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Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Mail Order Prophet

  • Episode aired Oct 13, 1957
  • 32m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
597
YOUR RATING
S3.E2
  • S3
  • E2
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  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Jack Klugman and E.G. Marshall in Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955)
  • Comedy
  • Crime
  • Drama
Clerk Ronald Grimes starts receiving letters from a mysterious Mr. Christiani that seemingly predict the future.Clerk Ronald Grimes starts receiving letters from a mysterious Mr. Christiani that seemingly predict the future.Clerk Ronald Grimes starts receiving letters from a mysterious Mr. Christiani that seemingly predict the future.
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
597
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • James Neilson
  • Writers
    • Robert C. Dennis(teleplay)
    • Antony Ferry(story)
  • Stars
    • Alfred Hitchcock
    • E.G. Marshall
    • Jack Klugman
Top credits
  • Director
    • James Neilson
  • Writers
    • Robert C. Dennis(teleplay)
    • Antony Ferry(story)
  • Stars
    • Alfred Hitchcock
    • E.G. Marshall
    • Jack Klugman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 11User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955)
    Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955)
    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Alfred Hitchcock
    Alfred Hitchcock
    • Self - Hostas Self - Host
    E.G. Marshall
    E.G. Marshall
    • Ronald J. Grimesas Ronald J. Grimes
    Jack Klugman
    Jack Klugman
    • George Benedictas George Benedict
    Judson Pratt
    Judson Pratt
    • Postmasteras Postmaster
    Barbara Townsend
    • Secretaryas Secretary
    Ken Christy
    • Bossas Boss
    Linda Watkins
    Linda Watkins
    • Barroom Customeras Barroom Customer
    Victor Romito
    • Tony - Waiteras Tony - Waiter
    Don Ames
    • Bar Patronas Bar Patron
    • (uncredited)
    Ralph Brooks
    • Office Workeras Office Worker
    • (uncredited)
    Rudy Germane
    • Restaurant Patronas Restaurant Patron
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • James Neilson
    • Writers
      • Robert C. Dennis(teleplay)
      • Antony Ferry(story)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    Storyline

    Edit
    One day, Ronald Grimes receives a letter from a Mr. Christiani who says he can predict the future. The letter correctly predicts the outcome of an upcoming election. More letters follow and through gambling, Grimes acquires a large amount of money. A final letter from Christiani asks for a contribution. Grimes gives it quite willingly. —Anonymous / edited by Rob
    • con game
    • stock speculation
    • negotiable bond
    • precognition
    • boxing match
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Horror
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      E.G. Marshall and Jack Klugman both appeared in the classic film "12 Angry Men" that same year. They were Juror #4 and Juror #5, respectively.
    • Goofs
      On the letter addressed to Mr. Ronald J. Grimes, the sender's name is spelled as "Cristiani" or "Crestiani." Either way, the "h" is absent.
    • Quotes

      [afterword]

      Self - Host: [Hitchcock is sitting back in his office chair] This concludes our entertainment. So until next time, when we shall bring you another story,

      [gets up, takes his bowler hat and umbrella that are hanging on a coat rack, and walks to the open window]

      Self - Host: goodbye.

      [bows, tosses both bowler hat and umbrella out the window, and walks off]

    • Connections
      Spoofed in Mathnet: The Case of the Swami Scam (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      Funeral March of a Marionette
      Written by Charles Gounod

    User reviews11

    Review
    Top review
    An Interesting Departure
    A departure for the series. It's basically a gimmick plot that manages a good dose of suspense, but without the usual hint of Hitchcock mayhem or dark deeds.

    Marshall and Klugman are two self-described "cogs' in a faceless corporate machine. They dream of riches, independence, and telling-off their cranky boss. But the way they meekly submit, you figure they'll remain just pipe dreams. Then Marshall starts getting anonymous letters making predictions that prove uncannily accurate. Soon, he's making bets based on the predictions that pay off, and his dreams begin to look real. So what's the deal here. Who's the anonymous "prophet", and does he have the kind of psychic powers he appears to have. He better because Marshall is now "borrowing" from company funds

    These two fine actors help carry the story, but it's also a clever script. Note the bar scene with its humorous overtones, the regimented desks on the office floor, or the final scene so hugely ironical and satisfying. There's also a subtle subtext contrasting the wisdom of belief with that of skepticism working its way through. No, it may not be typical Hitchcock, but the gimmick does keep you guessing.
    helpful•21
    3
    • dougdoepke
    • Oct 24, 2009

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 13, 1957 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions
      • Shamley Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      32 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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