Okay, this was kinda of stupid, but it's not 'gosh awful'. I agree with the other reviewer, the blame of this ridiculous premise has to be laid directly at the writer's doorstep. Even in 1964 when times were somewhat simpler there is no way a woman, alone and still in her nightgown, would let a maintenance man/stranger take a shower in her house! I can understand (for that time period) not checking the credentials of a gas man coming to check the meter in your home, but the fact that he went from rude to bizarre in less than 5 minutes of his arrival would have had me out the door running to the nearest neighbor (and I don't scare easily). Yet, based on some supposed 'malaria' episode he was having (also within that 5 minutes) she allowed him to take a shower in her home, because 'he would recover quicker', is absolutely stupid. Add on to this that she just got her husband out of the house, and is awaiting her boyfriend's arrival makes it more absurd. From there it gets more unbelievable with each passing minute. And there are so many holes in the story you just keep slapping your forehead. How this keeps from being 'gosh awful' are the actors. They are all well known (at least to a certain generation), and gifted in their craft. The stupidity is in their characters, not their portrayals. I enjoyed this episode, but I enjoyed it with my mouth opened and my brow wrinkled.
15 Reviews
Everything is so wrong and silly it becomes interesting
darrenpearce11113 August 2017
In Hitchcock TV a housewife is often very vulnerable. Even answering the door to a gas man in this case is perilous as men are so often wolves in sheep's clothing.
Where to begin? It becomes apparent this is a very odd story when the housewife (played by Lola Albright) lets the intrusive man light her cigarette and lays on the bed with her legs akimbo listening to his plans. The pervading unreality about this is clear from the start as the husband (played by George Kennedy) is just too goofy.
Hitchcock's epilogue had already been prefigured by a line spoken by one of the characters.
Where to begin? It becomes apparent this is a very odd story when the housewife (played by Lola Albright) lets the intrusive man light her cigarette and lays on the bed with her legs akimbo listening to his plans. The pervading unreality about this is clear from the start as the husband (played by George Kennedy) is just too goofy.
Hitchcock's epilogue had already been prefigured by a line spoken by one of the characters.
Feel free to give it a chance
magk-3621310 February 2017
Reading the reviews I was very tempted to skip this episode.
However I started in and found myself entertained.
Here's why: the episode is full of humor. Some of it dark, some of it laugh-out-loud funny, but all of it wry and amusing.
There's no way it's accidental. It's a fun and funny ep and I had a great time.
Don't be afraid to give it a try.
Acting is good too.
Thanks for reading.
If you think I'm kidding about this topic
However I started in and found myself entertained.
Here's why: the episode is full of humor. Some of it dark, some of it laugh-out-loud funny, but all of it wry and amusing.
There's no way it's accidental. It's a fun and funny ep and I had a great time.
Don't be afraid to give it a try.
Acting is good too.
Thanks for reading.
If you think I'm kidding about this topic
Misfire
dougdoepke15 May 2015
The first part where Eva (Albright) lines up a tryst with her boyfriend after hubby (Kennedy) leaves for work had me thinking this would be a good entry. Unfortunately, it's not, and for many reasons others point out. Yes indeed, the screenplay is shot through with credibility holes. Now, I'm ready to overlook storyline contrivance as long as it's not piled on, as regrettably it is here. There's that, plus Nelson is plain not good at the occasional low-grade lunacy Colin's part calls for. Then there's the hulking Kennedy playing against type, as a nerdy businessman, of all things.
Too bad, because there's a clever climactic twist buried under the shaky acting (except for Albright) and scrambled narrative. But that closing twist is easy to miss since what's needed is a smiling close-up of Colin, instead of an impersonal longshot. On the other hand, there's the sultry Albright as eye candy for the guys. (Somehow, I kept waiting for Peter Gunn {1958-61} to come rescue her.) At the same time, there's an undercurrent of interest in wondering just what Colin's weird game is. We know it must be something, but what. Too bad such potentially promising material is mishandled. To me, the episode would be better titled "Misfire".
Too bad, because there's a clever climactic twist buried under the shaky acting (except for Albright) and scrambled narrative. But that closing twist is easy to miss since what's needed is a smiling close-up of Colin, instead of an impersonal longshot. On the other hand, there's the sultry Albright as eye candy for the guys. (Somehow, I kept waiting for Peter Gunn {1958-61} to come rescue her.) At the same time, there's an undercurrent of interest in wondering just what Colin's weird game is. We know it must be something, but what. Too bad such potentially promising material is mishandled. To me, the episode would be better titled "Misfire".
Not bad but majorly flawed
rms125a6 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I found the convoluted plot and majority of the performances (3 out of 4, if we include a very brief appearance by the actor playing Eva's paramour who comes by daily after her husband leaves for work) to be quite good. Especially Albright -- who specialized in playing tough dicey women -- whose character goes from sexy, bored suburban housewife to accomplice to murder surprisingly smoothly, almost seamlessly. By the end, she bears a surprising physical resemblance to Faye Dunaway's equally ill-fated vixen turned killer, Bonnie Parker.
Only Barry Nelson's usual irritating, annoying style of acting, which manages to be both wooden and transparent at the same time, is irksome. His character (apparently known as "Colin") is clearly a pathological liar, largely here as a means to an end, which become clear in his conversation with George. But by that point it is impossible to believe anything he says. This makes getting a tough cookie like Eva to let him even enter her home -- much less allowing him to take a hot shower in the bathroom after he complains of suffering from "malaria" due to his war service in the South Pacific (!) -- that much harder to buy, especially as it winds up entrapping her further in his schemes. Long story short, a better lead actor than Nelson would have made the production more compelling and easier to swallow.
Only Barry Nelson's usual irritating, annoying style of acting, which manages to be both wooden and transparent at the same time, is irksome. His character (apparently known as "Colin") is clearly a pathological liar, largely here as a means to an end, which become clear in his conversation with George. But by that point it is impossible to believe anything he says. This makes getting a tough cookie like Eva to let him even enter her home -- much less allowing him to take a hot shower in the bathroom after he complains of suffering from "malaria" due to his war service in the South Pacific (!) -- that much harder to buy, especially as it winds up entrapping her further in his schemes. Long story short, a better lead actor than Nelson would have made the production more compelling and easier to swallow.
Rather Odd Goings On
mehfre22 October 2018
Despite the all-star cast, this story just doesn't cut it. Barry Nelson and George Kennedy are badly miscast and their acting shows it. Lola Albright is better, but plays a character who must be one of the most naive people alive. Worse, the plot is ridiculously--and quite unnecessarily--convoluted.
Probably written under a deadline rush.
mchenrykrm8 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
What is really interesting in watching these episodes in bulk thanks to Youtube is the way some really hit the mark and others fall flat. This episode falls into the latter but it did keep my interest long enough to keep me watching to the end.
The premise is a common one. Bored wife having affair wants to be rid of husband and takes advantage of man who allegedly loves her. This rendition of the tale goes too fast and far in trying to display it in a new and interesting way. The twist at the end that isn't that interesting.
The actors are high caliber but other than the wife don't really fit the characters they play. In the case of Colin's character it is never apparent what kind of person he is supposed to be. We eventfully learn he is the bitter step brother of George but the path to that is rambling.
I could rattle off a series of questionable plot points. An obviously unstable man is in the bed of a woman home alone and she casually chides him rather than call the police. He opens a gas valve while supposedly checking the meter she immediately knows how to shut it off and then threatens to call his boss. Their joint decision to do in the husband was done almost as if they were reading from cue cards.
This was an excellent series and many of the episodes are outstanding but being weekly and having to be done under strict timelines sometimes they things just don't come together.
The premise is a common one. Bored wife having affair wants to be rid of husband and takes advantage of man who allegedly loves her. This rendition of the tale goes too fast and far in trying to display it in a new and interesting way. The twist at the end that isn't that interesting.
The actors are high caliber but other than the wife don't really fit the characters they play. In the case of Colin's character it is never apparent what kind of person he is supposed to be. We eventfully learn he is the bitter step brother of George but the path to that is rambling.
I could rattle off a series of questionable plot points. An obviously unstable man is in the bed of a woman home alone and she casually chides him rather than call the police. He opens a gas valve while supposedly checking the meter she immediately knows how to shut it off and then threatens to call his boss. Their joint decision to do in the husband was done almost as if they were reading from cue cards.
This was an excellent series and many of the episodes are outstanding but being weekly and having to be done under strict timelines sometimes they things just don't come together.
Worst of the hour-long series, sad to say.
rixrex12 February 2007
This one is the absolute worst episode of the series, and it is the worst by a mile, not just by a little bit. What tries to be a smug and sophisticated telling of a cat and mouse game just comes off as a totally unbelievable, and unrealistic, attempt at satire or spoof that falls completely flat. I don't blame the actors as they were doing what was expected and required, and as all fine character actors tend to do the material better than it is, this one is on the writer and director who muck it all up. The only good reason to have this weak episode of what is otherwise an excellent series, is if you must have a complete collection which must not be missing any shows at all.
Yawn
gleetroy-848-52484422 August 2020
Yea, It Was Pretty Silly
richard.fuller124 January 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Just watched this one and as the other two posts said, it was a bit clumsy.
The premise is a mysterious meter man to a wife waiting for her lover after her husband leaves, but the attempt and anticipation of his being mysterious gives way to rather ridiculous behavior; his weeping, go take a shower, then undressed and in her bed? She is in her flimsy nightgown (had she been casually dressed, perhaps that would have made the episode less memorable, but more enjoyable, . . . maybe) So let's say it was a well-thought out plan for revenge. Take note (how could you miss it. It darts out like an elephant in a China shop) when murder is tossed out there.
And suddenly the mysterious meter man is her lover? By the end, it was apparent Barry Nelson was supposed to be seen as a suave, debonair figure of sorts. Quite a charmer, shall we say? I guess we're supposed to feel justified by how it turns out, a bit of irony that everyone got what they deserved? I've seen more convoluted attempts at revenge or suspense, but yea, this one for some odd reason just really seems to fall flat.
The way she lets the meter man in, the way she isn't present when the husband comes home and he takes it so casually to see the meter man standing there (won't spoil what occurs, but to take it in such ease and not find his wife there).
Things like her breaking the dishes (which gives way to the so-called twist, but again, it just comes across forced) give some hint to how silly these people are. Kennedy manages it best in his scenes.
Watch for its oddity, but if you like these shows, avoid this one.
The premise is a mysterious meter man to a wife waiting for her lover after her husband leaves, but the attempt and anticipation of his being mysterious gives way to rather ridiculous behavior; his weeping, go take a shower, then undressed and in her bed? She is in her flimsy nightgown (had she been casually dressed, perhaps that would have made the episode less memorable, but more enjoyable, . . . maybe) So let's say it was a well-thought out plan for revenge. Take note (how could you miss it. It darts out like an elephant in a China shop) when murder is tossed out there.
And suddenly the mysterious meter man is her lover? By the end, it was apparent Barry Nelson was supposed to be seen as a suave, debonair figure of sorts. Quite a charmer, shall we say? I guess we're supposed to feel justified by how it turns out, a bit of irony that everyone got what they deserved? I've seen more convoluted attempts at revenge or suspense, but yea, this one for some odd reason just really seems to fall flat.
The way she lets the meter man in, the way she isn't present when the husband comes home and he takes it so casually to see the meter man standing there (won't spoil what occurs, but to take it in such ease and not find his wife there).
Things like her breaking the dishes (which gives way to the so-called twist, but again, it just comes across forced) give some hint to how silly these people are. Kennedy manages it best in his scenes.
Watch for its oddity, but if you like these shows, avoid this one.
It's hard to imagine a woman begin this dumb.
planktonrules9 June 2021
If you read through the reviews, most folks seem to have hated this episode Even the few who liked it didn't seem to love it. And, after seeing it, I can understand both. First, the episode is rife with logical errors....giant plot holes. Second, I have noticed that for many shows, die-hard fans can NEVER admit that an episode is bad...never. For example, I am a Star Trek fan and have gone to a few conventions....and I have met many folks who simply cannot imagine that there are ANY weak episodes in the series...none! They'd rate EVERYTHING a 10...or perhaps one or two a 9! After seeing the show, this is the only way I can understand positive scores for this episode.
A woman (Lola Albright) is waiting for her lover to arrive once her husband leaves for work. But the guy who arrives instead is the man to read the gas meter....or at least that's what he claims. He obviously is NOT with the gas company and the last person to realize this is this dopey lady. Again and again, the 'gas man' acts strangely....giving off major creepy weirdo vibes. Yet, she still thinks he's the gas man. But when you add ALL the weird behaviors up, the story simply makes zero sense....none whatsoever. Plus, again and again, the housewife has MANY opportunities to run and seek help but doesn't...and should have. And, considering it lasts an hour, it becomes an endurance contest to keep watching. I had to force myself NOT to turn it off several times.
So is there anything good about this episode? Well, not much. Making the woman THIS dumb and the 'gas man' this bizarre and creepy sure were mistakes....which are exactly why I hated the show and what others apparently did as well. But what happens NEXT....well, it made my head spin because it was THAT hard to believe! Overall, a very stupid and poorly written installment....and I have noticed a LOT of underwhelming episodes in season 3. Considering that "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" went on for seven seasons and the hour long version three seasons, I guess they were just running out of ideas and might have been filming rejected scripts towards the end of the shows. Overall, one of the worst episodes of the series...mostly due to a script that defied logic at every turn.
A woman (Lola Albright) is waiting for her lover to arrive once her husband leaves for work. But the guy who arrives instead is the man to read the gas meter....or at least that's what he claims. He obviously is NOT with the gas company and the last person to realize this is this dopey lady. Again and again, the 'gas man' acts strangely....giving off major creepy weirdo vibes. Yet, she still thinks he's the gas man. But when you add ALL the weird behaviors up, the story simply makes zero sense....none whatsoever. Plus, again and again, the housewife has MANY opportunities to run and seek help but doesn't...and should have. And, considering it lasts an hour, it becomes an endurance contest to keep watching. I had to force myself NOT to turn it off several times.
So is there anything good about this episode? Well, not much. Making the woman THIS dumb and the 'gas man' this bizarre and creepy sure were mistakes....which are exactly why I hated the show and what others apparently did as well. But what happens NEXT....well, it made my head spin because it was THAT hard to believe! Overall, a very stupid and poorly written installment....and I have noticed a LOT of underwhelming episodes in season 3. Considering that "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" went on for seven seasons and the hour long version three seasons, I guess they were just running out of ideas and might have been filming rejected scripts towards the end of the shows. Overall, one of the worst episodes of the series...mostly due to a script that defied logic at every turn.
Actors make the most of poor script
drystyx22 August 2020
Hitchcock is one of the giants, but when you do as many movies and TV shows as he did, some will be very poor.
This one is a soap opera sort of story, set in a house, with an upscale married couple. The wife's lover and a strange man reading a meter come later.
The man is a vintage cuckold played by George Kennedy. The wife is a sinister, hateful, but very shapely witch. The lover is really just a walk on character that isn't explored. The strange man who comes later is a diabolical monster.
The main trouble with this story is the script. The characters have no credible motivation. In fact, only the walk on lover comes across with any credibility, and that's only because the writer didn't have him in the story long enough to warp his character.
Oddball characters can be funny, but this story isn't funny. Two of the three characters who are developed are absolute monsters, and the third is not as developed as those two. Otherwise, one gets the feeling the writer would also make him a monster. It's just too lacking in character credibility. We get "fake" motivation for the two monsters. Motivation that is not really "motivation", but instead "excuses" for sadistic evil. We never believe the given motivation for the hatefulness of the characters.
"You have to be a little way out to figure this."
classicsoncall4 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Say you're home alone and a stranger arrives claiming to be the gas meter man, and he suddenly feigns illness and wants to use your shower to feel better. What is the likelihood you'll go along with the unreasonable request? And on top of that, the guy strips down to his shorts and climbs into bed for the woman of the house (Lola Albright) to find him lying there as if it's the most natural thing in the world. This has got to be one of the dumbest shows ever aired by Alfred Hitchcock, as none of the characters or situations have any credibility at all. Any reasonable person would have called the police right out of the gate over Colin Martin's (Barry Nelson) persistence in refusing to leave while carrying on with his cockamamie stories. The story almost began to make sense when husband George (George Kennedy) came home, and the odd stranger turned out to be his half-brother, trying to shake George down for a portion of his inheritance. But there again, the casting was all wrong when it was revealed that Colin was the older brother, when in real life, Kennedy was eight years older than Nelson, and it definitely showed! For once though, I wasn't miffed that Hitchcock came along at the end of the program to state that Colin was apprehended and got what was coming to him. I was hoping for that myself.
Throw It In the Basement
Hitchcoc25 May 2023
The whole thing with the gas and the doorknobs is really dumb. Let's backtrack. Somehow this husband and wife ended up married. He is a petulant, insensitive twerp. She wants to be done with him. She is having an affair but the "gas man" shows up. It then becomes a fact that the gas man is the brother of her husband and wants half of the inheritance that wen to said husband. From then on it gets even more stupid (if that is possible). The gas man says he has malaria and ends up taking a shower (huh!). Then he and the wife plot against the husband. But she calls the police and that leads to Plan B. I can't go on!
Twists & turns
lor_10 July 2023
The twists and turns come on strong in this oddball, unsettling Hitchcock episode, It's clearly not meant for all tastes (check the varied IMDb reactions for example) in trying to exploit and outdo the limitations of the suspense genre.
Credibility is not a key issue here -one must be willing to suspend disbelief in a big way to stick with the everchanging set of facts, assumptions and complications in mainly a dramatic play starring Lola Albright and Barry Nelson. As the completely crazy (or is he?) gas reader visiting the lovely housewife's home he keeps spinning tall tales and weak explanations for his odd behavior, with blackmail, infidelity and larceny all popping up during their often comical standoff.
The show pivots at the half-way point and goes off in an entirely different direction when husband George Kennedy returns home. It probably would have played better as a half-hour episode, as opposed to its hour-long broadcast version that outlives its welcome.
I did enjoy watching the beautiful Lola Albright, looking just like a mainstream equivalent of the timeless Adult actress Julai Ann a couple of decades later.
Credibility is not a key issue here -one must be willing to suspend disbelief in a big way to stick with the everchanging set of facts, assumptions and complications in mainly a dramatic play starring Lola Albright and Barry Nelson. As the completely crazy (or is he?) gas reader visiting the lovely housewife's home he keeps spinning tall tales and weak explanations for his odd behavior, with blackmail, infidelity and larceny all popping up during their often comical standoff.
The show pivots at the half-way point and goes off in an entirely different direction when husband George Kennedy returns home. It probably would have played better as a half-hour episode, as opposed to its hour-long broadcast version that outlives its welcome.
I did enjoy watching the beautiful Lola Albright, looking just like a mainstream equivalent of the timeless Adult actress Julai Ann a couple of decades later.
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