While watching, I couldn't help noticing the similarity between Dean Stockwell and Anthony Perkins in both appearance and mannerisms. Had Alfred Hitchcock 'discovered' Stockwell prior to the release of "Psycho" in 1962, the actor might have been a good choice to portray the deranged Norman Bates character in that iconic classic. Stockwell did make an appearance in one of the half hour "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" episodes, but that too preceded the director's seminal horror film.
Starting out, the story here can leave one somewhat confused as to the real identity of Dean Stockwell's character. He's introduced as William Newmaster, but when he places a phone call to his girlfriend Annabel (Susan Olicer), she calls him David. The mystery is cleared up shortly thereafter, and very soon we realize that David Kelsey is operating under a severe delusion. He maintains a home in the country which he visits on weekends under the pretense of seeing an ailing father who died some time ago, while having outfitted the house as a tribute to the already married Annabel, who he intends to wed after she divorces her own husband (Henry Brandt).
The only problem I had with the story was the ease with which the Ballard Police accepted David's version of how Gerald Delaney (Brandt) met his 'accidental' death. I would have expected a lot more suspicion from the authorities, though I suspect that had to do with the episode's time constraints. The ending further illustrated the lengths to which David Kelsey intended to carry out his delusison, but with police sirens blaring in the background, this was one Hitchcock tale that ended just the way it should have.
Starting out, the story here can leave one somewhat confused as to the real identity of Dean Stockwell's character. He's introduced as William Newmaster, but when he places a phone call to his girlfriend Annabel (Susan Olicer), she calls him David. The mystery is cleared up shortly thereafter, and very soon we realize that David Kelsey is operating under a severe delusion. He maintains a home in the country which he visits on weekends under the pretense of seeing an ailing father who died some time ago, while having outfitted the house as a tribute to the already married Annabel, who he intends to wed after she divorces her own husband (Henry Brandt).
The only problem I had with the story was the ease with which the Ballard Police accepted David's version of how Gerald Delaney (Brandt) met his 'accidental' death. I would have expected a lot more suspicion from the authorities, though I suspect that had to do with the episode's time constraints. The ending further illustrated the lengths to which David Kelsey intended to carry out his delusison, but with police sirens blaring in the background, this was one Hitchcock tale that ended just the way it should have.