User Reviews

I like this episode for several reasons. The first is that, to me, it seems kind-of a novel-premise. It may not've been in its day, though, perhaps. Based on what another reviewer here said, the "home-invasion" scenario was a relatively common-one in the late-50's, something I didn't know or realize. Maybe this became common as more & more of the population moved into the suburbs in postwar U.S., giving crime-plot writers a way to get more "relevant" or worrisome-suspense into their stories, geared more-toward the younger, house-buying generation, who may've assumed they were moving-away from crime-ridden urban-areas of their parents & grandparents, or at least the way movies, radio, and TV may've stereotyped urban-crime up till then. Secondly, I've always like Royal Dano, quite a unique character-actor. Here he plays against-type, a modern-politician in a modern, suburban-setting, probably the youngest I've ever seen him, except maybe for his appearance in "The Red Badge of Courage" with Audie Murphy. Dano sports jet-black hair in this episode, if real, and plays a typical suburban husband with a frisky-wife thrown into the bargain. Despite the modern-trappings, Dano still comes-off as a Lincolnesque-figure, i.e., tall, lanky, rumpled-clothing, laconic-drawl, etc. Of course, he actually DID play Lincoln in at-least one TV-western from that era or shortly-thereafter, that I recall. Usually, he turned-up in westerns, roles for which Dano was well-suited. Though effective here as a principled-pol, he nevertheless seems somewhat out-of-place, in terms of casting. Then, I liked Harry Townes here, too, playing a suave, dapper, super-confident assassin. The suspense is palpable, though the ruse his brother, Dano, uses to thwart his plans, is questionable in terms of realistic-believability. It becomes clear, though, that Townes is deranged & sick, and likely wouldn't've succeeded anyway. As the latter becomes more desperate, the suspense tightens. Again, though, the actual-ruse involved is rather thin & flimsy. It seems Dano, however, realizes that his brother, Townes, is deluded-enough not to see through-it. The final-few seconds are especially-surprising & scary. So pretty-good episode, especially if one's first-viewing. The audio-quality on this particular MeTV-airing was a little-muffled & unclear. Though passable, it's always a little-annoying when this occurs.

BLAM! Right off the bat, we see a man in a shower and an arm with a gun pointed at him, then the trigger is pulled. The shooter is wearing a suit and a tie, a boutonnière and a bowler. Next scene, another man lazes on the couch while his wife provides the exposition ("Isn't that how you became District Attorney?"). The doorbell rings, and it's our shooter.

Alas, this is where the episode peaks, about three minutes in. We are quickly given the who, what and why, so the tale is about how to get out of the mess. I don't have a problem with this in principle, but here it just maintains no energy. The resolution isn't convincing, and there's the thing where a guy is knocked down and out for just long enough until he's needed again. And one of the leads looks a bit like Ralph Nader.

This episode opens with a bang -- quite literally. After that, it suffers from the same malady as many AHP episodes: it has to drag quite a bit to fill the time between the clever set-up and ending, and it really offers very little filling.

Harry Townes puts in a great performance as an eccentric sociopath, but he is given too much repetitive material. Royal Dano, on the other hand, is given one of the most flat and boring characters to play, and the story suffers for it. (Imagine how much more interesting the episode would be if we got to see him be tempted to go along with his brother's scheme, just for a short time?) Inger Stevens, sadly, is given the same treatment as many women in a Hitchcock production: look gorgeous and do nothing.

Though it does hurt to think of the potential this episode could've had with just a few tweaks to the script, it's still a decent watch. It left me guessing how the episode would resolve almost until the end.

District Attorney Martin Ross (Royal Dano) is running for governor. Apparently his brother Richard (Harry Townes) REALLY wants to insure that his brother wins the election...so he murders his opponent! Then, Richard tells Martin and informs him to find someone and frame them for the murder! When Martin refuses, Richard threatens to kill Martin's wife (Inger Stevens)! I'd say more...but that would spoil the surprise...and there are some very nice surprises in this one!

After several poor episodes, "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" rebounds nicely with "My Brother, Richard" and it's a fine episode with a really neat twist at the end. Plus, I really enjoyed watching Townes unhinged performance...it was riveting.

This Alfred Hitchcock Presents story finds Royal Dano as a crusading District Attorney who is a candidate for governor of his state. Standing in the way is a rival for his party's nomination, but right at the beginning of the show said rival is eliminated by being shot while taking a shower. Shades of things to come in Psycho. He's shot by Dano's brother Harry Townes who is definitely a candidate for the rubber room.

Maybe he's in denial, but I can't help thinking that Dano would have not seen something wrong with the brother before this crazy stunt. Townes of course wants Dano to frame an innocent suspect into jail. And one actually pops up in young Bobby Ellis.

Townes gives us a portrayal of one twisted individual as he holds Dano's wife Inger Stevens hostage at home while Dano goes about his work.

Things do have a way of working themselves out in the world of Alfred Hitchcock. Bad premise, but some great performances.

Wacko Richard (Townes) holds his district attorney brother Martin (Dano) and wife Laura (Stevens) captive until Martin pins a murder on somebody besides the guilty Richard.

The episode is another version of the "home invasion" plot so popular at the time. What's unusual here is that the invader is a family member. And catch that opening sequence— about as graphic as TV of the 50's gets.

It's an okay entry, somewhat stitched together and not too convincing, but does manage some suspense. And unless I missed something, we never do find out how sincere Martin's deal with Tommy (Ellis) is.

What's notable to me is that the two male leads, Dano and Townes, could have easily exchanged roles since each excelled at eccentric characters. It is odd to see the usually dour, downtrodden Dano in a normal, husbandly role. It's also a chance to catch the lovely, star- crossed Inger Stevens before her untimely death. What a shame for such a fine actress!

There are so many pitfalls in this plot, it just doesn't stand up. For starters, how is this person going to be able to be a constant presence as time passes. Royal Dano is going to have to make speeches and campaign. Is this guy going to walk around with a gun on Inger Stevens for perpetuity. The silly accusations of the sheriff who arrests the kid who caddied for the murder victim. He once went for a joy ride. He is obviously a juvenile delinquent; send him to the gas chamber. Of course, there is no evidence other than he got mad because the guy stiffed him on a tip. But these are all conveniences. The deus ex machine conclusion is insulting (I won't reveal it, other than to say it shows almost no imagination.) I do love to watch Royal Dano. He must have been in hundreds of TV shows and movies back in the day. He is the master of pained expressions and angst. Inger Stevens was apparently a troubled soul, who, despite a modicum of success, plays the hysterical wife to 1950's perfection. That is, she is really given nothing to do but to quiver and cry.

The gun wirh the silencer sure made a hell of a noise..i liked royal dano so this episode was entertaining.

"My Brother Richard" was another episode that should have been much more and should have worked. Herschel Daugherty was one of the most prolific 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' directors, being responsible for 24 episodes. He did some excellent ones, one of the particularly excellent ones being a series high point "The Creeper". Was also intrigued by the premise, even if it is not much new and even back then, and by the cast.

It was a shame though that "My Brother Richard" just didn't quite come together. It is marginally better than the previous episode "Nightmare in 4D", but a season and series high point it is certainly not and the flaws being that and this are not too dissimiliar. There are worse episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', including "Nightmare in 4D", but of the uneven Season 2 "My Brother Richard" is in the lesser end. It is not a fair representation of Daugherty, whereas "The Belfry" and "The Creeper" show a strong director at his best, and not worthy of him.

There are good things, none of the 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes are irreedeemable. Royal Dano and Harry Townes do very valiant and really quite good work in their roles, with Dano surprising me after feeling he would be too lightweight (he wasn't). Good dynamic between them. The episode does start off very neatly and intriguingly.

Production values are not exceptional, but are solid and has some atmospheric photography. Did like the typically dry Hitchcock bookending and the theme tune (Gounod's "Funeral March of a Marionette") fits the tone of the series like a glove.

So much in "My Brother Richard" could have been done better. It was in need of a lot more tension, due to everything being obvious too early, and the second half is convoluted nonsense in particular. The ending is another one that is completely unbelievable. There is also no energy, due to the lack of tension and suspense and the sluggish pace.

And also because the writing is too talky and at times awkward. Daugherty directs as if he was not really interested in the material. And what a waste of Inger Stevens in an absolutely nothing role, she was a much better actress than what was shown here where she comes over as too much of two expressions-like.

Concluding, average, bland and silly. 5/10.

Possibly the worst Hitchcock episode I have seen. The amoral psycho brother angle had potential but the rest is ridiculous. It is just an unconvincing waste of airtime by a defeated cast resorting to overacting. The characters are stereotypes, especially young Tommy and his mother. Even Hitchcock's opening and closing are cheesily awful.

Maybe we should be grateful it was just a half hour episode. A full hour would have been torture. A very sad blemish on an A list brand. Poor Hitchcock. I hope he never bothered to watch this one. I know I am sorry I did. Just goes to show that quality cannot be sustained indefinitely without the ineffable perspiration of genius.