When his pretty ex-fiancee returns from another failed relationship, a chicken farmer, not wanting anything to do with her, decides to eliminate her.When his pretty ex-fiancee returns from another failed relationship, a chicken farmer, not wanting anything to do with her, decides to eliminate her.When his pretty ex-fiancee returns from another failed relationship, a chicken farmer, not wanting anything to do with her, decides to eliminate her.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn the original story, the killer is a farmer in South Africa. In this version, perhaps because of growing international criticism of the South African apartheid regime, the setting is changed to New Zealand.
- GoofsWhen Arthur is holding the chicken in the opening scene, his right hand has a noticeable dark spot near his thumb. Then the shot switches to a closeup and no spot is visible - suggesting that the closeup was accomplished using a "hand double."
- Quotes
[introduction - Hitchcock is in a chicken coop]
Alfred Hitchcock - Host: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen and brooders. I decided to go into the egg business. Like any other business, it needs fresh ideas. Here is our latest design.
[picks up an egg out of a nest]
Alfred Hitchcock - Host: Its advantages are obvious.
[close-up of the egg, which is in the shape of a polyhedron]
Alfred Hitchcock - Host: No more eggs rolling off the table.
[pull back]
Alfred Hitchcock - Host: Valuable storage space saved in the refrigerator. Unfortunately, this particular innovation has not filtered down below the management level. Our executives quickly saw its possibilities, but the hens seem rather slow at grasping new ideas. This is one of our plastic models. We have a large number of them scattered about to demonstrate to the hens what can be done if they put their minds to it.
[puts egg back in the nest]
Alfred Hitchcock - Host: As you can see,
[walks over to sign that reads 'THINK SQUARE']
Alfred Hitchcock - Host: ...we are using every psychological weapon at man's disposal. And now perhaps this slogan will give you strength to bridge the gap between this vignette and tonight's story.
- ConnectionsRemade as Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Arthur, or the Gigolo (1985)
- SoundtracksFuneral March of a Marionette
Written by Charles Gounod
The very beginning is quite new with this first episode of season five but the story itself is also very new. The star of the episode, Arthur (Laurence Harvey) begins talking to the audience about his chicken farm in New Zealand....then he begins talking about murder! Soon the episode flashes back. Arthur is engaged to Helen but she unexpectedly dumps him. However, a short time later, she returns....as if nothing happened between them! Instead of questioning her about her abrupt change, Arthur responds by strangling her.
After the murder, the local police are obviously suspicious of him. They visit him and keep an eye on him...but nothing more. But Arthur is very cool about all this, as he's completely sure he's committed the perfect crime with no obvious evidence.
The best thing about this episode is Harvey and his cocky but cool delivery...which was perfect for the show. Unfortunately, while he was terrific, the story itself offered nothing in the way of a surprise or twist...none.
- planktonrules
- Apr 4, 2021
Details
- Runtime30 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1