"The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" Final Escape (1964)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

William Witney

Writers:

Thomas H. Cannan Jr. (story)
Randall Hood (story)

TV Series:

"The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" (1962)

Original Air Date:

21 February 1964 (Season 2, Episode 18)

Genre:

Mystery | Romance | Thriller

Plot:

A young convict at a state prison work camp plans a clever escape with the help of an alcoholic fellow prisoner, who is also the camp doctor. |

Plot Keywords:

Male Female Relationship | Character Name In Title

Cast

Alfred Hitchcock	...	Himself - Host
Stephen McNally	...	Captain
Robert Keith	...	Doc
Edd Byrnes	...	Paul Perry
Nicholas Colasanto	...	Work Partner
John Kellogg	...	First Guard
Ray Kellogg	...	Blacksmith convict
Bernie Hamilton	...	Second Convict
Stacy Harris	...	Lawyer
Hinton Pope	...	Second Guard
Betsy Hale	...	Elissa
John Alderson	...	Third Guard

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company:

Shamley Productions

Movie Connections:

Remade as "Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Final Escape (#1.4)" (1985)

Classic escape drama----with twisted ending

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Convict Paul Perry (Edd Byrnes) has devised a full-proof method for escaping from prison. When a fellow inmate dies, Edd switches places with the dead man's corpse and (similar to "The Count of Monte Cristo") hides in the coffin. But Edd has to go "underground" and wait for his accomplice to dig him out of his grave. And wait and wait and wait. Well wouldn't you know it, Edd's accomplice has been permanently detained.

In this episode, Edd Byrnes proved that he was a fine dramatic actor and gives an excellent performance. It's too bad he didn't continue to do work at this level. Most folks now remember him mainly for his years on "77 Sunset Strip." As it stands, this entry in the "Alfred Hitchcock Hour" remains one of the best. Viewers will also spot old Coach from "Cheers", Nicholas Colasanto, in a supporting role.