Alfred Hitchcock hired Dick York to do some fine roles on his show because he had "the look"... He'd either play the biggest fall guy in the world or the guy who'd put a knife in your back with a smile! Clever casting, long before his kooky "mortal" role in BEWITCHED.
York, not a particularly good guy here, is employed by none other than dapper villain George Macready. Macready was made for this role (who incidentally was best friends with Vincent Price), portraying the "man" who heads a league of assassins. York is one of the crew, albeit the star quarterback, who may be resting on his laurels. To get him off and running again, Maccready makes an offer he can't refuse --kill your fiancee, because she is cramping his style.
This is potent stuff, written by Bernard Schoenfeld, who wrote the classic women's prison film CAGED in 1950. He also wrote a slick film noir, starring Lucille Ball, called THE DARK CORNER (1946). Watch this film for Lucy in a non-comedic role.
I agree with another reviewer, there's a faint gay theme here, strictly tabu in the 50s. Macready's character, as much as he is domineering and arrogant, may also have been snubbed by York's character and the fact that he has a female companion?
Applause for the acting, especially George Macready, and directed by actor Paul Henreid (CASABLANCA) who gets the most out of his two leads.
SEASON 2 remastered Universal dvd box set. 2006.