This episode of "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" is a crime story. A publisher receives some tapes from one of his writers. They outline the story of a murder that has not yet been committed. The publisher wonders if the tapes might be about a real situation, not merely the stuff of a writer's imagination. He calls in a third party to listen to the tapes. Together, they wonder if they have a responsibility to act, in case the author intends to commit a real murder.
If this situation created real suspense in the viewer, it would be very effective. But this episode instead only creates suspense about when the clever twist in the story will occur. It never does.
James Mason is effective as the author, but his role is tame compared to his part in "Lolita", which had recently been released. Angie Dickinson plays the part of a manipulating woman, who may not exist in reality.
The story, adapted from a novel, feels watered down, lacking emotional impact. The publisher serves as a proxy for the viewer. The story does offer one idea that will be addressed many times by films to follow: the obligation or feasibility, if any, to attempt to prevent a crime which has not yet been committed. But this ethical conundrum is defused by the script itself.
If this situation created real suspense in the viewer, it would be very effective. But this episode instead only creates suspense about when the clever twist in the story will occur. It never does.
James Mason is effective as the author, but his role is tame compared to his part in "Lolita", which had recently been released. Angie Dickinson plays the part of a manipulating woman, who may not exist in reality.
The story, adapted from a novel, feels watered down, lacking emotional impact. The publisher serves as a proxy for the viewer. The story does offer one idea that will be addressed many times by films to follow: the obligation or feasibility, if any, to attempt to prevent a crime which has not yet been committed. But this ethical conundrum is defused by the script itself.