The Big Switch (8 Jan. 1956)

Gangster Sam Dunleavy sets up an elaborate alibi so that he can kill his ex-girlfriend Goldie, who left him for another man.

Director:

Don Weis

Writers:

Richard Carr (teleplay), Cornell Woolrich (story)

Stars:

Alfred Hitchcock, George Mathews, Beverly Michaels

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Alfred Hitchcock	...	Himself - Host
George Mathews	...	Sam Dunleavy
Beverly Michaels	...	Goldie
George E. Stone	...	Barney
Joe Downing	...	Lieutenant (as Joseph Downing)
James Edwards	...	Ed
Mark Dana	...	Morgan
Napoleon Whiting	...	Tony

Storyline

Chicago, 1920: Gangster Sam Dunleavy has just returned to town, and is visited by Al, a former childhood friend who is now a police officer. Al knows that Sam's girlfriend has just dropped him, and he warns Sam not to try anything violent. But Sam does plan to kill his ex-girlfriend, and he knows he needs an alibi. He sees his friend Barney, who promises to give him a perfect alibi for $2500. They work out the details, and Sam returns to Barney's place later to put the plan into action. But Al also shows up, so Sam knows that the plan must work perfectly.

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Plot Keywords:

alibi | gangster | ex girlfriend | childhood friend | police officer | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 January 1956 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Republic Studios - 4024 Radford Avenue, North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Shamley Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

I Was Taken in by It

I never realized there were guys whose job it was to provide alibis for crooks. This should be entitled "The Bulldog and the Wolf." These two shifty characters have a checkered past. It makes you wonder if a guy who spent so much time backing up bad guys at the police station, wouldn't arouse suspicion. Nevertheless, a plot is hatched to protect the bulldog after he goes and kills his ex-girlfriend. At least that's how they set it up. There are secret passages and a stupid game of five card stud with continuous yelling of threats. Of course, only one guy is yelling. The other one has left through a false telephone booth and is on his way to mayhem. Well there is a little baby that is really a gun and a double cross and little bit of what goes around comes around. This is a fun episode if you don't think too much and the ending is pretty satisfying. The characters are really over the top, but it's pretty much tongue in cheek to the bitter end.