The Right Price

This was an exceptionally cast dark comedy, and with Allyn Joslyn in the lead. For years, Joslyn was a standout at playing brooding, complaining, snobby types (and in some classic films), not to let all his fans down here. And don't forget that pencil moustache.

This time, he's complaining about his wife (marvelously played by Jane Dulo). I say marvelously, because Jane was best at playing similar type characters, quite popular on tv sitcoms.

Joslyn is looking for a way out, even though he appears to be a successful businessman. Oddly, his wife (also his business partner) seems to be cramping his style. There's also an insurance policy hanging around someplace.

Eddie Foy, Jr., whose father was a famous vaudevillian, plays a guy named "the Cat", as in cat burglar, who sneaks into the house and has some financial suggestions for Joslyn while trying to rob him at the same time? Their middle of the night talk together is fascinating. Foy reminded me, slightly, of Phil Silvers.

Does not get any better than this. Allyn Joslyn is the whole show, the epitome of the unhappy man who wants a change in his life, albeit economically. After all, he is a businessman.

Outstanding, and as always, wait for that sly Hitchcock ending. You will not be disappointed.

Not too long after this episode, Eddie Foy appeared in BELLS ARE RINGING, starring Judy Holliday.

From SEASON 4 EPISODE 22 remastered dvd box set. 2008 Universal.

This "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" episode from season 4 number 22 called "The Right Price" is one that's clever and cunning as you the viewer think you know where things are going yet it's twist in a cunning and devious manner. The tale is of a married business couple Jocelyn and Mort who make money and seem to have a good life yet they bicker and this causes them even to share separate beds! So one night after going to sleep they are awakened by an apparent intruder a burglar. When Mort goes downstairs to check things out the con man starts a cat and mouse game with him as the two guys think they have a plan. Both decide after the incident is reported and an insurance settlement check is written both with have a fat settlement. Plus the plan is to dispose of the wife, only this plot takes a cunning and wild wicked twist as the game is a double cross. Overall well done clever episode that's cunning with it's plot it's a master episode of suspense.

This is one of the better episodes of the season. Sure, it's comedy rather than suspense, but it's funny. Eddie Foy Jr. plays a thief but isn't entirely convincing. He comes across as an old vaudevillian, which is what the actor really was. His performance carries the episode.

It turns out the man whose home he is robbing (a) has nothing of value and (b) hates his wife, so they cut a deal. I love the casual cynicism the show exhibits about marriage. 1950s style grumbling about wives, but I don't think it is , ultimately, sexist. This is AH dark humor at its best.

I'm not sure if the plotting would hold up, but it's all in good fun, and there is a nice twist ending.

'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' "The Right Price" (1959)

Opening thoughts: Every season had some truly fine episodes, and they all had some not so good episodes. This was all obvious in Season 4, that had some real highs and some real lows and sometimes in quite quick succession to each other. None of Hiller's Season 4 episodes really fitted in the real lows category and in fact to me his best ones were close to being among the highs (i.e. "Post Mortem"). "The Right Price" is not one of his high points or one of the best episodes of Season 4, but it is also nowhere near to being one of his worst or among the season's and series' worst. It does show how much the quality of his episodes improved since his disappointing debut episode "Flight to the East" and an increasing confidence in his direction. Anything centered around insurance is familiar territory for 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', but "The Right Price" is one of the better and more interesting outings.

Bad things: It is a little slow at times, especially early on where the set up is slightly overlong, and is occasionally on the theatrical side.

Good things: However, so much is done right. On the most part, "The Right Price" is well acted with Eddie Foy Jr being a mostly convincing lead once he settled down. Hitchcock's bookending is amusingly ironic and Hiller directs confidently.

Furthermore, it's solidly made with some atmospheric photography. The series theme music is one of the best and most inspired examples of pre-existing classical music being used as a main theme, fitting perfectly with the series' overall tone. The writing is thought provoking, fun and unsettling, with no over-talkiness. It is especially good in the more comedic parts, which are nicely ironic and amusing.

Did in general enjoy the storytelling, while there is a light-hearted offbeat-ness there is also some suspense and a cunning edge. Loved the clever and suitably wild twist that was not expected.

Concluding thoughts: Overall, very well done.

8/10.

Two people run a business together. They are also husband and wife. They make each other crazy. One night after going to bed, the husband is awakened by a burglar. It turns out he is a talkative businessman. He proposes a partnership with the husband. Unfortunately, there is nothing of value, so they can't share potential insurance money. After enjoying roast beef sandwiches and beer, they get down to a possible crime. The husband wants his wife killed. The burglar agrees and he heads for the bedroom. This is one of those episodes where it is played pretty much for laughs. It was really hard for me to become engaged in this.