Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series) Specialty of the House (1959) User Reviews

Knowing is sometimes more fun than a surprise.

[grizzledgeezer · 9/10 · 21 August 2016]

What makes this episode so much fun is that you can see the ending right from the start. In fact, the title itself pretty much gives it away. The viewer has the pleasure of watching the "friction" between what the characters think they know, and his/her correct expectation of how it will all end.

Robert Morley delivers a perfect performance, and Robert Stevens' direction is brisk and sharply focused. Though Hitchcock normally announced that the criminals in a given episode were eventually caught and punished, in a typically sardonic touch, he says nothing about it here.

The Ultimate Gourmet Story

[theowinthrop · 7/10 · 13 November 2006]

Robert Morley was (in his best years) a very talented actor in both drama and comedy - his comic performances being best remembered ("Topkapi", "Murder At The Galop", "The Battle Of The Sexes) but his dramatic work should not to be sneezed at ("An Outcast Of The Islands", "Oscar Wilde", "Nine Hours To Rama"). Towards the end of his career too much of his work was in garbage (he explained he did it "for the money dear boy!") and even being a commercial spokesman for BOAC ("We'll take good care of you!"). However, this was not a sin for him only. Lord Olivier was going to end up doing commercials (like Henry Fonda) for a camera concern. And Olivier made films like "The Betsy" more frequently in his last decade than he made films like "A Little Romance". Morley's garbage was too much, but he also did films like "Who's Killing The Great Chefs Of Europe?", where the critics thought highly of his performances.

He only did one episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", and it was a classic. Possibly the ultimate story of being a gourmet (the French film "Le Grand Bouffe" is the alternative), it takes being a lover of dining for the sake of dining to it's ultimate point. If you love fine food, than you should be willing to acknowledge the idea that people are part of the food chain too, so that there are recipes that involve us quite literally. This is the heart of the story.

With his imposing, fat figure, and his snooty style of acting Morley has the part of the gourmet snob down pat. He belongs only to the finest club of gourmets, and has eaten everything on the menu - but it is the "specialty of the house" that he really looks forward to most of the time. And in the end he is one of the glories of the club - stuck on their wall of honor, and saluted by his peers by their dining in the club on the dish he most loved in the world. The conclusion can only be called...shall we say "delicious!"

"We eat what's set before us, and we like it!"

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 26 November 2021]

Dedicated Hitchcock fans can probably guess the ending for this one, dealing as it does with Laffler's (Robert Morley) daily insistence for the specialty of the house at Spirro's. What's not explained very well is why he got into that heated argument with his business protege Costain (Kenneth Haigh), though one can surmise that it was because the junior businessman got a personal invitation to the exclusive diner's club by the owner (Madame Spivy) without being a member. When Laffler saves one of Spirro's employees (George Keymas) from a mugging, it earns him a first hand look at the fabled kitchen that prepares the renowned 'Lamb Amirstan', a delicacy long awaited for by the restaurant's patrons. If any Hitchcock episode can be described as 'delicious', this would definitely be a top contender, as it plays to one of the series' fondest ironies. If I might make a suggestion, try watching this on one of the streaming services by making it a twin bill with the third season Twilight Zone story titled 'To Serve Man'.

Pure Hitchcock

[dougdoepke · 19 March 2008]

One of the half-dozen or so most talked about entries of the series. With the delicious black humor, it's pure Hitchcock. The plot revolves around an ultra-exclusive dining club and the house specialty. Since nothing much happens until the climax, a lot depends on the actors' holding audience interest. Getting the one-and-only Robert Morley for the lead was a real casting coup. He's perfect as a corpulent club member who lusts for every meal and absolutely squeals with delight on those occasions when the specialty is served. And, of course, with his perfect enunciation and snobbish bearing, no one would expect to see him ordering up a burger and fries at McDonald's. Then there's Madame Spivy as Spirro, the overseer of the establishment. For 1950's TV, she's a real oddity in appearance and perfect for her exotic role. Between them, they'll keep you riveted to the end. Note the scuffle in the alley with the waiter and his subsequent warning. Likely the producers added this incident to guarantee that the audience would "get" the ending. Too bad. The episode is better without the greater obviousness. So, just what the heck is going on at this club and why is it not such an honor to become a life-member. Tune in and find out.

This episode is sick, twisted and awful...and I wish "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" made more like it!!

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 9 April 2021]

Mr. Laffler (Robert Morley) has invited his employee, Mr. Costain, to accompany him for dinner at an obscure supper club where he's a member. But it's a very odd place...located in a warehouse district and in which only 40 members are allowed. It's further unusual because there is no choice as to what you served...you eat it and you like it...period. But what really makes it odd is that there is a dish, Lamb Armistrand, that makes the members practically rabid in anticipation of it! But they never know when it's going to be made...and when it is, the reaction is positively orgasmic. So where's the odd twist? Well, watch it and see for yourself.

This is a very dark and funny episode and Robert Morley is wonderful in the lead. Overall, a great episode...one you'll never forget. Why? Just see the show....you'll figure it out!

THE EPISODE THAT ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE IT!

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 12 August 2022]

This definition of a dark comedy a la Hitchcock aired a few weeks before Christmas, 1959 and is a tv classic of classics. 10 PLUS STARS.

In actuality, It was a labor of love for Hitch as he had to defend it before cautious network executives, without giving too much away. You'll find out! Here, master actor Robert Morley is perfectly cast as Mr. Laffler, a snobbish glutton who loves to eat the finest foods. He is a member of Madame Spivy's elite club that specializes in such cozy "dinners" that are quite the lure.

If you notice, there is a wall lined with pictures of other distinguished gluttons who have indulged, and have been inducted into a sort of food hall of fame. Enough said!

This episode is one for the books and the acting is spot on, particularly Madame Spivy, who reminds you of a female Sidney Greenstreet. In real life, Spivy owned a well known New York City nightclub and restaurant and was an accomplished singer and later actress in her own right. There's no question she had Hitch over for dinner.

Extremely well written by Victor Wolfson, and should have at least been nominated for an Emmy.

Without too much surprise, Wolfson began his career writing creepy stories for SUSPENSE.

Remember, the password is Lamb Armistrand!

SEASON 5 remastered CBS dvd box set. Get the box set for this episode.

Don't Go In the Kitchen!

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 28 April 2023]

The portly Robert Morley, the ultimate symbol of pomposity, is a gourmand, who frequents a secret restaurant where he takes his business associate. The place serves only forty members. The food is phenomenal, but there is a lamb dish that everyone is nuts about. It is only served on rare occasions and no one knows in advance (well within a day or two). It is supposedly from lambs raised in Uganda that eat a unique kind of grass. It is fun watching Morley do his thing as he tells his tales to his young associate. Of course, being Hitchcock, we suspect there is something about the food, especially the Specialty of the House, that we will eventually be let in on. Unfortunately for me, I figured it all out long before the ending. But one then must savor the actors, the atmosphere, and the pacing.

Hitchcock REVEALS the illuminati and blood sacrifice!!!

[greatgatsb-76531 · 10/10 · 22 September 2023]

Everyone knows the ending... but yet they still don't get it!!! This episode is NOT about food at all! It's about secret societies, the elite, the wealthy, the sophisticated and the SACRIFICE an initiate must make in order to get in to the "club!" Have you ever wondered how secret societies get new members that they can trust? How do they keep the secrets of the "order" safe year after year? Why doesn't anyone squeal? What happens to those that want to "rank up"... or get to the higher levels of the society... and "see how that sausage is made"??? A wall of life members... is sold to the underlings as a status symbol to be attained... but in reality... uh-oh.

Eat your Heart out

[sol-kay · 7/10 · 13 July 2012]

***SPOILERS*** Together with his good friend Mr. Costain, Kenneth High, as well as employee at his import export business food connoisseur Mr.Laffer, Robert Morley, goes out to dinner one evening at this hole in the wall private restaurant named 'Spirro's Place" to check out the food being served there. As Mr. Costain soon found out the food like Mr. Laffer told him is out of this world! Especially the main course which is some kind of lamb stew prepared by the owner of the place Mrs. Spirro, Madam Spivy, herself!

With Mr.Laffer becoming a member in good standing at "Spirro's Place" he promises to get Mr. Costain a lifetime membership as well. Then the two can eat to their hearts desires all the lamb stew,the specialty of the house, pork chops and chicken wings that Mrs. Spirro and her in house chef Leo Trumball can serve up for them! Despite how great tasting the food is Mr. Laffer just can't get enough of it especially the places's world famous lamb stew. It's when Mr. Laffer gets a bit too insistent in getting his chow at the expense of the restaurant's other clientèle, all 40 of them, that Mrs. Spirro finally invites Mr. Laffer into the kitchen to see just how that heavenly lamb stew is prepared!

***MAJOR SPOILERS*** As we and Mr. Laffer soon found out that what was being prepared in Spirro's kitchen wasn't a laughing matter as well as none of his business. But by Mr. Laffer making it his business as well as demanding more then his portion of the lamb stew he ended up paying the price for his nosiness. Not in him having his last meal at "Spirro's Place" but in fact becoming the main course of the restaurant's menu!

P.S This Alfred Hitchcock episode very probably gave sexploitation king director Michael Findlay the idea for his most talked about and successful bad film "Shrike of the Mutilated" that was released in 1974: Three years before Findlay was killed at the age of 38 in a freak helicopter accident on top of the now defunct Pan Am Building in New York City on May 16, 1977.

This meal's hard to swallow

[El Cine · 4 March 2012]

This was despite a few features. The filmmakers do a good job presenting some weird contrasts. There's the secret restaurant's opulent interior, and the back alley dive atmosphere you have to pass to get there. The restaurant is basically a men's club, so what a surprise that a woman is the proprietress of this male-centric setup.

And you have to ascend that big staircase, as if going up to heaven to eat one of the best meals in the world. (For some characters, this proves more than figurative, doesn't it?!)

Interestingly, Robert Morley basically plays a version of his great gourmand role from "Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?" in the 70s.

However, the episode will amount to little more than a talkie for most contemporary viewers, because they can probably predict the restaurant's dark secret. Maybe fewer did back in '59, but not today's more experienced audience and its various edgy content like "Tales from the Crypt".

This episode matches that series' grotesque vibe. It's not to my taste, but perhaps it's an achievement of sorts that the Hitchcock series could hit this tone 30 years before an uncensored HBO could.

Yet the premise doesn't make sense. Why would Spirro victimize her own loyal, paying customers? How can the others not catch on, and fear for their lives? What prompts Spirro to work out such a special, secret relationship with Costain?