Mail Order Prophet

James Neilson directed twelve episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', some good, some not so good though none terrible certainly. Have liked EG Marshall and Jack Klugman in other things, with more familiarity actually with Klugman. Did like the premise, but was a bit worried about it being based around a gimmick. Have seen a lot of films and television episodes revolving around gimmicks, and not all worked with some being very interesting and well done and others too gimmicky and indulgent.

Luckily "Mail Order Prophet" is in the former category and it has to be said too that Season 3 has in my opinion had a mostly quite strong first half and its quality better than the previous two seasons' first halves. Was near-bowled over by the previous episode "The Glass Eye", and this episode "Mail Order Prophet" has been every bit as good (if not quite one of the best episodes of the series). Also think that it is an episode that is not appreciated enough, if anybody is worried about it revolving around a gimmick, having seen films or television episodes revolving around them and not doing them, don't worry as this is one that does it well. So well in fact that this reviewer actually forgot there was a gimmick momentarily.

There is actually not really anything wrong, though the ending is not an ingenious one or one that stays in the mind forever.

Marshall and Klugman give note perfect performances however that balance humour and mystery beautifully. They sound like an odd couple together on paper and their characters are very different but actually they gel together like a fine wine and moist cheese (hoping that is a compliment). The script is a very clever one that is both funny and tense with no signs of rambling. Neilson's direction is controlled and taut and the suspense flows nicely.

Script wise, it is a good mix of light-hearted and tautly suspenseful, meaning that it doesn't take itself too seriously in a witty and hearty way while not treating it as a joke. The story is slight but still intriguing and suspenseful, with no dull stretches. Hitchcock's bookending entertains, while the episode is slickly made and the theme tune is suitably haunting.

Overall, great and a case of different done well. 9/10.

This "AHP" episode from 1957 called "Mail Order Prophet" is a neat and interesting one as the plot and ideas of the episode are clever. It stars classic and the now late character actor E.G. Marshall(1982's "Creepshow") as a man named Ronald Grimes who works in an office and all of a sudden one day he receives a letter from a mysterious writer named Mr. Christianai and it predicts the outcome of an upcoming election. And what do you know the underdog political candidate wins! Soon one by one more mailed letters arrive with predictions on all things from sports to you guess what money investments like the stock market! However it turns that things and people are not what they seem, however Ronald turns to out to be lucky and benefit at the right time! Overall well done episode of timing, luck, and hope as it's an episode of choices and a good guess to fortune!

...in every school in America.

This is one of my favorite episodes. We get to see a couple of disgruntled office workers, one of whom (E.G. Marshall) begins receiving "psychic" letters encouraging him to bet on events (election, title bout). Jack Klugman is a rationalist co-worker who tries to convince him it's a racket.

Could the mail order prophet be legit? It's hard not to wonder where this is going to lead. They even throw in office theft to up the ante. Not to give anything away, but I found the ending very satisfying. Plus, Klugman and Marshall are great to watch.

The best part of this episode is before the episode starts. Alfred Hitchcock stands at a desk behind a pile of ticker tape, looking out an open window. He announces that he had just teased his business partner that they had just lost most of the money they had invested. He also points out that the elevator man would be upset because he became confused when the people he brought up didn't ride the elevator down.

The story now focuses on two men, played by Jack Klugman and E. G. Marshall. They have worked for years in the same investment firm, sitting among a line of desks and bemoaning the fact that they may be trapped there for life. Marshall's character talks about finding a way out. Klugman is the classic naysayer who throws a wet blanket on everything. The "evil" boss brings a personal letter to Marshall and with a harumph drops it on his desk. It is from a mysterious man who says he can predict the future, but who cannot benefit from his predictions. While Klugman is warning his friend of the dangers of getting involved in this "scheme," Marshall begins to try out the tips, much to his great satisfaction. Finally, however, he reaches a fork in the road and that's what we are waiting for. I won't ruin the fun. It's a fun story and does a good job of carrying us on.

A departure for the series. It's basically a gimmick plot that manages a good dose of suspense, but without the usual hint of Hitchcock mayhem or dark deeds.

Marshall and Klugman are two self-described "cogs' in a faceless corporate machine. They dream of riches, independence, and telling-off their cranky boss. But the way they meekly submit, you figure they'll remain just pipe dreams. Then Marshall starts getting anonymous letters making predictions that prove uncannily accurate. Soon, he's making bets based on the predictions that pay off, and his dreams begin to look real. So what's the deal here. Who's the anonymous "prophet", and does he have the kind of psychic powers he appears to have. He better because Marshall is now "borrowing" from company funds

These two fine actors help carry the story, but it's also a clever script. Note the bar scene with its humorous overtones, the regimented desks on the office floor, or the final scene so hugely ironical and satisfying. There's also a subtle subtext contrasting the wisdom of belief with that of skepticism working its way through. No, it may not be typical Hitchcock, but the gimmick does keep you guessing.