guy in maybe 1943. Poor Harry, looks like he's going end up a pop-tart, for sure.

One of the most suspenseful entries of the series, from that past master of the offbeat, Roald Dahl. It's a 30-minutes that certainly started off the 4th season with a bang, or should I say a bucket of sweat. As I recall, it was also one of those episodes that got talked about the next day, folks imagining what they would do in Harry's place. Harry's predicament is also reminiscent of Joseph Cotton's paralyzed businessman trying to stay off the coroner's slice-and-dice table in the classic Breakdown (1955).

Anyhow, it's superior Hitchcock and a candidate for classic status, so don't miss it.

Harry Pope is lying in bed and discovers that there is a sleeping snake on his stomach.

Poison is an offbeat tale that has Harry Pope sweating buckets. A snake is on his stomach, he says. His friend, Wendell Corey, acts indifferently, thinks he's drunk, and is quite an insensitive adversary. He makes the poor man, confined to his bed and sweating profusely, dance to his tune. Instead of doing everything he can to save his "friend," he reacts slowly and makes tortuous comments. Of course, the doctor eventually arrives, but as this is a Roald Dahl story, don't expect it to end on the right note. It's definitely a suspenseful tale from start to finish.

Although Alfred Hitchcock is one of my all time favourite directors, not everything he did was great and he did some misfires too. This is true with his episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' as director as well. While there were fantastic episodes (that were season and series high points), such as Season 1's "Breakdown", there were also misfires such as Season 2's "Wet Saturday" (which also boasted one of the series' worst performances). Roald Dahl was a childhood favourite author of mine and am still fond of his work, and this is one of his best short stories.

"Poison" is an absolutely brilliant first episode to Season 4, to me it is a very strong contender for the best 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' opener. It is a great representation of Dahl's work too, though very different to the family literature that he is so famous and justly highly regarded for. In my view as well, it is one of the master of suspense's best episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', along with "Breakdown", "One More Mile to Go" and "Lamb to the Slaughter".

It is impeccably acted by Wendall Corey and James Donald, Donald really unnerves in a difficult role that is very reliant on facial expressions and body language than words and where one really feels the sweat. While Corey is at his most unsettlingly insensitive. The chemistry is very strong throughout.

Hitchcock's bookending is humorously ironic, which gels with the story with ease, with no sense of jarring or disjointed-ness, and his direction is some of his most tension filled and most inspired in look and atmosphere. He wasn't coined the Master of Suspense for nothing. "Poison" is one of the series' best looking episodes, with the eerily moody photography being very atmospheric and more cinematic than most 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes. "Funeral March of a Marionette" was an inspired and perfect choice for the series' main theme.

Furthermore, "Poison" is extremely well written and intelligently adapted, unmistakably Dahl at his darkest and also unmistakably Hitchcock. This sounds like an odd couple on paper, with the two being very different in style but that odd coupling feel did not at all translate on screen. The story is full of dark suspense and unnerving dread, while also having some offbeat-ness. The story didn't to me feel padded or over-stuffed, while also being easy to follow without being simplistic, actually didn't find the ending too prematurely easy to figure out and it stayed with me for a while after.

Overall, a brilliant start to Season 4. 10/10.

Road Dahl's script was remade twenty two years later in TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED. The exact copy. For those who have not seen the original, of course it is a taut and effective tale. Maybe a bit too simple, with the most simple twist in history. Then watch it for the story and the suspense around this snake. Simple, fast paced but that's all. Nothing more. However that's enough to watch this episode.

POISON (perfectly titled) is something to watch, and if this isn't a "blueprint" for a Hitchcock dark comedy. A Mini Masterpiece.

First episode of the fourth season, and just right. As was the tradition, the master of suspense would occasionally direct one of the episodes himself. Hitch does a fine job here, and enjoying every minute with this special cast.

Wendell Corey (one heck of a bad guy) comes off best as the arrogant co-owner of a plantation -- in the middle of nowhere(!)-- whose alcoholic partner believes he's "sleeping" with a poisonous snake in his bed? Did we mention these two despise each other?

The proverbial Hitchcock story that keeps on giving. Arnold Moss, plays the country doctor, recruited at the 11th hour, to administer a poison to kill the snake. Watching Moss administer the drug, funneling it ever so GENTLY under the covers is shear torture. This scene will give you the creeps.

Arnold Moss, veteran stage star, was a top radio announcer before tv, and at one time the youngest announcer at CBS in the 1930s.

Roald Dahl wrote this gem for Hitch. Mission accomplished. He penned childrens books, notably WILLY WONKA. Dahl's trademark were eccentric villains, and he created two walking train wrecks here.

How this all ends will give you a nervous chuckle.

Dedicated to us thrill seekers. SEASON 4 EPISODE 1 remastered Universal dvd box set. 4 dvds. 15 hrs 30 min. Released 2008.

All seven seasons are now on dvd in a single box set. Released 2022.