In the tragic "A Very Moral Theft," Betty Field plays a woman rapidly approaching Middle Age who has fallen for a seemingly indifferent fellow (Walter Matthau) much to the dismay of her brother (Karl Swenson). Swenson is about to be married and the only thing on his mind is what to do about his sister and the house they both share. In the meantime, Matthau's lumber yard business is failing and he needs a quick loan of $8000 to pay off a creditor or else he's bankrupted. To aid his cause, Betty floats a check at her real estate office and hands the cash equivalent over to Matthau after he promises her that he'll pay her back within a few days. He tells her he has another "deal" pending and that it's worth at least $8000. Of course, if he isn't good on his word, she stands to be indicted for embezzlement. Well, wouldn't you know it, Matthau "deal" doesn't materialize and now Betty is left holding the bag. Her brother isn't happy when he hears the news either. They'll have to sell the house just to keep her out of jail. But miraculously, old Walter turns up with $8000 after all, and hands it over to his grateful and very relieved girlfriend. Then the story takes a very dark turn. Matthau goes missing and no one seems to know what happened to him. After about a week, in desperation for some news, Ms. Field returns to a restaurant that she and Walter regularly frequented, but is given the proverbial "cold shoulder" by the proprietor (Sal Ponti). After much prodding, the truth is told. Walter is a dead man. He borrowed the money from the Mob so that his girlfriend wouldn't suffer the consequences. Unfortunately, he did the suffering for her. The distraught expression of total loss on Ms. Field's face when she learns of his fate is worth the price of admission. She quietly takes a seat, her face turned away from the camera, and the episode fades out. Excellent performances highlight this dour entry into the Hitchcock series with both Matthau and Field outstanding in their roles. Throughout the proceedings, Matthau's blasé attitude towards poor Betty is a cover for his true feelings and it completely throws viewers off regarding his intentions. He loves her, but he just can't bring himself to tell her. Tragically, she finds out too late for both of them. The episode was directed by Norman Lloyd, the associate producer of the show and a longtime Hitchcock collaborator. Walter Matthau, almost a regular on this series, went on to an Academy Award-winning career in some of the best loved movies of his generation. Betty Field received a late career boost in "Coogan's Bluff" (1968) playing Don Stroud's boozy mother, Ellen Ringerman. Her scenes with Clint Eastwood are classic.
8 Reviews
"A Very Moral Theft" is dour and sad entry in Hitchcock series
chuck-reilly1 November 2013
Warning: Spoilers
You've got my word
sol-kay2 June 2013
****SPOILERS**** In this very moving and at the same time surprising, it takes a while to figure out the ending, "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" episode we see that there's hope for even the most unfeeling and shyster like among us in the actions of lumber yard owner Harry Wade, Walter Matthau. Harry who's been hit by hard times and in danger of losing his business confides to 45 year old spinster Helen, Betty Field, his pressing problems and what he needs, $8,000.00 in cash,to straighten them out. Helen who's just crazy about Hary is willing to embezzle her real estate company to get him out of the fix that he now finds himself in. This surprises us watching since Harry is anything but kind and loving towards Helen no matter how much love and affection she show for him.
Seeing that Harry is about to lose his means of making a living, his lumber yard, Helen takes the $8,000.00 he needs from one of her clients Mr. Fescue, William Newell, at her real estate company with the promise by Harry that he'll return it to her within 48 hours before, over the weekend, it opens for business. As anyone, except Helen, would have expected Harry comes up short with the cash and poor Helen who put her trust in him is now facing not only the loss of her job but home as well as freedom for embezzling her real estate company! But then something completely out of the blue happens that turns everything around for Helen. But the price is far worse then what she at the time was facing!
****SPOILERS**** We as well as Helen see despite his sleazy and unfeeling demeanor Harry Wade had under that thick hide of his a truly heart of gold. Knowing the fix that he put Helen in Harry went against type and put his life on the line and eventually lost it for her. Not that at first Harry had wanted to risk it. Sure Harry could have left Helen standing out in the cold and lose everything near and dear, including Harry, to her but he didn't. By doing what he did and facing the consequences for his actions Harry showed Helen the love that he really and truly felt for her in death far more then anytime that he was alive.
Seeing that Harry is about to lose his means of making a living, his lumber yard, Helen takes the $8,000.00 he needs from one of her clients Mr. Fescue, William Newell, at her real estate company with the promise by Harry that he'll return it to her within 48 hours before, over the weekend, it opens for business. As anyone, except Helen, would have expected Harry comes up short with the cash and poor Helen who put her trust in him is now facing not only the loss of her job but home as well as freedom for embezzling her real estate company! But then something completely out of the blue happens that turns everything around for Helen. But the price is far worse then what she at the time was facing!
****SPOILERS**** We as well as Helen see despite his sleazy and unfeeling demeanor Harry Wade had under that thick hide of his a truly heart of gold. Knowing the fix that he put Helen in Harry went against type and put his life on the line and eventually lost it for her. Not that at first Harry had wanted to risk it. Sure Harry could have left Helen standing out in the cold and lose everything near and dear, including Harry, to her but he didn't. By doing what he did and facing the consequences for his actions Harry showed Helen the love that he really and truly felt for her in death far more then anytime that he was alive.
Early Matthau
Hitchcoc25 May 2021
This is the story of blind trust. When a ratty guy named Wade gets a middle aged woman to get him money, she actually embezzles it from her employer. But he can't pay it back. This is a little heavy for a Hitchcock episode. There is nothing light or humorous about any of this one. We can feel the pain of the woman and know what awaits her if she doesn't get the money. Well done but atypical.
"Hey, you sure you didn't steal that money?"
classicsoncall4 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
When you have a good hearted person like Helen (Betty Field), it's easy enough to be misguided. It only took one exchange between the two to understand that Harry Wade (Walter Matthau) was a con man and a swindler, but she just couldn't see it. Totally misreading a conversation they had regarding a potential marriage, Helen nervously takes it upon herself to lend Harry eight thousand dollars with his promise to pay it back in two days time. The money isn't hers, as she performs some sleight of hand with a home buyer's deposit at the real estate office where she works. True to form, conniver Harry's juggled plans to return the money never materialize, leaving him one last con game to perform in order to return the money to the woman he might actually have a soft spot for. The twist here leaves Helen downcast and dispirited, while in a stunning turnabout, Harry made good but at a terrible sacrifice.
Do You Have The Money?
midbrowcontrarian26 March 2021
AHP episodes about financial duplicity, such as DON'T COME BACK ALIVE, can be far fetched and so lack credibility. This stories' comparative simplicity makes it eminently believable. Helen's increasingly desperate entreaties - "Do you have the money?" - build the tension until the heart-rending denouement. It's virtually impossible to have sympathy for outright criminals but you can't help rooting for Helen, a decent person who does wrong for unselfish reasons. Having clocked up two hundred episodes this year (how sad is that?) I'm amazed this one is, at the time of writing, two thirds of the way down the popularity ratings. Indeed, it's one of only three that inspired me to do such an effusive review. The others, since you ask, are ARTHUR and MAIL ORDER PROPHET. To declare an interest, in my financial services career decades ago it was widely assumed that anyone claiming never to have forged ("fudged" being the euphemism) a client's signature just to save time was either a saint or being economical with the truth. Enough said.
A very Moral theft
coltras3513 June 2023
Harry Wade works at a lumberyard and owes his customers money. His girlfriend Helen provides him with a loan to pay off his debts. She tells him that she is remortgaging her house, but in actuality is embezzling the money from her office. Harry agrees to pay her back in 48 hours. When Harry fails to pay up, she grows worried and tells him how she got the money. Harry leaves and comes back with the money. He tells her that he got the money from a customer, but in reality he got it from a loan shark. Later, however, Harry disappears ...
A dour tale starring Walter Matthau and Betty field is simply told, interesting, well-acted and ends on a tragic note. At first, when watching you thinking it's a typical conman hoodwinks a vulnerable middle-aged lady story, but that's not the case. The denouement is a sad one.
A dour tale starring Walter Matthau and Betty field is simply told, interesting, well-acted and ends on a tragic note. At first, when watching you thinking it's a typical conman hoodwinks a vulnerable middle-aged lady story, but that's not the case. The denouement is a sad one.
ONE GOOD TURN DESERVES ANOTHER...
tcchelsey13 December 2023
Hitch apparently gave two new writers, Jack Dillon and Alan Gordon, with few credits to their names, a break. They did a terrific job with this unforgettable story.
To note, this also may be the most poignant episode of the entire series 10 year run. Good trivia question!
Definitely, a somber drama, almost like a soap opera, but it will keep your interest right to the end. Walter Matthau returns to the series, playing the atypical Hitchcock "man with mounting problems, and are they ever. He owns a lumber yard, business is slumping, and he's about to lose it all.
Enter Betty Field, in wonderful role she is best at playing, a lady leading a not too happy life herself, taking a chance and helping this man who really can use a friend. The rest you cannot miss, especially for the talent of both these dynamic actors.
The notes are correct, and may have been added by Alfred Hitchcock. In PSYCHO, Janet Lee steals money from her real estate office as does Betty Field. Same deal.
Betty, who became a star in OF MICE AND MEN (1939), had a very good role in BUTTERFIELD 8, opposite Liz Taylor at the time. I am sure Hitchcock was one of her fans. She was one of the best.
One you have to see. SEASON 6 EPISODE 3 remastered Universal dvd box set.
To note, this also may be the most poignant episode of the entire series 10 year run. Good trivia question!
Definitely, a somber drama, almost like a soap opera, but it will keep your interest right to the end. Walter Matthau returns to the series, playing the atypical Hitchcock "man with mounting problems, and are they ever. He owns a lumber yard, business is slumping, and he's about to lose it all.
Enter Betty Field, in wonderful role she is best at playing, a lady leading a not too happy life herself, taking a chance and helping this man who really can use a friend. The rest you cannot miss, especially for the talent of both these dynamic actors.
The notes are correct, and may have been added by Alfred Hitchcock. In PSYCHO, Janet Lee steals money from her real estate office as does Betty Field. Same deal.
Betty, who became a star in OF MICE AND MEN (1939), had a very good role in BUTTERFIELD 8, opposite Liz Taylor at the time. I am sure Hitchcock was one of her fans. She was one of the best.
One you have to see. SEASON 6 EPISODE 3 remastered Universal dvd box set.
Where's the ironic twist??
planktonrules13 April 2021
Helen (Betty Field) is attracted to Harry (Walter Matthau), though you have no idea why. It isn't like he seems all that interested in this middle-aged woman...in fact although they date, he couldn't seem any more indifferent towards her. Yet, oddly, Helen is in love with Harry and seems to think they have a deeper relationship than they really do. So, when Harry's business is sinking and he needs money to keep it going, Helen offers him the $8000...and he promises to pay her back within two days. The trouble is, he soon finds out he can't pay her back like he promised. And, this is particularly problematic because some of he money she loaned Harry is actually her brother's! So what's next?
This is an interesting episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" with one problem...there really is no twist or irony here...none. It felt like the lead up was great and then....nothing. A real shame as the acting was very good...the resolution, however, just leaves you flat.
This is an interesting episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" with one problem...there really is no twist or irony here...none. It felt like the lead up was great and then....nothing. A real shame as the acting was very good...the resolution, however, just leaves you flat.
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