The one thing you'll notice about Bob Newhart's performance in this program is that he hadn't yet perfected his exaggerated stammer when faced with an unusual situation, something he used regularly in his stand-up routines and television series of his own, later in his career. I was surprised to see on his credits page that this was his very first TV series gig, having only appeared on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' as a comedian a few times prior. But as everyone knows, you have to start somewhere.
Newhart's performance here as the henpecked Gerald Swinney was an ideal role for the comic. Playing opposite him was everyone's favorite 'Josephine the Plumber' pitchwoman, Jane Withers, as a nagging wife who couldn't stand being married to him but wouldn't grant a divorce. The scheming hubby devised a plan to convince friends and neighbors that Edith (Withers) had it out for him and in fact might be going just a little bit crazy, while leaving weed killer in full view on the breakfast table and digging a grave sized hole in the backyard. So, when Edith prepares a pan of hot chocolate laced with rat poison for Gerald, he turns the tables on her and waits out the police investigation that fingers her for attempted murder!
But you know, there's always unintended consequences in a Hitchcock story. I was a little surprised how affectionate night club gal Rosie Feathers (Joyce Jameson) turned out to be for Gerald. But that budding romance didn't get a chance to get off the ground. Not when the lonely woman who sold George the rat poison figured out she might have a stake in a future relationship if she played her cards right. Turns out Gerald Swinney just might have traded in those two rats for a shrew.
Newhart's performance here as the henpecked Gerald Swinney was an ideal role for the comic. Playing opposite him was everyone's favorite 'Josephine the Plumber' pitchwoman, Jane Withers, as a nagging wife who couldn't stand being married to him but wouldn't grant a divorce. The scheming hubby devised a plan to convince friends and neighbors that Edith (Withers) had it out for him and in fact might be going just a little bit crazy, while leaving weed killer in full view on the breakfast table and digging a grave sized hole in the backyard. So, when Edith prepares a pan of hot chocolate laced with rat poison for Gerald, he turns the tables on her and waits out the police investigation that fingers her for attempted murder!
But you know, there's always unintended consequences in a Hitchcock story. I was a little surprised how affectionate night club gal Rosie Feathers (Joyce Jameson) turned out to be for Gerald. But that budding romance didn't get a chance to get off the ground. Not when the lonely woman who sold George the rat poison figured out she might have a stake in a future relationship if she played her cards right. Turns out Gerald Swinney just might have traded in those two rats for a shrew.