The Cheney Vase 

When Lyle Endicott is fired from his job at an art museum, he comes up with a plan to take advantage of a trusting invalid whom he befriended at the museum.

Director:

Robert Stevens

Writer:

Robert Blees

Stars:

Alfred Hitchcock, Patricia Collinge, Darren McGavin

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Alfred Hitchcock	...	Himself - Host
Patricia Collinge	...	Martha Cheney
Darren McGavin	...	Lyle Endicott
Carolyn Jones	...	Pamela Waring
George Macready	...	Herbert Koether
Kathryn Card	...	Bella
Ruta Lee	...	Ruby Boyenton

Storyline

Lyle Endicott is a smooth manipulator, but he's not smooth enough to save his job at a Manhattan art museum. And his talent doesn't seem to have gotten him anywhere in life. "Why not just once can something go right for me?" he wonders. Luck finally seems to shine on him when he overhears his boss, Mr. Koether, talking to one of the museum's patrons, Martha Cheney, an invalid who uses a wheelchair. She and Koether call each other by their first names, but their friendship isn't enough to persuade Miss Cheney to sell him the famous Cheney vase. Lyle realizes the heirloom is worth a lot of money -- money that can be his if he manages to insinuate himself into the old woman's life.

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Plot Keywords:

invalid | letter | vase | art museum | wheelchair | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1955 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions, Shamley Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

The small white sink mounted on the wall in Martha's room has no drain or trap under it.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Herbert Koether: I don't intend to discuss it any further. I want you to leave the museum this afternoon.

User Reviews

Notable Cast, Okay Story

The cast is as notable as the story, which is okay even if a bit fragmented. Slimeball Lyle (McGavin) charms his way into wealthy old Martha's (Collinge) mansion with an eye on stealing a valuable hidden vase. The antique is there somewhere, but where. The old lady won't tell, especially after she finds out what a manipulator Lyle is. But what can she do, alone with him in the house. Good to see old pro's like Macready and Collinge picking up paydays, and for once Macready doesn't even have to be the bad guy. And, guys, what about the great eye- candy. Not just one shapely blonde, but two (Jones and Lee), though Jones's career success would come as a brunette. Also, good to see that underrated Mc Gavin showing a charming side, especially with no vampires for Kolchak to hunt down. Anyhow, it's an unexpected ending even if not very plausible. But to me it's the array of performers that remains most memorable.