The Impromptu Murder

There is so much that can go wrong when we attempt to change the course of our lives through violent crime. Hume Cronyn (one of our greatest actors) finds that he could be ruined if word got out that an elderly investor, whose money he had squandered, came to knowledge of this. The incredible ordeal he goes through to murder her and to hide her body seems beyond the pale for one of his seemingly delicate being. Still he does it and then has to live with the consequences. This episode is striking in its dreary ethos and captures the desperation of a soul. We must ask the question whether such a dramatic solution to his problem was really necessary. Once he acts, as is nearly always the case, he must continue to adjust and adapt to the consequences.

The previous week, Jessica Tandy starred in an episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents". Now in the following week, her husband, Hume Cronyn, stars in one himself. And, if they were looking for bragging rights, "The Impromptu Murder" is slightly better...though neither are exactly classics.

The episode is set in 1916 and Henry is an embezzler in need of money. And so, when a rich woman ends up staying with him, he kills her to rob her from the bag of money she's been toting. Then, he tosses the body in the river and thinks he's gotten away with it. When he later talks with the police, he almost immediately caves because, well, he's an idiot!

As I mentioned above, this isn't exactly a classic. The ending when Henry confesses seemed a bit sloppy...mostly because he really didn't need to and the show seemed to imply that a killer can't run away from his guilt, which for most killers is pretty ridiculous. After all, they kill because they are bad and their consciences are practically nonexistent!

I love Alfred Hitchcock, his movies or plays as he refers to them are typically perfect. I was compelled to comment on his introduction to this play we'll call "knowing the enemy " describing the enemy as Martians and then parading those women in those far out dresses was fantastic. I actually laughed out loud. Even though he refers to the enemy as Martians, and then at the end he's covers his tracks with is remarks, he didn't fool me or any other male watching. We all know what he was really saying, and I thank and appreciate him. Nice job Mr Hitchcock.

Not mystery story, no whodunit scheme; you already know who the assassin is, and you also know his motivation...This plot is not that new, but it remains very efficient, taut, riveting, and Hume Cronyn above average. The twist ending is not that new either, but exciting. Not the best of the show but certainly worth the watch. Don't miss it.

Paul Henreid was the second most prolific director for 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', the most prolific being Robert Stevens. None of the regular directors for the series were consistent, with pretty much all of them having a mix of very good and more and not particularly good episodes. As well as the second most prolific director, Henreid was also one of the more variable in terms of episode quality. As far as his previous episodes go, there were winners like "Last Request" and "A Little Sleep" but also disappointments like "Silent Witness" and "Enough Rope for Two".

Season 3's "Impromptu Murder" is one of his best in my view and enough to leave one excited for the last episode "Little White Frock" (outstanding by the way). It is a very good episode and was actually nearly great, with the lead performance and twist being particularly good with very little wrong actually. As far as Season 3 goes "Impromptu Murder" is not one of the very best, but it is in the better half of the season and the best of the many good things being pretty fantastically done.

Do have to agree with anybody that says that Hume Cronyn's character's actions at the end are on the sloppy and rash side, but really there is very little to fault about "Impromptu Murder".

Cronyn is superb, with the performance blazing with authority and intensity. The lack of a British accent for me was not bothersome at all. The rest of the cast are also fine, if not quite on his level. The characters are very interesting and don't have character flaws exaggerated. Hitchcock's bookending is still wildly entertaining and full of his usual droll humour.

The story is compelling and has tension, while not being too simple or convoluted. The script is intelligent and as lean as beautifully cooked steak. Henreid directs thoughtfully and makes sure that the tension doesn't slip in one of his better directing jobs in his early episodes for the series.

Production values are simple but never cheap, the simplicity isn't a bad thing here with it being an intimate location and some slick atmospheric shots are managed. The main theme has never gotten old and fits the tone of the series beautifully.

Very well done episode with lots of great things. 8/10.