A hired killer reluctantly sets out to kill his own girlfriend as ordered by his crime boss, a man who won't tolerate failure.A hired killer reluctantly sets out to kill his own girlfriend as ordered by his crime boss, a man who won't tolerate failure.A hired killer reluctantly sets out to kill his own girlfriend as ordered by his crime boss, a man who won't tolerate failure.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaLast role of Mickey Kuhn. Additionally, his two previous roles were also for Alfred Hitchcock Presents in back-to-back showings, all in the same season: The End of Indian Summer (1957) and One for the Road (1957).
- GoofsMr. Williams says that Christmas is the day after tomorrow, so it is December 23rd when he gives Manny a job to complete. In a later scene, he says it has been a week since their last discussion, therefore, it must be December 30th. In this scene, Mr. Williams says that New Years Eve is a few days away when it is actually the next day.
- Quotes
Vincent Williams: People with rash ideas must be put away for their own good.
Manny Coe: I don't get it.
Vincent Williams: Really, Manny. Come now, you're not that naïve.
Manny Coe: But she loves me, Mr. Williams.
Vincent Williams: That's the beauty of it. To triumph over that little impediment of love. And after it's done, Manny, think of the elation. Free from emotional annoyances.
- SoundtracksFuneral March of a Marionette
Written by Charles Gounod
York, not a particularly good guy here, is employed by none other than dapper villain George Macready. Macready was made for this role (who incidentally was best friends with Vincent Price), portraying the "man" who heads a league of assassins. York is one of the crew, albeit the star quarterback, who may be resting on his laurels. To get him off and running again, Maccready makes an offer he can't refuse --kill your fiancee, because she is cramping his style.
This is potent stuff, written by Bernard Schoenfeld, who wrote the classic women's prison film CAGED in 1950. He also wrote a slick film noir, starring Lucille Ball, called THE DARK CORNER (1946). Watch this film for Lucy in a non-comedic role.
I agree with another reviewer, there's a faint gay theme here, strictly tabu in the 50s. Macready's character, as much as he is domineering and arrogant, may also have been snubbed by York's character and the fact that he has a female companion?
Applause for the acting, especially George Macready, and directed by actor Paul Henreid (CASABLANCA) who gets the most out of his two leads.
SEASON 2 remastered Universal dvd box set. 2006.
- tcchelsey
- Nov 29, 2022
Details
- Runtime30 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1