The Sign of Satan (8 May 1964)

A group of studio executives and a leading lady (Gia Scala) view a screening of a black mass, and are impressed by the performance of Karl Jorla. They want him for the lead in their next ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Douglas

Writers:

Robert Bloch (short story), Barré Lyndon (teleplay)

Stars:

Alfred Hitchcock, Christopher Lee, Gia Scala

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Alfred Hitchcock	...	Himself - Host
Christopher Lee	...	Karl Jorla
Gia Scala	...	Kitty Frazier
Gilbert Green	...	Max Rubini
Adam Roarke	...	Ed Walsh
Myron Healey	...	Dave Connor
Byron Keith	...	Capt. Hartzell
Nicki Brick	...	The Script Girl
Sol Gorss	...	The Studio Policeman
Horst Ebersberg	...	The 1st Acolyte (as Hans Ebers)
Dieter Jacoby	...	The 2nd Acolyte
Eric Forst	...	The 3rd Acolyte
Walter Friedel	...	The 4th Acolyte

Storyline

A group of studio executives and a leading lady (Gia Scala) view a screening of a black mass, and are impressed by the performance of Karl Jorla. They want him for the lead in their next horror picture, so they fly him into Hollywood from France. They need to arrange for publicity but Jorla refuses, saying that the film they observed was of him as the real-life arch-priest of a group of devil worshipers who will track him down and kill him. The studio tries to protect him, but he trusts no one. He disappears, then suddenly emerges three days later in a scene with the leading lady, cryptically mumbling the address in Topanga Canyon where he may be located. The police find his murdered corpse, but an autopsy reveals that he has been dead for at least three days.

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Plot Keywords:

black mass | movie studio | death threat | satanic cult | ghost | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 May 1964 (USA)

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions, Shamley Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

48 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Christopher Lee later admitted coming to Hollywood with the wrong impression that he would be directed by Alfred Hitchcock himself. Though he was never even properly introduced to Hitchcock during the filming of this episode, he felt very satisfied by the experience.

User Reviews

One of the most memorable episodes

I remember this episode clearly even though I haven't seen it since 1964. First of all, it scared me and most of all, Christopher Lee has always been one of my favorites. That night, in Detroit, the wind was blowing very hard, we made fudge that came out SO GOOD and our whole family watched Alfred Hitchcock because Lee was in it. This was the era of one TV in the family, so they were nice to comply. I have to find a copy of this SOON. Every once in awhile, someone in our family will say, remember that night...... and it's this one. I agree with the people here who said this was one of the best of all. It was interesting to see Lee on television, a rare occurrence.