Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series)

I Killed the Count: Part 2 (1957)

Alfred Hitchcock: Self - Host

Quotes 

• [introduction] 

  Alfred Hitchcock : Good evening. Tonight's play is called "I Killed the Count." Now, I know what you're thinking.

  [points at audience] 

  Alfred Hitchcock : Last week's play was also called "I Killed the Count." And you think tonight's is just a revival. On the contrary, since we were unable to finish the story last time, we shall have another stab at it tonight. I'd better fill in some of the details for those of you who were careless enough to miss the first episode. I hope you realize the trouble you're putting us to. Just don't let it happen again. First of all, Count Victor Mattoni was found quite dead in the living room of his London flat. There was a single bullet hole in his forehead. It's my personal opinion that this was a contributing factor to his death. Inspector Davidson and his assistant Raines, the investigating detectives, have uncovered a number of clues. Among them, two letters. One led them to a Bernard K. Froy. And another written by Lord Sorrington, an industrialist. Before the detectives were quite settled down to work, they are faced with an embarrassingly oversupply of confessions.

  [Hitchcock sounds increasingly winded and has to take a quick breath] 

  Alfred Hitchcock : For, both Froy and Lord Sorrington confessed to a murder that only one of them could have committed. I'm certain this is all quite clear. But for the benefit of any small children who may have missed some of the plot machinations, here to clarify

  [pants visibly] 

  Alfred Hitchcock : are two brief scenes from our last show, after which our story continues.

  [one brief scene ending abruptly, followed by title card, then Hitchcock reappears and repeats intro, followed by two scenes and the rest of the episode] 

• [afterword] 

  Alfred Hitchcock : [Hitchcock walks in with his hands down and palms open in exasperation]  Well, we've done it again. We still haven't finished the story. How extremely careless of us.

  [points to the audience and then draws his finger across his throat] 

  Alfred Hitchcock : But I promise you on my honor the truth will be out next time. I've excused the actors until we return when they will present the final act of our play. Unfortunately, since you are all accessories after the fact, I cannot permit you to leave the room. You may, however, discuss the case among yourselves.

  [squints slightly] 

  Alfred Hitchcock : Who killed the count and why? Only one person could have done it. Was it Mullet, the liftman? Did Bernard Froy do it? Was it Lord Sorrington? Or was it a fourth person? Who is the guilty party? Tune in next time and find out. Good night.

  [points to the audience again and brings a knuckle conspiratorially to his lips]