Vicious Circle

"Vicious Circle" is an episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" that is missing something...an interesting twist at the end. Instead, its sole aim seems to be to tell us that crime is bad!

The show stars one of the more improbable actors for this role, Dick York. Manny (York) is a young punk who wants to move up in organized crime so he does everything his boss (George Macready) tells him...and that sometimes involves killing people. But Manny's girlfriend is a liability...and Mr. Williams, the boss, wants her dead.

No twist at all in this one....just Dick York being vicious and ultimately getting his just reward at the end. So disappointing.

Reviewer rd finch puts the subtext quite nicely, and that subtext remains about the only reason to catch up with this otherwise flaccid episode. The storyline has potential, but except for the riveting opening scene, the remainder flattens out before reaching an all-too predictable climax. Even Dick York's showdown with his girl is awkwardly staged. Light comedy was York's specialty, so fans of Bewitched (1964-69) may enjoy watching the zany comic as an almost cold-blooded killer, which he manages to bring off in suitably boyish fashion.

Younger viewers may not be aware of how forbidden the whole topic of homosexuality was in both movies and TV of the 1950's. In short, the topic was treated as though it simply didn't exist. A more obvious censorship example is the A-budget Cat on a Hoot Tin Roof (1958) in which the theme from the Tennessee Williams play is airbrushed from the screenplay, rendering the movie itself darn near incomprehensible. Now, I'm sure I saw this Hitchcock entry the first time around, but it was only on recent viewing that the subtext jumped out at me. Then too, I don't see how the innuendo could have been unintentional on the part of writer and producer, which makes me wonder why such a risk with time and money was taken. I expect there is an inside story here. But what would it be, except as another instance of this cutting-edge series pushing the envelope.

Excellent episode featuring Dick York in a non-comedic role. George Macready also stars in this chilling story about a weak man who cannot say no to his boss, in this case, a criminal. In a way, it is study of the mentality of those who will commit murder on command. Now, Dick York's character has misgivings and even warns his next victim, in this case his own fiancé, but that does not stop him from obeying orders. The story has larger political implications. History is replete with those who will do the most awful things, commit the most heinous crimes, if ordered to do so. They will act without hesitation or regrets, based on the belief that they do not bear final responsibility. Well, that just does not wash. What goes around comes around, as the saying goes. Today the executioner, tomorrow the executed, while those in charge keep control. As this episode so explicitly dramatizes, the hitman is merely the agent and is not indispensable. Just the opposite is the case. The episode leaves us asking this question: why do such awful work?

Alfred Hitchcock hired Dick York to do some memorable roles on his show because he had "the look"... He'd either play the biggest fall guy in the world or the guy who'd put a knife in your back with a smile. Clever casting, long before starring in BEWITCHED.

York, not a particularly good guy here, is employed by dapper villain George Macready. He was made for this role, portraying the ringleader for a league of assassins. York is the star quarterback, who may be resting on his laurels. To get him off and running again, Maccready makes an offer he can't refuse -- kill your gal friend, because she's cramping your style -- or we'll kill YOU.

Potent stuff, written by Bernard Schoenfeld, who wrote the classic women's prison film CAGED in 1950. He also wrote a slick film noir, starring Lucille Ball, THE DARK CORNER (1946).

I agree with another reviewer, there's a faint gay theme here, strictly tabu in the 50s. Macready's character, as much as he is domineering and arrogant, may also have been snubbed by York's character and the fact he has a female companion? Why not get her out of the picture.

The acting nails it, particularly George Macready, directed by actor Paul Henreid (CASABLANCA) who gets the best performances from his two leads.

SEASON 2 remastered Universal dvd box set. 2006. All seven seasons are now on dvd in a single box set. Released 2022.

Actor/director Paul Henreid, first introduced to me through one of my all time favourite films 'Casablanca', directed 28 episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'. Of which "Vicious Circle" is the first. Like all the regular directors for the series (none of the prolific directors had all their episodes being consistently good and more, including Hitchcock himself), Henreid's 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' outings were up and down with none of them being as good as the best of Hitchcock and Robert Stevens for instance.

"Vicious Circle" is a less than promising start for Henreid's 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' and is a disappointing episode on the whole. Especially after being so blown away by the previous episode "One More Mile to Go", which was one of the best of the series whereas this was an undistinguished middling effort. It starts off great, but unfortunately goes downhill quite quickly and the rest of "Vicious Circle" doesn't live up to the opening's quality (the ending for example being the complete opposite).

The best thing about "Vicious Circle" is the opening, which is extremely effectively gritty and atmospheric. Not far behind is the suitably moody photography, with some nice stylish shots that show a higher budget than most episodes. The audio haunts and the theme music is some of the best use of pre existing music in television.

Furthermore, the supporting cast do well. The best performance coming from George Macready, effectively sinister. The bookending is suitably ironic.

Dick York for me however came over as out of his depth, the role required a grittier and more intense presence than what he gives. Here he came over as anaemic and one dimensional. His character is not as interesting as the synopsis indicated, very little complex or rootable here and too much of one shade. The script lacks tautness and can ramble, also leaving character motivations (especially the big one that is heavily centered around) too vague.

Moreover, the story doesn't contain that many surprises and is lacking in tension and suspense, atmosphere wise excepting the opening it's bland, too safe and needed a tighter pace. The showdown is agreed awkwardly staged and nothing really stands out about Henreid's direction. Worst of all is the ending, which is a damp squib anti-climax introduced too late and is incredibly predictable.

Watchable for completest sake but pretty forgettable. 5/10.