The Older Sister (22 Jan. 1956)

One year after Mr. and Mrs. Borden were brutally murdered, reporter Nell Cutts tries to interview Lizzie Borden and her sister Emma about the killings.

Director:

Robert Stevens

Writers:

Robert C. Dennis (teleplay), Lillian de la Torre (story)

Stars:

Alfred Hitchcock, Joan Lorring, Carmen Mathews

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Alfred Hitchcock	...	Himself - Host
Joan Lorring	...	Emma Borden
Carmen Mathews	...	Lizzie Borden
Polly Rowles	...	Nell Cutts
Patricia Hitchcock	...	Margaret (as Pat Hitchcock)
Wendy Winkelman	...	Little Child (as Wendy Winkleman)
Kay Stewart	...	Grace

Storyline

One year ago, Mr. and Mrs. Borden were brutally murdered in their home, and it is widely believed that their daughter Lizzie committed the crimes, even though she was tried and acquitted. Lizzie and her sister Emma are still living in the same home, but Emma now plans to leave on a vacation to rest her nerves. The sisters' housemaid Margaret is also planning to leave, to avoid being alone with Lizzie. As Emma and Margaret discuss their plans, a woman arrives at the door, and introduces herself as a newspaper reporter. Emma desperately tries to get the visitor to leave, but the pushy reporter insists on questioning Emma about all of the details of the murders, bringing Emma to a state of near hysteria. In the midst of their confrontation, Lizzie herself comes down the staircase, and immediately takes control of the situation.

---

Plot Keywords:

sister | reporter | newspaper | interview | evidence | 

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 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

Did You Know?

Quotes

Himself - Host: [Hitchcock stands there holding an ax] This is an ax. I say this for the convenience of those of you whose television tubes may have burned out. I wish to reach the largest possible audience.

User Reviews

They Should Have Axed for Help!

This is a character study and had a little different feel to it than some of the other episodes. Of course, it's about the case of Lizzie Borden who was accused, then acquitted of the murder of her mother and father with an ax. This takes place a year after the trial, as Lizzie and her sister are holed up in their family home, dealing with the constant bombardment of reporters and nosy people. Children chant around their house and make their lives miserable. Enter a really offensive newspaper reporter who will not take no for an answer. She digs and digs and actually puts herself in harm's way. There is an interesting twist. There are some theories about these murders that involve questionable evidence gathered after the event. I'm sure police departments at the time had rather primitive means of collecting such evidence. Anyway, like most Hitchcock offerings, we are treated to a different perspective and a pretty well done little film.