After Paul LaRouche (Bernard) is sentenced to death by guillotine, he learns that, if the executioner dies before the appointed date and time of the execution and there is no time to replace him before that date and time, the condemned man will be pardoned. To that end, LaRouche enlists his lover Babette (d'Arbanville) to ensure that Monsieur de Paris (Constantine) never carries out his duty.
Cornell Woolrich was one of those writers whose material naturally suited shows like "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "Thriller," and this story was previously done on "Thriller" with Robert Middleton and Alejandro Rey. Fields' script does the story real justice, fleshing out the de Paris and Babette characters which, in turn, lends more gravity to the story, and making the twist ending more satisfying. The script is also well served by fine work from d'Arbanville and Bernard (who fortunately doesn't try to make his character sympathetic), and a wonderfully nuanced turn from Constantine, contrasting the grisliness of his livelihood with the sadness and emptiness of much of his life. Rosenthal's direction is also strong, building the tension effectively for the most part (though he does drag out the finale just a tad), up to Woolrich's twist ending.
All in all, a strong addition to this (sadly) short-lived series.
Cornell Woolrich was one of those writers whose material naturally suited shows like "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "Thriller," and this story was previously done on "Thriller" with Robert Middleton and Alejandro Rey. Fields' script does the story real justice, fleshing out the de Paris and Babette characters which, in turn, lends more gravity to the story, and making the twist ending more satisfying. The script is also well served by fine work from d'Arbanville and Bernard (who fortunately doesn't try to make his character sympathetic), and a wonderfully nuanced turn from Constantine, contrasting the grisliness of his livelihood with the sadness and emptiness of much of his life. Rosenthal's direction is also strong, building the tension effectively for the most part (though he does drag out the finale just a tad), up to Woolrich's twist ending.
All in all, a strong addition to this (sadly) short-lived series.