You Got to Have Luck

Opening whatever the episode Hitch ussually makes a little introduction about to come, in this episode the master has an empty hourglass and how it meddle in our life, the subject of the episode concern over that, when a convict Sam Corbett (John Cassavetes) which fits perfect on the cold character, escapes from the Prison through the desert reaching a small town, the Warden delayed the information in hope to catch him before, too late the press already were warned, the news spreading likes fire by radio broadcasting and live TV, Sam circumspectly chosen a house with just one person inside, the mild housewife Mary Schaffner (Marisa Pavan) is shocked for a sudden invasion, the menacing guy wants food, money, bath, clean clothes for a scared woman, however the phone rings twice, the first time no one pick up the phone, in second time Sam afraid to raise suspicions demands that Mary answers the phone at his brief instructions, speaking to her the exact answers, but... how said Hitch the time comes for everyone, quickly for bad luck guys!!!

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First watch: 2020 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.5

The acting was good in this episode and the twist is almost impossible to catch.

Marisa Pavan, twin sister of Pier Angeli, had previously appeared as Anna Magnani's daughter (receiving an Oscar nomination) in THE ROSE TATTOO. She is equally convincing here, playing a young housewife who is left alone --until escaped killer John Cassavettes enters the picture.

Exceptionally written, and classic early Hitchcock tv. Unless you have seen this before, you could never guess the ending.

Both leads are terrific young actors who shine in their roles. Cassavettes seeks refuge at Pavan's countryside house while her husband is away. Basicially a two character study on steroids. Vivi Janiss plays the atypical chatty and easily insulted neighbor.

One strange thing, if you notice. The camera focuses a lot on the pie Marisa is baking. That's one scene I always wondered about, and it seemed like Hitch (perhaps) wanted to have Marisa toss the RED HOT pie in pretty boy's face? That may have been the original intention, perhaps too gruesome. Rest assured, he gets his due.

Pavan would next appear in THE MAN IN THE GRAY FLANNEL SUIT. This role may have lead to Cassavettes landing parts in EDGE OF THE CITY and CRIME IN THE STREETS.

Best of SEASON 1. Universal remastered dvd box 3 dvds. Released 2008. 16 hrs 45 min running time.

Sam Cobbett has just broken out of prison and enters the house of Mary Schaffner while her husband is away. Cobbett makes Mary cook for him, dismiss her neighbors when they come by, and pretends that everything is okay over the phone when her mother calls. Cobbett believes he can take his time, but he soon learns a shocking discovery that will ultimately be his undoing.

I gotta say its always a pleasure when you get to see really good performers in these episodes and here we get John Cassevetes who I always loved from "The Dirty Dozen". While he plays the role pretty good, I have to say I'm a little confused by the ambition of the character he's playing (much like fellow reviewer hitchcoc stated). Cassevettes sorta bumbles his was threw the episode making stupid decisions, taking to long, and ultimately coming off a little to nice. Of course this isn't Cassevettes fault, but, more of that of the writers. The best thing that saves it and helps me bump up its rating is the clever twist which I'll admit I actually forgot all about since my last viewing. Marisa Pavan does a good job as our lead actress as does the the supporting cast led by veteran actor Ray Teal who makes his second appearance in the series as a law authority figure.

Good thing strong performers like Cassavetes and Pavan were hired since they monopolize the screen time. Sam (Cassavetes) has escaped prison and guess where he ends up. Yup, it's at sweet little housewife Mary's (Pavan) house, and guess what—hubby's gone for the day. Few actors of the day were more intense than the maker of Shadows (1959). So Mary's more than just a little menaced, that is, if Sam can make up his mind whether to cut her throat or kiss her. Home invasion plots were popular at the time (1955) and Cassavetes made his movie mark in 1955's The Night Holds Terror. So he's had some practice before invading poor little Pavan"s domicile. The episode's cheaply produced: basically one set, namely, the house's interior. I'm not sure about the upshot. Like another reviewer, I'm tempted to watch again to see if there's some kind of tip-off in Mary's behavior. Anyway, it's solid Hitch with a chance to catch one of the period's most talented actors.

(In passing—there's something about Cassavetes' thin, dark looks that reminds me of Tony Perkins in Psycho. See if you agree.)