Alfred Hitchcock Presents 1.10

The Case of Mr. Pelham

starring Tom Ewell, Raymond Bailey

directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Albert Pelham (Tom Ewell) tells Dr. Harley (Raymond Bailey), an acquaintance, about how someone has been impersonating him. Pelham only knows that there's someone out there impersonating him because people keep telling him about encounters they have had that he cannot recall. After several near misses Pelham finally catches up to his double, who looks just like him. 

Peterson, Pelham's valet, sees them both together but assumes that the second one to show up, the original, must be the fake because he is acting strange.

Thoughts

Tom Ewell played the part of Pelham and of his doppelganger. There is no explanation as to from where the duplicate Pelham originated.

This is an intriguing episode, I like it but I don't love it. The ending is a bit abrupt. Worth a watch, mostly for Tom Ewell's performance, but not one of my favorites.

Notes

This is the only episode of this show in which Tom Ewell appeared. One of his last screen credits was for the role he played in Easy Money (1983) but he probably best known for playing the lead in The Seven Year Itch (1955).

This is the second of 10 episodes of this show in which Raymond Bailey appeared. The first was 1.07 Breakdown. He also appeared one episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour and three episodes The Twilight Zone (1959). The first episode of the Twilight Zone in which he appeared was 1.06 Escape Clause. He appeared in one episode of The Phil Silvers Show, 2.19 Bilko Goes to Monte Carlo. He was also in Vertigo (1958).

Justice Watson played the part of Peterson. This is the first of two episodes of this show in which he appeared. His last screen credit was for the role he played in Tower of London (1962).

Kay Stewart played the part of Pelham's secretary. This is the first of five episodes of this show in which she appeared. She also had uncredited parts in Ninotchka (1939) and The Great McGinty (1940).

This is the third episode of this show that Alfred Hitchcock directed. There is just one more first season episode that he directed. He directed at least one episode from each of the seven seasons of this show. For the list of episodes he directed which I have watched see my Alfred Hitchcock page.