Worried that their Aunt Rosalie doesn't really like them, brothers Paul and Henri set out to get their hands on her fortune any way they can.Worried that their Aunt Rosalie doesn't really like them, brothers Paul and Henri set out to get their hands on her fortune any way they can.Worried that their Aunt Rosalie doesn't really like them, brothers Paul and Henri set out to get their hands on her fortune any way they can.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen he picks the honey suckle blossom he remarks " it's wilting I despise decaying things" An obvious nod to his most famous part of Dorian Gray who was immune to decay.
- Quotes
[first lines]
Alfred Hitchcock - Host: [Hitchcock appears with his back to the camera; there is a knife stuck in his back. He turns to the camera with a pained look] Oh, good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Hollywood.
[grimaces a little]
Alfred Hitchcock - Host: I think everyone enjoys a nice murder... provided he is not the victim. Well, tonight's little comedy of bad manners is concerned with that dream of all of us who harbor homicidal tendencies: The perfect murder. Of course, to be serious for a moment, there is no such thing as a nice murder or a perfect murder. It is always a sordid, despicable business. Especially if you don't have a good lawyer. According to statistics, a murder will be committed during the next sixty seconds, as well as four armed robberies, thirty-three petty thefts, and a forgery. There will also be a television commercial. If you doubt me, watch.
- SoundtracksFuneral March of a Marionette
Written by Charles Gounod
While not one of my favourite episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' or of Season 1, "The Perfect Murder" does live up to its promising title on the whole. Not a perfect episode, but a very good one and a good representation of Stevens and why his reputation as the most frequent director of the series was generally deserved (although his output was inconsistent). It's not one of his strongest faring episodes, but "The Perfect Murder" has a lot of good things and doesn't really do anything massively wrong.
Did feel though that the narration was not necessary and too over-explanatory.
Also that the murder method didn't strike me as particularly realistic.
Stevens directs very assuredly however, and the production values are simple but atmospheric though. The cast also do a great job all round, Mildred Natwick and Phillip Coolidge particularly excel in roles perfect for their talents. The characters are written very intriguingly and the psychology of them is done very well.
Hitchcock's bookending is typically dry humoured if slightly rambling and the main theme is one of the most distinctive and haunting ones in television history, have said more than once about it being one of the finest and easily recognisable uses of pre-existing classical music in the visual medium and still stick by it. It is actually because of this series as to why it is as well known as it is. The script is generally taut and thought-provoking and there is some nice suspense in the storytelling. While not exceptional, the ending is well executed.
In summary, very good. 8/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Mar 9, 2022
Details
- Runtime30 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1