A couple driving through a rural location discover that the police and judge of the town of Robertsville are more intent on extorting money from them than being honest servants of the people... Read allA couple driving through a rural location discover that the police and judge of the town of Robertsville are more intent on extorting money from them than being honest servants of the people.A couple driving through a rural location discover that the police and judge of the town of Robertsville are more intent on extorting money from them than being honest servants of the people.
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Did you know
- TriviaAlthough it may seem to be a goof that the power window works in spite of the keys' having been confiscated, such isn't the case. During the 1950's and early 1960's, power windows, cigarette lighters, and radios could be engaged while engines were turned off, regardless of whether or not keys were in the ignition.
- GoofsThere are two mistakes Mr. Adams makes regarding traffic laws. One is that no one is legally allowed to exceed the posted speed limit even if he is in the process of passing another car, so that traffic fine was perfectly legal. What's more, anyone on the road who hears a siren is legally required to pull over and stop, even if the driver believes the police are not after him. This is a safety measure so that any car doesn't interferes with the police in the performance of their duties.
- Quotes
[afterword - Hitchcock is sitting between the two cops again]
Self - Host: Oh, I'm glad you came. I'm very worried. Things didn't go all well. They liked my first answer, but after that, I'm afraid I said some nasty things about commercials. It seemed to infuriate the gentleman asking the questions. I'm still not sure who he is.
Cop #1: Quiet!
Cop #2: Okay, it's your turn now.
[Hitchcock is led back into the booth]
Self - Host: Did you ever have the feeling you'd been here before?
[Hitchcock walks back into the booth, which now has bars in the window]
Self - Host: It's very close in here. May I open a window?
Off-Screen Announcer: No!
Self - Host: What's going on here and why can't I see you?
Off-Screen Announcer: Here I am. Look!
Self - Host: The sponsor!
[a loud wheezing sound is heard]
Self - Host: What's that? I smell gas.
Off-Screen Announcer: Quiet!
[Hitchcock loses consciousness]
Off-Screen Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, we now offer a special message, after which Mr. Hitchcock will attempt to return.
[commercial break, after which Hitchcock is seen outside the booth]
Self - Host: I'll bet you're surprised to see me. I know I'm surprised to be here. I received a last-minute reprieve. And I learned something interesting about my sponsor. He doesn't like commercials either. But the public demands them, so what's he to do? Next week, he will offer three more which promise to be enormous popular successes. Be the first one in your neighborhood to see them. There'll also be a story. Until then, good night.
- SoundtracksFuneral March of a Marionette
Written by Charles Gounod
One of the few exceptional episodes is "The Crooked Road". It is every bit as delicious as the premise promises and some and sees the whole cast at the top of their game in either roles that played to their strengths or against type. Season 4 was mostly very high quality up to this very early point, with only "Don't Interrupt" (badly) misfiring, and even after the season ended "The Crooked Road" is one of the season's finest. Of Henreid's output, it is easily somewhere around top 5 and one of not many truly exceptional episodes of his.
Everything works here. It is very well made, not lavish but very rich in atmosphere (especially some suitably moody shots) and slick. Henreid's direction ensures that the tension does not slip and it is some of his most assured and most inspired, after seeing episodes of his where his direction was undistinguished. There are no faults with the acting, with Walter Matthau clearly having a whale of a time without being too out of kilter hammy.
Richard Kiley beautifully portrays a character who is easy to root for. Patricia Breslin is alluring and her chemistry with Kiley helps make their couple rootable yet also unsettling the more the helplessness increases. Hitchcock's bookending is still wildly entertaining and full of his usual droll humour. The main theme has never gotten old and fits the tone of the series beautifully.
Furthermore, the script s intelligent and as lean as beautifully cooked steak. The story is darkly suspenseful and unsettlingly really makes the blood boil in a situation that was relevant back then and not out of date unfortunately today. What is also shocking about it is how easily it happens and it is truly frightening. The ending is absolutely deliciously wicked and didn't see it coming in any way, actually it left me floored.
Summing up, absolutely brilliant. 10/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- May 3, 2023
Details
- Runtime30 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1