Despite his dour British demeanor and obvious distaste for some things "American," Alfred Hitchcock had somewhat of a soft spot for the teen generation---at least before everybody became a hippie. In "Hitch Hike," John McIntire plays a local politician who begins the story by admonishing his niece (a lovely and very young Suzanne Pleshette) for having to appear before a juvenile court. Her parents are dead and he's the stern voice-of-reason guardian. During a brief stop as he's taking her back home for more tongue-lashings, their car horn goes off by accident and before you can say "juvenile delinquent," an agitated teenager (Robert Morse with his quirky mannerisms in full display) opens the hood, pulls a wire out and stops all the noise. He's then able to bum a ride with McIntire and Pleshette to the next city. Along the way, he befriends good-looking Suzanne and beings to irritate the heck out of the straight-as-an-arrow McIntire with his views on the generation gap. Morse soon reveals that he was recently held in a "youth farm" for wayward boys to the excitement of Ms. Pleshette but to the utter displeasure of Mr. McIntire. Morse continues rapping on about one of his "friends" at the facility who has cut some throats when they didn't "dig" where he was coming from. "You get the picture, daddio?" says Morse. It doesn't take much to convince McIntire that Morse himself may be the throat-cutter. He speeds up the car to over 100 MPH in the hopes that a policeman will stop him so he can get rid of this murder-minded kid. His wish is granted and it's not long before he's pulled to the side of the road by a motorcycle cop, but that's when the fun begins. McIntire can't get in a word edgewise while the cop lambastes him and writes him up for speeding well over the limit. You might say he's getting a "taste of his own medicine." When Mac finally is able to explain why he had the pedal to the metal, Morse is dutifully searched for the knife he supposedly has hidden, but no weapon is found. His only possession is one small comb. Then old John is informed that reckless speeders like himself usually get 10 days in jail from the local judge. It's enough to ruin his lily-white reputation and McIntire is now fit to be tied as the officer drives away. But all's well that ends well because the ever-resourceful Morse has pick-pocketed the cop and stolen his book of traffic tickets. He makes a final offer to McIntire: you can have the ticket and tear it up OR...you can take it back to the station and then throw yourself on the mercy of the court. Civic-minded John immediately realizes that the kid has offered him an easy way out to save his precious reputation. The three newfound friends drive off into the night as the shredded ticket flies out of the car and into the wind.
This neat little morality tale was directed by the great Paul Henreid. John McIntire of "Wagon Train" fame could play "stuffed shirt" characters with the best of them and he does fine work here with a role he could do in his sleep. Suzanne Pleshette doesn't get the opportunity to show off her acting skills too much in this episode. Her job is mainly to look beautiful and unhappy (until Morse enters the picture). She does very good at both. The exceptionally talented Ms. Pleshette passed away a few years ago and she is truly missed by all. Watching Robert Morse here play against type as a brainy hoodlum makes one wonder how far he would have gone if he hadn't just been cast in light comedies and musicals. He had far more depth of character than he was ever given credit for. Luckily for us, he's still a working actor today ("Mad Men").
This neat little morality tale was directed by the great Paul Henreid. John McIntire of "Wagon Train" fame could play "stuffed shirt" characters with the best of them and he does fine work here with a role he could do in his sleep. Suzanne Pleshette doesn't get the opportunity to show off her acting skills too much in this episode. Her job is mainly to look beautiful and unhappy (until Morse enters the picture). She does very good at both. The exceptionally talented Ms. Pleshette passed away a few years ago and she is truly missed by all. Watching Robert Morse here play against type as a brainy hoodlum makes one wonder how far he would have gone if he hadn't just been cast in light comedies and musicals. He had far more depth of character than he was ever given credit for. Luckily for us, he's still a working actor today ("Mad Men").
