Revenge
- Episode aired Oct 2, 1955
- TV-14
- 26m
When Carl Spann's wife Elsa is assaulted by an unknown attacker, he drives his still-incoherent wife around town, hoping she can point him out, so he can kill him.When Carl Spann's wife Elsa is assaulted by an unknown attacker, he drives his still-incoherent wife around town, hoping she can point him out, so he can kill him.When Carl Spann's wife Elsa is assaulted by an unknown attacker, he drives his still-incoherent wife around town, hoping she can point him out, so he can kill him.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBased on the short story "Revenge" by Samuel Blas. This story was first published in Colliers (January 11, 1947).
- GoofsWhen Carl and Elsa leave the trailer after she is attacked and are driving in the city, they pass by the same "See's Candy Store" twice in quick succession.
- Quotes
[first lines]
Alfred Hitchcock - Host: [introduction] Good evening. I'm Alfred Hitchcock. And tonight, I'm presenting the first in a series of stories of suspense and mystery called, oddly enough, "Alfred Hitchcock Presents". I shall not act in these stories, but will only make appearances. Something in the nature of an accessory before and after the fact - to give the title to those of you who can't read, and to tidy up afterwards for those who don't understand the endings. Tonight's playlet is really a sweet little story. It is called "Revenge". It will follow...
[Hitchcock looks off camera then back to the viewer]
Alfred Hitchcock - Host: Oh, dear. I see the actors won't be ready for another 60 seconds. However, thanks to our sponsor's remarkable foresight, we have a message that will fit in here nicely.
- ConnectionsFeatured in A Night at the Movies: The Suspenseful World of Thrillers (2009)
- SoundtracksFuneral March of a Marionette
Written by Charles Gounod
"Revenge" is a great start and a treat for fellow Hitchcock fans. It is not one of the best episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', but as far as Season 1 goes it is in the better end. It does a great job cramming in a lot of content in a short space of time and there is nowhere near as much of a finding its feet feel as feared like there can be with shows/series in their first episodes. If one is planning on watching 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' to see what the fuss is about and is not sure where to start, "Revenge" is a very good place to start.
Will admit to not being crazy with the bookend segment, something that always varied throughout the series (mostly good and more), what Hitchcock has to say is interesting and sums up the tale quite well but is a bit rambling and on the vague side.
However, so much is great here. It is beautifully and atmospherically shot, moodily lit and tightly edited, with a look similar to Hitchcock's output in the 40s (a good thing). The audio unsettles and has a good deal of atmosphere (the series' theme tune courtesy of Gounod especially), though the balance is not always there. Hitchcock directs impeccably, his unmistakable style being all over "Revenge" and showing why he was deserving of his "master of suspense" nickname.
It is tautly scripted and avoids being too melodramatic, which was a danger with this type of story. The story is crisply paced and there is a lot going on without feeling too over-crowded. It also drips with suspense the more desperate the situation becomes and the more the states of mind unravel. The twist was unexpected to me actually and unsettled me.
Meeker is a strong intense presence and Frances Bavier is strong support, but Miles' hauntingly tortured turn stays in the memory long after.
Overall, great start for such an interesting series. 9/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jan 19, 2022
Details
- Runtime26 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1