Very well shot and directed with lots of nice camera moves and murky lighting. Several crane type shots work really well. Remember these were shot in 4 days! The screenplay changes the who-done-it aspect of the original story into suspense and why-done-it? Which is totally in the zone of Hithcocks's own theories of audience involvement. One aspect lost from the original story, in a bad way, has to do with the murder weapon. In the story it was an object that belonged to the dead son. Why that was changed is odd and not as effective. Another thing odd and occasionally effective is the sparse mono thematic low woodwind Herrmann score. He chooses to underline the horror of the story only, which seems it could play on its own. It's perhaps a bit of a missed opportunity as there are a number of characters and elements that could have used musical support especially Armstrong's strong character's religious obsession and performance. Also the music doesn't propel the sense of panic in the town the way it could have. Then again it perhaps make the episode more grim this way. Nice to see Dick York in this he is well cast and does a good job in a straight drama. Many memorable moments in this show. Faihful to the plot but much different in approach and in most ways superior to the Ellery Queen short story it's based on.
9 Reviews
"That's a man nobody can help."
classicsoncall21 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
A murderous rampage takes the lives of two innocent people and almost a third when God-fearing John Cooley (R. G. Armstrong) makes it a point to avenge the death of his son. Having waited for a sign from God, Cooley finds it in a piece of broken headlight at the site of his son's death, but at that point, a question still remains. Three different people have owned the car in question that might have run down the boy before the body was discovered. The time frame presented in the story made it seem like this all transpired over the course of a few days, which would make it seem unlikely for a car to change hands in such a short space, but for the sake of the story you have to go with it. A bit of misdirection is thrown into the episode with the appearance of disheveled janitor Bib Hadley (Peter Whitney), which for a shot time made it look like he would be falsely accused. Cooley's own determination to make Susan Marsh (Jacqueline Scott) his third victim eventually did him in as Sheriff Will Pearce (Dick York) pieced together the information he had to stop Cooley before he could claim a third victim. With all that, the closing frames had to feature the most casual arrest I've ever seen.
Why does everybody get sore at me because I like to kill things!
sol121817 December 2011
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS*** When farmer John Cooley's, R.G Armstrong, teenage son Tommy was found dead in a ditch outside of town is when he took matters into his own hands in finding Tommy's killer. Mr. Cooley a deeply religious and God fearing man did not count on Northfield's Sheriff Will Pearce, Dick York, or anyone else to find who killed Tommy but the Lord himself! That's in the Lord giving Cooley a sign to who his son's killer is and have him-Mr. Cooley-exact biblical-"An eye for and eye"- justice on him or her!
It's at the site where Tommy's body was found that John Cooley got the sign that he was looking for: A piece of a broken car headlight and button from Tommy's shirt. And with that Mr. Cooley went on a murderous rampage in the quite and peaceful town of Northfield that soon was to terrorize the local population living there. With him checking out all the clues in both Tommy's as well as Mr. Cooley's victims death Sheriff Peance gets the truth in Tommy's death from one of Cooley's victims Frenchy La Font's, Dennis Patrick, mom Mrs. La Font, Katherine Squire.
Now tracking down all the leads it becomes obvious to Sheriff Pearce who the next victim of Mr. Cooley's righteous indignation is targeted to be: Shefiff Pearce's girlfriend town librarian Susan Marsh, Jaqueilne Scott! With time running out and Mr.Cooley setting a trap for Susan it's up to Susan herself to realize what Cooley has in store for her and avoid him at all cost! Before she ends up dead like Cooley's two other victims!
***SPOILER ALERT*** Taking the law into his own hand and using a higher power-The Lord-as an excuse, by giving him a sign to who killed his son, didn't exactly work out he way Mr. Cooley thought it would. Yet Cooley did in fact find the evidence ,or sign as he put it, in who killed his son but by going out on his own to administrate his brand of justice made the matter far worse then it already was. It had two innocent people end up dead or murdered, together with Cooley's son Tommy, who shouldn't have!
It's at the site where Tommy's body was found that John Cooley got the sign that he was looking for: A piece of a broken car headlight and button from Tommy's shirt. And with that Mr. Cooley went on a murderous rampage in the quite and peaceful town of Northfield that soon was to terrorize the local population living there. With him checking out all the clues in both Tommy's as well as Mr. Cooley's victims death Sheriff Peance gets the truth in Tommy's death from one of Cooley's victims Frenchy La Font's, Dennis Patrick, mom Mrs. La Font, Katherine Squire.
Now tracking down all the leads it becomes obvious to Sheriff Pearce who the next victim of Mr. Cooley's righteous indignation is targeted to be: Shefiff Pearce's girlfriend town librarian Susan Marsh, Jaqueilne Scott! With time running out and Mr.Cooley setting a trap for Susan it's up to Susan herself to realize what Cooley has in store for her and avoid him at all cost! Before she ends up dead like Cooley's two other victims!
***SPOILER ALERT*** Taking the law into his own hand and using a higher power-The Lord-as an excuse, by giving him a sign to who killed his son, didn't exactly work out he way Mr. Cooley thought it would. Yet Cooley did in fact find the evidence ,or sign as he put it, in who killed his son but by going out on his own to administrate his brand of justice made the matter far worse then it already was. It had two innocent people end up dead or murdered, together with Cooley's son Tommy, who shouldn't have!
Two Scary Galoots
dougdoepke11 December 2015
Warning: Spoilers
There's something of a mystery at the outset as to who killed young Tom Cooley. It could even be his dad John (Armstrong) who's wacky enough to think himself empowered by The Lord Himself. Worse, we see him bash others, then deposit their bodies in the ravine where his son was found. It might even be ritualistic. Now the whole town is in a panic, and the sheriff (York) is on the spot. So what's going on in small town America.
York abandons his usual comedic persona for the role of no-nonsense, convincing town marshal. At the same time, the hulking Armstrong spouts signals from the The Lord and is one scary dude in torn overalls. (Like most actors of his thuggish type, he was apparently a nice guy on and off the set {IMDB}.) And if one scary guy's not enough, there're two. Add the hulking, bushy-browed Peter Whitney as a loony janitor, who even gets special close-up lighting to make him look crazier. Too bad he and the equally towering Armstrong don't have a dust-up.
The hour's runtime appears to require some padding-- like the last shot-- but thanks to director Harvey, events don't drag. All in all, it's a scary Hitch, with a poignant, rather than ironic, final note. Meanwhile, I'm off to small town USA and hopefully a Jacqueline Scott look-alike.
York abandons his usual comedic persona for the role of no-nonsense, convincing town marshal. At the same time, the hulking Armstrong spouts signals from the The Lord and is one scary dude in torn overalls. (Like most actors of his thuggish type, he was apparently a nice guy on and off the set {IMDB}.) And if one scary guy's not enough, there're two. Add the hulking, bushy-browed Peter Whitney as a loony janitor, who even gets special close-up lighting to make him look crazier. Too bad he and the equally towering Armstrong don't have a dust-up.
The hour's runtime appears to require some padding-- like the last shot-- but thanks to director Harvey, events don't drag. All in all, it's a scary Hitch, with a poignant, rather than ironic, final note. Meanwhile, I'm off to small town USA and hopefully a Jacqueline Scott look-alike.
WHAT A CREEPY EPISODE.
tcchelsey27 May 2023
10 Stars.
This weird story is definitely Hitchcock territory, starring RG Armstrong as a religious fanatic (the Lord has told him!) who single handedly attempts to bring to justice the murderer who killed his son. It makes you wonder, who is more dangerous?
An outstanding exercise in suspense, and listen to the ominous music, so like Hitchcock, thanks to Bernard Herrman. Written by one of the best, Leigh Brackett, who wrote two iconic screenplays, THE BIG SLEEP and RIO BRAVO, and before she died (of cancer) was writing a STAR WARS script, which was eventually re-done, though many of her original ideas remained.
Dick York (prior to BEWITCHED) has an unsual role, this time playing the town sheriff. Usually, Hitch cast York as quiet, unassuming types. Jacqueline Scott, always terrific, guest stars. Veteran Katherine Squire is fun playing the atypical lady with lots of suspicions. From DARK SHADOWS look for Dennis Patrick.
Caution; Beware of the big hammer!
SEASON 2 EPISODE 3 remastered CBS dvd box set. 8 dvds. 25 hrs length/ Released 2010.
This weird story is definitely Hitchcock territory, starring RG Armstrong as a religious fanatic (the Lord has told him!) who single handedly attempts to bring to justice the murderer who killed his son. It makes you wonder, who is more dangerous?
An outstanding exercise in suspense, and listen to the ominous music, so like Hitchcock, thanks to Bernard Herrman. Written by one of the best, Leigh Brackett, who wrote two iconic screenplays, THE BIG SLEEP and RIO BRAVO, and before she died (of cancer) was writing a STAR WARS script, which was eventually re-done, though many of her original ideas remained.
Dick York (prior to BEWITCHED) has an unsual role, this time playing the town sheriff. Usually, Hitch cast York as quiet, unassuming types. Jacqueline Scott, always terrific, guest stars. Veteran Katherine Squire is fun playing the atypical lady with lots of suspicions. From DARK SHADOWS look for Dennis Patrick.
Caution; Beware of the big hammer!
SEASON 2 EPISODE 3 remastered CBS dvd box set. 8 dvds. 25 hrs length/ Released 2010.
Terror In Town
telegonus15 January 2010
The Hitchcock hour was heading into horror territory with this one, and at that level it delivers. Terror At Northfield is gripping throughout, and well acted by its gifted cast. Yet something about it fails to satisfy; worse, it left a bad taste after it was over. Its director, Harvey Hart, was quite talented and made some fine films; and its author, Leigh Brackett, a frequent collaborator of director Howard Hawks, is a near cult figure among movie buffs these days.
I recommend it for those who like films and television shows with a gruesome streak. That the murders in the show were delivered to the back of the head with a heavy hammer made me wince a few times, though there wasn't really anything shown on screen. The mounting terror of a small town beset by murders that appear to come out of nowhere was well presented. I liked Dick York as the easygoing yet dogged local lawman with a lot on his plate. The best performance was by R.G. Armstrong as an introspective, deeply religious local farmer whose son's mysterious disappearance is where all the trouble began.
As well made as this episode is it never really surprised me, and indeed hinted strongly how it would end early on. It's watchable and yet feels a little cheap, like a B exploitation picture, not something one would expect from the Hitchcock company.
I recommend it for those who like films and television shows with a gruesome streak. That the murders in the show were delivered to the back of the head with a heavy hammer made me wince a few times, though there wasn't really anything shown on screen. The mounting terror of a small town beset by murders that appear to come out of nowhere was well presented. I liked Dick York as the easygoing yet dogged local lawman with a lot on his plate. The best performance was by R.G. Armstrong as an introspective, deeply religious local farmer whose son's mysterious disappearance is where all the trouble began.
As well made as this episode is it never really surprised me, and indeed hinted strongly how it would end early on. It's watchable and yet feels a little cheap, like a B exploitation picture, not something one would expect from the Hitchcock company.
I'm stepping out on a limb here, but I DON'T think God told him to kill all these people!
planktonrules14 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
"Terror at Northfield" is a decent but occasionally disappointing episode of "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour". Now the disappointments are minor...but they are disappointments never the less.
A farmer's son is found dead down a deep an embankment....and he'd been there for some time. The father arrives at the site and finds a clue as to the killer's identity...a piece of a broken headlight. But instead of telling the police what he'd found, he uses it to determine which vehicle had killed his son. And, once he finds it, he tells himself that God told him to exact revenge. The problem is, the car has recently changed hands several times....and so he decides to just kill everyone who owned the car!
The problems I had with the story were minor but they annoyed me. The worst was when the crazed father was about to kill a woman...and she just faints...making it VERY easy for him! Despite the cliche, folks just don't faint unless they have narcolepsy or some other medical condition....and I HATE seeing fainting women on TV and in films....it's just a bad and overused cliche. The other problem was late in the episode where the Sheriff (Dick York) suddenly realizes who the next victim will be. How, exactly, did he know? His revelation seemed to come out of no where. Still, despite these problems, it's a thrilling and interesting episode...worth seeing despite it's problems.
A farmer's son is found dead down a deep an embankment....and he'd been there for some time. The father arrives at the site and finds a clue as to the killer's identity...a piece of a broken headlight. But instead of telling the police what he'd found, he uses it to determine which vehicle had killed his son. And, once he finds it, he tells himself that God told him to exact revenge. The problem is, the car has recently changed hands several times....and so he decides to just kill everyone who owned the car!
The problems I had with the story were minor but they annoyed me. The worst was when the crazed father was about to kill a woman...and she just faints...making it VERY easy for him! Despite the cliche, folks just don't faint unless they have narcolepsy or some other medical condition....and I HATE seeing fainting women on TV and in films....it's just a bad and overused cliche. The other problem was late in the episode where the Sheriff (Dick York) suddenly realizes who the next victim will be. How, exactly, did he know? His revelation seemed to come out of no where. Still, despite these problems, it's a thrilling and interesting episode...worth seeing despite it's problems.
Stupidity Personified
Hitchcoc18 May 2023
A young guy disappears and the sheriff and his do-gooder girlfriend/librarian go to see what's happened to him. They find his nut case religious father who says the lord is speaking to him. He has a big hammer and decides to kill people whom he thinks killed his son. Of course, the town is in a panic once three bodies are found. He suspects the young girlfriend/librarian as being a killer. She is clueless and doesn't listen to common sense during the most dangerous period. Dick York, Mr. Ed's father, is the sheriff. No one listens to him as he tries to sort things out. It's an interesting story but people don't seem to act very realistically.
Yet ANOTHER disappointing entry
Ripshin22 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Well, at least they didn't present the small town residents as a bunch of hillbillies. Only a few short scenes of townspeople with a slight accent.
I found it odd, that when the first two murders were discovered, a bunch of rubber-necking town folks show up. It appeared to be an isolated location.
"Darrin Stephens" doesn't make for the most forceful sheriff.
I found the whole "I had to kill everyone who owned the car, because there wasn't a date of death" conclusion to be quite lame.
I have not read the Ellery Queen short story, "Terror Town," on which this episode is based. Another review states that it doesn't involve a car.
I found it odd, that when the first two murders were discovered, a bunch of rubber-necking town folks show up. It appeared to be an isolated location.
"Darrin Stephens" doesn't make for the most forceful sheriff.
I found the whole "I had to kill everyone who owned the car, because there wasn't a date of death" conclusion to be quite lame.
I have not read the Ellery Queen short story, "Terror Town," on which this episode is based. Another review states that it doesn't involve a car.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
