Kiley and Breslin star as a couple on a road trip who are waylaid in a rural Southern town by a brutal, corrupt cop (Matthau). They end up being fleeced by a tow truck mechanic who is in cahoots with the cop and a justice of the peace who serves as the town's judge and jury. Plenty of movies would later use this plot, with considerably more graphic results (especially when it involved comely young females). The discerning viewer will notice something odd about Breslin's character and the way she holds her rather bulky purse. I thought perhaps the seemingly honest couple would turn out to be bank robbers, which would be revealed once they got out of town. The actual revelation of who they are was far more interesting. Matthau puts on a suitable redneck accent for his role.
12 Reviews
One of My Favorites
Hitchcoc6 July 2013
This is the story of a personal nightmare. It has been done before but this is a pretty good effort.. It involves the fragile world entered by people who suddenly find themselves at the mercy of some bad cops in their personal world. From the evil Walter Matthau, a corrupt highway cop and extortionist, to a tow truck driver who his part of an organized ring, to a judge who finishes things off, our main character and his wife are subjected to brutality and fear, over which they have no control. The tension in this episode is all brought on by the helplessness they feel as the expenses mount up, from fixing a wheel bearing that is not damaged, to being beaten for "resisting arrest." The characters try to keep that pose of respectability throughout, but when push comes to shove, they are brutal. This is one of the most frightening of the episodes because it deals in a human situation which could very easily take place. A bad cop has tremendous power because people, for the most part, start with trust. This is a very good offering.
Interesting episode that takes a twist!
blanbrn23 February 2018
This "AHP" episode from 1958 called "Crooked Road" is one that's entertaining and it twist and the plot and themes of locations and timing are interesting. Harry Adams and his wife are a classy and sophisticated couple who are traveling along the highways from up north thru the south. Then all of a sudden a trap an apparent road block they are pulled over for an apparent road violation only soon they find out that this small place and little town in the south is much different as corruption and money draining is the norm! Walter Matthau hams it up as Chandler a small town county deputy who's crooked. Only in the end and all thru it this couple has a plan that will show the cat and mouse game played by the crooked town!
Hitchcockian perfection
grizzledgeezer25 February 2018
Don't worry. No spoilers.
Many "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" episodes have surprise or twist endings -- the very first of them (S1E1) being a classic example.
This is another one, with Richard Kiley and his wife abused and extorted by slimy yokels. Paul Henreid's tense direction induces an incredible amount of hatred in the viewer. When the mechanic threatens Kiley with a wrench, you hope he'll grab the wrench and beat him to death.
He doesn't. What does happen is -- there's no other word for it -- delicious. You'll be grinning from ear to ear.
Many "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" episodes have surprise or twist endings -- the very first of them (S1E1) being a classic example.
This is another one, with Richard Kiley and his wife abused and extorted by slimy yokels. Paul Henreid's tense direction induces an incredible amount of hatred in the viewer. When the mechanic threatens Kiley with a wrench, you hope he'll grab the wrench and beat him to death.
He doesn't. What does happen is -- there's no other word for it -- delicious. You'll be grinning from ear to ear.
This one makes your blood boil!
planktonrules2 April 2021
Harry (Richard Kiley) and the missus are traveling cross country when they drive through a small town run by crooks. He is pulled over for speeding and wreckless driving even though he was doing neither. He also is slapped around by the cop, run off the road and the cop INSISTS that Harry pay a local tow truck to fix the car even though it only has a flat tire...but the cop insists its badly damaged and in need of repairs! Well, Harry is furious and when they go to see the judge, he seems eager to tell his side. The judge, however, is part of this conspiracy and soon the cop (Walter Matthau) begins slapping Harry about as the judge watches. Soon Harry is assessed all sorts of fines for various crimes he never committed...and he seems powerless to do anything but pay.
This episode is one that might make your blood boil. I have has a couple situations which have been reminiscent of this scam (trying driving through Stark, Florida and you will likely see what I mean). Fortunately, while you'll feel for Harry is does end will with a nice twist. A most unusual and worthy episode that's well worth your time. Exceptional in every way.
This episode is one that might make your blood boil. I have has a couple situations which have been reminiscent of this scam (trying driving through Stark, Florida and you will likely see what I mean). Fortunately, while you'll feel for Harry is does end will with a nice twist. A most unusual and worthy episode that's well worth your time. Exceptional in every way.
Another Clever Timeless Episode
Greatornot29 November 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Fantastic episode about a couple that is just crossing through 'smalltown' USA , coming from 'big City' USA. The Adams could be any couple just making their way through town. Their fate is decided by an overzealous, crooked cop, played by Walter Matthau... A very young Matthau. Excellently acted by all. Seems this little ,rural town makes its money from unsuspecting passers by. The Adams far from lawbreakers , are unceremoniously driven off the road by these rogue officers , led by Matthau and forced into financial retribution that seemingly goes into the pockets of towtruck driver-mechanic,cops and 'judge'.Think of 'The Andy Griffith Show' gone mad and unfriendly. This is perhaps an over exaggeration of small town USA. Perhaps even a bit on the unpolitically correct side, judging by todays standards. An excellent portrayal of comeuppance we come to expect from a Hitchcock production. I wont give it away. A brilliant part of TV history and worth the price of this DVD set just for this episode. Even so, I believe this is offered on IMDb. Watch this 27 minute classic and you wont be disappointed.
A drive to hell and back.
dapplez24 February 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I used to watch Alfred Hitchcock Presents as a kid with the family around the TV set. This show, along with Perry Mason, The Twilight Zone and the Ed Sullivan Show were events the whole family looked forward to each week.
Of all the dozens of episodes of Hitchcock Presents that I have seen, it is this episode that has always stuck out the most in my mind. So I was delighted to get the opportunity to finally see it again. And it holds up just as well today, if not better.
When I first saw it I, like most viewers, had no idea who Walter Matthau was. I am now a fan of his best work, films like Hopscotch, Charade, Mirage and the Bad News Bears. This episode is in that class. He plays the part of the crooked Southern small town cop to perfection.
I think when you first see this episode, especially in decades long ago, the viewer gets the feeling of helpless terror in the hands of a crooked system with crooked witnesses in a small, out of the way town far from home. It is epitome of an archetypal nightmare lurking in our subconscious, which is the essence of Hitchcock. It is truly a drive to hell in a hand basket. Plus, there was a time when speed traps were not uncommon in small towns, especially before the Interstate Highways, or so I've heard.
Fear of the police had been the ultimate nightmare of Alfred Hitchcock, himself, ever since his father sent him to the police station with a note for the captain saying to lock this boy up for awhile, which he did! Yet, while Matthau knows just how to press the right buttons for the couple driving through town to scare them into compliance, he doesn't go too far. He is not as sadistic as, for example, the Alabama officers in Driving Miss Daisy. Efficiently crooked would be a better description.
What is brought out in such sharp relief is the feeling that no one would believe you if you complained; it would be your word against the police, judge, etc. How often have we all felt that way? It's a fear similar to, but taken to the ultimate extreme in, Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
I think it is this simple, pure story line that makes Crooked Road stand out after so many years. Once you see it, you may want to watch it again to see just how finely tuned the acting is, in light of the totally unexpected ending.
Credit for fine directing goes to Paul Henreid of Casablanca fame. And Patricia Breslin sure is easy on the eyes!
Of all the dozens of episodes of Hitchcock Presents that I have seen, it is this episode that has always stuck out the most in my mind. So I was delighted to get the opportunity to finally see it again. And it holds up just as well today, if not better.
When I first saw it I, like most viewers, had no idea who Walter Matthau was. I am now a fan of his best work, films like Hopscotch, Charade, Mirage and the Bad News Bears. This episode is in that class. He plays the part of the crooked Southern small town cop to perfection.
I think when you first see this episode, especially in decades long ago, the viewer gets the feeling of helpless terror in the hands of a crooked system with crooked witnesses in a small, out of the way town far from home. It is epitome of an archetypal nightmare lurking in our subconscious, which is the essence of Hitchcock. It is truly a drive to hell in a hand basket. Plus, there was a time when speed traps were not uncommon in small towns, especially before the Interstate Highways, or so I've heard.
Fear of the police had been the ultimate nightmare of Alfred Hitchcock, himself, ever since his father sent him to the police station with a note for the captain saying to lock this boy up for awhile, which he did! Yet, while Matthau knows just how to press the right buttons for the couple driving through town to scare them into compliance, he doesn't go too far. He is not as sadistic as, for example, the Alabama officers in Driving Miss Daisy. Efficiently crooked would be a better description.
What is brought out in such sharp relief is the feeling that no one would believe you if you complained; it would be your word against the police, judge, etc. How often have we all felt that way? It's a fear similar to, but taken to the ultimate extreme in, Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
I think it is this simple, pure story line that makes Crooked Road stand out after so many years. Once you see it, you may want to watch it again to see just how finely tuned the acting is, in light of the totally unexpected ending.
Credit for fine directing goes to Paul Henreid of Casablanca fame. And Patricia Breslin sure is easy on the eyes!
Crooked Authority
hellraiser712 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Warning don't read unless seen episode.
This is my fifth favorite tale in the series. This one I'll admit is really scary because it deals with a real issue that we actually still have to this day on authoritative corruption. It's also in a way about our subconscious fear on getting on the wrong side of the law; or having the very thing we depend on to protect us turn on us.
Walter Mathau is great as a crooked sheriff you just plain hate; and this episode was one of this actors debuts, a lot of well known actors have had their start playing bad guys. Anyway, this Sheriff is a total scumbag that is a disgrace to his uniform and badge.
You really feel bad for this young couple whom did nothing wrong and are law abiding. Though what I like is that both are intelligent they actually know a lot about the law; that part I'll admit first seeing the episode made me wonder if both worked for a law firm or something, but that tidbit shows both truly are allies of the law. Where the scumbag Sheriff along with the other scum he rides with the Judge and Mechanic are traitors.
There are times where I was actually worried about their lives as we see the Sheriff punches the husband a couple of times in two scenes. Seeing that I was afraid that things could escalate or worse they might end up dead and the Sheriff and Judge would have the power to cover it up which is a really scary possibility.
The ending though put a big smile on my face because it goes with the old saying, "No one is above the law."
Rating: 4 stars
This is my fifth favorite tale in the series. This one I'll admit is really scary because it deals with a real issue that we actually still have to this day on authoritative corruption. It's also in a way about our subconscious fear on getting on the wrong side of the law; or having the very thing we depend on to protect us turn on us.
Walter Mathau is great as a crooked sheriff you just plain hate; and this episode was one of this actors debuts, a lot of well known actors have had their start playing bad guys. Anyway, this Sheriff is a total scumbag that is a disgrace to his uniform and badge.
You really feel bad for this young couple whom did nothing wrong and are law abiding. Though what I like is that both are intelligent they actually know a lot about the law; that part I'll admit first seeing the episode made me wonder if both worked for a law firm or something, but that tidbit shows both truly are allies of the law. Where the scumbag Sheriff along with the other scum he rides with the Judge and Mechanic are traitors.
There are times where I was actually worried about their lives as we see the Sheriff punches the husband a couple of times in two scenes. Seeing that I was afraid that things could escalate or worse they might end up dead and the Sheriff and Judge would have the power to cover it up which is a really scary possibility.
The ending though put a big smile on my face because it goes with the old saying, "No one is above the law."
Rating: 4 stars
Drive along the crooked road
TheLittleSongbird3 May 2023
"The Crooked Road" was one of those episodes where this reviewer had a really strong feeling it would be at least very good. The premise is so deliciously dark sounding and suspenseful, and anybody who has read my reviews for other 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes will know of good premises being a big factor in seeing any film, show etc. Paul Henreid's output of the series has wildly varied, with almost all ranging between average and very good with few exceptional and no real misfires.
One of the few exceptional episodes is "The Crooked Road". It is every bit as delicious as the premise promises and some and sees the whole cast at the top of their game in either roles that played to their strengths or against type. Season 4 was mostly very high quality up to this very early point, with only "Don't Interrupt" (badly) misfiring, and even after the season ended "The Crooked Road" is one of the season's finest. Of Henreid's output, it is easily somewhere around top 5 and one of not many truly exceptional episodes of his.
Everything works here. It is very well made, not lavish but very rich in atmosphere (especially some suitably moody shots) and slick. Henreid's direction ensures that the tension does not slip and it is some of his most assured and most inspired, after seeing episodes of his where his direction was undistinguished. There are no faults with the acting, with Walter Matthau clearly having a whale of a time without being too out of kilter hammy.
Richard Kiley beautifully portrays a character who is easy to root for. Patricia Breslin is alluring and her chemistry with Kiley helps make their couple rootable yet also unsettling the more the helplessness increases. Hitchcock's bookending is still wildly entertaining and full of his usual droll humour. The main theme has never gotten old and fits the tone of the series beautifully.
Furthermore, the script s intelligent and as lean as beautifully cooked steak. The story is darkly suspenseful and unsettlingly really makes the blood boil in a situation that was relevant back then and not out of date unfortunately today. What is also shocking about it is how easily it happens and it is truly frightening. The ending is absolutely deliciously wicked and didn't see it coming in any way, actually it left me floored.
Summing up, absolutely brilliant. 10/10.
One of the few exceptional episodes is "The Crooked Road". It is every bit as delicious as the premise promises and some and sees the whole cast at the top of their game in either roles that played to their strengths or against type. Season 4 was mostly very high quality up to this very early point, with only "Don't Interrupt" (badly) misfiring, and even after the season ended "The Crooked Road" is one of the season's finest. Of Henreid's output, it is easily somewhere around top 5 and one of not many truly exceptional episodes of his.
Everything works here. It is very well made, not lavish but very rich in atmosphere (especially some suitably moody shots) and slick. Henreid's direction ensures that the tension does not slip and it is some of his most assured and most inspired, after seeing episodes of his where his direction was undistinguished. There are no faults with the acting, with Walter Matthau clearly having a whale of a time without being too out of kilter hammy.
Richard Kiley beautifully portrays a character who is easy to root for. Patricia Breslin is alluring and her chemistry with Kiley helps make their couple rootable yet also unsettling the more the helplessness increases. Hitchcock's bookending is still wildly entertaining and full of his usual droll humour. The main theme has never gotten old and fits the tone of the series beautifully.
Furthermore, the script s intelligent and as lean as beautifully cooked steak. The story is darkly suspenseful and unsettlingly really makes the blood boil in a situation that was relevant back then and not out of date unfortunately today. What is also shocking about it is how easily it happens and it is truly frightening. The ending is absolutely deliciously wicked and didn't see it coming in any way, actually it left me floored.
Summing up, absolutely brilliant. 10/10.
Highway Robbery
sol121827 November 2012
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS*** Driving through the sleepy southern town of Robertsville Harry Adams and his wife, Richard Kiely & Pat Breslin, casually pass a police car thats going under the speed limit of 50 MPH. As Harry soon finds out it was a speed trap that he was suckered into by the towns police officer Chandler,Walter Matthau,who stopped his car and started hassling him about going over the speed limit even though he was the person who tricked him, by passing his going under the speed limit squad car, into doing it! What a shocked Harry and his wife soon also realize is that this Chandler has a whole racket going on in stopping out of state drivers and shaking them down both not only for speeding tickets but having their perfectly in good condition cars fixed by his partner in crime the local garage mechanic Charlie Brown, Richard Erdman, as well as have the local Judge Charles Whatts double fining them for not cooperating!
Harry knowing that he's been blackmailed into paying off Chandler & Co. well over $100.00 in 1958 dollars has no choice but to just go along with the scam in order not to be arrested and end up spending the weekend behind bars. Still he gets a few good words in by letting Charlie Brown the "good cop" if you can call him that, compared to Chandler's "bad cop", of the money grabbing trio have it! Only to get under the skin of the at first folksy and very understanding Charlie. Which in fact so rattled the guy up that he almost smashed Harry's skull in with a wrench!
***SPOILERS*** It's not all bad for Harry & his wife as we later find out. Sure they had to put up with Chandler and his gang of car thieves ,in giving out phony tickets as well as service to, but it was he who'll end up getting the last laugh. And by this time tomorrow it would be the "honest" and "law abiding" Officer Chandler who'll end up spending time being behind bars and not in front of them!
Harry knowing that he's been blackmailed into paying off Chandler & Co. well over $100.00 in 1958 dollars has no choice but to just go along with the scam in order not to be arrested and end up spending the weekend behind bars. Still he gets a few good words in by letting Charlie Brown the "good cop" if you can call him that, compared to Chandler's "bad cop", of the money grabbing trio have it! Only to get under the skin of the at first folksy and very understanding Charlie. Which in fact so rattled the guy up that he almost smashed Harry's skull in with a wrench!
***SPOILERS*** It's not all bad for Harry & his wife as we later find out. Sure they had to put up with Chandler and his gang of car thieves ,in giving out phony tickets as well as service to, but it was he who'll end up getting the last laugh. And by this time tomorrow it would be the "honest" and "law abiding" Officer Chandler who'll end up spending time being behind bars and not in front of them!
LICENSE, REGISTRATION AND ALL YOUR CASH!
tcchelsey20 October 2023
You have to love this one. Richard Kiley and Pat Breslin make a great team and a terrific match against devious copper Walter Matthau. 10 Stars.
Actually, this story is NOT that far from the truth, nevertheless fun as it all takes place in a typical Hitchcock environment; a long empty road leading to some remote town. Enter wiseguy cop Matthau, and I agree with the last reviewer he hams it up. He pulls aside Kiley and his wife (in their sharp, new Lincoln Continental no less) for driving a few miles over the speed limit. Legally, they didn't do anything wrong because they had to speed up to pass Matthau's slow squad car ---but tell that to the judge!
And they do, and he's just as crooked as Matthau, whose also just as crooked as the garage mechanic who works on their car, which was forced off the road. What a Hitchcock dilemma to be in... or is it?
Paul Henreid (CASABLANCA), a favorite of Hitchcock, got the best from this cast, particularly Walter Matthau, who you just love to hate. Henreid started directing later in his acting career, and handled many prime tv shows. At the time of this episode, he directed two films.
Unless you have seen this before... you will never guess the ending, and so righteously fitting.
The best of SEASON 4, EPISODE 4 remastered Universal dvd box set. 4 dvds. 15 hrs 30 min. 2008 release.
Actually, this story is NOT that far from the truth, nevertheless fun as it all takes place in a typical Hitchcock environment; a long empty road leading to some remote town. Enter wiseguy cop Matthau, and I agree with the last reviewer he hams it up. He pulls aside Kiley and his wife (in their sharp, new Lincoln Continental no less) for driving a few miles over the speed limit. Legally, they didn't do anything wrong because they had to speed up to pass Matthau's slow squad car ---but tell that to the judge!
And they do, and he's just as crooked as Matthau, whose also just as crooked as the garage mechanic who works on their car, which was forced off the road. What a Hitchcock dilemma to be in... or is it?
Paul Henreid (CASABLANCA), a favorite of Hitchcock, got the best from this cast, particularly Walter Matthau, who you just love to hate. Henreid started directing later in his acting career, and handled many prime tv shows. At the time of this episode, he directed two films.
Unless you have seen this before... you will never guess the ending, and so righteously fitting.
The best of SEASON 4, EPISODE 4 remastered Universal dvd box set. 4 dvds. 15 hrs 30 min. 2008 release.
"Justice never sleeps in Robertsville, you know."
classicsoncall1 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I'm not going to stick up for the authorities in the podunk little town the Adams got tangled up with, but who else thinks that accelerating past the speed limit to pass a police car is a good idea? Or even legal, the way Harry Adams (Richard Kiley) tried to argue? And all because the cop (Walter Matthau) was driving just two miles under the speed limit to begin with. The whole set up just didn't feel right for this viewer. I could sympathize with the fate of the couple afterwards as one thing led to another, but if Harry had heeded his wife (Patricia Breslin) and reined in his emotions, things might have worked better in their favor. But that wasn't really the point when it comes time to resolve how this escapade was going to end. The whole while you're wondering where the story is leading to winds up with one of those classic Hitchcockian twists where the preyed upon get the last laugh. Their revenge would be sweet, but in 1958 dollars, I think I'd rather have my money back.
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