Clerk Ronald Grimes starts receiving letters from a mysterious Mr. Christiani that seemingly predict the future.Clerk Ronald Grimes starts receiving letters from a mysterious Mr. Christiani that seemingly predict the future.Clerk Ronald Grimes starts receiving letters from a mysterious Mr. Christiani that seemingly predict the future.
Photos
Don Ames
- Bar Patron
- (uncredited)
Ralph Brooks
- Office Worker
- (uncredited)
Rudy Germane
- Restaurant Patron
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaE.G. Marshall and Jack Klugman both appeared in the classic 12 Angry Men (1957). They were Juror #4 and Juror #5, respectively.
- GoofsAt the restaurant, when Benedict tells Grimes, "You're trapped, just like the rest of us." The camera perspective then changes from a wide shot to a closer shot, from slightly behind Benedict; his lips are no longer moving, although his dialogue continues.
- Quotes
[afterword]
Alfred Hitchcock: [Hitchcock is sitting back in his office chair] This concludes our entertainment. So until next time, when we shall bring you another story,
[gets up, takes his bowler hat and umbrella that are hanging on a coat rack, and walks to the open window]
Alfred Hitchcock: goodbye.
[bows, tosses both bowler hat and umbrella out the window, and walks off]
- ConnectionsSpoofed in Mathnet: The Case of the Swami Scam (1990)
- SoundtracksFuneral March of a Marionette
Written by Charles Gounod
Featured review
Absorbing Half-Hour with Marshall and Klugman
This episode of ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS is a great example of how to make absorbing, compelling drama with minimal means. E. G. Marshall and Jack Klugman are two fine character actors who, earlier in the year this episode was broadcast (1957), appeared together in the classic jury room film 12 ANGRY MEN. In fact, in that film they sat side by side at the jury room table. I'd wager a bet that they were cast together in this episode based on their performace together in the movie. Marshall and Klugman couldn't be more different, yet they share a wonderful chemistry here as two cogs in a corporate machine who long to break out and find freedom. Klugman is wordly-wise, hard-nosed, cynical, yet has an almost tender regard for the welfare of his friend. Marshall is a mild-mannered milquetoast, just the type who would be taken in by the machinations of a con artist. The episode consists almost entirely of the interactions of these two friends as they discuss Marshall's increasing obsession with the money he can win from betting on he clairvoyant predictions of one "J. Christiani," a mysterious "mail-order prophet."
The names strike me as symbolic. Klugman plays "George Benedict" - Benedict meaning blessed, because he is the one who is wise enought to see through "Christiani's" ruse. Marshall is "Ronald Grimes" - he gets his hands dirty in the process of looking for an easy fortune. As for "J. Christiani," he is obviously a false Christ, a phoney prophet who will lead one astray.
If you are not familiar with the stock market and financial parlance (I'm not), then some of the dialog and plot twists toward the end might be confusing. But this is a small matter, since the upshot of the story still comes across. The twist ending is not what I expected, but still satisfying.
A classic of 1950s TV, typical of the thought-provoking entertainment that filled that era.
The names strike me as symbolic. Klugman plays "George Benedict" - Benedict meaning blessed, because he is the one who is wise enought to see through "Christiani's" ruse. Marshall is "Ronald Grimes" - he gets his hands dirty in the process of looking for an easy fortune. As for "J. Christiani," he is obviously a false Christ, a phoney prophet who will lead one astray.
If you are not familiar with the stock market and financial parlance (I'm not), then some of the dialog and plot twists toward the end might be confusing. But this is a small matter, since the upshot of the story still comes across. The twist ending is not what I expected, but still satisfying.
A classic of 1950s TV, typical of the thought-provoking entertainment that filled that era.
helpful•130
- MichaelMartinDeSapio
- Apr 20, 2021
Details
- Runtime32 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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