Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series)

The Diamond Necklace (1959)

Alfred Hitchcock: Self - Host

Quotes 

• [afterword - Hitchcock is posing behind "Nude with Necklace" when he notices the audience] 

  Self - Host : Oh! Well, I guess that proves that heaven will protect the working girl. However, Thelma discovered why the Thurgood tradition was to steal from Maynard's only once in a generation. The second time, she was caught. I'm still fascinated by this painting, "Nude with Necklace". It, uh, it's just as good from this side.

  [notices something below him and picks it up - it's the necklace] 

  Self - Host : Uh, this seems to have slipped off.

  [comes out from behind the frame] 

  Self - Host : I'd hate to hang this on the wrong spot.

  [tries to hang the necklace] 

  Self - Host : Look, uh, while I'm fumbling with this, suppose you turn your attention to our sponsor's message, after which I shall reasonably hasten back.

  [commercial] 

  Self - Host : Next week, we should be back with another story. Incidentally, to avoid any further embarrassment, I bought the painting, only to discover that the frame doesn't go with it.

  [gestures picking up the painting] 

  Self - Host : But I think it's worth every cent.

• [introduction - Hitchcock is standing in front of a painting] 

  Self - Host : Oh, good evening. Uh, we seem to have had an art exhibition here. I realize artists are supposed to suffer, but I can't understand why they insist on sharing their sufferings with us.

  [walks up to another painting] 

  Self - Host : This one is called "Nursery Wall".

  [touches part of the painting and tastes it] 

  Self - Host : Strawberry jam. Now we come to the prize-winner

  [it's an empty frame with a sign reading 'Do Not Touch Paintings'] 

  Self - Host : I wonder what this one's called

  [looks at the brochure, then the painting] 

  Self - Host : "Nude with Necklace".

  [looks at it again] 

  Self - Host : I don't think this is a painting you should be allowed to look at too closely. So, while I am appreciating it, I shall ask you to look at another exhibit, one that may not be a work of art, but is wholesome enough for your children to watch.