This is a frustrating example of honesty not always being the right policy. Personally, I never thought there was a missing ten thousand dollars. There was something oddly suspicious about Police Captain Bone (R. G. Armstrong), and even though Newsome (Rod Cameron) seemed overly gracious, there was a hint about the whole scenario that made me wary. The only thing is, once William Benson (Arthur Hill) decided to do the right thing, there was no backing out, as he was cornered by the players, who I felt were working together on this scam. Why, would be the mystery. Newsome certainly didn't look like he needed the money, even if the bundle WAS short. This was a bad break for Benson, leaving the viewer with a sinking feeling for what would seem to be his untimely end in Las Vegas.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series)
The Man Who Found the Money (1960)
User Reviews
Review this title10 Reviews
Take the Money and RUN!!!!
namor200019 March 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Or maybe leave the money and run? Seeing that this episode took place back when Las Vegas was mob connected, William Benson might have been better off following the latter. Give him points for wanting to do the right thing, then take'em away for a lack of common sense. Come on, Bill....only gangsters would carry and lose a wad like that! And if they say ten grand is missing, it's their word against yours.
This isn't AHP's best or worst episode, but to me, it's the most thought provoking. Here's why: Money is funny. Unlike other valuable commodities, it can't be traced back to an owner.
Bill, you can't post an ad saying you found a money clip with $92,000 attached and want to return it to its "Rightful Owners". You'll have a million rightful owners showing up at your front door. Get the picture?
Is it immoral and wrong to keep someone else's lost cash? Possibly. But what can you do? I'm afraid Finders Keepers rules in this situation.
This isn't AHP's best or worst episode, but to me, it's the most thought provoking. Here's why: Money is funny. Unlike other valuable commodities, it can't be traced back to an owner.
Bill, you can't post an ad saying you found a money clip with $92,000 attached and want to return it to its "Rightful Owners". You'll have a million rightful owners showing up at your front door. Get the picture?
Is it immoral and wrong to keep someone else's lost cash? Possibly. But what can you do? I'm afraid Finders Keepers rules in this situation.
Unsatisfying episode
cmontyburns992 February 2022
Not sure why this episode is highly rated vs others from the same season. The title of the episode tells you what happened and very little else happens over the course of the story. It's slow moving and the ending leaves the viewer wIth more questions than answers. Skip this one.
"The Man Who Found the Money" wishes he hadn't....
chuck-reilly19 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
When "The Man Who Found the Money" (1960) was first broadcast, it raised quite a furor with Hitchcock's viewing audience. A lot of people were alarmed that the "message" it conveyed was a bad one for the general public. In reality, it was merely a very classic Hitchcock theme: no "good" deed goes unpunished.
The plot is simple and direct. Arthur Hill plays a mild-mannered middle-class teacher who blows all his money in Las Vegas. After feeling guilty about his irresponsible behavior, by sheer chance he discovers a clip of money on the ground. It's $92,000 and all in $1000 bills! At first he thinks about bolting out of town with the money, but being the nice honest guy that he is, he decides to put the money in a safe deposit box and go to the local police to find the rightful owner of the cash. That's his first big mistake. Upon arriving at the Las Vegas police station, he's informed by a captain (a mean looking R.G. Armstrong) that someone did lose a big clip of money, but it was $102,000 not $92,000. After assuring Armstrong that all he recovered was the $92,000, Hill is introduced to the man who lost the clip. It's big Rod Cameron (the old 1940's and 50's "B" Westerns star). Cameron initially seems grateful to Hill for coming clean and turning in the clip and all is well...for a moment. It soon becomes clear that Carmeron (and probably Armstrong) really aren't nice guys themselves and are wholly unconvinced regarding the missing $10,000 from the clip. They're sure that Hill has pocketed the difference and they don't take too kindly to liars and thieves.
This is one of those stories that leaves viewers with a sour taste in their mouths. Poor Hill ends up the victim for merely being an honest person. What happens to him after the final confrontation is mainly left to the imagination, but the audience is assured that it won't be pleasant. So the next time you find some money...
The plot is simple and direct. Arthur Hill plays a mild-mannered middle-class teacher who blows all his money in Las Vegas. After feeling guilty about his irresponsible behavior, by sheer chance he discovers a clip of money on the ground. It's $92,000 and all in $1000 bills! At first he thinks about bolting out of town with the money, but being the nice honest guy that he is, he decides to put the money in a safe deposit box and go to the local police to find the rightful owner of the cash. That's his first big mistake. Upon arriving at the Las Vegas police station, he's informed by a captain (a mean looking R.G. Armstrong) that someone did lose a big clip of money, but it was $102,000 not $92,000. After assuring Armstrong that all he recovered was the $92,000, Hill is introduced to the man who lost the clip. It's big Rod Cameron (the old 1940's and 50's "B" Westerns star). Cameron initially seems grateful to Hill for coming clean and turning in the clip and all is well...for a moment. It soon becomes clear that Carmeron (and probably Armstrong) really aren't nice guys themselves and are wholly unconvinced regarding the missing $10,000 from the clip. They're sure that Hill has pocketed the difference and they don't take too kindly to liars and thieves.
This is one of those stories that leaves viewers with a sour taste in their mouths. Poor Hill ends up the victim for merely being an honest person. What happens to him after the final confrontation is mainly left to the imagination, but the audience is assured that it won't be pleasant. So the next time you find some money...
Virtue is its own Reward
dougdoepke26 March 2008
Interesting, but rather tame, one-note entry. While vacationing in Las Vegas, Arthur Hill stumbles across large wad of money in a parking lot. After counting the amount, $92,000, he secures it in a bank lock-box and reports the find to authorities. Eventually the money's owner shows up.
Since there's no action nor much plot development, the actors carry the burden. Hill is thoroughly convincing as the honest well-intentioned professor, winning audience sympathy from the outset, while the two other principals, RG Armstrong and Rod Cameron, are also excellent.
Note how the script draws out certain sequences, such as the waiting in the sheriff's office, no doubt to help fill the show's running time. However, we're never bored since we wonder what's happened to the $10,000 that seems to be missing from the original amount. The climax is chilling, especially when you ask yourself what you would do in Hill's place.
(In passing-- Hitchcock Presents was an unusual series for its era. Unlike other dramatic shows, it did not present a series of predictable morality plays in which virtue is rewarded and evil punished. That may not have pleased moralists, but it did make for more fascinating and realistic viewing because audiences could never be sure how a particular entry would end. The Man Who Found the Money is a good example.)
Since there's no action nor much plot development, the actors carry the burden. Hill is thoroughly convincing as the honest well-intentioned professor, winning audience sympathy from the outset, while the two other principals, RG Armstrong and Rod Cameron, are also excellent.
Note how the script draws out certain sequences, such as the waiting in the sheriff's office, no doubt to help fill the show's running time. However, we're never bored since we wonder what's happened to the $10,000 that seems to be missing from the original amount. The climax is chilling, especially when you ask yourself what you would do in Hill's place.
(In passing-- Hitchcock Presents was an unusual series for its era. Unlike other dramatic shows, it did not present a series of predictable morality plays in which virtue is rewarded and evil punished. That may not have pleased moralists, but it did make for more fascinating and realistic viewing because audiences could never be sure how a particular entry would end. The Man Who Found the Money is a good example.)
What Was the Point?
Hitchcoc27 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I am weighing in with those who ended up disappointed at this episode. The poor man does what is honorable. Not only is he not rewarded, his life is probably ruined. Usually, in these tales, there is moral reckoning of some sort. Or we find out the person we trusted had some skeletons in his closet.
LEAVE THE MONEY AND VEGAS ASAP!
tcchelsey19 December 2023
Alan Crosland, Jr directed this memorable episode, who like his famous dad, truly brought out some fine performances. Crosland was another favorite of Alfred Hitchcock, and with a long list of tv credits. Alan's father was the director of THE JAZZ SINGER.
I agree with the last reviewer as this is one of those... put yourself in this poor guy's shoes tales. Truly a dark comedy at play here. Arthur Hill, who was often confused with Alan Young, plays what he does best, a well meaning gentleman --who happens to stumble upon a money clip attached to $92,000 dollars in a Vegas parking lot!
Naturally, there are two ways out of this story. He could have taken the money and disappeared... or did the right thing and turn it in. As Hitch would have it, doing the right thing is the WRONG thing. Hill meets up with burly casino head Rod Cameron, a staple in many westerns, who has his own beliefs as to what really happened.
Stay tuned!
You will definitely want to see this one to the end, a dynamic two man show. By the way, the 92,000 dollars in today's money market would equal 900,000 dollars! That's a lot of mazuma to be laying around some parking lot, ya think?
SEASON 6 EPISODE 13 remastered Universal dvd box set.
I agree with the last reviewer as this is one of those... put yourself in this poor guy's shoes tales. Truly a dark comedy at play here. Arthur Hill, who was often confused with Alan Young, plays what he does best, a well meaning gentleman --who happens to stumble upon a money clip attached to $92,000 dollars in a Vegas parking lot!
Naturally, there are two ways out of this story. He could have taken the money and disappeared... or did the right thing and turn it in. As Hitch would have it, doing the right thing is the WRONG thing. Hill meets up with burly casino head Rod Cameron, a staple in many westerns, who has his own beliefs as to what really happened.
Stay tuned!
You will definitely want to see this one to the end, a dynamic two man show. By the way, the 92,000 dollars in today's money market would equal 900,000 dollars! That's a lot of mazuma to be laying around some parking lot, ya think?
SEASON 6 EPISODE 13 remastered Universal dvd box set.
No good deed goes unpunished.
planktonrules14 April 2021
William (Arthur Hill) is in Vegas and his luck has been terrible. However, on his way out of the casino, he finds a money clip with $92,000 in it...all in $1000 bills. He soon puts the money in a safe deposit box and then reports it to the police. Then, his troubles begin.
This episode is only okay and much of the show isn't very realistic. First, why would the police act so towards William when he turns in the money? Sure, they say that originally the clip had $102,000 in it and they come right out an accuse him of stealing the other $10,000....which really makes no sense because a thief would probably just keep it all. And the reaction of the man who lost it...well that also doesn't make a ton of sense. An interesting idea...but an episode that falls flat despite Hill being such a good actor. In fact, my wife was pretty angry at how this one ended!
This episode is only okay and much of the show isn't very realistic. First, why would the police act so towards William when he turns in the money? Sure, they say that originally the clip had $102,000 in it and they come right out an accuse him of stealing the other $10,000....which really makes no sense because a thief would probably just keep it all. And the reaction of the man who lost it...well that also doesn't make a ton of sense. An interesting idea...but an episode that falls flat despite Hill being such a good actor. In fact, my wife was pretty angry at how this one ended!
Disappointing Episode
ramsfan29 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The Man Who Found the Money is an unfulfilling entry into the Alfred Hitchcock Presents series. Mild Mannered Teacher William Benson stumbles upon a money clip containing $92,000 in the parking lot of a Las Vegas Casino. An honest man, he takes the trouble of obtaining a safe deposit box to secure the money and visits the local police to report the find. Police Captain Bone, having already been informed about the loss, treats him suspiciously, especially when it's revealed that the clip supposedly contained $102,000- ten thousand more than reported by Benson.
Mr. Newsome, owner of the lost money arrives to claim his cash and despite the alleged missing ten grand, he effusively thanks Benson, inviting him to stay for an all-expenses paid week at the Hotel/Casino, which he happens to own. Initially reluctant, Benson finally agrees- only to later find out that Newsome has in fact sent subordinates to Benson's home threatening harm to his wife if the missing ten thousand dollars is not promptly returned. End of episode.
I've read enough short stories and seen enough teleplays to know not every show has a bow-tie ending to neatly wrap things up. But whereas a show like Twilight Zone has a moral, a twist ending or a deliberate sense of tragedy, this episode of AHP is especially unsatisfying. Why would a seemingly wealthy man who owns an entire Hotel/Casino take the trouble to strong arm an obviously honest guy for ten grand- money he undoubtedly doesn't have and couldn't possibly give him? Is the Police Captain in on this? Is this a regular scam run on tourists? Is Benson really a dishonest guy? Too many unanswered questions and too little plot development. Arthur Hill and R. G. Armstrong are both excellent character actors, but not even they can sell this bill of goods. Total disappointment to the viewer and not one of the better episodes of an otherwise good series.
Mr. Newsome, owner of the lost money arrives to claim his cash and despite the alleged missing ten grand, he effusively thanks Benson, inviting him to stay for an all-expenses paid week at the Hotel/Casino, which he happens to own. Initially reluctant, Benson finally agrees- only to later find out that Newsome has in fact sent subordinates to Benson's home threatening harm to his wife if the missing ten thousand dollars is not promptly returned. End of episode.
I've read enough short stories and seen enough teleplays to know not every show has a bow-tie ending to neatly wrap things up. But whereas a show like Twilight Zone has a moral, a twist ending or a deliberate sense of tragedy, this episode of AHP is especially unsatisfying. Why would a seemingly wealthy man who owns an entire Hotel/Casino take the trouble to strong arm an obviously honest guy for ten grand- money he undoubtedly doesn't have and couldn't possibly give him? Is the Police Captain in on this? Is this a regular scam run on tourists? Is Benson really a dishonest guy? Too many unanswered questions and too little plot development. Arthur Hill and R. G. Armstrong are both excellent character actors, but not even they can sell this bill of goods. Total disappointment to the viewer and not one of the better episodes of an otherwise good series.
worst I've ever seen
writtenbymkm-583-90209728 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This is the worst Hitchcock I've ever seen. Absolutely pointless and depressing. What's the story trying to say -- that an honest man is unjustly accused and his wife threatened and there's nothing he can do about it? Horrible episode.
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