Quite honestly, I didn't get a whole lot out of this episode. Seeking revenge on a man who bilked him out of thirteen thousand dollars, Ray Clements (Mark Damon) shows up at a monastery where the criminal Dave Rocco has sought sanctuary. Using the alias of the thief's partner, Ray's intent is to kill him, not only for the theft, but for the death of his father who he blames on Rocco. The story could have been over when the monastery's chief monk returned the original sum to Ray, but upon returning to the train station from which he arrived, Clements is met by the other half of the criminal pair (Joe Downing). A gunfight between the two men leaves Floyd Unser dead and Clements wounded. Clements is trailed back to the monastery by a pair of cops who believe murder was involved, but in an awkward scene, Clements describes their shootout as one of self defense. Listening in from behind a closed door, the lead cop (Claude Akins) pretty much takes it on faith that Clements' story is true, and dismisses the idea of murder almost casually, indicating that the bad guy had it coming, a good grief moment if I ever heard one. If there's a message to be gleaned from the story, it most likely has to do with the idea that seeking revenge doesn't necessarily solve one's problems, and that forgiveness and love ought to be one's guiding principles. It would have helped though, if Father Vincente (Everett Sloane) had told Clements that Dave Rocco was already dead by the time Ray arrived at the monastery. With money in hand and revenge a moot point, the hook up with Unser might have been entirely avoided.
11 Reviews
Revenge...not a good thing.
planktonrules18 February 2021
Mr. Clements has traveled through a snow storm in order to make his way to some monastery. He claims to be Mr. Unser, a friend of Rocco. As for Rocco, he was injured in some accident and the monks were taking care of him. So why does Clements come to this place using a phony name? It's because Rocco robbed him and helped destroy his life...and he plans on killing the man! But the monks see through this and don't give him this opportunity for revenge. So what's next? See the show.
This is a fair episode about revenge...not bad but no especially memorable. Which, for most anthology programs, is the norm.
This is a fair episode about revenge...not bad but no especially memorable. Which, for most anthology programs, is the norm.
Revenge is Not Always Sweet!
Hitchcoc9 October 2008
A gangster has been badly injured and is being cared for in a monastery. While there, a young man played by Mark Damon comes, determined to get back some money that was taken from him. He also blames the man for the death of his father, who died, ashamed of his son. There is a third party, a small time crook. Much of the story reveals that the young man has roots in the Catholic church and the Abbott tries to convince him that what he is doing is wrong. Another monk says, "If you look into the face of a man you have killed, you will never be the same again." The young man decides to depart after observing vespers and having a bit of his youth tug at him. Unfortunately, there is a third man after the money, and things get complicated. The weakest thing in the episode is a quick decision made by police officer, Claude Akins. Just a bit too convenient. That aside, it works pretty well.
Tepid
dougdoepke13 May 2016
Religiously themed show, featuring pretty boy Mark Damon, an unusual appearance for the series. Damon's youthful Clements travels to a monastery to wreak revenge on a man housed there who stole money from him. Father Vincente, the authoritative Everett Sloane, tries to talk him out of it through their shared religious background. Clements wavers, but will he give it up.
It's not a very riveting entry. Only a little suspense builds as we wonder what the lad will do. But the casting of an innocent-looking Damon pretty much telegraphs the outcome. Still, the ending is subtly ironic if you think about it. Note too, that Brother Jared's appeal to Clements is made on humanitarian grounds, not explicitly religious as might be expected. That way the episode avoids sectarian entanglements with its audience. And I agree with the reviewer who observes that these early episodes appear very cheaply produced. My guess is the money went into casting as it does here with movie vet Sloane. Fortunately, story and acting were uppermost in this superior dramatic series.
It's not a very riveting entry. Only a little suspense builds as we wonder what the lad will do. But the casting of an innocent-looking Damon pretty much telegraphs the outcome. Still, the ending is subtly ironic if you think about it. Note too, that Brother Jared's appeal to Clements is made on humanitarian grounds, not explicitly religious as might be expected. That way the episode avoids sectarian entanglements with its audience. And I agree with the reviewer who observes that these early episodes appear very cheaply produced. My guess is the money went into casting as it does here with movie vet Sloane. Fortunately, story and acting were uppermost in this superior dramatic series.
To find a thief
TheLittleSongbird9 March 2022
Although not an original idea, the story sounded very interesting nonetheless and done right it had real potential to be very suspenseful. It was great to have series regular Robert Stevens back in the director's chair and with a premise that seemed like it would be right up its alley. While not liking every episode he did, Stevens also directed some fine episodes and among the best were in Season 1. Everett Sloane was always more than capable and was very intrigued by his role.
"Place of Shadows" by all means is not one of the best 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes or among the best of Stevens' entries. It is also not one of the worst of the series. Putting it in any category, it's in the solid middle one, with a good deal done presently and correctly but there was something missing. Most things here were done better in other episodes and there are things that are in those episodes that aren't there quite so much here in "Place of Shadows".
Beginning with what could have been better, the pace could have been tighter and the story did need more suspense than what was given. It's capably told, but it could have been much more.
There have been much better resolutions in the series. Do agree that a major decision is made far too fast and too conveniently, which is not easy to swallow, and the twist is more tepid and doesn't have the shock or surprise factor.
Will agree too that "Place of Shadows" is not one of the best looking episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'. Did get the sense that the budget was low and that it was made in a hurry, the sparse sets give it away in particular.
Having said all of that, a lot is good. Mark Damon is a character worth identifying with and he plays him with enough edge to stop him from being bland. All the cast are solid, but the best performance does come from Sloane who does have a great commanding presence and has the most interesting character. The human psychology is very intriguing and doesn't feel under-explored while it doesn't feel heavy handed.
Despite the story being lacking a bit, it still grabs the attention enough and doesn't feel too simplistic while also being easy to follow. Some of the photography is stylish and Stevens directs assuredly. Hitchcock's bookending entertains in its drollness while the use of the main theme still haunts. The script intrigues, even if in need of more spark.
Overall, decent if somewhat middling. 6/10.
"Place of Shadows" by all means is not one of the best 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes or among the best of Stevens' entries. It is also not one of the worst of the series. Putting it in any category, it's in the solid middle one, with a good deal done presently and correctly but there was something missing. Most things here were done better in other episodes and there are things that are in those episodes that aren't there quite so much here in "Place of Shadows".
Beginning with what could have been better, the pace could have been tighter and the story did need more suspense than what was given. It's capably told, but it could have been much more.
There have been much better resolutions in the series. Do agree that a major decision is made far too fast and too conveniently, which is not easy to swallow, and the twist is more tepid and doesn't have the shock or surprise factor.
Will agree too that "Place of Shadows" is not one of the best looking episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'. Did get the sense that the budget was low and that it was made in a hurry, the sparse sets give it away in particular.
Having said all of that, a lot is good. Mark Damon is a character worth identifying with and he plays him with enough edge to stop him from being bland. All the cast are solid, but the best performance does come from Sloane who does have a great commanding presence and has the most interesting character. The human psychology is very intriguing and doesn't feel under-explored while it doesn't feel heavy handed.
Despite the story being lacking a bit, it still grabs the attention enough and doesn't feel too simplistic while also being easy to follow. Some of the photography is stylish and Stevens directs assuredly. Hitchcock's bookending entertains in its drollness while the use of the main theme still haunts. The script intrigues, even if in need of more spark.
Overall, decent if somewhat middling. 6/10.
Standard crime thriller.
b_kite19 August 2019
Our episode starts with a man visiting a monastery, claiming to the main priest Father Vincente (Everett Sloane) to be Floyd Unser and that he is there to see a man named Rocco who is in the churches care. Vincente however identifies the man as Ray Clements (Mark Damon) instead and we discover that Clements is here to kill Rocco for presumably ruining his life, including may having to due something with the death of his father. Vincente tries to convince Clements to drop his quest for revenge even giving him back his $13,000 stolen from him. Clements still makes his intentions known, but, when a third party becomes involved, in this case the real Floyd Unser (Joe Downing) things become even more complicated. A pretty standard crime thriller from this show with the usual good twist even though it didn't hit me as hard as most have. The story is pretty strait forward and other then a unbelieveably quick resolution from a cop played by Claude Akins at the end is pretty good. Was nice to see a young Mark Damon who would spend the second half of his career in Italian westerns and European cinema.
Get Rocco!
sol12185 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS**** It was that crook and two timing shyster David Rocco who had just about ruined young Ray Clements, Mark Damon,life. Having gotten him fired from his job and his girl walking out on him Ray was facing time behind bars for embezzling his company, that he was fired from, of $13,000.00 with Rocco's connivance that's he's now in debt in paying off. The final nail on the coffin was Ray's father dropping dead from a massive heart-attack as a result of Rocco's dirty dealing. That had a looking for revenge Ray rush over to this up-state New York Catholic monastery where a near dead Rocco was being kept, and looked after, in order to finish him off for good.
With Ray trying to impersonate Rocco's fellow crook Floyd Unser, Joe Downing, the head of the monetary Father Vincente, Everett Sloane, sees right through his act and tells him, in knowing what Ray is up to, that Rocco is in no condition to accept any visitors. What's more Ray is told by Father Vincente that the dying hoodlum has made peace with his maker and those he stiffed and wanted Ray to have, which Rocco left in an envelope, the $13,000.00 he stole and left him to take the rap for. Feeling that all accounts are now settled with Rocco Ray decides to get back home to NYC by stopping at the train station that he just came from.
***SPOILERS*** It's at the train station that Ray runs into the real Floyd Unser who's there to grab the $13,000.00 that Rocco left him! In a wild gunfight Ray is badly injured and Unser killed with Ray being brought back to the monetary to be treated for his wounds. Like Rocco Ray soon sees he error of his way in all the pent up hatred he developed over the years against the now truly repetitive David Rocco.
It's the cops who arrive at the monastery who see what Ray as well as father Vicente and Brother Jared (Everett Glass), who killed 11 German soldiers in combat in WWII, saw all along. That killing isn't the answer, only love is, to one's problems no matter what that person did to you or your loved ones. It only turns you into the very monster that you end up killing! And as for the cops they soon realize that Ray in killing Unser did it in self-defense and forget about arresting him leaving Ray to the tender care of those in the monetary to bring him back to health!
P.S As for David Rocco he passed away just moments before Ray showed up to whack him so as it turned out all this in Ray seeking revenge and almost getting killed and ending up killing-Floyd Unser-was totally unnecessary!
With Ray trying to impersonate Rocco's fellow crook Floyd Unser, Joe Downing, the head of the monetary Father Vincente, Everett Sloane, sees right through his act and tells him, in knowing what Ray is up to, that Rocco is in no condition to accept any visitors. What's more Ray is told by Father Vincente that the dying hoodlum has made peace with his maker and those he stiffed and wanted Ray to have, which Rocco left in an envelope, the $13,000.00 he stole and left him to take the rap for. Feeling that all accounts are now settled with Rocco Ray decides to get back home to NYC by stopping at the train station that he just came from.
***SPOILERS*** It's at the train station that Ray runs into the real Floyd Unser who's there to grab the $13,000.00 that Rocco left him! In a wild gunfight Ray is badly injured and Unser killed with Ray being brought back to the monetary to be treated for his wounds. Like Rocco Ray soon sees he error of his way in all the pent up hatred he developed over the years against the now truly repetitive David Rocco.
It's the cops who arrive at the monastery who see what Ray as well as father Vicente and Brother Jared (Everett Glass), who killed 11 German soldiers in combat in WWII, saw all along. That killing isn't the answer, only love is, to one's problems no matter what that person did to you or your loved ones. It only turns you into the very monster that you end up killing! And as for the cops they soon realize that Ray in killing Unser did it in self-defense and forget about arresting him leaving Ray to the tender care of those in the monetary to bring him back to health!
P.S As for David Rocco he passed away just moments before Ray showed up to whack him so as it turned out all this in Ray seeking revenge and almost getting killed and ending up killing-Floyd Unser-was totally unnecessary!
The vengeance is a simply exchange, a life for another life, this fine episode focuses in this matter!!!
elo-equipamentos28 March 2021
On early commentaries Hitch implied that the faster technology on making TV sets in near future the viewers could be throw things straight into the tube to hit the actors, presenters and others people just in case if they dislike the offer, performance or something like that, surely a joke, however wasn't a bad idea if it becomes possible.
Awesome episode about a young man Ray Clements (Mark Damon) arrives at train Station (once more Hitch applies his favorite key element, the night train) looking for a monastery where got shelter for a man who stolen his money, he was driven there by Brother Gerard (Sean McClory) and submitted to old father Vincente in charge of the order, Clements told to kindly Father the whole story, unless his real name, he presenting himself as Floyd Unser, the smart Father Vincente exposes to young boy that his physical aspects doesn't fit on the accurate description of Unser.
Distressed for be debunked by the upstanding Father at last Clements explains such hoax, the father delivers to her all money stolen to him, hence he can pay his debts and clean your name however Clements claims that his father died for deep grief, thus he ought revenge his father's dead, nonetheless Clements was raise under Christian's teaching the money recovered wasn't enough to erase his beyond repair lost.
Here Hitchcock sets out nothing about religions or something, it's a matter of awareness that all concerning the human being itself, his principles, beliefs and so on, the episode has a special meaning on the upshot!!
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 2021 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 8.
Awesome episode about a young man Ray Clements (Mark Damon) arrives at train Station (once more Hitch applies his favorite key element, the night train) looking for a monastery where got shelter for a man who stolen his money, he was driven there by Brother Gerard (Sean McClory) and submitted to old father Vincente in charge of the order, Clements told to kindly Father the whole story, unless his real name, he presenting himself as Floyd Unser, the smart Father Vincente exposes to young boy that his physical aspects doesn't fit on the accurate description of Unser.
Distressed for be debunked by the upstanding Father at last Clements explains such hoax, the father delivers to her all money stolen to him, hence he can pay his debts and clean your name however Clements claims that his father died for deep grief, thus he ought revenge his father's dead, nonetheless Clements was raise under Christian's teaching the money recovered wasn't enough to erase his beyond repair lost.
Here Hitchcock sets out nothing about religions or something, it's a matter of awareness that all concerning the human being itself, his principles, beliefs and so on, the episode has a special meaning on the upshot!!
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 2021 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 8.
Ego Te Shooto.
rmax30482322 March 2012
Warning: Spoilers
A rather routine entry in the series, which is not bad. A young man visits an isolated monastery because the brothers there are providing medical treatment and sanctuary for a gangster. The young man blames the gangster for ruining his life and causing the death of his father.
Everett Sloan is the head monk. He's hardly recognizable, draped in these Capuchin robes and with his wild head of blond hair peeking out from under his yarmulke. Sloan talks about mercy and such to the young man. The young man finally gives up his quest for money and revenge and goes back to the shack that serves as the railroad station. He unexpectedly encounters another gangster. There is a shoot out. The gangster is killed while the young man is returned to the monastery.
The police discover the guy's whereabouts but, after overhearing the kid's description of what happened, one of the cops (Claude Akins) shrugs and remarks, "Sounds like (the gangster) got everything that was coming to him." The cops leave. That kid would have been much more roughly handled by Dirty Harry or Lenny Brisco.
There's no real twist at the ending unless, after the end, having found that revenge is bitter, the young man joins the monastery and turns celibate and forgiving, but that seems unlikely.
I'm beginning to notice that, except for the salary of some of the better-known actors, these budgets must have been tiny -- to the point at which the rooms are barely furnished.
Everett Sloan is the head monk. He's hardly recognizable, draped in these Capuchin robes and with his wild head of blond hair peeking out from under his yarmulke. Sloan talks about mercy and such to the young man. The young man finally gives up his quest for money and revenge and goes back to the shack that serves as the railroad station. He unexpectedly encounters another gangster. There is a shoot out. The gangster is killed while the young man is returned to the monastery.
The police discover the guy's whereabouts but, after overhearing the kid's description of what happened, one of the cops (Claude Akins) shrugs and remarks, "Sounds like (the gangster) got everything that was coming to him." The cops leave. That kid would have been much more roughly handled by Dirty Harry or Lenny Brisco.
There's no real twist at the ending unless, after the end, having found that revenge is bitter, the young man joins the monastery and turns celibate and forgiving, but that seems unlikely.
I'm beginning to notice that, except for the salary of some of the better-known actors, these budgets must have been tiny -- to the point at which the rooms are barely furnished.
I'D LIKE TO KILL SOMEONE, THAT'S ALL!
tcchelsey15 February 2024
Yes, there's lots of shadows and atmosphere in this 10 Star episode, hands down one of the best from the first season. Another example why Robert C. Dennis was an outstanding tv writer, and Robert Stevens, one of the all time top directors. Hitch did his homework.
Interestingly, this is one of the few episodes to have an all male cast. Prolific actor Everett Sloane returns to the series, playing insightful Father Vicente, who runs a remote monestary and has a strange, new guest.
Mark Damon, in his only appearance, portrays a bitter young man called Clements, who has traced another man he absolutely despises to the monestary. He is seeking revenge, and basically asks Father Vicente to look the other way so he can settle an old score.
Not an easy request, and as you would expect. Watch what happens. Terrific acting.
Damon is very good in this role, of course, a hero to horror film buffs, known for the HOUSE OF USHER (1960), opposite Vincent Price, and BLACK SABBATH (1964), starring Boris Karloff. Everett Sloane shines here and certainly steals the show. Look for Claude Akins, in an early role, playing a cop.
Truly, an original story that will hold your attention and keep you guessing, always Hitch's intention. SEASON 1 EPISODE 22 remastered Universal dvd box set No. 1.
Interestingly, this is one of the few episodes to have an all male cast. Prolific actor Everett Sloane returns to the series, playing insightful Father Vicente, who runs a remote monestary and has a strange, new guest.
Mark Damon, in his only appearance, portrays a bitter young man called Clements, who has traced another man he absolutely despises to the monestary. He is seeking revenge, and basically asks Father Vicente to look the other way so he can settle an old score.
Not an easy request, and as you would expect. Watch what happens. Terrific acting.
Damon is very good in this role, of course, a hero to horror film buffs, known for the HOUSE OF USHER (1960), opposite Vincent Price, and BLACK SABBATH (1964), starring Boris Karloff. Everett Sloane shines here and certainly steals the show. Look for Claude Akins, in an early role, playing a cop.
Truly, an original story that will hold your attention and keep you guessing, always Hitch's intention. SEASON 1 EPISODE 22 remastered Universal dvd box set No. 1.
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