This show aired when Bob Newhart was flying high as one of the top comics in the country. The character he plays here, a henpecked husband, is ideal for his comic personality. He's too meek to actually murder his harridan of a wife (Jane "Josephine the Plumber" Withers), so he devises a clever plan to get her out of the picture without really breaking any laws. There are plenty of familiar character players in this hour, including Bill Quinn, Anne Morgan Guilbert, and Joyce "Fun Girls" Jameson, and it's enjoyable to watch Bob's plot unfold. Of course, like every Hitchcock story, nothing works out quite the way it was intended.
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (TV Series)
How to Get Rid of Your Wife (1963)
User Reviews
Review this title14 Reviews
Husband has to put up with paranoid wife
CCsito4 July 2010
Warning: Spoilers
The episode featured Bob Newhart and Jane Withers as a couple beset by the wife's constant nagging in the marriage. The husband finally gives up and hatches a plot to have his wife arrested for attempted murder. But in the end, a second twist occurs that the husband did not expect when he finally got her out of his life. The episode kept you guessing about the couple's marriage and whether the wife was actually paranoid or whether the husband had some secret plan up his sleeve. Bob Newhart played the intimated husband perfectly. Jane Withers played the nagging wife very well. Near the end, you thought that there was a "happy ending", but the second twist changed it completely.
The Great Comedy Duo of Newhart and Hitchcock
timothylane-227173 May 2019
Alfred Hitchcock often included some comic relief in his thrillers, and occasionally an outright comedy. This may have been the best of his comedies, featuring Bob Newhard as a husband who decided to get rid of his wife -- perfectly legally. Her predictability makes it easier -- he knows exactly how she'll react to a variety of incidents leading to an attempt to poison him with their usual bedtime drink of hot chocolate.
Knowing that she will use rat poison (to get rid of a pair of rats he had bought at a pet store in a nearby town -- including "the big fat one", of course), he pours it into another container. This proves handy when the police come by, making it much easier to get her for attempted murder. He explains all this to a showgirl who had played a minor and probably unintentional part in the plot ("I'm Gerald's wife." "Oh . . . who's Gerald?"), played Joyce Jameson, late of the Vincent Price/Peter Lorre/Basil Rathbone/Boris Karloff classic The Comedy of Terrors.
And then he gets ambushed on the way out by the one person who could put the kibosh on his plans, and who liked his picture in the paper so much she says she had it framed. "Funny word, framed."
Knowing that she will use rat poison (to get rid of a pair of rats he had bought at a pet store in a nearby town -- including "the big fat one", of course), he pours it into another container. This proves handy when the police come by, making it much easier to get her for attempted murder. He explains all this to a showgirl who had played a minor and probably unintentional part in the plot ("I'm Gerald's wife." "Oh . . . who's Gerald?"), played Joyce Jameson, late of the Vincent Price/Peter Lorre/Basil Rathbone/Boris Karloff classic The Comedy of Terrors.
And then he gets ambushed on the way out by the one person who could put the kibosh on his plans, and who liked his picture in the paper so much she says she had it framed. "Funny word, framed."
Newhart Meets Hitchcock
dougdoepke10 April 2015
When you think Hitchcock, Bob Newhart doesn't exactly spring to mind. In fact, I was ready to skip the episode, thinking it was too much of a mismatch. I'm glad I didn't. It's a really clever script, and Newhart's perfectly cast as the meek and mild hen-pecked husband. But don't let that bland exterior fool you as it does his shrewish wife (Withers). He's got unseen resources, even for a bank clerk. He wants to get out from under her bullying, but she won't give him a divorce. Plus she gets meaner all the time. So it's time for Bob to go into low-key action, which he does in somewhat amusing fashion, befitting a Newhart persona. And what about that blonde stripper, a perfect prize for poor Bob. Still, it's a great ironical ending; plus he was so deliciously close too. Oh well, that's why I love Hitchcock.
At home with the Cleavers.
planktonrules15 May 2021
The casting for this episode of "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" is very interesting. You wouldn't expect funny man Bob Newhart to play the lead and it's nice to see grown up child actress Jane Withers playing his wife. In addition, casting Bill Quinn as Mr. Penny was REALLY interesting, as he was Bob Newhart's real life father-in-law! In addition, you'll see several VERY familiar TV faces from 1960s-80s TV shows, such as Harold Gould and Ann Morgan Guilbert.
As far as my summary goes, I said this because the same home used for this episode is the one used in "Leave it to Beaver". Plus, this couple is about as far from the ideal couple or the Cleavers as you can find! Gerald (Newhart) is married to Edith (Withers) and she's NOT an easy woman to love...or even like...or even put up with for very long! But this sharp-tongued woman won't give Gerald a divorce and so he concocts a strange plan to drive her crazy....and get her convicted of attempted murder...of him! What exactly is this all about and how does this plan go? See the show, as I really don't want to ruin the plot.
While the casting of Bob Newhart in the lead might seem odd, it's a comic episode...and he's just fine. A lot of it is because the show was written so well...combining the darkness of "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" with a few good laughs. Most enjoyable and a nice departure from the average episode.
As far as my summary goes, I said this because the same home used for this episode is the one used in "Leave it to Beaver". Plus, this couple is about as far from the ideal couple or the Cleavers as you can find! Gerald (Newhart) is married to Edith (Withers) and she's NOT an easy woman to love...or even like...or even put up with for very long! But this sharp-tongued woman won't give Gerald a divorce and so he concocts a strange plan to drive her crazy....and get her convicted of attempted murder...of him! What exactly is this all about and how does this plan go? See the show, as I really don't want to ruin the plot.
While the casting of Bob Newhart in the lead might seem odd, it's a comic episode...and he's just fine. A lot of it is because the show was written so well...combining the darkness of "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" with a few good laughs. Most enjoyable and a nice departure from the average episode.
Newhart is excellent
amber-delong22 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I don't want to recap the episode.
It's about a guy that has a great plan, and sticks to it.
Have I written enough so any SPOILERS can't be seen? Because all I really want to do is vent...
WHY CAN'T HITCHCOCK LET US HAVE ANYTHING NICE AND LET SOMEONE GET A WIN ONCE IN AWHILE?
It's about a guy that has a great plan, and sticks to it.
Have I written enough so any SPOILERS can't be seen? Because all I really want to do is vent...
WHY CAN'T HITCHCOCK LET US HAVE ANYTHING NICE AND LET SOMEONE GET A WIN ONCE IN AWHILE?
Bob Newhart Has It All
Hitchcoc20 May 2023
I have been a fan of Bob Newhart from the time I was in high school back in the 60's. His comedy albums. His two great shows. Larry, Darryl, and Darryl. Even on The Big Bang Theory he plays Professor Proton. Here he is a sad little man whose wife is constantly nagging him until he can't stand it any more. He devises a sophisticated plan to get her arrested. He has his eyes on a stripper who likes him. Things work out fine. But even characters who deserve a bit of happiness have the rug pulled out from under them. There is an old adage that two people can keep a secret as long as one of them is dead. The same goes for those aware of a murder.
KEEP AWAY FROM THOSE BLONDES, BOB!
tcchelsey6 June 2023
Veteran director Alf Kjellen had fun with this over the top story. Kjellen did a ton of cop shows and dramas. This was his cup of tea. Comedien Bob Newhart is perfect for the role of a henpecked husband who falls for a blonde showgirl, named Rosie Feather?? (played by nobody better than Joyce Jameson). He goes back home to pickyhune wife Jane Withers (who is terrific), and can you spot the inside joke --as the bickering couple live in the old LEAVE IT TO BEAVER HOUSE. Is that hilarious or what? Bob naturally wants to get rid of the battleaxe, but HOW? Listen to the light, fluffy background music as it hits the spot in various intriguing scenes. Look for many familiar tv faces. This must have been a labor of love for Alfred Hitchcock, the master of dark comedy. Filmed on the Universal lot with all the familiar trappings. Should you ever take the studio tour, Universal ALWAYS salutes Hitch. There is even a rare 1960s video (if you have a chance to see it) where he introduces the studio tour in true deadpan fashion. SEASON 2 EPISODE 11 1963 CBS dvd box set.
Slow paced, but great ending
vitoscotti7 December 2021
Cast is full of great classic tv actors. Very dark comedy set in America's family Cleaver house. So opposite of Leave it to Beaver. Script has a lot of holes, but still a good watch. Bob Newharts voice is very high pitched. Especially enjoy anything with Joyce Jameson.
"I'll make the hot chocolate tonight!"
classicsoncall7 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
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.
There are those of us who prefer ground glass.
rmax30482330 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
The uxorious Newhart is saddled with a nagging wife. His relatives and neighbors are sympathetic. He develops a clever plan that accomplishes two things: (1) he frames his wife for attempted murder, and (2) he gets to meet the blond showgirl of his dreams. Alas, he's undone by a trick of fate, or rather the writers, since the ending is highly improbable but necessary to the code of the time.
Newhart is okay. He calmly smiles his way through the story, self possessed, phlegmatic. His wife, Jane Withers, is one dimensional. The most magnetic performance is given by Joyce Jameson as Rosie Feather, the stripper (or whatever she is; we don't see her perform) who takes a shine to Newhart and does a spot-on imitation of Marilyn Monroe's breathless whisper. She did it in "The Apartment" too.
Other than that, though it's interesting to see the many casual ways in which Newhart lays the clues for the future frame, there are times when it seems like the story would have been a fine idea for a half-hour show rather than being stretched out to its present length.
But Newhart in the end reverts to what's called first-order change. If you don't like something, you attack the problem directly. A more subtle form of solving the problem is to find some way of allowing the problem to take care of itself organically. Well, that's the principle behind ju jitsu. Is it possible, for instance, to provoke a spouse into such a state of rage that he or she strokes out?
Even if that doesn't work out, we should all keep in mind Socrates' advice. "By all means marry. If your wife turns out good, you'll be happy. If she turns out bad, you'll become a philosopher."
Newhart is okay. He calmly smiles his way through the story, self possessed, phlegmatic. His wife, Jane Withers, is one dimensional. The most magnetic performance is given by Joyce Jameson as Rosie Feather, the stripper (or whatever she is; we don't see her perform) who takes a shine to Newhart and does a spot-on imitation of Marilyn Monroe's breathless whisper. She did it in "The Apartment" too.
Other than that, though it's interesting to see the many casual ways in which Newhart lays the clues for the future frame, there are times when it seems like the story would have been a fine idea for a half-hour show rather than being stretched out to its present length.
But Newhart in the end reverts to what's called first-order change. If you don't like something, you attack the problem directly. A more subtle form of solving the problem is to find some way of allowing the problem to take care of itself organically. Well, that's the principle behind ju jitsu. Is it possible, for instance, to provoke a spouse into such a state of rage that he or she strokes out?
Even if that doesn't work out, we should all keep in mind Socrates' advice. "By all means marry. If your wife turns out good, you'll be happy. If she turns out bad, you'll become a philosopher."
Not bad at all
brabryant24 December 2013
Especially if your a long time Newhart fan like myself. AND, anything featuring Joyce Jameson is MUST SEE T.V! What a knockout she was!!! It's such a tragedy that all her great talent and beauty was pretty much wasted. So sad.
Also enjoyed seeing the old 'Cleaver House' used in this episode. TAHH was shot on the same location as the old "Leave It To Beaver" series that ended just when these 1963 Hitchcock shows were being filmed.
It was pretty cool seeing the Cleaver home used by another family.
I also enjoyed seeing Bob Newhart at the start of his career, before he had his own t.v. series. I was 14 years-old in 1963, and I don't think I had yet heard of Bob Newhart.
Also enjoyed seeing the old 'Cleaver House' used in this episode. TAHH was shot on the same location as the old "Leave It To Beaver" series that ended just when these 1963 Hitchcock shows were being filmed.
It was pretty cool seeing the Cleaver home used by another family.
I also enjoyed seeing Bob Newhart at the start of his career, before he had his own t.v. series. I was 14 years-old in 1963, and I don't think I had yet heard of Bob Newhart.
A WITHERing Disappointment...
myemail33399919 January 2007
OK, I'm a Jane Withers fan, so I had high hopes for this episode co-starring the 1930's child star. I have to admit that she mugged her way through the whole hour-- with the director's approval, no doubt. Very tiresome. Bob Newhart was deadpan throughout the proceedings. The theme for this Hitchcock teleplay-- like so, so many before and after its airing-- was Husband vs Wife or Man vs Woman. A few clever plot turns here and there (even though "holes" in the script were abundant), but otherwise, I was grateful when the show finally came to an end. I did enjoy the "dumb blonde" performance of the stripper character, Rosie Feather. And I truly enjoyed the all-too-brief bit by Ann Morgan Guilbert who (in the 1960's) was well-known for her brilliant portrayal of Millie Helper on "The Dick Van Dyke Show." Final note: The loud, cheesy soundtrack added nothing to this disappointing episode.
Not a fan of the comedic episodes
Ripshin22 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I wonder what viewers thought, seeing the exterior and interior sets of "Leave It to Beaver" in this episode, only six months after that series ended. Somewhat iconic at the time. Kind of like seeing the studio interior set from "The Brady Bunch" torched in the awful horror film "Bug" (1975), just a year after the series ended.
I thoroughly enjoy both Newhart and Withers, but this episode is a bit shrill and tedious.
The soundtrack is odd - a bit 'breezy"/jaunty/light jazzy, and distracting.
The rat poison plot is ridiculous, as is the conclusion.
Thirty years ago, I had the please of speaking with Withers on the phone, when attempting to set up a screening of one of her early films. She was charming, and she wanted to attend. Unfortunately #@*% Twentieth Century Fox (at the time) wouldn't allow us to obtain a copy of the film.
I do not recommend this episode. You won't be missing much if you skip it.
I thoroughly enjoy both Newhart and Withers, but this episode is a bit shrill and tedious.
The soundtrack is odd - a bit 'breezy"/jaunty/light jazzy, and distracting.
The rat poison plot is ridiculous, as is the conclusion.
Thirty years ago, I had the please of speaking with Withers on the phone, when attempting to set up a screening of one of her early films. She was charming, and she wanted to attend. Unfortunately #@*% Twentieth Century Fox (at the time) wouldn't allow us to obtain a copy of the film.
I do not recommend this episode. You won't be missing much if you skip it.
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